What is the best method to learn Spanish on your own?

First, let me tell you a bit about my story.

I'll tell you the truth: I have never traveled outside the country. The first time I did, I was 6 years old, and it was to Panama. Soon, I will be going to Mexico for work, and that's why I created the BowtiedColombia account in English. You may wonder how it's possible for me to know English without ever leaving the country or paying a teacher to teach me.

Truth be told, learning English was challenging for me. I studied international relations, where the country's elite studied, but I did not belong to the elite. My father faced financial difficulties when I was in university, and at that university of millionaires, everyone knew how to speak English.

The readings were in English, and I couldn't even read a paragraph. I translated everything word by word. When I studied, the readings were in physical format, and it wasn't very common to read digitally, so I had to translate word by word.

There were days when I couldn't finish reading the chapters, but I always aced the exams because what little I read, I read well, and besides, I have always been intelligent. It's a verified fact. I didn't need to study as much.

People used to make fun of my English because, obviously, I didn't know it. I am from Santa Marta, practically from a small town compared to Bogota. In Bogota, people have a higher level, more culture, and more money, at least at that university.

I remember that in my class, everyone assumed that they had traveled to the United States. I was the only one who didn't know it, and I still don't.

But I didn't give up. I studied as best as I could, and now I have a good level. A level that allows me to create content, meet and speak with foreigners, and understand everything perfectly.

How did I do it?

With my savings, I managed to buy an iPad, and I started practicing with the Kindle and a function on the iPad that allows you to read and listen to what you read. Basically, I started with children's stories, the most basic ones, and gradually moved on to reading topics that I liked.

I think the first complete book I read in English was "The 48 Laws of Power" by Robert Greene, and that's how I started. Now, I only read in English.

That's my method: reading children's stories while listening to what I read using the iPad's function, and gradually starting to listen to podcasts like those of Naval Ravikant or Joe Rogan. From there, the world is yours. You practically become bilingual that way. Step by step. It took me at least four months to reach a certain level. After that, I became unstoppable because I started reading and listening to topics that I enjoyed.

Obviously, I don't write very well, but I can listen, speak, and read well. I feel that if you want to learn Spanish, you should do the same thing I did.

I can help you. I have agreements with many schools if you want something formal or traditional.

Global Studies
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pd: The photo has nothing to do with it, haha! It's Diomedes Diaz, the most successful singer in the history of Colombia. But I find that photo fitting because I feel it goes well with the title of this article hahaha