If you've never studied Spanish, this article lays out the order to learn things in, what to skip, and how long it honestly takes.
The question I get most often is "where do I start?" The short answer: pronunciation first, then verbs.
Week one: finish pronunciation
Spanish is almost entirely phonetic. Once you know the rules you can read any new word aloud without a dictionary. One week invested here saves months later.
Weeks two to four: present tense, plus ser and estar
Do not touch the past tenses yet. Get the present tense automatic and learn to separate ser from estar. Everything else is built on these two foundations.
Week five onwards: start speaking
Most learners wait until they feel ready, and that day never arrives. Start speaking while you still know under a hundred words. Making mistakes in week five beats staying silent for a year.
What to skip early on
Leave the subjunctive, vosotros and the compound tenses alone. They matter from B1, but in your first three months they only cause discouragement.
How long until you can hold a conversation?
From teaching Thai students: at a consistent three to five hours a week, basic conversation arrives around three months, and A2 level in roughly six to eight.
