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Learning Spanish as an adult has been a real challenge for me. It’s exciting, sure, but I’ll admit—it can feel intimidating, especially when our brain as adults doesn’t seem to absorb things as quickly as it did when we were a kid. As someone who’s been teaching myself Spanish, I’ve had my fair share of moments where I felt completely lost, wondering where to even begin.
That’s why discovering the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) was such a game-changer. Instead of guessing what to learn or what’s important, I had this clear roadmap laid out for me—one that breaks everything down by level and focuses on exactly what’s essential at each stage.
If you are a beginner or an A1 Spanish student, it is all about getting the basics down. Think of it as learning how to walk before you run: you’ll focus on simple phrases, everyday words, and essential grammar that help you handle situations like saying hello, introducing yourself, or even ordering a café con leche.
Starting with A1 isn’t just a box to check; it’s where you build the foundation for everything that comes next. If you skip this step, you’ll probably struggle later on. But with a solid grasp of the basics, you’ll find it much easier to move forward—and enjoy the process!
A1 Spanish: What You Need to Learn
The reason I wanted to learn Spanish is because I live in Madrid, and I want to be able to communicate and express myself in Spanish. If you have the same goal and you’re a beginner, or at the A1 level, then it’s time to focus on the basics. At this stage, you must be able to use the language to get your point across in simple, everyday situations.
In this article, I’ll be sharing the Instituto Cervantes A1 Outline, which is basically the gold standard for Spanish language learning. The Instituto Cervantes is a prestigious institution founded by Spain in 1991 to promote Spanish language and culture worldwide. In Spain, it plays a crucial role in certifying language proficiency and providing a clear framework for learning. It’s recognized globally for its expertise in teaching Spanish, making it a reliable guide for learners at every level.
At A1 Spanish level, you won’t be fluent yet, but you’ll be able to express yourself in common situations—like ordering food, asking for directions, or introducing yourself. This is just the beginning, and with these basics, you’ll have the tools to keep progressing.
- Greetings and farewells
- Introducing yourself
- Ask for and give personal information
- Asking questions in class
- Expressing intentions
- Talking about reasons for doing things
- Talking about things we can do in different languages
- Describing places
- Expressing location
- Talking about the climate
- Identifying objects
- Expressing needs
- Shopping: asking for products, asking prices, etc,
- Talking about preferences
- Talking about physical appearance and personality
- Expressing and comparing likes, dislikes and interests
- Asking about likes and dislikes
- Talking about personal relationships
- Talking about habits
- Expressing frequency
- Asking for and giving the time
- Ordering in bars and restaurants
- Asking for and giving information about food
- Talking about eating habits
- Discover villages, neighbourhoods and cities
- Talk about what you like the most about a place
- Ask for and give directions
- Express tastes and highlight aspects
A1 Spanish: Vocabulary Essentials
When learning a new language, you can’t skip memorizing vocabulary. It’s non-negotiable. Right now, there are more than 93,000 Spanish words, but don’t worry—you don’t need to learn all of them to navigate everyday situations in a Spanish-speaking country.
Fortunately, the Instituto Cervantes outlines the key topics you should focus on as an A1 Spanish learner to build your vocabulary. These essential areas will give you the words and phrases you need to get by in daily conversations and help you connect with the language in meaningful ways.
- Numbers
- Alphabet
- Languages
- Classroom activities
- Nationalities
- Occupations
- Work places
- Leisure
- Climate and weather
- Seasons
- Geography
- Places of interest
- Information about countries
- Colours, Clothes and, accesories
- Common objects
- Family
- Personality adjectives
- Music
- Days of the week
- Times of the day
- Daily activities
- Meals of the day
- Foods
- Ways of cooking
- Cooking
- Utensils and recipients
- Typical dishes in Spain and Latin America
- Services and places in cities
- Adjectives to describe places
A1 Spanish: Grammar Rules
Grammars, I know, I hate it too… But here’s the thing: at the A1 level, getting a grip on the basic grammar rules is key to forming simple sentences and getting your point across. While grammar might seem like a lot to handle, focusing on the essentials will help you build a solid foundation.
You’ll start with basic structures like present tense verbs, articles, and word order—stuff that’ll make it easier to communicate in everyday situations. Once you nail these, you’ll be ready to move on to more complex stuff later on.
- Gender (masculine/feminine)
- Present tense (-ar, -er, -ir)
- Verbs ser, estar, llamarse and tener.
- Definite articles: el, los, la, las.
- Indefinite articles: un, unos, una, unas.
- Personal pronouns: yo, tú, él, ella, etc.
- Uses of: (muy / bastante) bien, regular, mal, etc.
- Hay / no hay
- Superlative
- Use of quantifiers: muy, mucho, mucha, muchos, muchas.
- Interrogatives: cómo, dónde, qué cuál, cuáles, cuántos, cuántas.
- Por, para, porque.
- Obligation: tener que + Infinitive.
- Irregular verbs: ser, estar, ir preferir
- Demonstratives: este, esta, estos, estas, esto.
- Phonetics: intonation, vowels, connectors, accentuation
- The verb gustar
- Quantifiers (muy, bastante, un poco, …)
- Possessives (mi-s, tu-s, etc.)
- También, tampoco
- Present tense of irregular verbs
- Pronominal verbs (levantarse)
- Yo también / tampoco; Yo sí / no.
- Conectors: primero, después, luego.
- Impersonal forms with se
- The verbs poner and traer
- Direct object pronouns (lo, la, los, las)
- Uses of de and con
- Quantifiers (algún, ningún, mucho, …)
- Prepositions and adverbs of place: a, en, al lado de, lejos, cerca…
- Phonetics: intonation in questions, narration and enumeration, specific sounds (che, jota, erre), dipthongs, etc.
Personal Recommendation for Studying A1 Spanish
Now that you know what to focus on as an A1 learner, let’s talk about how to make the most of this info.
KwiziqOne tool that really helped me along the way was Kwiziq. It’s an online platform designed specifically for language learners, and what I love about it is that it’s tailored to your level. It uses a mix of grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension exercises, all aligned with the CEFR levels, so you’ll know exactly what you should be working on at any given time.
Here’s what makes Kwiziq a great resource for A1 learners:
- Personalized Learning Plan: Take a quick test to assess your level and get lessons suited to your strengths and weaknesses.
- CEFR-Aligned Content: The platform is designed around the CEFR levels, ensuring that you’re learning exactly what’s appropriate for your level.
- Progress Tracking: The platform will suggest lessons based on your strengths and weaknesses, helping you focus on areas that need improvement.
- Focused Lessons: Bite-sized lessons that cover essential topics, from vocabulary to basic grammar and sentence structure.
- Self-Paced: Learn at your own pace and revisit lessons whenever you need.
- Free & Paid Versions: Kwiziq offers both a free version with basic access and a paid version that unlocks more features.
- Practice All Skills: It provides practice in all areas—listening, reading, writing, and speaking—so you can develop well-rounded language skills.
If you’re looking for a super versatile and easy-to-use app to help you learn Spanish, SpanishDict (better than Duolingo I would say 🙂) should definitely be on your radar. It’s practically designed with beginners in mind, making it the perfect companion for A1 learners who are just starting their journey.
Here’s what makes SpanishDict a must:
- User-Friendly Interface: Simple to navigate, so you can find what you need without feeling overwhelmed.
- Comprehensive Dictionary: Quickly look up words, see clear definitions, and check out example sentences to understand context.
- Perfect for Grammar Beginners: With straightforward grammar guides and verb conjugation tables, you’ll feel confident tackling those tricky basics.
- Vocabulary Boosting Flashcards: Build your word bank with ready-made decks or customize your own!
- Audio for Pronunciation Practice: Hear how words are pronounced, so you sound more natural when you speak.
- Quizzes and Practice: Test yourself on vocabulary and grammar, keeping things interactive and engaging.
The app is free for Android and Apple users, but if you want to go ad-free or unlock additional features like offline access, there’s also a premium version. Whether you’re practicing at home or on the go, SpanishDict is a powerful tool to help you stay consistent and focused on your goals.
It’s like having a language tutor in your pocket—perfect for any beginner wanting to build a solid foundation in Spanish!
Conclusion
There you have it—your guide as an A1 Spanish learner for building a strong foundation in the language. The internet is packed with resources to support you, from apps to online courses, both free and paid. But at the end of the day, it’s your consistent effort that truly makes the difference. Practice regularly, embrace the challenges, and celebrate the small wins.
I know what it feels like to start from scratch, but the progress you’ll make is incredibly rewarding. Mastering A1 is just the beginning—soon, you’ll be on your way to tackling A2 and beyond. Stay committed, and you’ll be amazed at how far you can go!