“I don’t have time to study Spanish”: Real strategies for busy people

Studying Spanish with a busy schedule isn’t easy, but there are ways to keep the language part of your daily routine.

“I don’t have time to study Spanish.”

It’s something I hear very often. People who truly want to learn, but have packed schedules, unpredictable routines, and days that end without having opened a single notebook. And yes, it’s frustrating.

But in many cases, the problem isn’t the lack of time — it’s our idea of what “studying” means. We tend to think we need to sit down for an hour with a grammar book, do exercises, memorize vocabulary lists… and if we don’t do that, we feel like we’re not doing “enough.”

The good news is that there are other ways to make progress, even with little time. The key is to expose yourself to Spanish as much as possible, and to try to think in Spanish, without translating everything into your own language. In this article, I’ll share some strategies to study Spanish that I often recommend to my busiest students — and that I use myself when learning other languages. These are simple, sustainable ways to learn, more connected to enjoyment than obligation.

Some strategies to study Spanish

🎧 1. Listen to podcasts on topics you enjoy

If you don’t have much time to sit down and study, listening to a podcast is probably one of the most practical ways to keep the language present in your daily life. You can do it while cooking, driving, cleaning, or walking to work. But the most important thing: don’t just listen to any Spanish podcast. Look for content you’re genuinely interested in. It could be about film, health, culture, psychology, history, technology… whatever sparks your curiosity. When you enjoy what you're listening to, you pay attention without effort — and that’s one of the secrets to consistent learning.

Also, continuous exposure to the language —even passive— helps you get familiar with real pronunciation, rhythm, vocabulary, and structure.

If you’re a beginner, look for slower-paced podcasts or those created for learners. If you’re intermediate or advanced, go ahead and listen to native content, even if you don’t understand everything. The important thing is to keep your ear active.

🎵 2. Listen to music in Spanish and sing

Music has a huge advantage: it repeats. And that repetition, almost without you noticing, helps you memorize words, structures, and expressions. If you choose songs you enjoy —even if you don’t understand everything at first— you’ll be exposed to the language in a natural, emotional, and highly effective way.

Singing also forces you to pay attention to pronunciation, rhythm, and how words actually sound in context. You don’t need to have a good voice or even sing out loud. Mentally repeating lyrics is already an active form of practice.

To get more out of it:

• Look up the lyrics and read while listening

• Listen again without reading and try to identify what you already know

Create a playlist with your favorite Spanish songs and play it throughout the day. You’ll be surprised how much you can learn from just one song you listen to several times.

🎬 3. Watch movies or series with Spanish subtitles

Watching audiovisual content in Spanish is a powerful way to expose yourself to real language in real contexts: you see lip movements, gestures, and how phrases are used in specific situations. All of this helps develop a more natural and complete understanding of the language.

A very effective strategy is to turn on Spanish subtitles while watching. This helps you connect sounds with written words and recognize grammar and expressions in real usage — not just in textbooks.

You don’t need to understand everything. In fact, you’ll learn more if you accept that you won’t understand every word. The important thing is to follow the story, grasp the tone, and focus on what you already recognize.

If there’s a scene you like, watching it again is also a great way to reinforce learning.

📚 4. Read in Spanish (even just a few pages a day)

Reading is one of the most effective ways to expand your vocabulary, reinforce structures, and improve comprehension. And you don’t need to read long novels or force yourself to finish books you’re not interested in. The key is to choose texts that feel pleasant and accessible.

A good option is to read books originally written in Spanish — stories crafted in the language, with authentic expressions and natural rhythm. But you can also read translations of books you already know in your native language. This lets you compare, anticipate content, and notice subtle differences between languages.

Reading for pleasure, without pressure, is essential. It doesn’t matter if you only understand 70% — your brain is still working, recognizing patterns, and absorbing new information naturally.

Read a few pages a day, highlight words you find interesting, or simply read for enjoyment. Every sentence you understand without mentally translating is a step closer to fluency.

🗣️ 5. Talk to yourself and use post-its to remember vocabulary

A simple and effective strategy is to describe your daily routine in Spanish, even if it’s just in your head or whispered to yourself. Talking through your actions —from making coffee to planning your day— helps keep the language active and lets you practice grammar and vocabulary in real contexts.

To support this habit, you can also place post-it notes with the names of everyday objects around your home or workspace. Seeing the word associated with the object reinforces vocabulary effortlessly, and you can say it aloud or repeat it silently whenever you pass by.

This method lets you learn and review words regularly without needing extra study time. You can do it while going about your daily routine, without adding anything new to your schedule.

You don’t need to speak perfectly or form complex sentences. The goal is to build the habit of thinking and speaking in Spanish — even in a simple, spontaneous way.

Final thoughts

Incorporating Spanish into your routine doesn’t have to feel like a heavy task or an impossible commitment. These strategies are designed to help you move forward without feeling like you’re “studying,” but rather doing things that feel enjoyable and natural.

Even if you can only dedicate a few minutes here and there, that small, regular contact adds up. The key is to find ways to connect with the language that fit your life and your interests.

Trying just one or two of these ideas can make a real difference. And above all, remember that learning a language is a process you build day by day.