The Kindle device and app make efficient language learning tools if you prep them the right way. Firstly, set your default dictionary to display definitions in Spanish. Then, familiarize yourself with the Vocabulary Builder, a feature that allows you to study translated words on flashcards.
Now that you know how to study, you’re ready to move on to free or very affordable resources for your Kindle, which we’re about to discuss.
This is the go-to source for materials in the public domain. In other words, it’s all free!
It was established in 1971 with the intent to get literary works in the hands and minds of the public, and it now has over 70,000 titles in its catalog. The Spanish section is filled with diverse genres so it’s worth taking a peek to see what’s there—and most have Kindle options for downloading.
2. The Kindle Store
Amazon’s own Tienda Kindle (Kindle store) is an excellent spot to look for Spanish-language Kindle books. The prices on the Kindle store vary greatly, so you can find something to fit any budget (there are even some books available for under a dollar, or completely free).
Additionally, Kindle Unlimited can be a cost-effective option if you read a few books a month. This Amazon program gives you access to over a million books, many of which are available in Spanish, for a low monthly fee. There’s usually a free trial, so you can try it before you commit.
3. Spanish Children’s Books
Children’s literature is a great way to strengthen your language skills. The stories are written with children in mind, which means that the language is easy to follow. Plus, they’re often charming and sometimes funny, even for adults.
“No Quiero Dormir” (“I Don’t Want to Sleep”) and “El Jardín Misterioso” (“The Mysterious Garden”) are great places to start for beginners, while “El Despertar de los Dragones” (“The Awakening of the Dragons”) is a good option for more advanced readers. It’s a story about dragons and the first in a series.
You could even re-read your favorite children’s story from when you were a child, in Spanish!
This digital textbook is designed to help you teach yourself over 2,000 words, as well as to speak, read and understand Spanish. It’s meant to be paired with its audio CDs, but there’s a lot you can learn without them.
This resource is best for beginner to intermediate Spanish learners who’d like a comprehensive approach to Spanish.
This beginner-friendly textbook introduces learners to the 101 most common Spanish vocabulary words. It includes all the basics that you need to start speaking Spanish quickly, along with hundreds of sample sentences for that vocabulary.
You can also download the supplementary MP3 files for listening practice and pronunciation help with the vocabulary.
This textbook series starts with the most common Spanish words and builds up from there. The idea is that, by the end of the first book, you will have mastered 50% of the Spanish words you’ll need to know.
The course comes with mnemonics, visual tools and grammar lessons.
The book aims to be the bridge between classroom learning and actual usable Spanish. This is a good option if you’ve tried learning Spanish in a formal setting yet still can’t quite figure out how to use the language in real life.
This collection of short stories in Spanish is written with learners in mind, yet still provides realistic and natural context for your learning. Each story is written around teaching a language concept in context, like verbs, adjectives, giving directions, using the past tense and more.
The stories come with their own vocabulary lists, multiple-choice exercises and summaries in Spanish and English.
This classic story is commonly taught in junior high schools in the United States for the lessons it teaches about culture shock and finding a place to belong. The book tells the story of Esperanza Cordero, a Puerto Rican girl who grows up in Chicago.
Although it was originally written in English, the Spanish version is a fantastic place to start when you’re moving into longer readings, and it’s especially helpful to have the book in both English and Spanish side by side as you read.
There’s a good chance that you’ve read this classic in English. And if you did, and remember the storyline, that could help as you read it now in Spanish!
The story follows a young girl with special powers, who loves books and just wants to be loved. The harsh environment she’s placed in and the unwelcoming adults in her life influence the innocent girl. Don’t worry, though: Love and acceptance triumph in the end.
This charming story is ideal for both beginner and intermediate Spanish learners who want to start expanding their vocabulary beyond the basics.
This book by Chilean author Isabel Allende is the first in a Young Adult trilogy. It takes the reader into the depths of the Amazon alongside a 15-year-old and his grandmother, where they encounter magical beasts, mythical shamans and many adventures.
Isabel Allende is well-known around the world, and her works are extremely approachable for their straightforward and beautiful language. This particular book is great for language learners since its younger audience makes for slightly easier reading.
This book by Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano is perfect for Spanish learning because the stories, usually based on fact, tend to be no more than a page long. It’s described by one reviewer as a “literary scrapbook” and reveals a lot about the nature of human beings through its collection of anecdotes.
Galeano brings Latin American history and culture to life with vignettes about moments that he witnessed or was told about—all written in very accessible Spanish.
Reading is a wonderfully absorbing way to learn a language. Before you dive head-first into a book, remember that there are other forms of reading, too. For example, the videos on FluentU come with subtitled and transcripts, for a guided and contextual form of learning that engages all the major language skills.
FluentU takes authentic videos—like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks—and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.
You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app or Android app.
If you've made it this far that means you probably enjoy learning Spanish with engaging material and will then love FluentU.
Other sites use scripted content. FluentU uses a natural approach that helps you ease into the Spanish language and culture over time. You’ll learn Spanish as it’s actually spoken by real people.
FluentU has a wide variety of videos, as you can see here:
FluentU brings native videos within reach with interactive transcripts. You can tap on any word to look it up instantly. Every definition has examples that have been written to help you understand how the word is used. If you see an interesting word you don’t know, you can add it to a vocab list.
Review a complete interactive transcript under the Dialogue tab, and find words and phrases listed under Vocab.
Learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentU’s robust learning engine. Swipe left or right to see more examples of the word you’re on.
The best part is that FluentU keeps track of the vocabulary that you’re learning, and gives you extra practice with difficult words. It'll even remind you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned. Every learner has a truly personalized experience, even if they’re learning with the same video.
