Why You Understand Spanish but Can’t Speak It.

Many Spanish learners reach a point where they understand conversations, videos, podcasts, or written texts, but when it’s time to speak, the words simply don’t come out.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone — and more importantly, there’s nothing wrong with you.

Understanding Spanish but not being able to speak it is one of the most common frustrations among language learners.

Let’s look at why this happens — and what actually helps you move from understanding to speaking with confidence.

1. Too Much Passive Learning

Many students spend years learning Spanish through:

• apps

• videos

• podcasts

• reading and listening exercises

All of these are useful, but they are passive skills.
They help you understand Spanish, but they don’t train your brain to produce the language.

Speaking is an active skill.
If you don’t practice speaking regularly, your brain simply isn’t used to forming sentences in real time.

That’s why you may understand everything — but freeze when you try to talk.

2. Fear of Making Mistakes

Another very common reason is fear.

Many learners feel they need to:

• speak perfectly

• avoid mistakes

• “know more grammar” before speaking

The problem is that perfect Spanish doesn’t exist in real conversations.

Native speakers make mistakes.
Advanced speakers make mistakes.
Speaking is messy — and that’s completely normal.

If you wait until you feel “ready,” you may never start speaking at all.

3. Lack of Guided Speaking Practice

Speaking alone is not enough.

Many students try to practice by:

• talking to themselves

• speaking with friends who don’t correct them

• memorizing phrases

What’s missing is guided practice:

• a safe environment

• clear explanations

• gentle correction

• feedback adapted to your level

Without guidance, it’s very hard to improve your speaking skills effectively.

What Actually Helps You Speak Spanish.

If you understand Spanish but can’t speak it yet, these elements make a real difference:

• regular speaking practice

• a relaxed and supportive environment

• clear explanations instead of memorization

• corrections that help you improve without blocking your confidence

Speaking Spanish is not about knowing more.
It’s about using what you already know.

Online or In-Person Spanish Classes?

Both online and in-person classes can help you move from understanding to speaking — it depends on your context and learning style.

Online Spanish classes are ideal if you:

• live outside Argentina

• want flexibility

• prefer learning from home

  If you want to move from understanding Spanish to actually speaking it, you can explore my online Spanish classes and start practicing real conversation.

In-person Spanish classes in Rosario are perfect if you:

• live in or are visiting Argentina

• want full cultural immersion

• enjoy face-to-face interaction

  Face-to-face interaction is key for many learners, which is why I also offer in-person Spanish classes in Rosario.

What matters most is not the format, but how much you speak and how you’re guided while doing it.

From Understanding to Speaking with Confidence

If you already understand Spanish, you are much closer than you think.

With the right support, regular speaking practice, and a relaxed learning environment, you can start speaking Spanish more confidently and naturally.

If you’d like to take the next step, you can explore my online Spanish classes or my in-person Spanish classes in Rosario and see which option fits you best.

In this short video, I introduce myself and explain how my online Spanish lessons work.