5 Places To Find Spanish-Speaking Friends + Pro Tips

Hello, dear ones!

Welcome back to Spring Spanish.

If you’re looking to practice your Spanish or simply make new friends who share your love for the language, you’re in the right place.

Spring Spanish teacher Paulísima is going to explore how you can find Spanish-speaking friends.

1. Language exchange meetups

Have you thought about going to events where you can practice Spanish with native speakers?

You can find language exchange groups in your area, and that means, that you can also find Spanish-speaking friends at these events.

In these, you can meet people who want to learn English, and in return, they’ll help you practice Spanish.

It’s a fun way to make friends and improve your Spanish! Simply with a search on Facebook or Meetup, you can find the right group for you. If you’re a foreigner living in a Spanish-speaking country, you can join Facebook groups and post something like what this guy posted on Facebook:

“¡Hola, amigos! Mi nombre es _____ y soy de ___. Llevo casi un año en CDMX y estoy buscando amigos que quieran hacer un intercambio de idiomas en inglés y español, de noche o los fines de semana.
Mi nivel de español es básico, y busco compañeros que tengan más o menos el mismo o mejor nivel de español. Me interesa la cultura, el comercio, la economía, la actualidad y las historias de vida.”

Did you understand what he said?

Pay attention, in this case, our friend was looking for someone who simply speaks Spanish, not necessarily a native speaker. We recommend that you look for a native speaker, and you’ll find Spanish-speaking friends for life!

So, the best chunks to start with are:

• Me llamo… (My name is…)
• Estoy buscando… (I’m looking for…)
• Mi nivel de español es… (My Spanish level is…)
• Estoy interesado en… (I’m interested in…)

2. Online language exchange platforms

How about joining online platforms where you can find Spanish-speaking friends and chat with them?

There are apps like Tandem or HelloTalk where you can connect with Spanish speakers from all over the world. You can send text messages, make voice or video calls, and improve your Spanish while making new friends.

To create your profile on these types of platforms, you can use the same format we used in the previous point.

In these types of presentations, we use “ready-made” phrases, which are Spanish chunks. Phrases that help us advance quickly with our learning. You can download a whole kit with the most useful phrases in Spanish in the link below that takes you to our Essential Spanish Chunking Kit.

✔️ Cheat Sheet with 54 essential Spanish Chunks you’ll hear and use yourself in ANY Spanish conversation (and example sentences). Taken from our YouTube Teacher’s most popular videos!

✔️ 2 Bonus Cheat Sheets with Travel Chunks and Dating/Relationship Chunks

✔️ A Spanish Chunking Tutorial showing you the 1 technique that’ll help you make 100% of the Spanish from our videos roll off the tongue in just 5 minutes a day (you’re probably only using 50% of our lessons’ potential right now…)

Yes! Send me my FREE Spanish Chunking Kit

3. Find Spanish-speaking friends by volunteering

Would you like to help other people while practicing Spanish?

Consider doing volunteer work in places like community centers, local charities, or even international projects. In addition to helping, you’ll find Spanish-speaking friends speakers in a relaxed and meaningful environment.

Actor 1: Hola, estoy interesado en hacer trabajo voluntario. ¿Hay alguna oportunidad donde pueda interactuar con personas que hablan español? (Hi, I’m interested in volunteering. Is there an opportunity where I can interact with Spanish speakers?
Actor 2: ¡Sí! Tenemos un programa de tutoría donde puedes ayudar a estudiantes de habla hispana con sus tareas escolares. ¿Te gustaría unirte? (Yes! We have a tutoring program where you can help Spanish-speaking students with their homework. Would you like to join?
Actor 1: ¡Me encantaría! (I would love to!)

4. Find Spanish-speaking countries at cultural events and workshops

This is our favorite.

It’s about attending cultural events where you can meet Spanish-speaking people.

You can go to Latin dance classes like:

• salsa,
• bachata,
• cumbia, or
• flamenco.

Also cooking workshops, film screenings, or art exhibitions. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in Hispanic culture and make friends at the same time!

Actor 1: ¡Hola! Soy Pau. Es la primera vez que vengo a un taller de cocina peruana. (Hi, I’m Pau. It’s the first time I come to a Peruvian cooking workshop.)
Actor 2: ¡Hola, Pau! Yo soy Andrea. También es mi primera vez. Me está encantando aprender a hacer ceviche. (Hi, Pau! I’m Andrea. It’s also my first time. I’m really enjoying learning how to make cevice.
Actor 1: ¡Qué bien! ¿Te parece si nos ayudamos mutuamente y practicamos español mientras cocinamos? (Great, how about helping each other and practicing Spanish while we cook?
Actor 2: ¡Por supuesto! Pásame el maíz, por favor. (Of course! Pass me the corn, please.)

5. Pro Tip: Look for embassies and consulates of Spanish-speaking countries

Pro tip: if there are embassies or consulates of Spanish-speaking countries where you live, I suggest you follow them on their social media.

The reason?

Embassies and consulates periodically hold events to promote the culture of their countries. Many people from those countries go to the events. Therefore, it would be a perfect way to meet people from the Spanish-speaking countries that interest you the most.

Actor 1: ¡Hola! Buenos días. Estoy interesada en la cultura mexicana y me preguntaba si ustedes tienen una lista de correo donde informen sobre eventos culturales futuros. (Hello, good morning. I am interested in Mexican culture and I was wondering if you have a mailing list where you inform about upcoming cultural events.)
Actor 2: Sí, claro que sí. Estamos encantados de escuchar tu interés. ¿Me puedes dar tus datos para agregarte a nuestra lista de correo? (Yes, of course we do. We are delighted to hear of your interest, can you give me your contact information so I can add you to our mailing list?)
Actor 1: Por supuesto, mi nombre es Susan Hill y mi correo electrónico es susan_hill1995@gmail.com. (Of course, my name is Susan Hill an my email address is susan_hill1995@gmail.com)
Actor 2: Perfecto, te agregaré a nuestra lista. De hecho, tenemos un evento pronto que podría interesarte. En dos semanas tendremos una exposición de fotografías de lucha libre aquí en el consulado. (Perfect, I’ll add you to our list. In fact, we have an event coming up that you might be interested in. In two weeks we’re having a wrestling photo exhibit here at the consulate.)
Actor 1: ¡Qué emocionante! Definitivamente estaré allí. Muchas gracias por la información. (How exciting! I will definitely be there. Thank you very much for the information.)
Actor 2: ¡Es un placer! Esperamos verte en el evento. ¡Que tengas un buen día! (My pleasure! We look forward to seeing you at the event – have a great day!)

Do you already have friends to practice your Spanish with?

You’re going to need to know what to say, so check out the next lesson where we teach you the 50 phrases you’ll definitely need in your Spanish conversations.