Why many English speakers in Spain still prefer learning with a real teacher

For English speakers living in or moving to Spain, learning Spanish is often about one simple goal: being able to deal confidently with everyday life.

While language apps and AI tools are becoming more common, many learners still want a structured course and support from a real teacher who understands the challenges English speakers face when learning Spanish.

James Spanish School (JSS) was created specifically for adult English speakers who want practical Spanish for life in Spain. Rather than focusing on academic study, the course concentrates on helping students communicate in everyday situations, whether speaking to neighbours, shop staff, officials, tradespeople, or healthcare professionals.

Expat Londoner and JSS student Greg Ross explains:

“When I first started to learn Spanish, I was proud of my 15 months of unbroken daily Duolingo lessons, but when I actually began living here, I realised that knowing how to say ‘The monkey flies a helicopter’ was of no use in the hardware store.

Many of us have wasted time on AI courses, bounced around trying one-on-one, bar classes, night school… books I can’t jump over.

Then I found JSS. James is a brilliant teacher with a brilliant Spanish course. JSS beats the lot; he recognises we don’t want to spend all our days learning. We want to be able to talk to neighbours, shop people, officials and tradespeople, not write a book.”

Principal James Bretherton, a dual-native speaker raised in Spain with more than 25 years of teaching experience with adult English speakers, believes one reason students make progress is because lessons are explained in plain English.

“While 2026 is the year of AI change, so many people are still choosing real teaching over AI. I truly believe it because ours is a standalone comprehensive course, grounded in real world practical applications that brings real results fast.

Students need to have a clear and simple explanation of the differences between English and Spanish sentence structure. I provide that, and I make learning simpler. We don’t need you to go knee-deep into grammar. You just need things explained in plain English, as I do, and you can learn. Remember, you learnt your first language without knowing any grammar; it’s the same.”

One challenge for many learners is building vocabulary that is useful in everyday life. To help with this, JSS includes WordAmigo 2, a vocabulary system built around real-life situations commonly encountered by expats in Spain. Students can also practise pronunciation using native-speaker audio recordings stored on their phones, making it easy to learn while walking, driving, cooking, or relaxing at home.

Life in Spain involves more than learning words and grammar. Understanding local customs and everyday habits can also help people settle in more quickly. JSS lessons include practical cultural insights that many newcomers find useful, helping students feel more confident in daily interactions.

Students can study at their own pace and revisit lessons whenever they wish. Every lesson includes access to teacher support, allowing learners to ask questions when they need guidance. The platform also includes features such as large-text options and audio support to help make learning more accessible.

For many people, the goal is not perfect Spanish. It is being able to handle everyday situations with confidence. By focusing on practical communication, clear explanations, and real-life Spanish, James Spanish School aims to help English speakers do exactly that.

Learn more at James Spanish School.