Which Spanish Should You Learn: Spain or Latin America?
Where should I learn Spanish: in Spain or Latin America? This is a common question that sparks a lot of debate online, but the decision will ultimately boil down to personal preferences, cultural connections and practical possibilities. Here we outline some key factors to consider.
How Different Are the Variations of Spanish?
There are more than 20 Spanish-speaking countries in the world, each with their own range of Spanish accents and dialects. In fact, even within countries you are likely to find quite different accents and vocabulary depending on which region you are in.
Sis the Spanish from Spain (sometimes called "Castilian Spanish") and Latin America very different? There certainly are some important differences in pronunciation, vocabulary and even grammar. For example, in Spain, the “c” and “z” are usually pronounced like “th”, so you'd pronounce gracias as “gra-th-ias” and zapato as “tha-pato”. However, in Latin America they typically sound like an “s” — so in the examples above you'd say it like “gra-si-as” and “sa-pato”.
Also, in Spain, people distinguish between the informal “vosotros” and formal “ustedes” when conjugating verbs for “you, plural”, but in Latin America they just use “ustedes”. And in parts of Latin America (especially Argentina) you'll hear "vos" being used instead of "tú" as the translation of "you". Then there's the variations of slang, which we won't go into here, but you can get some insight watching this great video comparing words from Spain and Argentina!
How Much Does It Matter?
Here's the important thing: all of these variations are based on the same core Spanish language framework, underpinned by shared grammar rules and sentence structures. So just as a British person can easily make themselves understood in the US or Australia, someone from Mexico City and a person from Seville will understand each other, even if certain words, constructions, and accents differ considerably.
What does this mean for non-native Spanish language learners? Well, when you first start as a beginner then most of what you learn will be the same in any country. It's likely that whichever dialect of Spanish you learn first will feel the most "natural" to you, and you may find the accent and vocabulary of others countries — or regions within a country — trickier to understand in the early days. But once you reach a certain level of conversational fluency you should be able to adapt, with a little adjustment period, to how people speak in other Spanish-speaking countries.
Find What Works For You
The "best" type of Spanish to learn is a personal matter, and will depend on various factors such as your individual goals, linguistic background and personal circumstances. For example, if you've grown up in the US, there's a good chance you've been exposed to Latin American Spanish due to the large Latino population that is largely of Central or South American origin. On the other hand, British or Northern European students are more likely to have visited Spain or at least heard Castilian Spanish. For these people, familiarity and geographical proximity may make Spain a more practical destination for learning the language.
Below we highlight a few key factors that are worth weighing in more detail:
Where you plan to travel. If your dream is to travel, work, or live in Europe, then Castilian Spanish will serve you well across Spain and in dealings with the EU. If you're more likely to end up in Latin America, then a version from the region will give you a head start across a much larger geography.
Cost of living and program length. Both regions offer affordable options relative to the US or UK, but costs vary significantly by city. Latin American destinations can be especially budget-friendly, which can matter if you're planning a longer immersive stay.
Career and professional goals. For US-based careers, Latin American Spanish carries a practical edge because the overwhelming majority of Spanish speakers in the US use Latin American varieties. For careers connected to Spain, the EU, or European business, Castilian Spanish is probably more natural fit.
What you're already familiar with. US students usually have more exposure to Latin American Spanish already. Brits and Europeans are likely more familiar with Spain's accent. This may sway your decision.
Cultural or heritage connection. Some learners are drawn to a specific country or region for family, heritage, or personal reasons — a relative from Mexico, a partner from Argentina, a long-term interest in Andalusian culture. This kind of personal pull is often a stronger motivator than any practical consideration, and shouldn’t be ignored.
Academic and institutional ties. If you're studying through a university partnership, exchange program, or specific academic interest, the institutions available in each region may guide the decision more than personal preference does.
Thinking About The 'How', More Than The 'Where'
Perhaps the framing of the original question in this article is misguided. Ultimately, the choice of where to study starts to matter less than how you study and who you study with.
Nothing beats immersion in a Spanish-speaking country for quick learning in an authentic cultural context. And taking an intensive language course in a Spanish-speaking country is a sure-fire way to accelerate your progress. In most cases, people starting from scratch can reach conversational fluency after around 6-9 months of this type of study.
Wherever you choose to learn Spanish, the best immersive programs aren't simply teaching you a standardised version of the language in a foreign setting. They're teaching you the Spanish that's actually spoken around you — the local accent, the idiomatic expressions, the cultural references that make the difference between textbook competence and genuine fluency.
Expanish offers a range of programs at six destinations across Spain, Argentina and Costa Rica. Our high academic standards and course structures are consistent wherever you study, but our teachers are local residents and the content adapts to where you are. So a course in Madrid works with Castilian Spanish and around the typical features of European life, while the equivalent course in our Buenos Aires campus is grounded in the rioplatense Spanish dialect and Argentine culture and society.
This matters regardless of whether you're planning to study in one region or eventually both. It means that wherever you decide to go, you'll join a program that treats local linguistic styles and cultural idiosyncrasies as part of the curriculum.
Read more: What Happens When You Live in Spanish
Ultimately, the decision on whether to learn Spanish in Spain or Latin America boils down to personal preferences, cultural connections and practical possibilities. So instead of fretting too much about choosing Spain or Latin America, visit our website and find the immersive Expanish program that best suits your needs.
We’ll make sure you get an authentic local language and cultural experience, wherever the destination.
Find out more about our range of immersive programs in Spain (Madrid, Barcelona or Malaga), Argentina (Buenos Aires) and Costa Rica.
