Spanish Reading Practice: 30+ Different Resources to Sharpen Your Skills
Are you a bilingual bookworm or do you just want to improve your Spanish reading skills?
Either way, this post will give you 32 of the best resources you can use for Spanish reading practice.
Whether it’s an app, cooking blog or news source, you’re sure to find something you’ll enjoy reading.
Let’s get into it.
Contents
- Websites for Spanish Reading
- Apps for Spanish Reading
- Books for Spanish Reading
- News Sources for Spanish Reading
- Poetry for Spanish Reading
- Blogs and Social Media for Spanish Reading
- Why Practice Reading in Spanish
- How to Practice Spanish Reading
Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)
Websites for Spanish Reading
There are plenty of websites out there geared towards language learning. Even if it’s not specifically for reading practice, most of these sites will have reading opportunities.
Websites also make it easy and convenient to practice your reading, so check these out:
1. Lingua
Lingua is a great resource for beginners that has a free vocabulary and reading section divided by level.
The texts are very short, ranging from about 150 to 250 words each and come with a few simple questions to test your understanding.
Texts are also downloadable as PDFs, so you can use them offline or print them out.
2. 123 Teach Me
This is one of the best free online resources for learning Spanish and has a whole section of reading comprehension exercises, which are divided into four different levels.
Each level is subdivided into groups of quizzes that contain one or two readings and an exercise to test your understanding.
Each quiz also includes a short vocabulary list to get you started collecting unknown words.
3. Snappy Spanish
This website aims to teach you Spanish with super short stories from beginner level to advanced.
You can hear the story be read out loud and read the parallel text transcript.
Their goal is for you to only need five minutes a day to practice your Spanish reading skills, making this easy to fit into your day.
4. Readlang
You do have to sign up for Readlang, but it is free and allows you to build your own library of texts you enjoyed or want to read later.
It’s very user-friendly and sorts texts by level and personal preferences for genre, topic, etc.
You also can translate and save words that you don’t know.
5. Kwiziq
This website provides plenty of Spanish reading practice divided by level all the way through C1 (advanced).
You are able to listen to an audio clip and read a transcript of the reading passage. You can click on any phrase for a translation and links to any related grammar lessons.
You are also able to ask questions at the end of the passage, which are answered by a Kwiziq team member.
6. Centro Virtual Cervantes
This site is entirely in Spanish, but has lots of reading for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners.
You will find a variety of rather long texts divided into three levels that include exercises to complete before and after reading.
You can also click on various words to see descriptions of them in Spanish.
7. LyricsTraining
LyricsTraining allows you to choose a Spanish song, then listen and fill in the blanks with the correct word or phrase.
You can choose your level and challenge yourself to listen to the song and read the lyrics, ensuring you get both reading and listening practice!
8. TED Talks in Spanish
TED Talks discuss interesting innovations and thought-provoking ideas and questions in lots of languages.
You can find a TED Talk on pretty much anything, and each video comes with transcripts in several languages.
You can watch an English talk with a transcript in Spanish and vice versa, or you can listen and read in Spanish!
Apps for Spanish Reading
While websites are convenient for language learning, apps are even more convenient since they bring learning to your phone!
Here are some great apps that have reading options:
9. Duolingo
Duolingo teaches you Spanish through gamified “bite-size lessons” with all kinds of fun exercises.
While the program offers a decently well-rounded approach, you will find plenty of activities to bolster your Spanish reading skills.
You will find translation exercises and short stories that you can read to boost those reading skills in a fun way!
10. FluentU
FluentU takes authentic videos—like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks—and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.
It gives you a chance to practice Spanish reading with interactive subtitles, transcripts and quizzes that test your comprehension.
The best part is that FluentU keeps track of the vocabulary that you’re learning and recommends examples and videos based on the words you’ve already learned.
Videos are organized by skill level and category, so you’re sure to find something that appeals to you regardless of your level or interests.
Click here to check out the website or download the iOS app or Android app.
11. Mosalingua 
This app offers a basic all-around learning app for Spanish, but if you upgrade to Mosalingua Web, you’ll gain access to learning with real-world reading resources like news sites along with helpful tools.
You can even make your own flashcards for the words and phrases you’re learning in context!
12. LingQ 
LingQ is another app that allows you to create a supported DIY reading experience with your own content.
You can import any content you find online and use it to practice your Spanish reading, and you also get access to a robust online library.
Learn to read with content that’s meaningful to you!
13. SpanishPod101
This resource has plenty of podcasts and lessons that include listening and reading comprehension activities covering a range of topics.
While this program is largely based on audio resources, everything comes with a transcript.
This means you can practice your Spanish listening and reading skills at the same time!
Books for Spanish Reading
You can read any book in Spanish and you will immediately be working on your language skills.
Whether you start out with easy-to-read novels, delve into an intermediate novel or boldly attempt to read an advanced novel, your reading skills will improve greatly.
Simply consider your Spanish level and interests and find a book that will keep you engaged.
Here are some places that you can find some books in Spanish:
14. Rincón Castellano (The Spanish Corner)
Sometimes a long text with too many unknown words can frustrate us at the beginning of our learning journey.
That’s where the short stories on this page come in.
This site has over 100 stories here by celebrated authors.
Have your dictionary handy and settle in for a story that can be completed during a commercial break.
15. Penguin Random House
Penguin Random House has put together a list of teen and young adult Spanish language books sure to spike your interest if you’re tired of nonfiction.
Since they’re written with a younger audience in mind, they use simpler language and are meant to be engaging and entertaining.
16. Languages on the Web
This resource has Spanish stories with line-by-line equivalents in English.
If you’re not sure what a sentence means, all you have to do is look right next to it for the English phrase. Some of the texts are rather complex, so this is best for intermediate to advanced learners.
16. Dual Texts 
Dual Texts is an online bilingual magazine designed for advanced learners, but since there are translations, lower-level learners could benefit as well.
There are articles on current events, culture, health and a wide variety of other topics side-by-side in both Spanish and English.
17. Project Gutenberg
This resource gives you free access to Spanish books, which tend to be older, classic literature originally written in Spanish.
While this may mean you will see more complicated language, it’s a great way to expose yourself to new grammar and vocabulary.
From Project Gutenberg, you can read online or download to your Kindle.
18. International Children’s Digital Library
Children’s stories are a great starting place for reading Spanish since the language is so simple.
This resource gives you access to plenty of Spanish children’s books that even allow you to see the original illustrations.
While the interface seems a little old, it’s easy enough to navigate and works pretty well.
News Sources for Spanish Reading
Reading Spanish-language newspapers will improve your knowledge of both the language and culture. Plus, it will keep you up to date with current events.
Here are some of the best Spanish news sources you should look into:
19. El Nuevo Día (The New Day)
This Puerto Rican news publication will help you bolster your Spanish reading skills while also digesting the current information in the world of fashion, politics, technology and more.
Want a little taste of what’s offered? Start by reading about how to rent Tony Stark’s cabin from “Avengers Endgame” or, for a quicker read, take a look at your daily horoscope.
20. Hola qué pasa
Beginners should check out a site that provides news articles about politics, sports, celebrity gossip and all manner of current events in basic Spanish, with definitions of vocabulary words that may be new.
You can even hear an audio reading of the articles and take quizzes on the content once you’re finished.
21. CNN en español 
The Spanish CNN has much of the coverage you’ve come to expect from this prominent news outlet, with regular coverage of the latest in U.S. politics and current events, as well as major international stories.
There are also videos accompanying many of the stories, for those who’d like a multimedia approach.
22. BBC Mundo 
This source offers a less U.S.-centric approach to the news (although they certainly don’t ignore U.S. news entirely).
This version of the BBC’s coverage prioritizes international and Latin American news stories, rather than specifically British or European happenings.
BBC is pretty well-respected for neutrality, so you can expect the news to be rather truthful and not as heavily biased as some regional channels.
23. Regional News Sources
You can also look up major news outlets from specific Spanish-speaking countries to read about regional stories that might be missed in the international coverage.
Try El Universal of Venezuela, El Faro of El Salvador or El País of Spain, just to name a few.
Poetry for Spanish Reading
Poems are short and sweet and a good way to realize how Spanish flows as well as Spanish cultural perspective.
Poems are incredibly diverse, so you can explore until you find a style you like. Here are some great spots to start looking:
24. AlbaLearning
This page contains 20 poems written by the great Pablo Neruda, with verses written in Spanish and English side by side.
You can also listen to recorded readings of the novels.
Poems and short stories in Spanish by other great authors are available, but the Pablo Neruda poems were the only parallel texts.
25. Yavendrás
If you just can’t get enough poetry, then this is the site for you.
You’ll find 100 poems about various topics. 50 of those poems are by celebrated authors like Victor Hugo and Gabriel García Márquez and the other 50 are submitted by the users.
Finding something you like isn’t hard on this site since there are a number of categories to choose from.
Blogs and Social Media for Spanish Reading
Nowadays, we would be remiss not to mention social media in our lineup of opportunities to learn Spanish reading.
Here are some great Spanish blogs and social media pages you can check out to read casual posts on what you’re interested in:
26. RAEinforma
This Twitter account from La Real Academia Española (The Royal Spanish Academy) posts short snippets about Spanish words and their meanings and origins.
If you feel like something a little more extensive, you can always dive deeper into the rabbit hole and follow the links to the articles they share.
27. Practicamos Español (We Practice Spanish)
As the name suggests, this is a Facebook account geared toward Spanish learners with informative & interesting posts in Spanish.
Not only will you find short snippets of information in Spanish, but you’ll also discover links to different activities and other resources to help your español (Spanish).
28. My Colombian Recipes
If you like to cook, this is a great blog that will help you combine your hobby with your language learning.
Erica gives you plenty of Colombian recipes sure to make you drool, plus you’ll learn lots of vocabulary and cultural information!
Whatever you do, you’ll need a healthy dose of Spanish food vocabulary to get you started.
29. Tastemade Español
If you’re just starting out reading recipes in Spanish (or you’re like me and not the best cook), you’ll want to start with easy recipes, like desserts you can make in the microwave.
This blog is perfect for that! These recipes are simple to make and simple to understand. Plus they come with videos!
30. Sazón Boricua 
Yet another cooking blog, this site features recipes from a Puerto Rican food blogger passionate about sharing the island’s culture with the world.
There are also some posts on lifestyle, like decorating, cleaning and travel, if you’re more interested in reading up on things like that!
31. Orielo’s Kitchen 
Shifting to the other side of the world, this blog is full of lactose-free recipes posted by a chef based in Málaga, Spain.
There are also plenty of vegan and vegetarian options.
Even if you don’t have dietary restrictions, these recipes are sure to satisfy the whole family!
32. La cocina mexicana de Pily 
This is a blog of Mexican recipes from a mom who wants to show the beauty of her country.
Mexican cuisine is known across the world for its flavor, so reading up on how to recreate it is great reading practice and a great addition to your kitchen.
Why Practice Reading in Spanish
Many people do not realize how essential learning how to read in Spanish is.
It is useful for so much more than just reading a Spanish novel you picked up on a whim in a local bookshop:
- It is one of the easiest ways to expand your Spanish vocabulary, in general as well as on specific topics.
- Reading helps build your repertoire of colloquial Spanish words and phrases.
- Reading is a practical way to familiarize yourself with Spanish sentence structure.
- Finally, reading is a gateway to exploring Spanish-speaking cultures. From literature to history to current events, there is always something new to unlock through reading.
Not to mention, if you plan on visiting a Spanish-speaking country any time soon, being able to read at least basic Spanish will definitely come in handy.
Try navigating an airport in Guatemala without being able to read Spanish. Trust me, it is not easy!
How to Practice Spanish Reading
Learning a new language can be a daunting task, especially when one of the first things you do is pick up a chunky Spanish novel.
Here is how to make your path to reading much easier:
- Do not bite off more than you can chew. If you are a beginner, start learning to read in Spanish with very small, bite-sized texts.
- Focus on understanding the text or sentence as a whole, rather than stopping for every word you do not know. Often, translating a text word-for-word leads to confusion and inaccuracy.
- Build a vocabulary list as you read. Make note of key words and add them to your vocabulary list.
- Do the comprehension exercises. Many texts designed for Spanish learners also include exercises to test your comprehension. Do not skip these!
- Turn reading into a multipurpose exercise. Read the text out loud to work on your pronunciation and fluency.
- To reinforce what you learn after you read, it can be really helpful to listen to Spanish audio or videos about the same topic (if you can find them).
Soon, you will find yourself zooming through Spanish texts like Harry during a particularly exciting game of Quidditch. Isn’t reading great?
Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)
