Ever tried finding your way through a crowded city with no signs or maps? It’s frustrating and disorienting. That’s exactly how a lot of Spanish speakers feel when they first take on English. There’s so much information out there, but not much clarity on where to begin or what really works. The good news? Just like every city has its hidden shortcuts, there are smart, lesser-known ways to learn English faster—and they’re especially helpful if you speak Spanish.

Right now, over 1.5 billion people around the world speak English. That’s a massive number—and it’s no surprise, considering how useful the language is. Whether you’re looking to travel, land a better job, enjoy your favorite movies without subtitles, or dive into books and research, knowing English can really open doors.

And if you speak Spanish, you’ve already got a leg up. You’re not starting from zero. In fact, there are built-in advantages you might not even realize yet.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through some of the most helpful tips made especially for Spanish speakers. We’ll talk about how to spot those helpful lookalike words—cognates—that exist in both languages (like hotel, which is exactly the same). You’ll also learn how to avoid common slip-ups—like thinking librería is a library (easy mistake, but it actually means bookstore).

So if you’ve been feeling a bit lost with your English, don’t worry—you’re definitely not alone. And the good news? You’re already way closer to real progress than you probably think.