Does Babbel Have Mexican Spanish? What Its Course Covers

Does Babbel have Mexican Spanish?

Yes. Babbel’s help center says it offers two Spanish courses, “one focused on European Spanish and one on Mexican Spanish”, and that both include speakers from several Spanish-speaking countries, so you hear a range of accents either way (Babbel help center). Babbel also notes that the two varieties differ in some pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar and spelling, but are fully mutually intelligible.

For most travelers to Mexico, or anyone who wants the Spanish spoken across most of the Americas, the Mexican course is the one to pick.

Why can’t I find Mexican Spanish on Babbel?

Check your display language first: Babbel says Mexican Spanish is only available when American English is set as your display language, and that you can change it anytime. If your app is set to British English or another language, you’ll only see the European Spanish course.

How far does Babbel’s Mexican Spanish course go?

Babbel’s Mexican Spanish courses and extra topics go up to level B1, an intermediate level where you can handle most everyday situations. Its European Spanish courses go further, up to C1, with extra topics up to B2. So if you want advanced Babbel lessons, those are in the Spain course.

Can you practice speaking Mexican Spanish on Babbel?

Yes: Babbel Speak, an AI conversation partner, is available for Mexican Spanish. Babbel describes it as a beta feature, only on the mobile app, where you pick an everyday scenario, take turns talking with the AI, and get feedback on your tasks and vocabulary afterwards; the stated goal is “to practise being understood without worrying about perfect grammar or vocabulary” (Babbel help center). With American English as your display language, Babbel Speak covers French, German, Italian and Mexican Spanish.

Babbel’s conversation-practice page says Babbel Speak is free for all registered users for a limited time and that Babbel may charge for it later (Babbel). The regular lessons, which also use speech recognition, need a subscription beyond the sample lessons.

How is CiaoSpeak’s Spanish course different?

CiaoSpeak’s Spanish course is also Latin American Spanish and also stops at early B1, so it doesn’t go further than Babbel’s Mexican course. The difference is where the speaking practice comes from: it’s built into the course itself. A speaking question unlocks when you finish the lesson that teaches the words to answer it, comes back a few days later, and every answer you manage goes into your phrasebook.

The whole course is set in Mexico City, so the people who ask the questions are the ones you’d meet there: Don Chuy asks ¿Qué le doy? (“What can I get you?”) at the taco stand, and Diego at the office asks if you like working there. Lessons are free, and in the Speak tab today’s questions (up to five a day) are free too; CiaoSpeak+ adds practice in any scene whenever you like.

If you’re weighing Duolingo too, here’s which Spanish Duolingo teaches. To get the most out of any app, try a daily routine for speaking Spanish by yourself, and learn the Mexican Spanish phrases you’ll hear first. See how CiaoSpeak teaches Spanish for the full course.

Frequently asked questions

Is Babbel Spanish from Spain or Latin America?

Both, as two separate courses. Babbel offers a European Spanish course and a Mexican Spanish course for English speakers, and says both include speakers from several Spanish-speaking countries.

Why does Babbel only show Spain Spanish?

Babbel says its Mexican Spanish course is only available when the app display language is set to American English. Switch the display language to American English and the Mexican course appears; you can change it back anytime.

What level does Babbel Mexican Spanish reach?

Up to B1, including its extra topics, according to Babbel. Babbel European Spanish goes further, up to C1.

Is Babbel Speak free?

For now. Babbel says Babbel Speak, its AI conversation partner, is free for all registered users for a limited time and that it may charge for it in the future. It is a beta feature on the mobile app only.