Spanglish Struggles Journal: what's inside, and how to start speaking
Published 27 October 2026
Spanglish Struggles is an Instagram account about the everyday struggles of learning to speak Spanish, run by Curt and Gen. In September 2026 they published a book: the Spanglish Struggles Journal: 30 Days of Spanish Journaling. If you searched for "Spanish Struggles", this is very likely the one you were looking for.
What is the Spanglish Struggles Journal?
According to its Amazon description, it is a guided journal for beginners: thirty days of everyday prompts that get you writing a little Spanish about your own life, with vocabulary, grammar help and space to reflect and track your progress. The authors' idea is to make practising Spanish feel less like studying and more like part of your day.
- Full title: Spanglish Struggles Journal: 30 Days of Spanish Journaling (A1 to A2)
- By: Curt and Gen, the people behind Spanglish Struggles
- Level: beginners, A1 to A2
- Format: paperback, 177 pages, written in English
- Published: September 2026, available on Amazon
Why a journal helps
Writing a few sentences a day about your own life is a smart way to start. You learn the words you actually need (your job, your plans, your bad day) instead of a textbook list, and you have time to think, look things up and fix mistakes. A month of small entries adds up to your own personal phrasebook.
The part writing can't do
Speaking is different. In a real conversation nobody waits while you build a sentence, and the other person answers fast, often with words you didn't plan for. That is why so many learners can write a decent paragraph and still freeze at the bar. We wrote about it in why you freeze when a Spaniard answers.
How to pair the journal with speaking
You don't need to choose. Keep writing, and add two small steps each day:
- Write your journal entry, as the book suggests.
- Say it out loud once, at normal speed, without reading every word.
- Practise one real situation, like ordering a coffee, including the replies you are likely to hear.
A few sentences work in your journal and in conversation alike:
Hoy he ido a la playa.
Today I went to the beach.
In Spain, things that happened today usually take the present perfect: hoy he ido, hoy he comido.
Me apetece un café.
I feel like a coffee.
Me apetece is everyday Spain Spanish for "I feel like". Handy on paper and at the bar.
No sé cómo se dice...
I don't know how to say...
The most useful sentence when you get stuck. Say it, point or describe, and keep going.
Questions people ask
Is it Spanish Struggles or Spanglish Struggles?
The account and the book are called Spanglish Struggles. Many people search for "Spanish Struggles", which is an easy mix-up. The journal's full title is Spanglish Struggles Journal: 30 Days of Spanish Journaling.
Who is the journal for?
Beginners. The description says it is designed for A1 to A2 learners: people just starting out, or looking for a fun way to practise what they already know.
Is Hola Calle connected to Spanglish Struggles?
No. Hola Calle is an independent app for practising the Spanish spoken in Spain, and we are not affiliated with Spanglish Struggles. We simply think a daily journal and a few minutes of speaking practice make a good team.
Want to start speaking today? Try ordering a coffee in Spain or the five-minute daily plan before your trip.