Iborra is adjusting to the insensity of the Premier League but the midfielder but be willing to play in different positions to understand Leicester City's style, according to Shakespeare.
The 29-year-old signed from Sevilla in the summer but a groin injury has delayed his Premier League debut, although he did complete 90 minutes in the Foxes' 2-0 Carabao Cup victory over Liverpool last week and Shakespeare is pleased with his progress.
"He is slowly getting used to the game over here. He has got sharper in training and is moving the ball quicker. We have encouraged that," Shakespeare told the Leicester Mercury.
"I think the intensity has taken him by surprise. He is very much a team player in the mould of (Japanese forward) Shinji Okazaki. He is willing to adapt."
The Spanish midfielder can play in a holding role or in a more advanced position and he was a vital part of a midfield three for Sevilla but Shakespeare said Iborra will have to adapt to playing alongside just one central midfield partner.
"We have had regular chats with him about that. You can draw on your experience because he hasn't just played as a number six, which is like a deep midfield player, he has also played as a number 10 in behind," the Leicester boss said.
"It is interesting when we have the conversations about why he was used like that. He is very aware tactically. That game (against Liverpool) will have been great for him in terms of getting him up to speed."