From the article: What's Your Learning Style?
It's one thing to learn Spanish for the purpose of taking a test, but it's something else to learn to actually use the language in conversation and even to begin thinking in the language. Of course, time helps, but so do the methods you use to learn. What has worked for you? Have you been able to get to the point where you start thinking in Spanish? If so, or even if you see signs of progress but haven't "made it" yet, please share the techniques that are helping you. Share What You've Done
Michel Thomas
- I learned so much with Michel Thomas CD's...he subscribes to the theory that the student can and should learn without memorizing, without homework, he teaches verbally and builds on simple formats...before I was really aware of it, I was speaking Spanish....and I did not have to memorize....now I have the basics, the memory work will start...the conjucations, nouns, etc...but I would not have made it this far without Michel Thomas talking as I'm driving to and from work every day.
- —mim100
Get a Spanish-Speaking Girlfriend
- I was taking evening classes and learning the language at a slow pace. Then I got a Spanish-speaking girlfriend, and one of our main connections was communicating in Spanish. Conversations, music and text messages. My language ability quickly improved several levels. ¡Que importa tener maestra de tiempo completo!
- —Guest Marcos
Write!
- I agree with everyone else's posts, especially about movies, music and podcasts, BUT that is passive learning, merely absorbing Spanish - which MUST be coupled with active learning or USE of the language. Only that way will it begin to become second nature. You really learn to think in it when you start challenging yourself to do so. Keep a journal. Write your entries in Spanish. This is challenging so start small. First start by making notes to yourself in "Spanglish" about things you learn. Then begin to write sentences. Then move on to 1 paragraph, 2, 3, a page etc. This will get you more comfortable with actually using Spanish without the potential "embarrassment" of speaking. Then it is absolutely critical to take this new found confidence and use it. Order in Spanish at a Mexican restaurant, volunteer at Spanish-speaking organizations, work in a fast-food restaurant, travel, make Spanish-speaking friends with whom to practice and don't be afraid to ask them to correct you!
- —Guest ProfaCaro
Use the internet
- Spend half an hour a day. Listen to the news on Radio Nacional de España. Try to read the front page of El Pais. Look up unfamiliar words and note them in a notebook. Then try and use the word in a different phrase. make up silly phrases. MOST IMPORTANTLY: Continually practice the five vowel sounds. Then choose a piece of Spanish text and read it out loud and very slowly, concentrating on getting all the sounds right. You'll find that your accent and natural cadence will improve dramatically, as will your instinct for what sounds right or more importantly for tests/exams wrong.
- —Guest Chris
Learning Spanish
- As a lifelong learning student, I like reading and going to Spanish language movies. I do emerge myself in activities and volunteer work involving native Spanish speakers. Make it a part of your daily life.
- —Guest guest la morena
Learning Spanish
- As a lifelong learning student, I like reading and going to Spanish language movies. I do emerge myself in activities and volunteer work involving native Spanish speakers. Make it a part of your daily life.
- —Guest guest la morena
how I mastered Spanish
- First, I studied the Synergy Spanish system of learning by Marchus Santamaria, then I adopted five children from Guatemala! That's a crash course and immersion all in one!
- —Guest Renee
ESL Teacher
- I wish that I had the dedication and time that some of you have. My study is in fits and starts as i spend most of my time thinking about teaching people English. I really enjoy these short daily lessons. I have listened to tapes in my car and while walking. My favorite way is to always have something to read or study when go to an appointment. You can learn a lot waiting in a doctor's or dentist's office. I attend a Hispanic Ministry and as long as the Bible is the subject there is no problem understanding. I listen to the people in my church talk and to my students talk among themselves. I listen carefully to all their advice.
- —Guest naleslt
Watch Spanish TV
- Sometimes I turn the TV to a Spanish speaking channel, and watch and listen for a while, to hear how the words are spoken in sentences.
- —Guest Gary
Immerse Yourself In The Language
- To learn, I immerse myself in the Spanish language. My MP3 player is filled with Spanish music. My internet home page and news page are in Spanish. I choose to read Spanish magazines and books. I began reading small paragraphs from a local hispanic newpaper. Then I moved to Spanish romance novels, which are very easy to understand, and novels. I watch movies, documentaries and cartoons in Spanish. And the ONLY time I use my dictionary is when I am studying. Without a dictionary, you have to figure out the meaning of unknown vocabulary by using known vocabulary. For example, if you are listening to a love song and the words you hear are "con cada latido de mi corazón ..."
- —kayaknancy
Spanish is all around us
- I have created my own "immersion program." I study one way or the other for at least an hour a day and sometimes two. I watch TV in Spanish (our small town has 4 Spanish channels - travelogues, children's shows and even commercials are good for learning). I have loaded Notes in Spanish podcasts and the Living Language series onto my iPod which I sometimes have in my ears all night long and always play when I walk for an hour or at the gym. I also am in a small class of 3 people and I subsribe to the About.Com word of the day and "dichos, refranes y citas" e-mails. I study the lessons that are in those e-mails. I keep a dictionary on my desk, by my bed and in my purse (an electronic one). Spanish is all around us. You just have to tap into it.
- —caniches
Conversation works best
- Conversation with another person is best. I actually prefer with a native English speaker who speaks Spanish well. They are much more likely to speak slower. When by myself, I like to study grammar and vocabulary and then have a series of English sentences to translate into Spanish. Yes Eng-to-Sp translation works well for me. I also carry a list of 15 or so Spanish verbs on a 3x5 card and practice congugating them in simple sentences, like "I have heard it," "They hear it.".
- —ebeamer
Reading the news in Spanish
- For years I have read more than I have spoken. I read columns and stories from El Nuevo Hearld, the Miami Hearld's Latin newspaper and also La Nacion. My ability to read Spanish is decent and I enjoy reading the news from Latin America. Recently, I joined a group that meets monthly to converse in Spanish. This way I should improve my conversational abilities.
- —Guest Joe
Nmemonics
- As an older student I find nmenomics very effective in learn vocabulary. For those who are visual learners, having an English picture of a Spanish word makes the job quite easy. Look up nmemonics on Google. There are many good sites.
- —Guest John Holter
Methods for learning Spanish
- Here are some methods of learning: e-mail and Windows Messenger with nice Spanish speaker who also knows English fairly wel , being allowed to write in English and insert the Spanish words which I know , Spanish videos, dictionaries, translation websites, make my own flashcards, spanish.about.com, spanishdict.com, lomastv.com, ajaxtrans.com, Spanish-for-children websites, music CDs with Spanish songs for children, Spanish Internet radio stations, books about Spanish, websites with Spanish songs for children.
- —Guest John
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