If you are thinking about studying Spanish or have just began, you should find that 10 tips that follow are specifically designed for you! It would be beneficial for you if you could utilize them all but if you cannot, pick out those that you can use and put them to work.
1. Mental Preparation:
A lot of people have a belief that they will be able to just grab the first Spanish course off a shelf and in a matter of a few weeks would be able to hold down a full blown conversation in Spanish…this could not be farther from the truth!
Studying the Spanish language is hard and anyone who tells you the opposite, is either lying or, a language teacher, which would, I suppose, make them an expert in their field I guess! Being mentally prepared for the difficulties that lays ahead will always be a key ingredient in your success.
Never set unreachable goals, like being able to speak Spanish fluently in 6 weeks!
There is nothing that is more likely to make you give up your quest than consistently failing to achieve your goals so you should always be realistic about how you set them.
2. Having the Correct Tools for the Job:
There are hundreds of different Spanish courses out there many of which are expensive, but when it comes to learning Spanish, cost does not always mean you are purchasing quality.
Do not be drawn in by well known brand names and course materials that are oozing quality, yes they look and feel good, hell, they probably even smell nice, but what really matters is the quality of information given by the course, or to be more precise, the methods of teaching.
Find courses that offer trial periods initially, go online and locate forums and chat-rooms to see what others are using and make your decision based on what feels good for you… never the cost. The ideal course for you is not necessarily the one that costs the most, Rocket Spanish is a perfect example of this, budget priced course with quality course material!
3. How to Choose the Perfect Spanish Course:
If you have done some research on different courses and have a shortlist… you need to cut lose all those that do not target teaching Spanish conversationally as a priority.
However, do not allow the importance of learning Spanish grammar to diminish, it is just that too many individuals get bogged down trying to learn and memorize the rules that apply to Spanish grammar that they lose sight of why they wanted to learn Spanish in the first place.
You will enjoy learning Spanish much better and be much more successful at it if you are able to put a few sentences together after seven days rather than being able to successfully memorize the indefinite article, subject pronouns and everything else you may have memorized in your first week studying grammar Get the picture?
Once you are confidently speaking Spanish, grammar is a lot easier to learn and it will just be a case of tweaking what you should know already.
4. Post Notes on EVERYTHING!
Sounds like a peculiar suggestion I know, but buy yourself a block of post-its and place them on all the items in your house with the Spanish word relating to the item written on them. (with the exception of your spouse, children or pets, although a tortoise would be fine!).
You will be amazed at how fast you will pick up the vocabulary for everyday items…’Everyday’ being the important word here. I am always amazed by the vocabulary that Spanish courses ask newbies to memorize…for example, how many of us are intending to use the words bullfighting and donkey in everyday conversation!
5. Tune in to Spanish TV and Radio:
Watch a Spanish TV show or listen to a Spanish radio station and get used to how spoken Spanish sounds it will also provide you with the added benefit of keeping you posted on topican news, subjects that Spanish speaking people could be talking about.
Of the two, TV is probably the better choice as it is far easier to understand what is being said if you have the television pictures to help you.
If you are working around the home there is always a certain method to help you learn that I like to call, ‘subliminal Spanish’. Just switch on the Television or radio, tune into a Spanish speaking network, pump up the volume, and then get on with your chores. You don’t need to concentrate on what is being said, it isn’t important
Over a period of time you will unconsciously start to single out certain words and phrases without even concentrating as well as becoming more comfortable hearing how Spanish is spoken.
It is better to begin listening to, or watching news type programs initially as the newsreaders pronounce words a lot more slowly and much clearer, not to mention correctly!. Unfortunately, sport is not the best choice as the commentators do tend to get a little excited and therefore speak very quickly…too quickly, although it is enjoyable to listen to!
6. Make Your Own Flashcards:
I would suggest that you make some flashcards to help you learn vocabulary, rather than buying them. I suggest this for three reasons:
- Why spend unnecessarily when it’s simple and cheaper to make them yourself!
- You are able to create cards using words that are most useful to you
- The process of actually making them will help you remember them, in fact many of the cards you make could well be redundant before you even use them!
7. Mix More With Spanish Speakers:
For those of you that live close to, or within, a Spanish speaking neighborhood, try to mix as much as possible into their social activities, use the local Spanish speaking supermarkets or 24/7, join in with your Spanish speaking neighbors whenever possible.
Not only will this benefit your studies but you will receive a lot of help and encouragement as well as making many new Spanish speaking friends.
8. Use Online Resources:
If you don’t have a Spanish neighborhood close to you, or you cannot receive Spanish TV or radio networks, then the next best thing is to utilize the internet. There are many resources such as chat-rooms, open forums, podcasts and PCTV networks that are all easily accessible online and can all be used to practice your Spanish…so get surfing and use them!
9. Use a Spanish Verb Trainer:
Learning Spanish verbs is probably the most difficult part of learning Spanish and also one of the most important. Using a verb trainer that will help you do this more efficiently is a wise move. If there is one area that is often overlooked by many students it is the correct use of verbs. Verbs are important as they make sense of your sentences and in Spanish they are doubly important as they also indicate who is performing the action.
The best way to learn a verb quickly and effectively is to use a verb conjugator or a verb conjugation training program such as the Verbarrator. A good verb training program will allow you to select the verb you want to learn and in whichever tense you choose and then provide the drills to train you. The aim is to make learning Spanish easier and a verb conjugation trainer will help to do that especially where irregular Spanish verbs are concerned.
10. Total Immersion:
If money and time are not a problem for you, then the best way to learn Spanish is to invest in a total immersion course located in a Spanish speaking country.
Not only will you learn the local language but you will also be immersed into the culture and customs of your hosts as well as the local way of life. Immersion courses are not as expensive as they once were but, are still beyond the reach of many.
However, irrespective of price, they are, without doubt, the quickest and most enjoyable way to learn Spanish…if you can afford to go on an immersion course…do so, you will never regret it.
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