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Learn Spanish: The Spanish Language Learning Community

Created on: 17 August, 2009 Members: 727 | Community Link: http://spanish.wiziq.com

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Tips for learning Spanish

by Ricardo E. Valenzuela Ruiz
Posted on 12 September, 2011

Marcus Santamaría recommends this. What do you think?

USE REPETITION

"Repetition is the mother of learning" Tony Robbins

The martial artist practices his kata, the musician practices scales, the soldier drills shooting his gun. If your ultimate goal is Spanish fluency you will need plenty of practice too.

Important to your practice is spaced repetition - a little everyday is better than a lot once a week - flashcards, reading in Spanish and audio lessons are easily available and give you the repetition you need to master Spanish.

by Ricardo E. Valenzuela Ruiz posted on 13 September, 2011

LISTEN CLOSELY TO WHAT PEOPLE SAY BACK TO YOU

If you listen closely, you will notice Spanish speakers will repeat what you say when you make an error. They repeat back to you what you said with corrections. They are really just looking for confirmation that they understood what you meant.

Get in the habit of tuning into what people say back to you. Maybe try it out with a waiter in a Mexican or Spanish restaurant. It´s like having personal Spanish coaching from a native speaker.

by Ricardo E. Valenzuela Ruiz posted on 13 September, 2011

FOCUS ON LISTENING AND READING FIRST AND THEN PRACTICE SPEAKING.

Your mind is like a computer and reading and listening to Spanish will program your mind. After all, can you say a Spanish word if you have never heard it or read it?

So as well as practicing speaking Spanish, also get plenty of Spanish reading and listening practice to make your mind a Spanish computer.

by Ricardo E. Valenzuela Ruiz posted on 14 September, 2011

USE MEMORY AIDS

There is no better memory aid than mnemonics. Here's a fun one (apology for the crudeness)

The Spanish word for pool is piscina (piss een a)

Well some people do piss in a pool

I am going to ask you later for the word for pool. I bet you will remember. In fact I bet if you see the word piscina next year you will remember what it means

USE FLASHCARDS FOR LONG TERM REMEMBERING

Get some cards and write Spanish words on one side. On the opposite side write the word in English.

On the next day look at your cards. Look at the Spanish word and try and remember it's meaning in English. Turn over the card and check your answer.

Once you have mastered Spanish to English go the other way. Look at the English, and try and remember the word in Spanish. This is harder. Once you have mastered English to Spanish you will be amazed how well you remember the word.

by Ricardo E. Valenzuela Ruiz posted on 16 September, 2011

LEARN AND ENJOY READING IN SPANISH

Reading is a fantastic way to build your vocabulary, knowledge and understanding of Spanish. Spanish is a phonetic language so once you know the sounds of Spanish you can immediately pronounce any new word you read.

As you are reading you can often guess and learn new words from the context. This means you are constantly increasing your Spanish.

READ KIDS BOOKS

If you are a beginner why not read kids books. Don't feel shy, some kids stories are a good laugh. Kids books usually have a lot of pictures, which means you can often easily guess new words.

FOCUS ON ENJOYMENT

Children learn language really well, really fast and they have a fun time doing it. If your study time is a headache you will shut down you ability to learn. Learning doesn't need to be hard work to be effective. So have fun and look for Spanish you can enjoy.

Why not indulge yourself and read a gossip magazine in Spanish. You can also read kid´s books the sports and entertainment sections of Spanish newspapers. You can Work out he lyrics to a sensual Latino song. Find Spanish you enjoy and relax and have some fun.

by Ricardo E. Valenzuela Ruiz posted on 16 September, 2011

FOCUS ON ENJOYMENT

SET MEASURABLE GOALS

To say "I want to speak Spanish" is not a measurable goal.

I was disappointed in my first year of Spanish. I set a goal "to speak Spanish by Christmas". Even though I made great progress, I felt I had not achieved anything because my goal was unclear - speak at what level.

The next year I set a measurable Goal - to read 10000 pages of Spanish and learn 5000 new words. I failed on the reading goal. I only read 5000 pages that year. But my Spanish improved out of site and even though I missed my goal I felt great about reading 5000 pages of Spanish.

If you can put a number to your goal such as number of hours, pages, words, etc. you'll feel better as you progress and the consistent practice will ensure your Spanish will improve dramatically.

HAVE FUN