If you are considering learning the Spanish language or have just started out, you should find that ten tips that are below are specifically aimed at helping you! It would be great for you if you could utilize them all but if you cannot, pick out those that you feel you can benefit from and implement them.
1. Mental Preparation:
A lot of people believe that they'll be able to simply get hold of the first Spanish course from a a shelf and in a matter of a few weeks will be able to hold down a complete conversation in Spanish...this could not be farther from the truth!
Learning Spanish is tough, no matter how good your 'Learn Spanish Software' is, and anyone who says the opposite, is either expanding upon the truth a little or, a qualified linguist, which does make them an expert in their field I guess! Being mentally prepared for the challenge that lays ahead will continue to be a key factor in your success.
Do not set yourself unreachable targets, like being able to speak Spanish fluently in 6 weeks!
Consistently failing to achieve your personally set targets or goals will result in a negative feeling and you would find it difficult to succeed so you should always be be careful about how you set them.
2. Having the Right Tools for the Job:
There are hundreds of different courses that teach Spanish out there many of which are expensive, but when it comes to learning Spanish, the price of a course does not always mean you are purchasing quality.
Don't be drawn in by top brand names and course materials that are of a quality finish, sure they look and feel nice, hell, they may even smell good, but what is actually important is the quality of information contained within the course, or to be more precise, how you are taught.
Find Online Spanish courses that let you try them out initially, go online and locate forums or chat-rooms to find out which courses other people are using and make a decision based on what feels good for you... not just the the price tag. The best 'Learn Spanish Software' course for you is not necessarily the most expensive, Rocket Spanish is a perfect example of this, a budget priced course with quality course materials!
3. Choosing the RIGHT Spanish Course:
If should have done some research on different courses and have a few potentials written down... you need to cut lose all those that are not aimed at teaching you Spanish conversationally as a priority.
That isn't to say that learning grammar isn't important, but so many individuals get bogged down trying to master the rules that apply to Spanish grammar that they lose focus and start to wonder why they wanted to study the Spanish language in the first place.
You will enjoy studying Spanish much more and have greater success if you are able to put a few sentences together after seven days rather than having the ability to recite, letter and verse, how to use the indefinite article, subject pronouns and everything else you may have memorized in your first week studying grammar Get the picture?
Once you are up and running and speaking Spanish confidently, grammar will become much easier to digest as it will only need you to tweak what you will know already.
4. Post Lots of Notes Everywhere as Visual Prompting Will Help!
Sounds funny I know, but why not get some post-its and place them on all the items in your house with the Spanish word relating to the item written on them. (do not stick one on your partner, children or animals, although a tortoise would be fine!).
You will be amazed at how quickly you can pick up the vocabulary for everyday items...'Everyday' is the important word here. I am never surprised any longer by the vocabulary that Spanish courses ask beginners to memorize...for example, how many people are intending to use the words bullfighting or 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 speakers could be talking about.
Television would be better because it is far easier to understand what has been said if you have the television pictures to help you.
If you are busy around the house isyou could always adopt a method of learning that I like to call, 'subliminal Spanish'. Turn the TV or radio, tune into a Spanish speaking program, turn up the volume, and then get on with whatever you were doing. 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 pick out specific words and phrases without even concentrating as well as becoming used to hearing how Spanish is spoken.
It is a good idea to start with news type programs initially as the pronunciation is usually a lot clearer and understandable. Unfortunately, sport is not a good choice as most commentators do tend to get a little excited and therefore speak very quickly...too quickly, but it is engrossing 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. Become Involved in your Local Spanish Community:
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. Get Yourself a Good Spanish Verb Training Program:
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. Immerse Yourself with an Intensive Spanish Course:
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 and you will never regret it, if not, then a 'Learn Spanish Software' online course is your next best option.
