When you start to learn a new language, you’ll quickly find that some studying techniques work better than others. What works for one person, isn’t guaranteed to work for another. It’s important to explore what works best for you. Here are ten helpful tips which should outline some of the best ways to learn Spanish.
Actively involve yourself with Spanish literature. Ask yourself, what’s my main reason for learning Spanish? Most of the time, it’s to put the language to use somehow. Yet many people convince themselves that they must learn the academic side before dipping in to Spanish culture. Wrong, wrong, wrong! Push yourself from the start by visiting Spanish websites, reading Spanish magazines and learning from outside the educational material. It’s the only way to stay motivated over the long haul.
Learn with a friend. Some people are great at motivating themselves to learn on their own. Others thrive on a little friendly help. Why not take up Spanish with a friend and practice the language with each other as you progress? If you’re living in a non-Spanish speaking country, it can be hard to find people to explore the conversational side of the language with. Using a pal, you’ll quickly get used to responding to questions and engaging in every day conversation.
Invest in a good Spanish dictionary as a reference for those words that you regularly confuse. Hey, let’s be honest here. A dictionary hardly makes for the best reading material on your way to work, but its value is priceless when you need a simple translation of a Spanish word - or a correct spelling in a written piece. We highly recommend the Collins Spanish Dictionary: Complete & Unabridged, widely recognised as the best dictionary available for Spanish.
Search for a Spanish penpal to practice your basic grasp of conversation skills with. Why not use your studying time to reach out to a whole new world by writing to a native Spanish speaker? There are many to be found on the Internet - some looking to learn English in return. And as an added incentive, if you get friendly enough, you could even grab a free vacation out of it!
Don’t cram - Spread your studies! Research has shown that one of the best times to study is directly before you go to bed. Four fifteen minute sessions are much more helpful than one hour long cramming session. Your brain retains information best when it has the chance to review and soak it up. Cramming may seem more effective at the time, but learning a language shouldn’t be a rush job. Take your time, spread your studies and don’t be afraid to go back on material that you previously looked at.
Make the most of movie subtitles. Many DVDs come with Spanish subtitles these days and it’s a great way to get familiar with the language by linking what you see in English to what you read in Spanish. Of course, subtitles are not designed to act as a language learning guide so diverse studying is necessary. Why not go one better and order a native Spanish movie? It works both ways.
Use the two column memory technique. Learning Spanish vocabulary is obviously an important aspect of your studying. Buy yourself a notebook and draw up a list of ten Spanish words with their English translations side by side. Tear out the page and take it with you. When you have five minutes free in your day, take out the list and cover each side. Challenge yourself to recite the translations and repeat until you’ve memorised each word. Remember, several five minute studying sessions will work much better than one thirty minute cram.
Familiarity breeds success. Your brain is much more likely to soak up information when you’re studying in a familiar environment with as little outside distraction as possible. It’s not that studying on the train or in a packed airport is going to have an adverse effect, but if you have the chance, study where you’re comfortable. Maybe it’s in your favourite chair, in bed before you go to sleep or on a deck chair in the summer sun. Find the best place to focus your mind.
Seek out the best advice online. The fact that you’ve found your way to Know Your Spanish suggests that you’re already aware of the existing opportunities to learn a language online. But are you aware of just how many opportunities there are? You’ll find blogs, information archives and learning resources by the plenty. Why not start by visiting our sister site blog, Master a Language?
Join a Spanish learning community. To build on what we’ve already said about learning Spanish with a friend, there may be some cases where it’s simply not possible. The next best thing is to search out one of the many Spanish learning forums online, register an account and mix with people in a similar position to yourself. Online communities are brilliant for getting an answer to a nagging question, testing out your vocabulary or establishing the best learning methods. Don’t carry the burden of learning on your own!
