Help! Failing Spanish!?

Question

Im doin fine in all my other classes, but I seem to have a block when it comes to learning another language, plus my spanish teacher likes to work at the speed of light. Anybody got a good way to learn and remember spanish?

Its only Spanish 1, but the teacher assigns 5-10 full pages of vocab in spanish, barely explains it at all, and has a test a week later, and yet I seem to be the only person in the class who does bad on it.

Answer 1

Make associations with the new words to English. See how it is similar and how you can make links in your mind to remember it.

Try flashcards.

Try pictograms. The word sol = sun... make the O into a little sunshine. The visual can help you to remember the word.

Answer 2

I take Spanish three, all you have to do is pay attention and not whine about too much homework, even if it seems ridiculous. I go to one of the hardest high schools in my state and it is really not that hard to pull of at least a B in that class. Just sit down for an hour or so and memorize by using note cards, rewriting the word and its definition multiple times and quizzing yourself. You can do the same for grammar studying. Spanish 1 is the easiest class in the world, I don't see how you could be having difficulty in it unless you are just being lazy about it.

Answer 3

You may need some tutoring, but it helps to try to translate everyday words and phrases into Spanish throughout your day. Write down the words of your favorite song, translate them to Spanish and try to sing it. There isn't really a "trick" to learning a foreign language other than trying to "train" your brain to think in that language. Flashcards can help - that works well with the verbs which have so many different forms. Label things around the house with their Spanish names (post-it notes work great for this) so you will automatically think of the word as you encounter them throughout your day. When you wake up in the morning, think of the Spanish name for the day and date (manana es miercoles, el dia catorce de Septiembre, por ejamplo). For something more challenging look for books or magazines in Spanish to read or cruise the Spanish language chat rooms and message boards for practice.

I lived in Spain for 4 years, so I had the challenge of learning the language or being a hermit. Luckily, you don't have that kind of pressure, but even with 2 years of high school Spanish and a college refresher course, it was hard.

Answer 4

You definitely would benefit from a mentor. Someone well versed in the language really helps. The more you're immersed in the language, the easier it will come to you. When I was in high school I volunteered in the elementary school bilingual program. This way I was around young Hispanic children who spoke Spanish, but grammatically weren't as developed as adults. This was less intimidating, but still was very helpful. I also volunteered in the summer migrant program working in the camps with the Hispanic families. If you have any programs like those in your area it would be quite helpful in developing your skills... Especially if you don't have the option of going to a foreign country to study.

Answer 5

Hi Alex.

All the tips you've been given here are really useful when learning Spanish or any other foreign language. One final tip: Watch TV!!
it helps you get the right pronunciation and intonation patterns of the language. I know Spanish TV may be boring sometimes but it helps develop your listening skills.

If there's any specific topic or question you need to ask, e-mail me:

[e-mail]

Spanish is my mother tongue and I'll be glad to help

Answer 6

take vocab and rewrite them alot like 5 times each. right it in english once then spanish like 5 times. The try to make sentences out of them and say them. Also try to find little clues and tricks to it like if boy is chico and girl is chica then now u noe that wen all nouns have to switch gender, O is for boy and A is for girls. If u need and spanish homework help let me noe. Puerto rican and dominican in house!!!

Answer 7

get a new spanish teacher... my first two years of spanish i learned nada, but got an A+, my third year i had a new teacher who actually expected me to know spanish and i would have failed if i hadn't dropped the class...

ooh... that... and make the teacher's aide fall in love with you so that the first and only detention you have ever gotten will mysteriously disappear and you therefore won't have to serve it... true story... ah... memories...

Answer 8

Don't do what I did... don't procrastinate! Do some homework or assignment in Spanish everyday. Best to find someone who speaks it pretty well to tutor you. Don't give up, you can definitely learn it, but like anything that's difficult for you, you'll have to practice more then you're used to. Good luck!

Answer 9

Like any other language, the key is to PRACTICE. Find a native language speaker in your school and ask for his/her assistance. The only way you are going to survive this course is by actively engaging...paying attention in class, doing your homework, and practicing with your "new" native language friend.

I know this works...so, here you have it!

Answer 10

These days you can learn how to speak Spanish over the internet. Check out this online course, it's voted as the best Spanish online course of all time: http://www.rocketlearner.com/spanish The course is very easy to follow, I was able to learn Spanish in just 3 months.

I live in New York City, I wanted to go to a Spanish language teacher but that would have cost me over $800 per month. Good thing with this internet, $800 it's a lot of money for me.