what is the best way to build up on spanish vocabulary?

Answer 1

I ride the bus in Los Angeles and I read the signs on the bus in Spanish and then if I can I talk to other people waiting for the bus about them. You can also read the Spanish language newspapers. I kept track of the new words that I learned and then sent them to my friend in Las Vegas who is also learning Spanish. I made a little card for each new word with the informantion about the word.

Answer 2

I watch Spanish language TV with a dictionary close at hand, so that when a new word appears, I can look it up and note it mentally. I read and look up vocabulary, writing it down and trying to absorb it -- although I must admit, if it's an exciting story I just mark it up and I come back later, not to spoil the reading experience. Having learned a new word, I look for an opportunity to slip it into conversation to make it part of my own vocabulary. Sometimes this is not easy, especially if the word is somewhat unusual, but I enjoy the intellectual exercise of doing this! People tend to think that those of us who speak other languages are fortunate to do so, but I believe that unless you are born into an environment where you learn several languages naturally it is not a matter of luck, but of hard work!

Answer 3

You don't say for what specific purposes you need to build up Spanish vocabulary. It depends on your interests or area of expertise. Neither do you mention if it is for conversation, reading or translating.
If it is for conversation, watching TV and oral practice will help. If for reading and translation, start reading books, magazines and/or newspapers in Spanish.

Answer 4

The best way is if you live in a Spanish area, seeing and hearing it every day, you pick it up so quickly without realising.
I picked it up mostly when I went food shopping and at work!!!
Also, as someone else said, being around children as they still speak very basic and slow.

If this is not possible for you then get a dictionary and look up words. one week look at all the fruits, the next week look at animals and so on...... it's amazing how quickly you start to understand and remember.

Answer 5

practise this way:
go to spanish answers and try to answer or just read some of them!
or visit spanish forums or websites which cater for ur interests and tastes
u can always find a spanish friend too!
also read spanish books newspapers and magazines!!
if u want to familiarize with the acoustic part then order some cassettes or watch spanisn channels!!
hope ive helped!!
good luck!

Answer 6

Vocabulary ?

Keep reading Spanish materials and study Spanish dictionary and thesaurus.

Answer 7

the best way to learn a language is to be around it, you can watch Spanish television (with English subtitles) to start to put words together. Taking a Spanish class wouldn't hurt, but most of the Spanish I learned, I learned using it and being around it (hearing it spoken on a regular basis)

Answer 8

I found that working with children helped because they speak so simply, but then I lived in Spain so that was easy, I babysat a few times a week. You just need to get talking and not get embarrassed when people correct you. Films with subtitles helps, you can swtich languages and get subtitles on most DVD's these days. There are some great self learning books available, great selection in Borders. Buen suerte!

Answer 9

keep a vocab book of words you learn, organise them alphabetically and every so often read through them, that way they'll stick in your head. When you walk around in the day try and name everything you see in Spanish, if you don't know a word then make a note to look it up and then record it in your vocab book. It's an arduous process but it does work and you do learn them.

Answer 10

Good question,i have lived in spain for 5 years ,and have been taking lessons for 4 of them ,and still i cant get to grips with it.Recently however i started with a new teacher who has got me motivated,and i now realise that the excuse i keep giving that i cant absorb it because i am not young enough ,has been shown to be wrong,its because i dont practice enough,like everything its about what you put in to something is what you will get out of it,you must consolidate each lesson you have and practice, practice ,practice ,until you have it ,and then move on. I have been with this teacher for just six weeks ,andam going leaps and bounds,and am now able to communicate with confidence when speaking to the locals.Do stick at it, and you will never regret it ,buena suerte,(good luck)