Tips on learning spanish?

Question

I'm going to Spanish 2 in a week and a half but I rarely passed Spanish 1 and i'm really nervous about learning new stuff for this language. So I need tips....anything that works!

Answer 1

Total immersion is the best way to learn a language. If you found yourself alone in a hispanic city with no guide, you'll wind up decently fluent in a month or two. But thankfully, Spanish is prevalant enough that you don't need to do that to get a healthy dose of latino culture.

Watch spanish TV, eat at latino restraurants (NOT ones that cater specifically to non-hispanics, ---the ones that make everything anglo-friendly), listen to Latin music... anything spanish you can get your hands on, immerse yourself in it.

Answer 2

You really need to immerse yourself in the language. You could always try surfing Spanish websites. (For example, go to the Spanish section of Yahoo Q & A. Just read the questions & the answers, rather than try to answer at this stage.)

If you're going to Spain, read the Spanish Q & A, but if you were going to another part of the Spanish speaking world, you would be best going to websites specifically from that country, as the vocabulary varies between various Spanish speaking countries, as does the meaning, or the shades of meaning of some words.

See also if you can get hold of some CDs with Spanish songs, especially if they have the words (and a translation), so that you can listen to how those words are pronounced. And try singing them yourself when you are alone, so that you can practise making those sounds.

A friendly Spanish speaker is invalulable: as they can help you with pronounciation. You could try advertising for a Spanish tutor, and have a lesson every night for the next couple of weeks.

Answer 3

See if your local public school system offers Spanish language classes as part of the Community Education curriculum. While I know that some people can learn Spanish in teach-yourself situations, I believe in the absorbtion of the culture is one of the best parts of the language learning process. Visit your friend's home and (if possible) stick around during meals. Play movies with Spanish Language audio tracks and have the subtitles in English. Learn some Spanish language songs -- watch a few Spanish language television programs. The more you immerse yourself in the environment, the easier you will begin to make the associations in your head with the vocabulary and grammar. TPR method classes are great if you want a very basic beginning. It's like learning how a baby would -- Total Physical Response takes the gestures, replies, and interactions we have with our children as they begin to learn language and use it in a classroom setting. I actually learned more Catalan than I realized watching my then wife talk to our daughter in Catalan. If you get frustrated or upset that you aren't learning as quickly as you would like -- give yourself a break. Some people dabble in languages for YEARS without success. I was a terrible Spanish student in highschool -- but now? Nearly every job I have a had since college (BA in English and Spanish) has been as a result of my Spanish language skills -- or at least has complimented my other skills to the degree that I would get the job over other candidates.

Answer 4

Here is a simple trick that helped me "recover" some of my Spanish after 10 years of not using the language at all...

I'm sure you got lots of vocabulary lists in Spanish 1, like adjectives, names of objects/places, directions, and some common verbs. Believe it or not, those are very useful! :D

Make it a point to create one or two sentences for yourself each day, in Spanish, using words you already know. Start small so you don't get frustrated. And just say it to yourself, or write it down--whatever you like.

The best way is to make sentences about what you're doing, or what you can see, etc. It can be as simple as describing the color of your shirt or naming the object in your hand (a small pencil, for example).

And try verb conjugating in your sentences as well (I run, you run, he runs...etc). Conjugations and tenses are a total pain in the butt when you're studying them, but they're so important. Persevere! :)

Eventually you'll get to use most of the vocab you learned in Spa1. Repeatedly using those words/verbs will also make them stick in your memory better. Even better, practicing with a friend who speaks Spanish (or at least knows more of it than you) will give you greater chance of recognizing and correcting your errors.

After a while you can start incorporating the new stuff you're learning in Spanish 2. I hope you have fun in your new class. ¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!)

Answer 5

I have a trick that helps me learn different languages. If you're a fan of music, many artists release their singles in different languages. Get a hold of one, learn the words, compare the lyrics. It always helps when you enjoy it, and i find singing to my favourite song is very motivational.

Answer 6

Try this free Spanish course

http://www.mansionspanish.com
.

Answer 7

Learn the connecting words first because you can't speak any lanuage with out them.

Who, what when where how you they him her we go come etc etc. Once you learn these start using them in sentences.

Answer 8

Hola Senorita. Go to your local library or bookstores. Audio tapes can also help you pronounce the words.