I just took a first semester college Spanish class. If I no longer use what I learned will I lose the ability?

Question

I wasw hoping to work with a private tutor because I have not had luck with language programs. He just infromed me I will never lose my ability so he will not help any longer.
Any additional advice?

Answer 1

Probably. According to current research in linguistics, if you don't get up to a certain level (advanced proficiency) with a language, you do have the possibility of losing what you do have. You can continue to work on things by yourself, though. Watch TV in Spanish, listen to Spanish-language music, read in Spanish -- whatever you do will help you to remember what you've learned, and you might even be ahead of your classmates when you go back to class!

Answer 2

yes. if you don't use it you'll lose it. consider taking the spanish 2 the upcoming semester. hang out with some spanish speaking friends or spend some time in a spanish speaking country. even more practical try getting on spanish voice chat rooms. maybe work at a place where it forces you to speak it. anything you can do to keep it up.

Answer 3

Your "tutor" (?) is profoundly wrong...unless your tutor thinks hola is all you need to know. You will lose your ability, which is rudimentary given you have only one semester, if you do not use it. Fortunately there are plenty of opportunities and teaching materials to allow you to learn at your own pace and comfort level. P.S. Consider yourself fortunate you don't have a tutor with such a miserable attitude anymore.

Answer 4

You will if you don't use it frequently. I took Spanish 1,2, and 3 in highschool, and after not using it for a couple of years, i've forgotten most of what i learned. I can still identify some words, and form some sentences, but i am certainly not as fluent as i once was.

Answer 5

Definitily. Not 100% but a lot. If you cannot practise speaking it try and rent spanish movies, read spanish literature, listen to spanish music....

good luck! :)

Answer 6

Yes, since u're not born speaking the language. So, whenever u're not using it again-- u'll automatically erase the language little by little. Although, it might pop up every now and then.

Answer 7

ya gotta practise,like soccer,badminton,or cello playing;for learning & retaining a lingo,you might try spending half of your practise time listening & repeating with your eyes closed.Little birdies learn to chirp this way.and so might you

Answer 8

you will get "rusty". it is like anything else. if you don't do it for a while, you will forget how to do certain things. some parts you will never forget, while others take some refreshing.

Answer 9

Yes you will. You might remember some things but don't stop using it.