I'm horrible in Spanish class.. any suggestions?

Question

any cheats or hints to make tests, quizzes, or h/w easier? thanks!

Answer 1

Don't worry about having difficulty learning a new language, especially if you don't use it regularly. Cheating would just cheat you; there is nothing better than gaining a command of a new language. I had to learn Spanish by living in Spain and Mexico, and although I was immersed in the language day and night, it still took time. Here is what I suggest to help you.

1. Learn your English grammar again. Say what? Believe it or not, knowing how we identify verbs in their diverse forms (infinitive, subjunctive, gerund, pluperfect, etc) will help you understand how Spanish words work. For example, Spanish does not use auxiliary verbs like we do, so things like may, could, should, etc. are already incorporated in the word. Being able to identify that and understanding how it works in English will help you translate. Another thing to note is how prepositions are always followed by the infinitive in Spanish. These commonalities make for easier learning. Also, great Spanish mostly means bad English, in the sense that we cannot expect straight translations. Double negatives are common in Spanish, as in most Latin languages.

2. Keep a pocket size notebook with a list of verb forms and diverse verbs that follow that suit. Spanish only has three verb forms, ending in -ir, -er, or -ar. Make a list of how they decline and add words at the bottom of the declinations that follow that suit. Also, make a list of irregular verbs. Choose one, make a list of how it declines and list at the bottom other irregular verbs that follow the same suit. Then go reviewing these verbs everyday and add a few on at the same time. You can also list nouns and adjectives and go learning slowly but surely.

3. I don't personally recommend watching Spanish programs. Most are of entertainment purpose and therefore are filled with axioms, slang, and double meanings that will not be easily caught. Tapes or cds would be better to listen to. Also, reading helps to identify sentence structure and familiarize you with words and phrases. I would recommend Harry Potter. It's made for younger people so the vocabulary will not be over the top, there is constant repetition and reference, and its an easy book to get hold of.

Finally, I have to say patience. Learning a language involves baby steps. You have to plug at it and go little by little. In time, if you are consistent and demanding with yourself, then you will gain a lot of ground. When I was learning, it took me months of trying and one day I simply found myself understanding and speaking. I guarantee you, if you learn Spanish well, you will find you can move on to French and Italian with great ease. That's a lot of opportunity for you. Good luck!

Answer 2

Vocabulary-www.quia.com (lots of games-search by topic)
Verbs-www.conjuguemos.com
Listen to radio stations in Spanish. If there aren't any locally, look on the Internet. Spanish TV stations like Univision. Pick up a copy of People en Español. You won't know every word-that's okay. See if you can get the gist of it based on the words you do know and the words that look like English.
Make flash cards for your vocabulary words. Study them every day for 10 minutes or so. Save them all, pull out the old ones occasionally and go through them.
Ask your Spanish teacher for help, too! Don't give up-you can do it!

Answer 3

Well, I am in spanish too. I suggest you pay close attention to the teacher to every detail.... On your homework, use the text book for help, they usually cover the lesson, and give great examples. For tests, study study study. if the teacher says a word in spanish, get a spanish diccionary and find the meaning. Also, spanish has lots of words that sound alot like english word for example....
English Englis
Problem Problemo
Tennis Tenis

Answer 4

Don't rely on babblefish or any other translating website, they translate literally. Just keep practicing, and even when with friends, think of what you would say in Spanish. Make up songs for things you can't remember. It works for my 7th grade son, he has a bunch of songs he had to learn for his class, and this is his second year in Spanish Class and I know all the songs about hours of the day, classes in school, stuff like that, just from hearing them over and over again.

Answer 5

Try asking your teacher or a friend that's good in Spanish for help. Cheating is not an answer. You'd only be cheating yourself. Also, try making flashcards and make a bit of a game out of studying. Hope this helps. :)

Answer 6

No joke seriously watch a Spanish soap every week. As stupid as you might think it is, it subconsciously teaches you. But, you actually have to watch and pay attention that way you match key words with what they are doing. They may seem to talk fast but all you need to hear are the key words. DVR or TVO(?) helps.

Answer 7

A good program is Pimsleur, a set of 30 classes on 16 Cd's. each class is 30 minutes long and not to boring.

Answer 8

Have mother confront her and ask her why she seems to think "immature dumb asses" and calling students "stupid" is an appropriate motivational method? If mom is done dealing with with the teacher, then she should have a meeting with the principal. It's great if she can get another concerned parent on board to speak to the principal.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

When writing sentence I like to write the sentence in one language once and again in the other, makign connections between words. So, if I wanted to say "my name is tim, I'm feeling fine." I would write out one word at a time "Me llamo Tim (Drawing out lines between "my" and "me" and "Name is" and "Llamo" (Even though I knwo it really means I call myself, it means the same thing)) soy (I'm feeling) buen (fine). Hope that helps some!