Let’s Count the Ways. Best to Learn Spanish

There are several ways of learning Spanish. We’ll start with those methods that make the most sense:

1. practice, practice, practice… that’s what it’s all about!

2. think in Spanish one error that language students commit consistently is to think first in their mother tongue and then translate their thoughts into Spanish. When we were learning French, for example, our teacher kept reprimanding us. “Stop thinking in English!” So we challenged her and asked, “Now, how is that possible?” She smiled and said, “It’s simple really. Read the paper in French, listen to French radio, and pretend you’re French.” It turned out she was right. We stopped our English newspaper subscription and dumped our favorite radio station.

This works just as effectively with Spanish. If you can’t plan on a long-term stay in a Spanish-speaking country, make total immersion happen for you: read all the news in Spanish, watch Spanish TV, listen to Spanish radio, sing Spanish tunes and pretend you’re Spanish. Throw in a glass of ice-cold Sangria for ambiance!

3. hang out no, we don’t mean hang out in the mall, but devote a couple of hours daily to spend time with your amigos and amigas and chat with them in their language without feeling shy or intimidated. Let them laugh at your pronunciation or your wrong tenses and take it in good stride. No risk, no gain, they say. Take the risk of being made fun of, and you’ll have the fun of your life enriching your life with Spanish. If you don’t find the right word don’t be afraid or shy to ask as many times as necessary how you say whatever it is you are trying to say…how do you say: ‘I love to eat’ in Spanish?’ and ‘I like him/her’, etc. Tell them about www.dailyspanishphrases.com and ask them what they think about it because you’re thinking of signing up.

4. be a child all over again buy a few comic books. You will be surprised how much practical Spanish you will learn from the short and simple conversations among the comics. We picked up our early vocabulary by reading the comics section of the paper. We also imitated sentences and idiomatic expressions from comic characters. Instead of clutching your conjugation tables, the comics will help your mind retain more.

5. connect online this is probably one of the best methods we can harness to our advantage. The Internet is teeming with Spanish groups from all over the world. You can chat, join discussion boards and blog with your Spanish virtual friends. The nagging question of how to learn Spanish effectively is no longer an issue.

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