Learning Spanish Does Not Have to be Hard

By Matt Michael


If you're only fluent in your native language, learning Spanish may seem like a formidable task. Perhaps you heard it's best to learn Spanish because it's an easy language. The truth is that most languages are easy to learn, you just have to figure out what kind of learning tricks you want to use to make the process simpler. Lots of suggestions and helpful tips are available to help you learn Spanish much easier. Here are a couple tricks you can use:

One theory about learning languages is the the best solution is immersion in the new language. So if you went to a Spanish-speaking country, you'd naturally be inclined to learn that language just to function in everyday life. In some large cities in America, there would be no need to leave home to find such a Spanish-speaking area. Usually what this means, however, is traveling to another country so that you are not able to simply switch back to your own language when it is convenient. The effectiveness of immersion is hard to deny, and some people say it's the only really good way to learn another language. Other people find it intimidating. So you'll have to made the decision whether you'd be comfortable immersing yourself in this way. Try to make yourself think in Spanish as much as possible. You have to use an internal translation process, where you take your thoughts from one language and put them into the new one. You will need to start slow with this. Anytime you find yourself thinking something, simply try to construct the same words using Spanish. This is something you have to practice regularly to get comfortable with it. The more you do it, the more quickly your mind will be able to convert words into the new language. At some point, you will become so accustomed to this that you won't even have to make an effort; you'll just find yourself thinking in Spanish. Then, to improve your conversational skills, you'll want to practice speaking your thoughts out loud.

Keep in mind that perfection comes from practice. Even if you feel silly you should practice speaking your language as often as possible. Even if you aren't great at putting together whole sentences, using the words you know in place of your native language regularly will help commit those words to memory. As an example when learning Spanish, substitute 'uno' for 'one' and 'cena' for 'dinner.' If you do this as much as you can, the new words will soon feel like 'old' words. This will help you to know the words when you hear them being used. You'll be amazed at your ability to understand your new language when you hear it spoken.

Simple flashcards are a way you can easily test your knowledge. Flashcards are an old school way of learning. These are basic memorization tools and the reason people still use them is because they work! With flashcards you can quiz yourself on vocabulary and grammar and tenses. Carry flashcards with you to work, if you take a train, bus or plane or wherever you go. Use them with someone else and let them quiz you sometimes. Simply use one side for Spanish and the other for your original language.

Don't think that it has to be hard work or a chore to learn this new language. In fact, many people choose learning Spanish as their first foray into other languages because it is supposed to be pretty easy to learn. In today's information age, you can find a variety of options to choose from for achieving this goal. Everyone has to choose the method that it best for them. The perfect method for you to learn is out there; you just have to find it. If you are patient and you work slowly but steadily you could become fluent in your new language before you know it!




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