subject: So You Need Help Learning Spanish [print this page] It's always a great idea to learn a second language. Spanish is rapidly approaching equal usage as English in the US. Think about it: how many times are English messages repeated in Spanish? That's one reason why it's a good idea to learn Spanish. Of course, for many people, learning new languages is very difficult. Here are a few useful ideas and tips that will help you if new languages are a bit difficult.
When first learning Spanish, one of the most important things to consider is how your accent sounds. You really want to be able to speak Spanish well and have people understand you; this is more fundamental than the grammar or even knowing many words. Look for anything written in Spanish and practice saying the words out loud; this is a good way to improve your speech in the new language. While written material is good to practice with, you can also get good practice by repeating any phrases you hear from people actually speaking Spanish. This will help you learn how to use the correct inflections and how to string the words together with the right intention and tone. Start practicing this whenever you can; you may be surprised to find that it's fun. It can be a kind of game, or like making music.
Always try to improve your 'ear' for language. Some languages have more of an oral-emphasized than written. You will still need to learn how to 'hear' a language as long as it's still alive. Writing the alphabet or the correct way to write a sentence is not enough. You need to be able to understand the language when you hear it. The best way to do this is to listen to as much of your chosen language as possible. When you get to the point where you can correctly identify Spanish after hearing just a few words, then you'll be on your way to success.
However you decide to learn, do it consistently. Most courses use a very specific approach to teaching languages. The whole process becomes simpler if you use a logical and incremental approach. Don't try to start off reading a complex novel; begin with the alphabet and saying "good morning" and the like. Learning vocabulary before grammar makes the learning process easier. It's best to stick to the rules of the system you are using and not jump from one chapter or section to another at random. If you follow the courses as they are set out you'll have an easier time learning Spanish. Changing the order can cause you to miss something important. There's no reason to do anything that will slow down your progress. It just isn't necessary to have a frustrating time when learning Spanish or any language. You can find so much help online. But the real key to learning Spanish, or any language, is to have an open mind about it. Your mind will more easily absorb the knowledge when it is open. If you try to force a foreign language to sound like your native language, you'll only make it more difficult.
