|
||
The most traditional way to begin learning Spanish, or any foreign language, for that matter, is with the alphabet. This is essentially the same way a child learns their own native language. It makes sense. After the alphabet, you would then move on to some basic words. From this point, you would start to learn some basic grammar. Again, this is pretty much the same way a child would learn how to speak their first language. It is a natural and logical progression.
One of the major disadvantages to such an approach is that it seems to be too rigid and inflexible. It often turns into just using rote memorization. In return, many students will learn Spanish, but will never be able to hold up their end of an impromptu conversation. The bottom line is that such learning shows us the glaring differences between learning and speaking Spanish in a formal class versus an informal setting.
A much better way to learn a language is through the use of a conversational Spanish class, lesson or course of instruction. For true learning to take place in this situation, you need to have an instructor who is fluent in the target language. This way you will be able to get guidance and help along the way. Also, any improvisations in the actual conversations can be handled with ease.
One way to do this is to just dive right in to actual conversations. Many of these type of programs will give some basic introduction to each conversation first. So, you will learn some words that are necessary to each conversational lesson and then you listen and repeat. After this, you will jump in and actually have your own conversations. These should be useful and give you practice with actual situations that you may encounter. This will give you real practice in as close to a real life situation as you can have.
From this point, you will probably be given a book which has some conversation topics. Maybe there will be some introductory words and background. Then, there may be some questions. These questions are designed to be conversation starters. Answer them in any fashion you see fit.
In an actual class setting, everyone will get a chance to answer the question and join in the conversation. The idea is that it should be lively and kept going. Try to answer the question in a different or unique way. Maybe answer and then ask a question of your own. Have fun with this, it will help you to learn better and retain more. Draw on words that have been used and introduced in other lessons.
Another great way of using the conversational experience is through audio lessons or courses. However, you should be careful with these. Make sure that whatever course you choose, will have only native speakers. Hearing native speakers is VERY important. You will be able to learn inflections, stressed and unstressed syllables, and many other nuances of the language. You will simply not have this understanding if your teachers are not native speakers.
• Learning the Spanish language is not rocket science. Although learning Spanish, like any other foreign language, poses a number of difficulties, it is not as hard as you might imagine it to be. In fact, if you are motivated enough you can even learn Spanish without any help from a formal instructor. You will need a few tools such as the dictionary, a grammar book, audio guides for enunciation exercises and a few conversation exercises.
• Learning the Spanish language does not have to be costly. There are a lot of available resources that so not need purchasing such as e-books and audio you can download online for free and public library resources such as books, publications, as well as some audio-visual presentations that are available for anyone interested to borrow them.
• Learning the Spanish language does not have to be a boring and solitary activity. You can get a partner to study the language with you. You will have all the support you can get plus a little bit of challenge from your co learner, which is very healthy in the learning process. This is very helpful especially those who are not capable of self correction. Having a pal to learn with can be both fun and academically challenging.
• Making mistakes is natural in learning the Spanish language or any other foreign language for that matter. It is part and parcel of the learning process and it even fortifies your fluency as you progress. It is much better if you can pin point your own mistakes and rectify them yourself.
• Never assume that Spanish words that look and sound like English words are of the same meaning. This is a common mistake among beginners, but can be easily corrected by looking at the proper usage of the words in English as well as in Spanish. This error happens a lot because both the English and the Spanish Language are Latin derived. When this happens, do not feel embarrassed or inadequate. As already mentioned, making errors are part of the learning process.
• Spanish, unlike the English language do not always require the use of pronouns. This is a common mistake among early learners, and even with seasoned Spanish speakers. It will not be at all grammatically wrong to include pronouns in Spanish sentences but since they are unnecessary, they will sound a bit lost in the sentence.
• Learning proper pronunciation is essential in learning the Spanish language. Although Spanish is not a tonal language, the meanings of many words are largely dependent on how they are spoken and where the accent is placed.
• Articles are very important to master. Just like in the English language where it is essential to know when to use a, an, and the, it is just as important in Spanish to know when to use un, el, una, los, les, and la.
• NEVER assume that one single source is always accurate. Multiple resources should be utilized in learning the Spanish language for purposes of verification and cross referencing.