Hello- Does anyone have any tips on practicing 'thinking" in Spanish?
I find that I lose a lot when listening to Spanish being spoken and while trying to come up with a decent response, with my limited Spanish vocabulary. I studied Spanish for 6 years, 10 years ago. "Academically", I was great! But, never was I fluent enough for conversation on a level that I was actually comfortable with. I felt extremely self-conscious when speaking because my Spanish abilities were so inept compared to my ability to express myself is English...I felt like a 5-year old! My husband, who is a native Spanish speaker, told me that if I didn't drop my insecurities about "sounding 5", then I would never take my Spanish to a conversational level. He was right! I'm still not able to hold a conversation in any language other than English. However, I now have a stronger motivation. I home school our children and now am about to teach them Spanish. No room now, for my own hang ups. Hence, I am "brushing up" on my Spanish and feel that I need to start at my hang up and get past it up front. I NEED to stop translating my Spanish to English and vice versa! PLEASE HELP!
15 Answers
Learn fixed phrases and idioms. Try writing down the most troublesome structures and learn them by heart, then try using them in context. Watch films in their original versions. Talk to people, esp. native speakers if you get any opportunity. Try "fake" thinking on your favourite topics and then think Spanish.
The best method that I have found to improve my listening skills is to listen to Spanish radio or television and mimic the sounds that I hear. I got the idea while thinking about my the way my own children developed (and are developing) their language skills.
When I first began, my ear was so terrible that I couldn't even pick out words, just sounds. However, within about a week, I was able to pick out a word here and there and sometimes more than one word in a row. I was stuck at this level for about two weeks before I figured out what I was doing wrong. I was trying to translate the words into English before continuing to listen.
When I forced myself to stop trying to translate, I found that within about a week I was able to pick out phrases and entire sentences and parrot them back to the radio. I also found that I was also able to understand much of what was being said without having to make any mental translations.
Another point I would make is don't see the words and phrases that you learn as Spanish equivalents to English phenomena, but instead, look at each one with an eye towards what they actually represent. If you think about a manzana then don't think "apple", imagine what it actually represents. If you think "siento haberle hecho esperar" don't think "I'm sorry I made you wait." Instead, visualize the situation where this would apply.
You sound very motivated to learn, and it is extremely refreshing to read about your desire to persevere towards your goals. I am sure that (especially with the help of your husband) you will eventually reach those goals.
Good luck in your endeavors 
Hi! This is a great post. I think most of us can relate to being insecure when using Spanish for the first time or when we are not sure if what we are saying is correct. Also, I have home schooled, and I think it is great that your husband is fluent. This will definitely benefit both you and your children.
In order to start thinking Spanish, I would establish "Spanish only" times during the day. Dinner time would be a great time to speak only in your new language. Have your husband teach a few new words daily and have everyone use the words in sentences. Have everyone talk about their day in Spanish.
When delegating chores, do it only in Spanish. Lesson 1:13 is an excellent resource to get you started.
Speak to yourself throughout the day in Spanish. Examples would be telling the time, Making your "To Do" list, shopping list and even recipes all in Spanish.
At the end of the day, tell your husband what your biggest blessings were and also what your biggest frustrations were. The idea is to create periods of time throughout the day where only Spanish is used. Once this is a habit, you will be surprised how much you learn.
Try not to worry about being perfect. You have something most of us would love to have...a 24/7 tutor. Be thankful for any corrections he makes because it can only help you in the future. As they say...We are all verde with envy!!! 
Enjoy learning!! Nicole B.
"think in Spanish" was one of those phrases that made my eyes bleed, I just couldn't get a grasp of it. However, the longer I studied, the more I immersed myself into the language, I began to "think in Spanish" without realizing it. I remember one night as I was lying in bed trying to go to sleep, everything I was thinking was in Spanish. It startled me!
I started studying Spanish (self study, not formal classes) in May 2008 at the age of 53. I was under the illusion that in a year I could speak fluent Spanish but I had no idea how difficult it was going to be for me to acquire a second language. But, the further I go with the time investment, it would be a huge waist to give up now.
Regarding "thinking in Spanish", I watch as much Spanish TV as I can, read in Spanish, etc, all the things you might 'normally' do. My wife and I also attend a Spanish speaking church where we are the only americanos. Talk about immersion. I play keyboards, so after a while I was invited to play with the worship band. During our practice sessions it's all Spanish, also a great immersion experience. I've learned worship songs that were written in Spanish, not translated from English, and that's another type of immersion into Spanish that's been great for me. My Hispanic church has adopted this 55 year old southern white boy, and given me and my wife an entirely new perspective on what it means to be "family". I have met and became friends with people that I never would have met if I hadn't pursued learning Spanish and trying to immerse myself into the language.
Sorry about the ramble.... I just want to encourage you that if you continue immersing yourself into Spanish, the language, the culture, etc, you will find yourself "thinking" in Spanish.
After a year and a half, I can converse in Spanish, albeit like a baby I'm sure. That's the biggest fear I had to overcome. I speak and play music in front of large groups and that has never caused me to fear (only the 'normal' butterflys), but speaking in a different language, wow, that gave me the shivers. I'm at the point I'll just "bust out" with it, and then I just stand back and wait for the 'expected' corrections I just wish that I would have done this years ago.
Jack
I can't vote yet but your question is a good one.With any insecurity it is better to face the fear. The more you step up and give it your best , make a mistake and realize the laughter or anxiety or whatever is not as bad as your imagination, the anxiety will subside.
Roosevelt was right when he said something along the lines that the greatest thing to fear is fear itself.
I am at the beginning of this path but whenever I can I surround myself by fluent speakers, watch TV or listen to radio as much as I can in Spanish.I learned English without a dictionary , picking up meaning in context.WHile I feel I am just skating on the surface of meaning gradually individual words emerge and I will look them up for more precise communication later.THe general form of the language seems to be clearer to me at this stage. This is kind of hard to explain but I am able to interact in a meaningful way with people.
First off your husband is absolutely correct.I don't know if english is his second language or if he learned both as a child,but if english is his second language he can tell you all about those insecurities.I took two years in school as a requirement and thought i'd never use it.About six years later I went to work w/a company that was about 80% El Salvadorian.I think with the limited structural understanding I had and an inquisitive mind I learned moast of my Spanish, witch is still fairly rough. Yea,you definitely have to shed that insecurity and view it simply as a "thirst for knowledge" if you will.I've found most people will help you if you ask,to learn their language.They might still laugh,but I think showing interest in another's culture sort of prompts them to want to help.I don't know were you live,but for myself living in the U.S.,when one of the fellas at work find out that "este gabacho habla",they tend to see me in a different light.I think this is from a false insecurity from the attitude of many Americans,saying "learn English". So don't be scared.If you wanna know...ask.
good luck.
I took two years of Spanish classes in high school that was mostly memorization and learning the rules of writing the language. However, hardly any of it stuck because I wasn't using it or surrounding myself with the language. Since my children are growing up and I've found a new interest, I'm taking Spanish classes formally in college, but have also immersed and surrounded myself with fluent speakers. My boyfriend is El Salvadorian and my friends are all Mexicanos or Columbian. I've collected Hispanic music, give orders to my children in Spanish and force them to understand me as I perfect my usage. At the same time, I always look toward books, internet translations and my friends for correct usage of verbs and idioms. As you surround yourself and force yourself to speak the language (and force others to listen to you, i.e. correct you), you will begin to think and dream in the language. It's a real phenomenom when I start thinking more in Spanish than I do in English. Good luck!!
I feel your pain! I consider myself exceptionally articulate in English and am very verbal and expressive. I also tend to be too prideful and defensive at times. You have gotten some excellent and practical suggestions here, (and I am taking it all in too - learning phrases, picturing the visual of "manzana" not the English word, set times of day to speak in Spanish, etc)
But for the resistance to speak, the discomfort, the fear, the embarrassment..... I can't make that go away, but I have found a few things that help me persevere despite that. here are my reasons, maybe one of them will inspire you too: 1. I reflect on how I feel about people whose English is very rough - do I assume they are not intellegent? not articulate in their native tongue? immature or of flawed character? Goodness no! Just the opposite. I appreciate their courage and effort and the intellegence it takes just to try to learn another language. I also would not really respect the opinion of anyone who would look down on that person. 2. Adult learners who have been successful at this have told me about the necessity of being willing to speak and say thing wrong, even sound foolish. They tell me they did - even if they don't now) 3. I have reframed my willingness to sound like a 3-yr-old, to say things wrong, to humble myself and to be inarticulate as something that not only will make me better at speaking Spanish, it will make me a better person. less defensive, more open, more loving, more approachable and compassionate to others. 4. Most of all, i keep my eye on the prize and believe that if I can walk through this fire of speaking badly, I WILL get there, I WILL speak Spanish some day, and if I'm not willing to do it, I will lose everything I have sweated and clawed my way this far to achieve. I challenge myself every day: how badly do you want this? And i know you can do it if you push past this, because even in one email I can see your motivation: your children and your family and yourself.
I also have found it helpful to learn and practice the following kinds of phrases:
Estoy tratando de aprender español. Yo no hablo bien todavía. ¿Quieres decir que más despacio por favor? ¿Podría repetir eso? No, dice en español, quiero intentarlo. Yo no sé la palabra. Me olvido de la palabra. No entendí lo que dijiste, ¿podría decir que de nuevo? ¿Qué significa "_________"? ¡Gracias por hablar en español, necesito practicar todos los días!
Honestly I went through a similar thing. I had studied for 6 1/2 years in school, and came out with A's in the classes, but always felt like I lacked something. I decided just this last year to take a Spanish Medical Class in order to get to finish up my MA studies and to get the Medical Interpreters Certification. I had to get past the fact that I was afraid to talk to others who spoke Spanish and had to get past "translating" everything in my head. I had to learn to go with the flow, especially since everyone in the class were native speakers. At first I hated going up to the front, and would get so nervous I nearly passed out on several occasions. I was so afraid of looking stupid. On top of that I was in a class to learn to be a Spanish "Translator" I needed to be able translate things, right? Well actually, wrong. I had to stop being so anal, I had to stop over analizing things and just do it. Over time I became more comodo with my classmates, and with speaking and thinking the language itself. It took time, and I still have moments, but the key is to stop focusing so much and just relax, it will come more easily that way. Also it required that I stopped associating things with words in English, and focused on associating them to the Spanish counterpart instead. Putting little sticky notes on items around the house helped me to keep a Spanish mind set, eventhough it looked a bit weird to see these little scraps of paper all over the place, but believe me it does help! Good luck! 
What a great thread. You´re probably helping lots of other people just like me when you ask this. Thanks.
Izabela- Thank you so much for taking the time to help me! You have great suggestions and I will be implementing them immediately. I saw your response to another question from someone else and I clicked to follow your link. I read your introduction and your Spanish is GREAT! Your son is lucky to have you as a mom. He will definitely be multi-lingual!
When you´re walking or driving, try thinking or speaking in spanish. about things you see. a pretend conversation with your husband. or anything else.
It´s good cuz u have all the time in the world to come up with the right answer. No one´s waiting for you.
Decide for yourself if you want to make simple sentence like ´Vi un arbol´ Él coche es blanco´ ´Quiero un coche blanco´ so they´ll be correct, or let yourself go with the words you know, mixing in english words, using infinitives (comer) when you don´t know how to conjugate etc.
It´s fun.
Thank you very much for taking the time to offer your advise. English is actually my husband's second language. So, yes, he does know first-hand about the insecurities. 20 years ago, when we first met, his accent was extremely heavy. And yes, as you also said, I found his attempts at English, endearing. Thanks for the vote of confidence! I'm having an entirely different outlook now with all of this support!
