What is something that has really helped your spanish?

Question

I'm learning Spanish, and would like to know any suggestions/ideas for learning that you have used!!! What is the most useful thing that you do to help learn Spanish (or English)?

Answer 1

I put those little sticky notes on so many things. I drove my wife crazy. However even though she was not wanting to learn spanish, she knows what, huevos, leche, asucre y queso are now. Along with a lot of other things you see every day in your house.

I live with a dictionary in my pocket.

I also make the learning a fun thing. Tengo 64 años y tengo mucho disfrute.

• Congratulations Jim, that's the way it should be! - RicardoP Nov 11, 2009

Answer 2

They say that the best way to learn Spanish is to get a latino/a novio/a. I don't think my wife would go along with that though.

• Estoy buscando novia. (I am just kidding) - RicardoP Nov 11, 2009
• You never know until you try asking her :) lol - cheeseisyumm Nov 11, 2009

Answer 3

If you have read any book in English that you love, try to get it printed in Spanish and read it again. Try to infer the meaning of unknown words before looking them up in a dictionary.

For Spanish pronunciation, if you can not talk to someone, then listen to music and watch TV/Movies in Spanish as much as possible.

I am a Star Wars fan, so after I had watched the movies in Spanish for the Nth time, when I watched them in English it was very easy for me to understand all the dialogs. I assume it should work the other way around.

Answer 4

The number one thing that I do to learn spanish is to watch movies. If you browse your DVDs, I bet you'll find that you can watch almost half dubbed in spanish, and a few more without dubs but with subtitles in Spanish. Watch the movie once in english to get the idea of what's going on, then try to watch it dubbed in spanish. If you're having trouble, turn on english subtitles.

No matter what movie, you'll pick up a phrase or two of useful vocab, and also just listening gives you a kind of immersion feel and helps your accent. I've found that just watching movies, or even tuning into the spanish radio or TV channels helps me a lot more than any class I ever took.

Answer 5

What really helped me was all those hours of sitting in the corner here. Lots of time to think and learn.

Es cierto que ninguna disciplina parece por el presente ser cosa de gozo, sino penosa, sin embargo, después , a los que han sido entrenados por ella, da fruto pacífico, a saber, justicia. Heb 12:11

Thanks, Heidita.

• Buen versiculo! You haven't been in the corner for so long Q. You probably forget what it looks like!! - Nicole-B Nov 11, 2009

Answer 6

Going along with Mokay's idea, I have learned so much from reading my Spanish Bible. I have been reading it through each year for awhile now, so this year I have been reading a few chapters in English, followed by the same chapters in Spanish. This can be done with any book you are familiar with.

Spending time in a Spanish speaking country is by far the best method, but if that is not possible, try some of the great suggestions here.

• Hi Nicole, I have a bilingual bible that has the Spanish on one side and the English on the other side. I read it in Spanish to my mom who is 97. It has helped me so much. - Nilda-Ballar Apr 10, 2012

Answer 7

Really just trying your best to immerse yourself in the language. That means watching Spanish movies and shows, reading Spanish books, listening to Spanish music, speaking to anyone who speaks Spanish, etc. Good luck!

Answer 8

In addition to all the other suggestions, you can click on the "Learn" tab on top of the screen and go through the Spanish Lessons which include videos. You can also use this tab to learn Spanish grammar and to view the various sets of flashcards.

Answer 9

Get some Spanish books for children from your local library and a good Spanish/English dictionary. You can make flashcard sets from the words you're not familiar with.

If your library has book sales, you may be able to buy some books for a few cents.

Answer 10

"Hablar se aprende hablando". Get a native speaker, someone you know and talk, and talk, and talk. This would help you a lot.

• Eso es tan difícil para mi. - epicfail Nov 11, 2009
• I am so sorry. I hope I could be near you to practice. Do not discourage, keep on going! - RicardoP Nov 11, 2009
• ugh... mi novio is a Mexicano lol and I am still having so much trouble. Spanish speakers just talk to darn fast! lol - FeliciaLoves Nov 11, 2009

Answer 11

You should try looking up any words using this site's (excellent) dictionary. Expose yourself to more Spanish and find some words that you're not familiar with. It's so helpful to expand your vocabulary in a bilingual way.

Answer 12

Buy a computer program and on long flights use a laptop working on ya español............ its what my dad does on work trips

Answer 13

Hola EJClaire,

I am using the International Children's Library a lot these days. They have a whole section dedicated to Spanish books and you can choose by country (or title) if you want to. Since I'm really a novice, there are many words that I don't understand, but that forces me to use the dictionary and it helps with vocabulary a lot.

If you want to try it out, go here.

Buena suerte.