learning order

Question

Would this be the best order to learn Spanish or any language: 1. listening 2. reading 3.speaking 4. writing or is it whatever works best for each individual person?

Answer 1

You should do whatever works best for you, but at some point you need to concentrate on your weakest area. For me that is speaking, but I still spend a lot of time on my strongest area (reading) because that is how I learn vocabulary the fastest, and vocabulary affects all forms of communication.

I think the real issue is how much time you should spend on learning grammar as opposed to direct exposure to the language, whether it is reading, writing, listening, or speaking. That too depends on the person and how they learn best. For me, concentrating on grammar and conjugation first was essential, but for many others learning using a more conversational approach works better.

I've been learning alot of new words with the flashcards, I bought a mp3 recently to listen more, but I do enjoy those flashcards. - swampy, Oct 12, 2010

Answer 2

How about, 5. combinations of the above, and 6. all of the above?

sounds good, but it just doesn't sound right when I try to speak so I pushed it back to number 3 - swampy, Oct 12, 2010

Ultimately, you will want to speak, right? You should at least learn to say out loud everything which you write, and most of what you read. ;-) - pesta, Oct 13, 2010