I can't hear it!!!

Question

Hola,

I have been studying el español for about six months. Although I have to think about what I want to say, and say it rather slowly, I am learning to speak the language. I am doing even better with regard to reading Spanish. HOWEVER, when watching tele, listening to the radio, or when someone is speaking Spanish to me, it soulds like garble..Will I be able to understand Spanish?

Thank tou

It sounds garbled to me too. :) - ian-hill, Mar 29, 2010

Answer 1

Reading it tends to be the easy part. How many hours per day do you study? I recommend a regiment of audio courses mixed with Spanish TV daily. Audio courses will get you hearing and understanding better than books. When you listen to Spanish TV, bring a notebook (or do it on the computer with notepad) and write down lines that you do hear ....ie..."No puede ser!" and then look them up and see what they mean. "Así es, Pancho, vamos a ganar este torneo" ......You should fill up a pad with notes like that and then look them up, if you can't find the answer then ask the forum. You have to hear it to learn it, books are just for the basics.

I think the problem is that both Jeffrey and I actually don't hear the phrases so we can't write them down. One can't write down "gobbledygook" :) - ian-hill, Mar 29, 2010

Answer 2

what jeezzle said, plus, in my opinion,

The last learned skill in acquiring another language is the ability to hear individual words. For me, it has been the most frustrating part of the process.

You must practice listening to Spanish to train your ear, you'll never be able to converse if you don't.

After nearly two years of self study and learning I feel pretty comfortable in conversations, listening to Spanish speakers, etc. Continue practicing your listening and it will come, even though it may seem impossible at times.

Answer 3

Hola Jeffrey,

I know it is hard to believe it right now, but little by little, you are going to start understanding "spoken" Spanish. You definitely have to work towards that goal on a daily basis. Try watching one or two TV shows and also the news in Spanish daily, if possible. At first, you will be able to pick out a word here and there. Then, before you know it, you will hear several words or a phrase. Before you know it, there will be full sentences that you can comprehend.

There is a site that I would recommend you try. It is called Lomas TV. There is a small monthly fee involved. However, it allows you to watch hundreds of videos on a variety of topics, including music. You are able to slow the words down and can even double click on words for the definition. The English subtitles are below each video.

I hope you are encouraged to keep trying. I'm sure that several months from now, you will be amazed at your progress.

buena suerte

Answer 4

I have been living in Colombia for more than three years and depending upon who is speaking, it still sounds like gobbledygook. Some people just speak incredibly fast. Some of the television shows are worse than others.

Your ability to detect words in all of that gobbledygook will improve with time. However, reading IS important, unless you enjoy sitting around memorizing random words and the hundreds of different ways they can be used (yuck). If you are not already familiar with what a word is and what it sounds like when it is spoken, it isn't very likely you would recognize it when someone is speaking to you.

The one thing that helped me the most was studying the verb forms. Learn to recognize those and understand their differences and you will understand much more of what you are hearing.

Answer 5

Hmm, yes I understand what you mean. I myself find reading spanish ALOT easier, but to the point.

I am taking a Spanish 2 course in my highschool, and while I may not be as skilled with the language as you may be, I can definately say it will come with time. Just listening to spoken spanish, especially if the person is fluent in a varied dialect ("Mexican" spanish, as opposed to Spain's spanish) is difficult for me, and I can only pick up phrases here and there. Stay with it long enough and it should get better.

Answer 6

Don,t feel alone,Ive study alot and still heart wise I'll have a hard time even trying to structure a sentence, specially after lots of hard labor and was studying other works.Some lessons remain indented.

There dictionary's reference, grammer and answer's section's are the best for assistance and brushing up.Hearing lessons besides basics are there flash cards! Takes a little more time if your aged to equal a degree in spanish.

Answer 7

You've gotten some very good answers. The only thing that I might add is not to try to understand each and every word. You don't do that in your native language; you listen for ideas. Just keep listening, and yes, some day you will be able to understand. Someone mentioned Lo Mas TV, and that sounds like something that you need to try. Don't give up; you can do it!