Listening comprehension tips
Let's list some listening comprehension tips for those people that are having problems hearing the words or the break betweens words or whatever. I'll start with a few tips.
Remember that H is silent. We have an inherent tendency to want to hear it, so when you come to a break betweens words that includes an H such as: "Iba a hacer algo y se me olvidó lo que tenía que hacer". A Acer. Iba A Acer. It's hard because the words slide together and you have to sort of imagine the break until you can naturally hear it. Una bebida alcoholica. Alco OL ica.
Try using an MP3 player to listen to music instead of just your stereo or computer speakers. You will surprised how much clearer you can distinguish words when you use an MP3 player.
Try to learn complete phrases not just words. How often do you watch a show in your native language and know what is going to be said next, because you just know? It's because you know that phrase, you've heard it before. "I love you and I don't want to.......can you guess the next line here? you have a few instinctive guesses don't you? You can do the same thing with Spanish, and you should
Watch a Spanish TV show or listen to an audio course very first thing in the morning before you brain has a chance to start thinking. The information will be raw and uninterrupted. This is the best way to learn, you will be subconciously thinking about it all day, maybe you ask the checkout girl or the banker or the waitress what that girl in the show meant if you understood her at all. If you don't understand it at all, don't worry your brain will make it's adjustment as long as you do it every single day.
So what tips do you have for the strugglers? Let's help each other learn. Gracias.
1 Answer
Rent Spanish movies or chose the Spanish soundtrack on English-speaking movies.
