Looking for advice from fluent spanish-speaking adults

Question

I have always loved the spanish language, culture, people music and that's why I've decided to study spanish as my major in college. I'm leaving for mexico in a couple days to live and study at a university and I was wondering if you could offer any advice about learning a second language as an adult. Thanks so much.

Answer 1

As Kevin has said, immersion is absolutely the best way to learn another language. This is how you learned your native language.

Accept what you are taught without comparing your new language to your own, and speak. The more you use your new language, the more natural it will sound to you. Just speak.

Don ´t be afraid of making mistakes. You will do so, and it´s OK. Just speak.

¡Que lo pases a todo mecate en México!

gracias a usted por su buen deseo, me voy a esforzar con faltas y todo sin miedo porque asi aprendo. Soy amable y a la gente mexicana le voy a caer simpatica :) que este genial! un abrazo, cristy. - cmromano, Jul 31, 2010

Answer 2

It looks like you're already taking care of my primary recommendation - immersion. That's the key to becoming fluent. Take every opportunity to expose yourself to the language by striking up conversations, reading newspapers and books, watching TV and movies, etc. If you don't know anything at all about the language you'll obviously have to take some lessons, but don't get too hung up on memorizing individual words and verb conjugations. Try to think in terms of phrases and sentences. The first big hurdle is when you realize you're thinking in Spanish and not having to translate back and forth in your head. Good luck!

Answer 3

I think you should learn a language of a culture that fascinates you. The language you feel you want to learn, the language that would be useful in the future or just the one sounds nice to you. If you want less learning - try some of latin languages, that have some similarities (french, portugal,...). If not - try something exotic - I mean, totally different from Spanish and I am sure you'll love that culture too. Good luck!

Answer 4

Also, I think that through your university books you will have a good opportunity to come closer to the language. Speaking is an excellent recommendation, but reading books is another one that works, in my opinion. These can be even literature. Also, listening to music with Spanish lyrics can help you a lot. I am giving you these recommendations as an English teacher but also as a person who has achieved a very good level in Spanish without having taken a single lesson, by just following the whole "immersion" idea.

Answer 5

Oh! It is a great opportunity to learn Spanish, Mexico is beautiful, where people are coordial with the foreigners and are very patient and amiable with the people who want to learn, you can listen to much music and also to read they are excellent forms to learn a new language

hola, como esta usted? gracias por contestar la pregunta. Me alegro que en mexico les caigamos bien a ustedes. crei lo contrario. Que buena onda! :) - cmromano, Jul 31, 2010

Answer 6

Immersion is good, yes. The other important bit is, avoid English speakers as much as possible. In other word, live, speak, and think in your new language as much as possible.

Answer 7

In general, nothing beats exposure/practice. Going to Mexico to study is a big step in that direction. That, in itself, should be enough but since, wherever you are, there will probably also be a number of other gringos; resist the temptation to "hang out" with them.

Answer 8

Just do as much stuff with the people there as you can. Hang out with them. Don't cop out and speak English if you can help it. I would say try to get a head start on it by learning some on this website, if you don't already know some Spanish. Join us in the chatroom. . There are natives that can help you. Another good place for practice with natives is www.sharedtalk.com. . Buena suerte!