Best Advice for Beginners?

Question

This question is for the more 'seasoned' SpanichDict users.

What is your best advice for new users?

I really want to get the most out of SpanishDict and I want to learn as fast as possible.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Hi Joseph, welcome to the forum

We have discussed this topic many times before, please make a search here, thanks

Answer 2

Use every bit of the resources here, and then augment them with the "Practice Makes Perfect" workbooks, especially the Verb one by Richmond. Take Post-Its and put the Spanish word on them and stick them on all of the common objects in your house. Repeat the word (along with the article) every time you pick it up or walk past it. When you've learned some verbs and conjunctions you can make complete sentences when you use your objects.

Make an infinitive verb list of -ar, -er and -ir verbs of the most common verbs you use. Learn to conjugate them in the present tense.

If you don't have forever to learn, this will certainly be enough to get you started. I don't know if you've seen it yet, but you can make your own flashcard sets. They are very useful for learning new words.

Best of success!!!

Answer 3

Try to spend a proportionally much larger amount of time listening to Spanish and watching Spanish movies, tv, youtube clips, etc while trying very hard to not just listen but also to understand what is occurring by use of visual cues.

This might be frustrating in the beginning, but will likely pay big dividends in the long run.

good answer Iza as far as learning Spanish goes but Joseph was asking how to get the best out of SD :) - Kiwi-Girl, Jan 14, 2011

or were you just looking at the second part, learning as fast as possible? If that was the case - good call je je - Kiwi-Girl, Jan 14, 2011

Answer 4

Start doing the lessons and then try to use what you are learning in conversation. This will not only increase your knowledge but will also give rise to innumerable questions which you can then ask on the forum.

Then, to give back a little, look for questions on the forum that match your level or that cover things that you have already learnt and give answers. If you're not sure of your answer that's ok just let the person know by beginning your post with 'I think' or 'I'm still learning ..... so best wait for a native to confirm' etc.

Personally I find teaching others is a great way to teach yourself or to consolidate what you already know.

Hope that helps to some extent. Welcome to the forum and all the best, see ya round!