How do you get enough practice to learn all this?
Hi - I'm about half way through the course but I can't actually remember much of what I've done. Maybe I'm just getting old, but I don't think I get enough practice at all this new grammar to actually be able to remember and use it. What do you do?
7 Answers
It's a process. Enjoy the journey. I'm an adult, too, and have had a brain injury to boot, but in order for these lessons to make sense you have to listen to Spanish being spoken. Listen on TV (where you can get English subtitles to help you, at first), radio, read Spanish books with English translations on the side, take part in the Skype chats here.
Study, listen, repeat, (get it fixed) and try again. You need to have someone who you can speak it with or your progress will be very slow.
We are ALL in process here. Come join us, as most of us are creeping along at the speed of a tortise but are very determined and will more or less eventually reach the finish line!
Good luck!!
I am not very far in my lessons on here, but one thing I have found helpful is to label things around the home. I do this in my classroom for my kids, so I figured it would help me learn a new language... and guess what! It is! I have the fridge, microwave, mirror, sink, etc labeled with sticky notes. I have also left little notes for myself of other important sayings, etc I want to remember around my house (inside the cabinet doors- places I look a lot). I also try to use it in conversation with my close friends and family. They know I am trying to learn and don't mind having to ask me to repeat myself in English. They find it entertaining. I know it sounds silly, but it really is helping! ¡Buena suerte!
I was speaking with my son today on this very subject, he is learning Russian. We
both came to the conclusion that learning a language quickly has nothing to do with
ones age, but rather how much one needs the language to survive .
Migrants who arrive here have to learn to speak English very fast in order
to work and involve themselves in society. We are both convinced that
if we were to go and live in some backwoods area where the only language
was Spanish ,or whatever ,then our need to survive would override all other
Considerations and .voila, instant Spanish , or at least dialogue.
I've spent thousands of hours learning Spanish. Do I know it? Nope.
I recommend a lot of repetition. Try to constantly review old material, while always learning new things. A lot of it depends on what level you are trying to get to, the amount of motivation you have, and the time you are willing to dedicate to it.
Once again: Estoy in acuerdo con Echoline. For me, I don't compare myself with what others have accomplished. Make it a hobby, not a competition. You are studying Spanish. Enjoy the journey! Make it a lifelong study rather than a "task" that you have to accomplish. It's just like learning the martial arts; you have to humble yourself in order to learn. Soooo . . . be humble and learn! That's what keeps me learning!
I like all the answers posted above, but I just want to add my encouragement. I'm in my fifties and often can't remember words in English, lol! Just keep trying. Slowly but steadily my Spanish is improving. Be consistent with your studies and review a lot. Try to "immerse" yourself in Spanish by listening and speaking every chance you get. Sometimes in the car I talk to myself. For example I might say, "I am driving my car. Yesterday I drove the car. Will I drive tomorrow? I don't know. The traffic is bad today. I want a new car." You get the idea. I like to integrate lots of programs, such as the "Practice Makes Perfect" workbooks, free online lessons from language schools, LoMas TV, etc. Then when the other programs teach something "new" and I already know it, I feel really smart! Lol! I also volunteer once a week with a Latina support group and even though I make lots of mistakes and can't understand half of what they say, it is great practice and provides strong motivation to continue to study.
Good luck!
