Staying Motivated, Listening Skills
I have been trying to learn Spanish on my own for over a year now. I have made some progress and finally have a little bit of confidence, so I decided to join my co-workers at lunch. Most of them speak Spanish (which is one of the main reasons I want to learn), but they also speak English and a lot of the time will mix English and Spanish in the same sentences. It is so frustrating to have spent 1/2 hour to an hour a day trying to learn (I am currently using Pimsleur) and yet still sit down with them and Not understand. I can understand one or two words at best. If they are talking about work, I can understand a lot of that. But when they switch to their personal life, if seems like they have a whole other vocabulary. My question is, is this a common thing? And if so, how can I get past this? I suppose it is obvious to just keep working at it, but I am so frustrated, it feels like I'm never going to get it.
6 Answers
Everyone goes through this. It's to be expected and don't beat yourself up for not understanding. You're still learning, this is supposed to happen.
And Spanish speakers all over the world, not just the US, use English words when they speak because of the influence of English through various mediums (advertising, movies, music, etc) on the language. Here's some examples:
Tengo un nuevo look.
Qué hiciste anoche? Fuiste de party?
Te ves muy nice.
As for improving your ability to understand spoken Spanish, you have to stick with it. Keep going to those lunches and don't be afraid to ask someone to repeat what they said. You can't do it too much obviously, but don't be afraid to ask people what they said. If they feel comfortable enough to speak Spanish around you, they won't mind answering a few questions. And if you can have lunch one on one with someone, that would be great because you can get some personal attention. Over time, you'll start to understand more and more.
Also, check out LoMasTV.com. They have tons of video (all kinds) of people speaking at regular speed with subtitles. You watch the video and the on screen subtitles (English, Spanish or none) play at the same time. Anything you don't understand, you can see. It will help you a lot. Check out the website, they have several free demos available.
Bottomline, you just gotta keep at it.
I'm about where you are as far as understanding spoken Spanish and actually speaking, even though I've been studying a little longer. I try to listen to local radio in Spanish or watch a newscast or movie in Spanish several times a week. It's still a challenge. Hang in there!
I also recommend this site:
From your description, your co-workers speak mostly "spanglish," which is not going to help you with your study of Spanish. People who speak this way do so because they lack proficiency in both English and Spanish. So don't let this get you down. Seek out people who truly know Spanish and they will be more than happy to practice with you - in one language at a time.
Keep at it. Follow these good peoples advice.I have been studying for nine months and always feel like I'm not progressing. I'm still waiting for that " AHa" moment where things start to make sense. I wish you luck and hope your co-workers will help you out. Come to this site often and read as many posts as you can along with doing the lessons.If you haven't already checked out" Destinos" I recommend it. It is a story told in segments like a soap opera . It is paced for the beginner. Google it. Buena suerte.
I had a brief conversation today with a man who had one of the broadest Suffolk (England) accents I've heard. (I've lived in Suffolk for a total of 20 years, and am a native English speaker)
I really had to concentrate, and repeat in my head what he'd just said one more time, just to be able to understand him.
This doesn't help you, I know, but you shouldn't feel bad or that you're not progressing - some people are just really hard to understand.
Follow advice above - it will come eventually!
¡Suerte!
People use lots of slang in any language...just think about how your vocabulary changes from topic to topic, or depending on your present company. I would speak differently to my friends and use different words with them than with other people. I would listen to lots of Spanish music and watch movies/tv in Spanish.
