feel like I'm getting nowhere

Question

I have learnt a great deal of vocabulary on this site by using the flash cards, but I'm still not speaking in sentences. I know the words, just can't put it together.

Does anyone else feel like this?

Have you got any advice? Or do you know how I can move forward?

Answers greatly appreciated

Sure you can make sentences. The Car was red. El coche fue rojo. - oldpink, Mar 6, 2012

My house is white. mi casa es blanco. where is the book? donde esta el libro? - oldpink, Mar 6, 2012

My answers may not be perfect, but I try, and I learn. Good luck. Buena suerte! - oldpink, Mar 6, 2012

True, Oldpink. That's what I am trying to do now. Just small sentences. - 00cdfbd9, Mar 6, 2012

great suggestions... thanks :) - Boo32, Mar 7, 2012

Answer 1

I started learning Spanish with some basic material. The first 2 words they taught were tú and yo, since they are supposed to be the most important words They continued with some simple verbs: hablar, comer and vivir. And immediately you had to make little sentences From that point on I have always worked on both grammar and vocabulary. I have done 100s of exercises, if not 1000s. And have never felt like you.

My next step was working on listening and speaking comprehension skills .... I still have to work hard to master them. As long as I manage to focus (and people are so kind as to adapt their speed of talking a little) I can get by quite well.

The past few months I have been practising translation skills. As I needed that for a job I am doing next to my normal job.
But - after having said all this - I keep working on it & I keep getting back to basics. As with all things: the more you know, the more you realise how little you still know.
But I really, honestly feel that I am on a continuous way up in learning Spanish. The end is nowhere near yet ... but I enjoy the journey

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About 4 years ago I hardly spoke any Spanish at all .... in spite of the fact that I had already fallen for 'señor Justo', who did not pressure me to learn his language at all. It is due to a horrible experience that I suddenly felt the need to learn Spanish right away. But heyyyyy ...... that's another story, irrelevant for your question

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This long story tried to give you some courage & motivation. Keep working on it and get back to basics from time to time. And practice!!!!!!!
And do it ALL, not just vocabulary. And all at a manageable pace.

Well said. - gringojrf, Mar 6, 2012

Thank you. But basically I said the same as you had already done, I only needed a few more words ;-))) - mcl020, Mar 6, 2012

Answer 2

When I started learning Spanish I wrote thousands of sentences. It will help but eventually you need to find a way to talk. Once you start talking it all will come together at a faster rate.

Thank you for your comment :) - Boo32, Mar 7, 2012

Answer 3

*********I can write spanish fairly well, read okay, but when it comes to listening. Oh my. Depending on the speakers speed. The muy rapido habladors, no comprende. Si, hablan despacio, yo puede comprendar. How can you improve listening skills.*********

thanks for answering its very helpful :) - Boo32, Mar 7, 2012

Answer 4

Keep at it...it gets easier...I promise. Consider a Skype tutor to practice speaking.

ahhhhh, thanks for the picture, it definatley is appropriate! :) - Boo32, Mar 7, 2012

Answer 5

I feel like that too, about English as well sometimes. All I can say is keep on going and try to stay motivated.

Thank you for your comment :) - Boo32, Mar 6, 2012

You're welcome. :) - 00cdfbd9, Mar 6, 2012

Answer 6

I know when I first had trouble putting together sentences I would simply write simple sentences and translate them. Eventually you just get faster. Sometimes knowing the words isnt enough. You need to learn how to associate them together

yeah i agree im stuck on this part..... thanks for commenting :) - Boo32, Mar 6, 2012

No problem. Me gusta ayudar - jttorbey72, Mar 6, 2012