Making up lost time in Spanish
Hello Everyone. I know this topic has been beat to death.I didn't know where to put this question in terms of categories, but it is a loaded one. So, I've been studying spanish for almost a year and I'm pretty frustrated that I'm not at the level where I want to be even though I'm ok. I still can't understand a lot of what's being said in novelas or in songs. Are there any suggestions on how to overcome this. I love music and that's how I want to learn the language although it may not be the most practical way but that's what I enjoy. Is there any suggestions on how I can go about this. My mother is from Puerto Rico and I never learned but I am trying my best to learn so that I can have conversation with my abuelitos before I won't be able to anymore. It's just frustrating. I want to minor in Spanish but I don't want to take the literature classes. lol Also, since I've been learning Spanish I have become interested in other languages and I want to learn them too. For job oppurtunities if there are any. Any Advice or suggestions about this or life? lol
4 Answers
The number one and most important way to achieve it is immersion. You can read, listen, study, practice as much as you want, but in order to break that wall, immersion is the key. Even though you spend all that time and effort trying to learn, it is not going to happen that well as far as you feed your brain your first language. Your brain will always pull you back to your native language. You need to "starve" your brain and ear from English. This is traumatic, but eventually your brain will give in and accept a second language. I know it is not that easy to pack and go for 6 months to another country to get immerse, but if not, you will find yourself back on square number one.
On a practical level, get the lyrics for the songs you are listening to, read as you are listening and then you'll be able to make the link between the noise you are hearing and the words that are being said. Check out youtube for stuff you can watch with subtitles and also have a look at lomastv.com, they have videos with subtitles, you can slow down the videos when you come across a part you don't understand.
One way that I have found helpful is when listening to music or conversation in Spanish, just try to hear the words you know. That way you will get the general idea of what is being said. Don't get frustrated and stop listening.
It does take time, some longer than others, but you have to keep at it. Someone else told me to read a good novel in Spanish out loud to yourself. Also, watch TV programs in Spanish and continue listening to music in Spanish.
The key is, PERSEVERANCE!
I hope this helps. You are not alone.
Here is a link Link to help.
Don't know about the job opportunities, or any suggestions for other languages, but for the listening and understanding, I've found a lot of exposure to spoken Spanish is necessary if one wants to be able to make sense of what is being said.
You've said your mother is from Puerto Rico; you are already at a better advantage than a lot of people (including me) because you have a native speaker that can correct you etc. Why not ask her to only speak to you in Spanish so that you can get used to how it sounds, the structures of sentences and also to get used to thinking and responding in Spanish?
I understand the frustration you feel when watching Spanish TV are not able to understand much, but keep at it. Seriously, watch as much of it as possible - like 1 or two hours of it a day (haha, finally an excuse to watch TV as part of homework) - and you will see a difference in no time in the amount that you can recognize. Don't halt or get stuck over words you don't understand, or even words you do - just try to listen in full sentences, that way you won't miss anything and the brain will connect the gaps. If you can pause it, note down new words and look them up later.
As for the music, read along to the lyrics a few times, and then listen without and you'll see that your brain will begin to learn the words more easily over time. Also, because of the exposure to spoken Spanish from the TV etc, which is really quick in comparison to the speed in songs, it will be easy peasy for your brain to understand song lyrics after some time.
Try not to freak out if you can't understand much - everything comes with time, practice and dedication.
Good luck!
(By the way, I've also learned that one of the best ways to learn a language is to stop speaking in your native one. You will be surprised at how much your brain has to learn learn the language because there is no other language to fall back on and trip you up.)
