How to Improve my Spanish Conversation skills
I'm a junior in highschool and I think I'm lucky enough to be very talented for my age in my Spanish speaking/understanding/etc. ability. But, I would like to work on my speaking voice and pronunciation, because I know even though I know the nouns and verbs you're supposed to say when speaking and can get good grades on my tests without a problem, I know I wouldn't fit in in a Spanish conversation. Even more than my accent though, I think I just need more exposure to the language. Aside from spending all that money to go to a Spanish speaking country, does anyone know a good way to practice? I feel like when I try to talk to any Spanish friends they don't take me seriously. It seems like most Spanish-speakers won't have a serious conversation with someone trying to learn their language...any guesses why? I'd like some practice in conversation so I'll be able to impress my spanish speaking friends next time! Muchas gracias!!
5 Answers
¡Buenos días!
I recommend getting some CDs from the library, even if they are below your level of knowledge and comprehension, because you can listen and repeat what they say. In my opinion, you're better off with the Latin American Spanish version if you are in the States.
Also, watch movies. You will really get the gist of how a conversation goes on, especially in kids' movies like Madagascar, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, Finding Nemo, etc.
Finally, listen to the radio in Spanish. You can stream radio on your computer from hundreds of locations across the planet. Repeat the commercials aloud so they won't drive you crazy with the repetition!
¡Buena suerte!
One thing I would recommend is looking for conversational groups in your area. Almost all major cities have them, they are usually free and there are usually many different people at many different levels. Another great way to improve your skills is by doing bilingual volunteer work.
I can understand where you are coming from when you say your Spanish speaking friends won't take you seriously and why you feel native speakers won't take you seriously. I think this is a pretty common obstacle that most second language learners must overcome. My recommendation is simple; keep trying. When your friends respond back to you in English respond back to them in Spanish. When they see that you are truly trying to learn the language they will begin speaking more Spanish to you. Often times we mistake our own intimidation of speaking another language with others not wanting to speak the language with us. Although in some cases this is true, I would say 90% of the time this is false. From my experience, the people you are talking to probably notice your hesitation/nervousness and are probably actually trying to comfort you. As you continue to improve your skills and your confidence grows you will notice that these feelings will go away.
Before I moved to a Spanish speaking country, I attended some Spanish services at the closest church in my city, a Catholic church in our area to learn Spanish and culture, even though I am not Catholic. The people were very friendly and inviting for their socials and coffee time after the service and I could hear Spanish spoken in a friendly environment. There are a lot of different types of churches, so you might try this if it is not against your beliefs to do so. Most US states have a listing for their state if you google Spanish churches in your city or state.
[Spanish churches in New Jersey][1]
[1]: http://yellowpages.superpages.com/listings.jsp?SRC=portals&CS=L&MCBP=true&C=Spanish Churches&STYPE=S&L=NJ&search=Find It&submit=Search
Once again Mariana gives expert advise. I listen to Méxican, Columbian music most of the day, watch novelas with & without captoons, never miss the morning news & entertainment programs (Telemundo in Oklahoma), and chat with understanding native speakers when I can. "Exposure" is the key!!! LOL...The commercials help adapt to the more rapid flow of the language, in a most frustrating way.
buena suerte
Watch hispanophone tv wtih Spanish captions/subtitles, that way you'll learn quitea buch of vocab while getting some insight to the language, like the pronunciation of the intervocalic hard G, which is different from a regular G.
