Suggestions for thinking in Spanish?

Question

Does anyone have any suggestions that would help a person to think in Spanish? Thank you.

I´ve edited your post for punctuation and spelling. Remember we have learners of English here. Good question, too! - bandit51jd, Aug 7, 2012

Answer 1

Read, listen to, and watch things in Spanish. Write things in Spanish (try keeping a journal or diary, look for some writing prompts if you don't know what to write about). Talk to yourself in Spanish and narrate what you are doing in your mind in Spanish. Have conversations in Spanish. Basically try to use the language as much as you can and try to limit the mental translation to your native language as much as you can.

Good suggestions! - bandit51jd, Aug 7, 2012

Thanks! :) - broca23, Aug 7, 2012

Answer 2

Excellent advise in the other answers. I would only like to add that you can't force it. It will happen when you have done enough of the things suggested. It will start slowly with the phrases you use the most and slowly you will find yourself thinking more and more in Spanish.

I am not very good with languages, I live in Mexico and speak Spanish all the time. Sometimes now I have trouble thinking in English. I forget the English word but the Spanish one is right there. If I can do it anyone can.

Answer 3

I agree with all of the above. Try to immerse yourself as much as possible with different mediums of communication. Music, tv, movies, magazines and books. The more you see and hear it, the more you will understand it. This will broaden your vocabulary and allow you to think more fluently and coherently.

Answer 4

Broca said:

Talk to yourself in Spanish and narrate what you are doing in your mind in Spanish.

This is what helped me the most. I would go about my day describing (to myself quietly...lol) what I was doing.

How boring, washing, ironing, housework, cutting the grass, cleaning windows, and finally clearing up for everyone especially the husband. - Eddy, Aug 8, 2012