Reading techniques
Hola!
What do you guys think is the most effective technique for learning new words whilst reading Spanish? I would say I am at an intermediate level; I understand much of the grammar structure of the language but still find myself encountering many words I do not know. I've leant mostly using a combination of Michael Thomas and Pimsleur, both of which highly discourage looking words up.
So, do you guys think it's best to make an educated guess at words not known, or to look them up as you encounter them, or to write them down for later lookup? Or any other method?
Best! Dan
5 Answers
I think it depends on what kind of learner you are. I'm more of a visual learner. I remember what I read. I couple weeks ago I started a book. The first line looks like this. "El chico afferó el borde de lona en el que estaba acurrucado, a doce metros de altura por sobre la cubierta." This is not everyday language. Yet, even after 2-3 weeks, I can still tell you this means, "The boy clutched the edge of the canvas basket in which he was kneeling, twelve meters above the deck." It may not be word for word correct, but I know what it means and have a visual. Had I heard this, I would not still remember it. I still have to spend a lot of time practicing speaking and listening. I just don't remember it until I see it, until the visual component is added in.
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I had a student that could just hear it. She would listen to Spanish songs, learn the words, never seeing the lyrics. She had an incredible ear for the language. However, she had no interest in what the words meant, and didn't bother to figure out any meaning. She just liked the sound of the language when she sang it.
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I had another student that did all her oral work with her eyes closed. She could actually see the words running across the screen in her mind if she closed her eyes.
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I don't know that these stories amount to anything. I suspect that the 1st girl could have really learned a lot by ear had she cared. The second would have learned more if she would have tried not to use the written word as a crutch. I guess the point is, you have to figure out what works for you. I am very good with English because I've read advanced books from a young age. My favorite author from 8th grade on has been a British author born in Central Africa that uses big words. I look up words in English when I want a better understanding. Why wouldn't I do that in Spanish?
What I've gotten in the habit of doing is looking up every word I don't know on SpanishDict and then writing the English translation above the Spanish word (always print out what you're reading, it makes life so much easier) and then I click the yellow star next to the word to add it to a flashcard set so that I can revise later. ¡Funciona bien!
How about using a link like this, choosing an article whenever you have time and do your best to translate it by using the context. The topics will be wide and varied and will have the advantage of being topical so that you will be able to have discussions with others about current news events from around the world. And when you are translating if you end up with a couple of words that you just can't work out then you could use the dictionary. As Julian said I don't think it hurts to mix up your learning techniques.
Well done for the effort that you're putting in (smiley)
In the circles of the pedagogy of languages, this methodology is considered one of the currently preferred for learning second and third languages. I too think it´s a good way to pick up new words as it sort of mimics how a native learns his language.
And even while some methodologists may disagree, there is nothing wrong with mixing methodologies either - especially if it gives the result you are looking for. Personally, I would use this method plus writing down a few words that can´t be guessed as to their meaning. However, I think looking up words while reading is a bad idea.
And once you feel comfortable using a Spanish/Spanish dictionary, I suggest discarding the English/Spanish dictionary. This will help you not only to learn the meaning of the word, but also many times the feeling of the word.
I like vocabulary lists and I like to make flashcards...lots of them.
So, while reading (for example, Harry Potter) I wrote down the words in a sentence to give it context and then looked them up later. If you can't get past a sentence I'd say look up the word and then you can move on.
Good luck...it's nice to see you around the forum!
