How to study? ¿Cómo estudiar?

Question

I am excelling at Spanish more than I thought I would, when i chose the academic track. I cannot switch to honors unless the teachers see that I am capable of handling it. How is the best way to study and teach my self the necessary materials?

Gracias-

Tyler

Answer 1

I am also studying Spanish (second year college level) and, although I would not say that I am excelling, I am getting pretty good grades. That is largely due to being retired and taking only one class at a time. I have far more time to put into studying this one subject than the other students. You have been a member of this forum for almost two years; does that mean that you are in the second year of high school Spanish? If so, obviously you have learned how to study pretty well.

Gohern and Maestroantonio covered the tools that you can use pretty well. I second all of them, particularly flash cards. That is a great way to learn vocabulary. I suggest that when you are going through the flash cards that you have a word processor open in small window so that you do can see the flashcards and word processor at the same time. For each word, pronounce it and write it. That way you will be pretty sure that know the correct spelling.

There are some other tools out there. Don't forget about you public libraries.if you are in the US or somewhere else with a good library system. If you are in the second year of Spanish you could probably benefit by watching Spanish language movies, perhaps with English subtitles. I will say though that a lot of them, how do I say this, have very adult and often tragic content. The libraries also have Spanish learning material such as the Pimsleur series if you need anything else. You already have plenty of learning tools available.

Answer 2

I find reading novels and watching Spanish telenovelas to be the most effective way for me to learn Spanish. I did go through the Spanish lessons on this site also.

At least for me, what's good about novel reading is that I see the commonly used words (4000-5000) so often, I remember them without much effort (I didn't use flashcard); the benefit of watching telenovela is that I can associate commonly used phrases with the proper context and emotions.

When I encounter things I don't understand during reading or watching, I ask in this and another forum. For instance, how to use indirect object pronouns, how to interpret a verb when "se" is around, and of course, subjunctive usages.

The two TV sites I use are: Telemundo, and the equivalent of PBS in Spain

That said, each person has his/her own learning style. If you find a way in which you feel motivated to learn Spanish everyday, that's the right method for you.

Answer 3

I would do the four learning sections of Spanish Dict.com first and then also the grammar sections and reviews. Depending on how much you know already, you could pick grammar sections maybe skip the lessons.

Answer 4

While I agree with all the advice given thus far, it sounds like you have a more specific acedemic goal in mind. Do you know anyone in the honors course? That would be my first step. I would go have a cup of coffee with an honors student and see if they can help you find where you need to focus your attention to get your language skills up to where they need to be to get into that class.

Answer 5

Utiliza el teléfono celular al máximo, cárgale flashcards, audios, música, videos, lecturas. Es un aparato que nos acompaña a todas partes y podemos aprovechar todos los momentos "muertos", de espera, de ocio, de insomnio, de aburrimiento, etc., para divertirnos aprendiendo.

Intercambia mensajes a diario, sms, e-mail, foros, etc.,

Busca sitios donde puedas practicar la gramática.

Fuente: experiencia personal ;0)