Any tips to help me speak Spanish better?
Ok, here is the problem i can spell spanish pretty good but when it comes to the speach part i seem to have a bit of a problem. do you know of any tips or tricks to the trade to help? i am willing to try just about anything at this point.
4 Answers
I would suggest doing LOTS of listening first---to radio, TV shows, Notes in Spanish.com, audios and videos on this site, etc., or even conversations, as long as you aren't expected to participate. Sometimes it just takes longer to get used to the idea of speaking and, in the meantime, you can be learning the sound patterns and vocabulary.
I also suggest writing down any phrases that catch your fancy, and rehearsing them whenever you're by yourself. After a while, you'll start to talk to yourself or even dream in Spanish, and then you'll have much less trouble knowing what to say and much more confidence actually saying it.
I would suggest finding a program that allows you to record your voice and play it back. You can then objectively compare your pronunciation to native speakers. I think that is one of the best features of programs like Rosetta Stone.
I have exactly the same problem. My reading, writing and listening are really improving,but when it comes to speaking I seem to have a blockage between my brain and mouth lol.
I think the only answer is practice, practice, practice! Read out loud to yourself, find a speaking buddy, go to places where Spanish is spoken and don't be afraid to make mistakes. I make loads of mistakes but, if I look back, I think I am improving. The thing is this improvement is nowhere near as rapid as my reading/writing, so perhaps it just appears to be more of a problem that it actually is! Keep going!!!!!!!
I listen to the spanish radio in my car and try to hear words I know. Some programs they speak too rapidly but the more I listen the better I get slowly. I also use my iphone alot to look up words. Often I think of things I want to say in spanish and use the iphone to find words I don't know. I practice in my mind everywhere.... driving, standing in line etc.
Buena Suerta.
