Feeling stuck in my Spanish learning..
Hi,
I have been learning Spanish for 5 years now, however my deep interest for it didn't really develop until a little over a year ago. Since then, I've been doing a lot of independent study and learning. I've learned a lot in the past half year from many great resources. More specifically, SpanishDict has been a tremendous help. The lessons were great and the forums have taught me a lot. (Thanks everyone!)
However, it feels like I've kind of soaked up what I could from these resources. I believe I am approaching the advanced level, but lately I've been feeling stuck. I haven't been finding any other good resources, it feels like I haven't made progress in the past month, and I've really just been feeling discouraged about this all.
In short, I'm lacking inspiration and resources. I love studying Spanish and have been putting about one or two hours daily into it, but I feel like I've run into a dead-end and now I don't know what direction to take my Spanish learning in.
Is this normal? Does anyone have any advice?
7 Answers
Hola, me parece que es momento de leer libros en español. También enseñar el idioma a otros puede revelar los puntos que necesitas mejorar, aprender o reforzar.
I agree with the others, if you teach others you will find any gaps in knowledge that you may still have. This site is a good place to start, so rather than visiting just to learn why not try to answer people's questions - some you'll know straight away and other's you'll need to research and so your knowledge will grow.
Also bear in mind that brains are like sponges, I have found when learning a language that from time to time you reach the point of saturation and you really need to just step back and let that soak in before you can take any more in. You can actually feel like you've hit a brick wall at times but it's not the end, you just need to relax and sometimes a short break will do wonders - before long you'll have assimilated everything you've learnt and you'll be fresh and ready for some new material.
And don't forget, learning a language is about communication not just knowing facts so studying is awesome but practical application is the best. Having native Spanish speakers at your school is awesome, what a great resource to have available - make the most of it! Once the ice is broken you'll be away!
Go to Encouragement Island.
Search for it on this forum. You need to take a vacation there from time to time.
I found it here!
I am going to augment my answer...
Close the books. Sign up for salsa lessons somewhere. A Spanish-speaking girlfriend will spice up your Spanish-learning (unless you're married, and then I recommend taking the lessons with your wife to spice up your marriage).
Learn the merengue, the cumbia, the tango and all of the other Latin American dances. Buy the CD's or download the music on your iPhone. Listen to it day and night. Listen to it so much that you can tell the different dances from the beat.
Start to cook food from Spanish-speaking countries and invite your new Spanish friends over to enjoy it.
Book a vacation to a place where they speak Spanish.
Live the vida loca!
Creo que es normal. Lo mismo pasó conmigo en allemán. alemán
There will always be improvements, and plateaus.
Also, even if you´re learning at a constant fixed rate, the percentage your overall knowledge increases is a smaller increment each time, so it can feel like it´s less progress, even with it´s the same.
Like any mental or physical exercize that quits yielding results, you need a new stimulus.
I don´t know your situation, but things that come to mind would be.
Podcasts TV Movies Songs or translating songs. News More talking with natives either locally or via skype etc. Books or magazines, ideally in a subject very interesting to you. Time to travel in a Spanish speaking country.
Basically, anything new or different is worth trying. Just don´t keep doing the same thing and then being frustrated with the same lack of further improvement.
Good luck Roger
The other responders to this question have answered you very well. You do not say how you have been studying spanish but, your post suggests that maybe it has been on your own and using internet resources. I would add look at enrolling in a spanish class. That was what in did at the local university when I felt like I was not progressing well enough. At your level that would probably be at a local college or university. \ I find this to not only have added some regimentation or discipline to my studies but to provide interaction with a different group of learners and also the teaches with whom I have developed what (I hope) is a mutual appreciation. At my university, early in the first semester that you are in they run you through an evaluation test to see if you are in the proper level of the class or if you should be in a higher level.
TRy to teacher others... it is a great way to stay motivated
I would have put this in a a comment reply to your reply to my comment but, it is probably going to be too lengthy for that. If you are going on to college, I would suggest that you take Spanish as part of you studies. Regardless of your major in college, a minor in Spanish could not only be rewarding intellectually but be valuable career wise. The university that I attend (and I think that might me the norm) runs you through an evaluation in each semester to see if you are enrolled at the right level of Spanish or whether you shoud be at a higher level. If you should be at a higher level, they give you academic credit for the lower level courses.. Whether or not you are going on to college, visit the local hispanic businesses in your area and practice your Spanish. Watch the Spanish language TV stations. Hang in there.
