Nervous Breakdowns in Spanish Class
So now that I'm in 10th grade I go into Spanish 2, In Spanish 1 I got an A but I probably couldn't tell you a sentence. In Spanish 1 I would get so nervous that she would call on me that I would answer all the questions on sticky notes the day before. Now in Spanish 2 our teacher talks only in Spanish and I didn't study over summer and she's nice and all but I don't understand anything! This class is more oral as well and I just don't want to mess up! Only the second day of school and I'm already stressed.
Any help?
UPDATE*Thank you everyone, your support is the best. I think my problem is that I get so nervous that I don't actually learn anything. But I do want to learn Spanish, I really do. I get jealous of other kids that know multiple languages because I think it's so cool and will probably help them in the future. I am going to try to practice each night on this website and maybe in the mornings. So glad I found this!
5 Answers
I know it sounds difficult, but I think after a few weeks of being spoken to mostly in Spanish, your grasp of the language will improve.
One thing to remember though, is not be afraid to ask your teacher to:
Repeat a question: "Repita, por favor."
-or-
To speak more slowly: "Más despacio, por favor."
Also, don't forget that you are not the only one struggling. Ask around and see if you can create a study group with some of your classmates.
OK, are you looking for someone to do your homework, or you really want to beat the odds and learn Spanish?
If the answer is the second option then you have to make an effort, not as hard as you might think and it could sound, but an effort, nonetheless.
Then talk to me.
Hola, Daisy - Good for you for asking for advice. It at least shows that you want to try to do well. However, I think what it sounds like you're asking for is a "magic pill" to help you learn Spanish. The only way to learn is, like the sports shoe says, is Just do it!!
Doing the lessons here (like I see you've already started!
) won't do you any harm. Think of it as review. And keep doing it!
Think about what your day is like after school. Hang out with friends... watch TV... play on the computer... send texts... Think about something you could cut out or do less of every day, and sit down with your Spanish books. An hour a day will make all the difference in the world. 90 minutes will be even better. Set a timer and make yourself do it. Every day. You will surprise yourself, and the feeling of helplessness in class will gradually lessen. 
If, like me, you have a hard time absorbing things, repetition may be the key. Read your sentences aloud, over and over. Try to say as much of the sentence as you can without reading it off the page. After a while, things will start to stick in your brain.
Buena suerte!
Step 1, don´t worry so much.
Step 2, everything ceruleantear said, which was all excellent
Step 3, realize that it´s normal, and the transition from English to Spanish instruction is difficult for many people at first, and even moreso, if they took the summer off. In my particular curricula, that big transition was between semesters 2 and 3, and I remember seeing a lot of blank stares from my classmates, who seemed completely lost at first. Within a couple weeks, most were doing much better.
Step 4 As such, give yourself time, and practice listening to material outside of class. Something that´s a bit goofy and campy, but youth oriented, video wise, might help. Check ¨Extra en Español¨ videos on youtube. You might not get it all right away, but it will help you.
Poco a poco.
Buena suerte
Roger
Don't be afraid to talk to your teacher. Let him/her know your situation. Your teacher might be able to get you some help or give you some good advice.
