If learning English

Question

If and when learning English, what is most helpful for them to know first? If I was going to teach a Spanish speaking person English, what should I start with?

That is great you are taking the time to help someone... Good luck! - NikkiLR, Feb 10, 2014

I am not teaching yet, but am taking classes so that I can. I am trying to get all the advice that I can in advance. :) thanks - actorgirl, Feb 11, 2014

Answer 1

What did you get interested in first when learning Spanish?

Well, I didn't start with what I was necessarily interested in since it was a Spanish class, but I started with simple verbs and vocabulary words. - actorgirl, Feb 11, 2014

There you go. Let your own experience guide you. At the end you will have helped anyway. - chileno, Feb 11, 2014

Answer 2

Of course the easiest things to start with are some nouns.

Do this with pictures.

Teach them in groups or pairs. The nouns that is.

Man - woman

Nurse - doctor

Car - bus

Teacher - student

Then add some adjectives.

Tall man - blond woman

Red car - green bus.

That should be enough for the first lesson.

Don't forget to set some homework ha ha

Gracias maestro. - rac1, Feb 11, 2014

De nada princesa x - ian-hill, Feb 11, 2014

Answer 3

If you are teaching a friend that you talk with in Spanish then I suggest you write down 5 things you say to each other often and teach that because it is easier to practice every time you talk. Then 5 more and so on.

Good idea mate . - ray76, Feb 11, 2014

great one! - actorgirl, Feb 11, 2014

Answer 4

And when you teach verbs, I suggest using actual verbs rather the substitute get (ie: "arrive / come home" - not "get home"). Get is extremely confusing. Also avoid idioms at first - keep it simple.

I had an English master who would hit you with a ruler if you used the word "get" . - ray76, Feb 11, 2014

I remember that too Ray. I got hit a lot. :) - ian-hill, Feb 11, 2014

ouch. :) - actorgirl, Feb 11, 2014

Answer 5

Here are another things I would do- for beginners - if you know enough Spanish..

For beginners tell them to "forget" about the subjunctive in English. Not because it does not exist - but because they will learn it almost without knowing.

Also- use the "to be" to show them how much simpler it is in English than Spanish.

One more

• explain that English pronunciation is completely illogical unlike Spanish - but it will "grow" on them as they practice speaking..