AP Spanish Fluency Help
Hi guys. I am in my third week of school (junior year high school) and I am taking a 0 period AP Spanish course that meets every day and is only allowed to speak Spanish. I am having a lot of trouble speaking, mostly trying to find the right words and especially the right conjugations. Do you guys have any tips to help me speak easier and fluently?
This is very frustrating for me because Spanish was my first language as I was born in South America, but when we moved to the States when I was 2 I lost practically all of my Spanish :(
Any tips would be greatly appreciated!!
Thank You!
2 Answers
First off I am impressed by the way that you have asked for help and given some background to your present situation with regard to the Spanish language rather than demanding that somebody help you, as so many young people tend to do, so that’s worth a vote right away. Anyhow, Mardle has given you some very good advice and in addition to that I would suggest that you :-
Go to the children’s section of the public library and see what beginner’s books they have for very young kids. I’m not suggesting that you’re a child it’s just that they make them very easy to read and understand without a lot of confusing explanations. I did this when I started and it was a great help. One book in particular by Usborne had simple illustrations and the relevant Spanish speech bubbles but I can’t remember the title.
Boost your vocabulary by learning the names of things as these words don’t change regardless of whether you are speaking in the past or present tense or whether it’s a male or female speaker.
Say what you are learning out loud! Learning a language is not a spectator sport; you must say the words so that your facial muscles get used to forming them. If you came across a rather long English word that you had never heard or seen before you would say it syllable by syllable out loud several times, each time being easier, more comfortable and faster until you don’t have to think about it. This applies even more when learning another language.
That’s enough to get on with for now. Please fill in your profile and come back to SD to ask more questions once you get into it, and don’t give up.
¡Buena suerte!
I don't know the American system so are not sure of your age or level of Spanish. Have you already taken some classes in Spanish? I don't know how much Spanish you remember from childhood nor whether you have family or friends who could speak to you in Spanish.
At two you would be good at the imperative and present tense.
Do some revision on tenses. Relax when speaking in the group. However slow you are at getting your words out and however stupid you feel just talk. The more you use the language (any language) the easier it is. Because of your family history do you have the advantage of understanding what is said to you? Most people learning have to improve listening and talking. You are probably a little stressed because you think everyone else expects you to speak well. Even people who are fluent adults if they move to another country, unless they use their native tongue regularly become rusty.
So just enjoy yourself and speak. If you have family or friends who enjoy speaking Spanish ask them to stop speaking English and use Spanish when speaking to you. Listen to some Spanish music.
You may be helped by studying some grammar. English is my native language but we studied grammar until I was 16
You have only been to 10 to 15 meetings if you only spoke for a third of that time that isn't much. Give it time.
