Archive for the ‘ Spanish Learning Tips ’ Category

If you want to Learn how to speak Spanish without having to go to a real school and study, there are many ways on how to. Here is a list:

1)    Go to Mexico.

Mexico is really near America and so a lot of Americans really go there for a vacation. There is really no better way to Learn how to speak Spanish than go to a Spanish-speaking country. In this way, you will be able to really interact with people who are speaking the language fluently. Also if you stay there for a week or two and you are by yourself, not understanding a word, it will be great motivation for you. You can also befriend the hotel staff or the bar tender in your hotel and each night you can exchange Spanish lessons. The good news is this will be all for free. However, be careful on who you talk with. Make sure to not disclose too much information too.

2)    Buy an audio tape.

More and more languages can be learned using an audio tape. You can surely find Spanish audio tapes since Spanish is one of those languages that are popular to learn. The good news about audio tapes is that you do not have to sit down and listen hard to it. You can do it even if you are doing other things like while you are waiting for your dinner to cook, in the car or train on the way to work, while working out or jogging, etc. Plus, you can always rewind or fast forward the tape depending on your skills.

The key to Learn how to speak Spanish is as simple as being willing and persistent.

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Getting familiar or to Learn how to speak Spanish, you do not really need to be in school or major in foreign languages. You just have to be willing, determined and persistent. So, how do you learn Spanish fast without a course? Here are the ways:

1)    Call a friend.

There are probably a million people who live in the US who knows how to speak Spanish fluently. Since US is the place where all dreams come true, many people of a Spanish descent come here and fulfill their dreams. You can meet someone or probably know someone who is from Brazil or Mexico. Ask that friend to teach you some words. Just treat that friend for lunch or for coffee and then in return, he or she cant teach you a few words.

2)    Learn 5-10 words a day.

You can use your computer to Learn how to speak Spanish. You can simply look for those free translations (English-Spanish) or dictionaries. You can type in 10 words in a day in English and get the Spanish translation. Once you have done this, you can now instill in your mind and try to use the words in a day. You can talk with your husband or even your dog. For example, instead of saying thank you, you say “gracias”. If someone asks you how is your day, you can say, “muey bien” instead of saying “I am good”.

You can totally Learn how to speak Spanish in a few months or even weeks if you just really remember the words right. Conversing is also the key so make sure you can do number 1.

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There are may reasons why a certain person would like to Learn how to speak Spanish. It is either it is required for work or simply that he or she is curious with the language and the culture. There are surely many ways on how to learn a certain language and you can actually do this all on your own. How?

•    Listen to audio tapes.

This is the best way to learn Spanish on your own. You can buy this from any book store or record store. The best thing about this is that you Learn how to speak Spanish simply by listening to the tape. The tape will do it all for you. You can play it back or you can fast forward it. You can totally do learning at your own pace.

•    Rent movies.

Once you know your Spanish already, the basic ones, you can now rent movies. Movies are a great way to learn not only the language but the culture as well. You will also be entertained. If you stumble upon new words, stop the tape and right it down.

•    Read books or magazines.

This is also the next step if you have learned your basics already. Like in renting movies, if you read terms that you do not understand, you can write it down or highlight it and then at the end of each chapter, get your dictionary and look for its meaning.

Certainly, there are many answers if you want to Learn how to speak Spanish home.

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Most people in the US are of a Spanish descent. You can totally meet one in just a second. There are people from Mexico, Brazil, Spain, etc. and all of them know the language so well. If you have friends who are from any of these countries, you will surely be amazed with their language and this might provoke you to learn it.

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How do you Learn Spanish Fast?

•    As mentioned above, you have friends so make use of them, take advantage of it. The best way to learn Spanish is to learn it from someone who is comfortable using it and maybe using it since birth. You can also be sure that these people have missed their language and would be glad to use it one more time. Ask a friend to teach you 5-10 words a day and as much as possible, ask that friend to use that word in a conversational sentence. It will be fun, rest-assured.
•    You can also buy audio tapes. If you want to Learn Spanish Fast, this is a great way to start. You can listen to this audio tape anytime of the day unlike going to school and having to attend the class on a specific time. You can listen to this while you are in the car on the way to work, while cooking, while jogging, etc. The best thing about audio tapes is that you can play it back as many times as you want unlike in school wherein they teach you and then when you review it, you cannot really play back how it is pronounced.

To Learn Spanish Fast, you have to be determined and willing most of all.

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Learning the Spanish language could really be taxing. But if you want to alleviate the pressure you experience when learning a second or foreign language, you can just go online and learn Spanish at home. There are indeed a slew of Spanish courses now that promise to make the learning experience not just easy but fun as well. Despite the twist in teaching Spanish, these online courses still assure their students that they will gain mastery or fluency like a native speaker of the language.

 Click Here to Learn Spanish Online with Rocket Spanish!

So how do they make the learning possible?

Some of these online courses offer one-on-one or private classes and classroom-type or group classes with native speakers or certified trainers facilitating the session. They give lectures and activities on the Spanish language that are focused on the improvement of different macro-skills, such as listening, speaking, reading and writing. There are also other online Spanish programs offered by known language schools which are based on the latest approach now in language learning, the communicative approach. Using this approach, they offer students a discussion of real-life contexts and tasks to make Spanish learning more effective. Other sites also take learning a step further by including a discussion of the country’s culture and traditions.

Aside from these formal classes, there are also websites that offer free tutorials and lessons on Spanish language. They offer free membership and access to all the materials that any learners can use. These kinds of sites seem advantageous to those who want to learn the language at their own pace and without the worry of paying any fee.

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There are many ways on how to Learn Spanish Fast without having to apply on a school or online tutorials. Here are some of the ways:

1)    Rent movies.
There are certain movies made in America that has Spanish language. This will be a good way to practice your Spanish because it will not overwhelm you. You can still hear English words in some of them and at least, you can see the translations. Movies are also a greater way to learn because you are learning and at the same time, entertained.

2)    Read books.
If you are a little advance in your Spanish, you can read magazines or books. In this way, you will be able to familiarize yourself with spelling. This is also a great way to learn about their culture.

3)    Listen to tapes.
Some English-Spanish dictionaries come with audio tapes. If you still cannot do number 2, you can always turn to audio tapes first. The good thing about audio tapes is that you can hear the words over and over again. You can even replay it if you like. In this way, you will be able to instill in your mind the pronunciation of each term.

4)    Talk to a friend.
There is no better way to Learn Spanish Fast than talking with someone who knows the language. If you have a friend who moved from Mexico to the US, you can totally ask that friend to teach you a few terms and converse with that friend in Spanish to practice.

These are only 4 ways to Learn Spanish Fast. If you are persistent, you can have more ways and you can learn Spanish faster.

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In the vast world of education, the internet has really made the learning of another language very convenient and more enjoyable through online language programs. So if you want to learn Spanish, you need not go to international or language schools now because with just a few clicks of the mouse, you can come across Spanish programs that can help you speak the language like a native speaker.

 Click Here to Learn Spanish Online with Rocket Spanish! 

Speaking and understanding another language like Spanish is indeed a cinch now through the variety of classes offered by these language websites on the internet. You can have formal classes through classroom type of instruction or private ones. If you want to have a more flexible schedule, you could just purchase Spanish language software that will allow you to learn the language at your own pace. Or, you could simple log on to some sites and get some Spanish lessons that are sometimes for free. Free tutorials are also sometimes offered to those who are currently studying the said language.

Learning Spanish is indeed possible now through these programs online. Not only they provide interaction but they also allow students to study starting from the simplest sentence structure and vocabulary up to the most intricate ones. Some sites also adopt the communicative way of teaching the language, which is the latest trend now in language education.  Through this approach, they make use of real-life context to make the learning of the language more effective.

So what’s stopping you from learning Spanish fast and other languages? Try these courses now so that you could start speaking a language other than your native tongue.

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Online English classes have indeed changed the definition of learning the English language. But other than this language, you can also learn Spanish at home now through the different language program or courses offered online these days. These services are ideal especially to those who want to avoid the hours of classes in schools and the time wasted on long travels or commutes.  Also, they are designed to help individuals who are bogged down with work but would still want to learn a different language.

 Click Here to Learn Spanish Online with Rocket Spanish!

Whether you are a beginner or advanced learner, there is always a program especially designed for you. These programs guarantee any learner that they will gain proficiency through the different lessons and activities or drills. They are also divided into the different language areas, such as listening, speaking, reading and writing; hence, you would really feel as if you are going to a regular school. Aside from that, there are also group classes that could make you feel like a real student.

Through this set-up, you have the chance to interact with native Spanish speakers and other individuals who are studying from different homelands as well.
An alternative for group classes is the so-called private classes, in which you study alone with a Spanish trainer or citizen. With this program, you are free to schedule your classes anytime you want.

Alongside the teaching of the said language, there are also courses that give you the chance to know more about the Spanish culture. So if you want a holistic approach to learning, you can search for these kinds of programs online.

Please browse out site further to learn more about how to learn Spanish fast.

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Learning Spanish online has become easier and more enjoyable, which is why more and more second or foreign language learners are becoming enthused about language courses online. Aside from the flexibility in schedule that they offer, they also allow the student to interact with people or students from other nations just like in a typical classroom set-up. And, you need not worry if you are just beginning to learn the language because the classes are actually divided according to the student’s level of proficiency. Hence, you could start being on the beginner’s level then slowly make your way up to the advanced stage.

Private classes are also offered by some sites. Through this program, you are given more autonomy when it comes to your class schedule. Some Spanish courses online also offer other unique features. Take for instance the regular feedback that you will receive from your online teachers or trainers. Classes in some programs are also recorded so you could always go back to a specific class and review whatever learned from the session. Students are also given the chance to use their online translators or dictionary anytime. And if you currently studying the language and been having a hard time with it, there are free tutorials that are also available.

Another exciting offer of some courses is the chance to learn more about the Spanish culture. So while you learn how to speak the language, you could also learn about or understand more the history and tradition that have shaped the country.

 Click Here to Learn Spanish Online with Rocket Spanish!

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5 Surefire Tips to Help You Learn Spanish Fast

Learning how to speak Spanish can be challenging and, for some, downright intimidating.  Learning something new for the first time can make you feel frustrated and overwhelmed at times.  Here are some great tips to help you get started and stay motivated as you begin to learn the Spanish language. 

Learn Spanish Fast With the Best Spanish Course Online!

Be Patient With Yourself – Don’t expect overnight success and be sure to give yourself time to learn and master the material.  Don’t focus so much on any mistakes you may make because, the fact is, you will make mistakes.  Making mistakes is all part of the learning process. Find a comfortable learning pace and style that suits your style personal needs and goals.  Trying to learn too much too fast can leave you feeling overwhelmed. 

Find a Good Spanish Course or Tutorial – The best Spanish course is one that provides an interactive learning experience and teaches the basics through advance instruction.  Any course should focus on building vocabulary, grammar, verb tenses and conjugation.  Online Spanish courses can be very effective because they provide one with a lot of flexibility.  With online or audio courses, one can learn at their own pace at in many different locations, such as their car, their home, on lunch breaks at work, or even when you’re away from home. 

Practice, Practice and more Practice - Practice makes perfect!  Much of learning Spanish has to do with actually practicing what you have learned.  Try to take what you have learned and apply the material in real life situations. 

Stick With It – Learning a language is a process and the amount of time it can take to learn a new language depends on a variety of factors.   Before you begin to learn Spanish, ask yourself how well you want to learn the Spanish language.  Do you want to learn it well enough to travel and get by in a Spanish speaking country?  Do you want to speak Spanish fluently or just enough to speak casually and informally.  Knowing this will help you gauge where you are at as far as your studying and learning.  If you give up learning Spanish too soon and don’t give yourself a real chance, then you won’t know what you could have accomplished if you would have stuck with it.

Immerse Yourself – Immersing yourself in the language and Spanish community will truly help you learn Spanish fast and easy.  There are several effective ways this can be done.  You can take a trip to a Spanish speaking country, watch Spanish speaking movies, dine out at Mexican restaurants, read Spanish literature or befriend a Spanish speaking co-worker, for example.  You can also find a Spanish speaking partner or tutor that can assist you with your pronunciation and grammar.  The bottom line is, that you should really give yourself every opportunity to listen to and speak Spanish as much as possible. 

These are just a few tips and suggestions to keep in the back of your mind during your process of learning Spanish.  Doing so can help you stay focused and motivated and ultimately help you learn Spanish fast and easy!

For a review of some of the best Spanish language courses, just Click Here!

 

Other Helpful Information Related to Learning Spanish:

3 Easy Ways to Learn Spanish
If you submerse yourself with fluently speaking Spanish people you may be able to teach them some English and they may teach you some Spanish.

How To Teach Yourself Spanish – Tips and Recommendations
I’ve learned Spanish nearly fluently simply from surrounding myself with Spanish speaking people. It’s how children learn to speak.

Learn How To Speak Spanish Fast
Best Spanish software programs enable you to transform your language from only speaking English to speaking Spanish fast.

Tips on Learning Spanish in NYC
NYC is a great place to study Spanish – the city is home to a huge Spanish speaking community, quite a few million from the 44 million native Spanish speakers in the USA. 

Want to Learn Spanish in Just 3 Months? Click Here!

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Have you always wanted to speak a language other than your own but do not have the spare time to attend language schools? Well, this article is for you.

 Click Here to Learn Spanish Online in Just Three Months!

Learning a second or foreign language, like Spanish, is indeed possible now even when you are at the comfort of your home. With just your computer, you can really learn Spanish at home now. Different courses are teeming in the cyber world now promising to give you the same proficiency that formal language schools offer.

These courses fulfill their promises through the features that they present such as activities and drills on the different language domains, namely listening, speaking, reading and writing. Some of these Spanish courses also lend itself to the current approach in teaching a second or foreign language called communicative approach.

Hence, you could find websites that offer the study or the learning of another language through simulations tasks using real-life contexts. And just like in regular schools, you could start learning the basic and simplest Spanish lexicons and syntax first then slowly inch towards the advanced stage.

These sites are also equipped with Spanish translators and dictionaries that you can use anytime. And as an additional feature, some of these courses also offer a lesson on the Spanish culture and history to make your learning a holistic one.
Whatever your reasons are for studying, be it because of a vacation trip or an examination, these programs or courses online could really help you out. You just need to go online now and choose from the variety of private and group classes offered by different websites and language service companies.

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Learn How to Speak Spanish – Top Ways to  Learn Spanish

Learning Spanish can be exciting, rewarding, and also quite challenging at times.  But, just by keeping in mind a few simple things, one can learn how to speak Spanish quickly and easily while having fun at the same time.

Want to Learn Spanish Quickly and Easily? Just Click Here 

Review of Top Ways to Learn Spanish

Here are some of the best ways to learn Spanish.

As of today’s writing the Spanish language is spoken by over 400 million men and women around the world, 1 out of 10 people in the world speak that beautiful language. It now ranks 3rd, right behind English and Mandarin in terms of its global usage. Apart from its impressive global expansion it’s also makes a hit in the US.

The vast border to the south of the United States explains why it has become so popular over the years. Moreover it is becoming a business language of choice for many, within the Americas altogether.

Armed with this knowledge, you’re probably you eager to find out about the learning process.

Citizens of the US might be interested in attending the Rojas Spanish Language Social community work based in Saint-Paul, Minnesota. The Network offers individuals an opportunity to get information about the Spanish culture and it’s native traditions, including the best ways to learn the language.

It is very important for you to take time and outline your action plan when it comes to learning Spanish. Take into consideration the amount of time (hours) that you can dedicate to learning Spanish on a daily or weekly basis. You should be conservative in your time estimates, it is always best to go ahead of schedule than to fall behind.

Avoid distraction and postponing when it comes to learning Spanish, pick the time lines and stick to them. Keep in mind that the more you try to apply what you learned, the faster your long-term memory will store the information. If you really practice what you have learned, you will surprise yourself when the time comes to remembering the Spanish words and phrases, they will flow out in a smooth and natural manner.

For best results you should find a study partner who can correct your pronunciation in a supportive way, if you prefer to study alone then practice by pronouncing the word out loud and be critical to your speech in the beginning because badly pronounced words will get stuck in your long-term memory and might become a habit.

Whether you want to learn Spanish language because you need it in work-related context, because your future spouse is Spanish or because you are simply intrigued by the culture, all reason are good to learn another language.

Spanish courses are considered to be a good way to learn Spanish, but not always the best one, so look around for the best method .

The reason for learning determines how quickly and easily you will learn the Spanish language. If you choose to learn more Spanish in order to pass the AP Spanish Language examination it will take you considerably more time and effort than learning it to have fun on a date with a Spanish speaker.

The first scenario would require a great deal of preparation and practice. For the second scenario a Spanish language translation booklet and a glass of Mojito might just do the trick.

Bottom line: there are many ways to learn Spanish. Whether it is online tutorials or group lessons, Spanish language books or audio learning material, you will need to choose the one you like the most. Each person has different needs and abilities when it comes to learning. It is of a paramount importance that you research these different techniques and methods. Find the most suitable one and stick to it, it will bring you sweet victory in no time.

So, just keep these tips and ideas in mind and you’ll be able to learn spanish fast and easy!

By Robert Sinclair
Published: 11/21/2008

Finding the best Spanish course that meets your needs and lifestyle are important.  For a review of some of the best spanish courses, Click Here Now!

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How to Learn Spanish with 3 Easy Steps

When it comes to learning a foreign language, just like anything in life, you get out of something exactly what you put into it. 

There is no reason why you can’t learn how to speak Spanish.  It may take a lot of committment, hard work, and a good Spanish language course, but if it’s your goal to learn to speak Spanish fluently on your own, it’s a goal that is quite attainable.  Below are some tips to help get you started.

Click Here to Learn About the Best Spanish Course Online! 

Three Steps to Learing to Speak Spanish Fast

Want to learn to speak Spanish fast? It’s possible, but you need to be committed and have a goal. This article will outline three steps to learning to speak not just Spanish but any new language fast.

When learning a new language things can get frustrating. Especially if you’re trying to learn it quickly because of an upcoming vacation or business trip. I’ve put together a resource list of three things you can do to learn to speak Spanish fast.

Chances are you’re aware of them all, but keep them in mind while you’re learning and you should be speaking well enough to communicate when the time is needed.

Set a Goal for How Well you Want to Speak

It’s an old saying, how do you know how to get somewhere when you don’t know where you’re going. This holds true for language learning as it does for most education and goals.

When learning Spanish you need to have a short term goal in mind. How well do you want to be able to speak? Do you just want to be able to ask important phrases in Spanish when you’re in the air port, at a restaurant etc. Or do you want to become fluent in Spanish as a second language.

Knowing how well you want to learn Spanish will help you choose which way you learn as well as how much time you need to spend at learning Spanish each day.

Choose the right form of Spanish Lessons to Meet your Goal

So hands down the best way to learn any new language is to move to a country that speaks that language and live there for a few weeks. Immersing yourself in it and forcing yourself to learn. Unfortunately most of us don’t have that option.

So, the next best options are private tutors or classes, as well as software and audio courses to learn from home.

The quality of software programs has come a long way, and many of them will teach you just as well as a tutor could for less money and on your own time. Not to mention you will have the software to refer to if need be in your travels.

I’d suggest choosing a quality audio or software Spanish course based on your learning goals. Some are better suited to learning important phrases fast, while others are a longer term learning situation with multiple volumes.

Spend time with it Each Day

Probably the most difficult step is staying committed to your course. You know your goal, you have the right software or course to teach you, now you just need to stick to the plan.

For some reason most of us fall down here. Try not to think about learning Spanish as this long journey. Take it one day at a time where you learn a new phrase or two. Increase your vocabulary, or pick up some new grammar.

Enjoy the ride on learning Spanish, don’t worry about the final result while you’re learning. The best way to do this is to commit an hour or so each and every day to studying Spanish. This will get you to your goal without feeling over whelming. It’s also a good amount of time for our brains to remember what we learn, but not to much to over whelm us.

Are you ready to start Learning Spanish? If so then take some time to visit our Learn Spanish Reviews. We’ve compiled detailed reviews of the top audio and software courses available so you don’t have to waste time researching them all.

By D Fraser
Published: 9/6/2008

Want to Learn How to Speak Spanish Fluently? Click Here

Other Helpful Blog Posts:

How to Learn Spanish Fast – 5 Proven Methods
How to learn Spanish fast – A common asked question I have gotten from my Spanish students. 

How to Speak Spanish Online in an Effective Manner
Once you enroll for these free Spanish lessons, they will be directly emailed to you allowing you to grasp the language in a fast and effective manner.

Find Out How You Can Start Speaking Spanish Like Crazy!

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Tips For Teaching Kids Spanish

Knowing how to speak another language, particulary the Spanish language, can open up a host of possibilities for a young persons future, especially when it comes to employment and traveling.  

The best time for kids to learn Spanish is when they are very young.  Let’s face it, kids love to learn and absorb informatin like a sponge.  Parents can give their kids a head start by helping them learn spanish at home at an early age.  

Chances are that learning Spanish for kids will be much easier to learn during childhood, rather than waiting until they get older. The reason is due to the fact that the brain is growing during the early years and it continues to absorb the information that they are learning.

Here are four ways to help your kids learn Spanish during childhood

1. Reading in Spanish

One of the main benefits for your child is to read to them every night before going to bed. This will help them learn new words and they can relate the words with the pictures in the book. If you want them to learn both English and Spanish at the same time, then read to them a few nights a week in English and a few nights a week in Spanish.

2. Listening in Spanish

The more often your child is surrounded with listening to Spanish, then it will be much easier for them to learn the language. One way to help them listen to Spanish is by playing a Spanish CD or turning on the radio to a Spanish station. The child does not always have to be actually focusing or listening to what is being said to learn the language. If they can here the language in the background on a regular basis, then this should help them understand the language sooner.

3. Interactive games in Spanish

Most kids probably don’t like to sit around in a chair all day and go over the flashcards of Spanish words. Learning Spanish for kids can sometimes get real boring very quickly. So, your challenge is to find some quality games that will help them to enjoy learning Spanish. There are many different software programs that you can buy to help your child have fun on the computer while they are learning the Spanish language. Try and make it a fun experience instead of forcing them to learn the language.

4. Encouragement

Finally, the most important thing that you can do to help your child learn Spanish is to give them plenty of encouragement. Learning Spanish for kids can be a frustrating and overpowering experience. Their may be times when you child may want to give up and quit learning the language. So, you need to be very supportive and remind them that they are doing a good job. The more positive you are with them, the more likely they will want to continue learning the language.

Author: Orlando O.

So, learning Spanish for kids can be very beneficial for them later on in their life. If you are interested in learning more about how you can help your child learn Spanish, then simply visit this site now.

http://www.learnspanisheasyway.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Orlando_O.

These days kids love being on the computer.  Learning Spanish online is a great way to learn Spanish online and be on the computer at the same time.  

For a review of some online Spanish courses that can help both kids and adults learn Spanish fast and easy, click here!

Other Blog Posts:

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If you want your kids to learn Spanish you should get a head start in your home. There are many ways to make it fast and easy.

Learning Spanish for Kids
You might want your child to learn a foreign language because you want to train them for their future in the work place where this extra knowledge might help.

Teach Your Kids to Learn Spanish Easily Online!
Teach Your Kids to Learn Spanish Easily Online! Today Spanish is uttered by more than 400 million population as a main terminology and by much more as a minor language.

Teach Kids Spanish Quickly
When it comes to your kids learning spanish, get yourself involved in it. Kids love to show off about what they know to their parents. 

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Study Spanish Abroad Tips

Making the decision to study Spanish abroad is a big one.  It’s also one that can be very exciting and life changing.  As you set out on your journey of studying Spanish abroad, keep these tips in mind and it can help to enure your experinece is a positive one that you’ll remember forever!

Learn About How You Can Learn Spanish Before Going Abroad Here!

Study Abroad: Preparing for the Experience

Every study abroad experience is different, but the way you prepare to takeadvantage of studying abroad is always the same. So from language to culture, learn what you need to know before you go so you can reap all the benefits of studying abroad.

Yes – it’s exciting. Yes – you’ll cherish the memories you make and the friends you meet for a lifetime. But unless you get to know the culture of the country and the city you’re headed to, reaping the benefits of studying abroad might not come as naturally as you’d expect. So before you pack your bags and head off to an exciting new city in a country that’s far from home, there are a few things you should know about the study abroad experience.

What to Know Before You Go

Generally speaking, it’s easier to realize the benefits of studying abroad if you learn something about the culture, the language and the customs of your host city before you land.

So once you’ve been accepted into your school’s study abroad program and you’ve been assigned to a school in a particular city, try to learn as much as possible before you land. Some of the things that will help you get assimilated include taking a few actions on your own.  For instance:

If you’ll be living with a host family during your study abroad experience, reaching out to them before you arrive will help smooth the transition.

Learn how people greet each other casually and formally and learn when to use each type of greeting.

Research the local mores and find out which types of dress are acceptable. Also find out if drinking is appropriate and whether there are certain topics of conversation that should be avoided among casual acquaintances so you can take full advantage of studying abroad.

Understand your host city’s/country’s laws and abide by them.
Learn about the ruling parties, the society’s religious practices and the people’s attitudes toward the U.S. government and its citizens.

Read about the culture in general. Is lunch the main meal of the day and a time for socializing or is that left to the evening hours? What music is popular? What sports are people passionate about?

Contact a recently returned study abroad student from that area and try to glean information from his or her experiences.

Breaking the Language Barrier

Beyond the general culture information listed above, it’s also important to be able to communicate – after all, some of the benefits of studying abroad come with experiencing the culture in its most natural state. So before you head off to some exotic locale with only the vocabulary to ask where the restroom is, take as much time as you can to learn the language.

I know this seems an obvious bit of advice, but it’s actually something that escapes many students. So immediately after you get your study abroad assignment, head to your bookstore or do a little online shopping and pick up – and use – a language cd, phrase dictionary and/or workbook to help you learn at least some language basics so you can take advantage of studying abroad with ease.

A Word of Advice

If you’re anything like me, studying abroad will change your world view, grow your circle of friends and influence your life in ways you never thought possible. So from the moment you hit the pavement, let the city take you where it may and be open to the experiences this new culture has to offer – because there’s no better way to take advantage of studying abroad than by simply experiencing it.

Bon voyage!

By Janine O’Neal
Published: 11/16/2007

Click the link for a review of some of the best Spanish language courses that can help you get a head start on learning Spanish!

From The Blogosphere!

Study Spanish Abroad in Barcelona Spain Video
Watch a video of our First Choice Spanish school in Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona, the second-largest city in Spain, is located on the Mediterranean coast.

Where To Study Spanish Abroad
One of the best ways to learn Spanish is to study Spanish abroad. This gives you a chance to experience the culture as well as pick up the language. Lima in.

Why Study Spanish Abroad? Top 10 Reasons to Study in Buenos Aires!
Why Study Spanish Abroad? Top 10 Reasons to Study in Buenos Aires!

 

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Spanish Language Grammar Tips

Spanish is spoken by more than 400 million people. Read on to pick up tips about this relatively simple language…

Click Here to Learn How to Speak Spanish Fast and Easy!

  • A – a
  • B – be
  • C – ce
  • CH – che
  • D – de
  • E – e
  • F – efe
  • G – ge
  • H – hache
  • I – i
  • J – jota
  • K – ka
  • L – ele
  • LL – elle
  • M – eme
  • N – ene
  • O – o
  • P – pe
  • Q – cu
  • R – ere
  • S – ese
  • T – te
  • U – u
  • V – ve
  • W – uve doble
  • X – eguis
  • Y – i griega
  • Z – zeta

I would like to highlight here that not all authorities on the  Spanish language agree on the list that makes up the Spanish alphabets. The common exclusions are the alphabets ‘w’ and ‘k’. Some authorities are of the opinion that the alphabet ‘RR’ pronounced as ‘erre’ is part of the list. The feminine alphabets are ‘a’ and ‘b’.

Pronunciations – Vowels and Consonants

I had mentioned in the article at the beginning, Spanish can be picked up easily by people fluent in English. This is because the vowels and consonants are pronounced like they are in English. However, the Spanish consonants are softer than their English counterparts while the Spanish vowels are more distinct than that in English. Further, as in most languages, the sounds of the vowels can vary a little with the letters that are before and after them but generally remain the same irrespective of the word.

Purals

In the English language, we have a few common rules for making a noun plural like adding an ’s’ at the end of the word unless the word end with a ‘y’ wherein the ‘y’ is replaced by ‘ies’. Thankfully, the rules in Spanish are this simple too. In Spanish, if the word ends with a consonant, ‘es’ is added to the word and if the word ends with ‘z’, the ‘z’ is replaced with ‘ces’ to get the plural form. Further, ‘y’ is also treated as a constant when obtaining the plural form of the word.

Like in English, there are a couple of exceptions, but then again I guess the entire point of having an exception in a language is to make it more interesting and keep people on their toes.

Gender

Gender is an inherent characteristic of nouns in the Spanish language and the nouns are classified as either feminine or masculine with no neuter nouns. A very simple rule that can be followed is that the masculine nouns are used with masculine adjectives and articles while the feminine nouns go with feminine adjectives and articles. A useful tip to make Spanish easy is that the masculine words are preceded with an ‘el’ while the feminine words are preceded with ‘la’, both the words meaning ‘the’.

Spanish Greetings

It is very important that you pick up a couple of Spanish greetings before you visit an area where Spanish is the native language. It will help break the ice and the natives will definitely be more cordial when they see that you are making an effort to fit in. Here are a list of some common greetings that should help you get through:

  • Hola – Hello
  • Adios – Goodbye
  • Buenos das – Good day
  • Me llamo Anju – My name is Anju
  • Bienvenido – Welcome
  • Gracias – Thank you

As I had mentioned at the beginning, this article is not going to help you speak Spanish fluently. Although I do hope that I have managed to convey across as to how simple a language Spanish is.

I would like to end this article with the thoughts of Karl Albrecht who said, “Change your language and change your thought”.

By Ranjan Shandilya
Published: 1/24/2008

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