So you've decided to learn Spanish. Great choice, you'll be joining millions of speakers around the world. The problem is one weekly lesson at the local community centre isn't going to get your lingo in shape before that holiday to South America or that in time to land that big promotion that requires a second language. You know how to say 'Hola!' to your friends, but you just don't feel confident having a full conversation with your amigos yet. There are ways you can learn Spanish faster.
Here are some tips to get your Spanish skills increasing as quick as Speedy Gonzales;
Take an Online Course: Even if you are already attending a class. Enrolling in an additional online course can help speed of your learning. The great thing about online courses is that you can move through the material at your own pace, and in some cases pick what you are learning. It should be easy to pick up different vocabulary in your class, and you will find that the extra practice help a lot.
Vocabulary Programs: These programs have become quite a useful tool for language learners. Many of these programs send you a few words each day in your target language, usually to your email account or mobile phone. Set aside five or ten minutes each say to learn these new words and build your vocabulary.
Language Immersion: This is the process of immersing yourself in a community where only the target language is spoken. Booking a holiday in a Spanish speaking country like Mexico or Peru for a week or two is a great way to set your skills on the increase.
Local Culture: Is there a community of Spanish speaking people nearby you? See what local festivals or other activities you can join in on. You will be surprised how much you can learn from these events. Find out if you have access to Spanish language TV or radio networks where you live, you may find that watching or listening to one or two of these a week will help you build your vocabulary and also assist in pronunciation.
Find a Language Buddy: Spanish is such a popular second language choice, you will be sure to find a friend who is learning as well. Meet up once a week for coffee and practice your language skills with each other.
Practice, Practice, Practice: Yes, it does actually make perfect! Try to make time everyday to review what you have learnt so far, or look ahead in your class materials. Even ten or fifteen minutes a day can make a huge difference to how quickly you learn. You may like to develop your own system of flashcards that you can use at home to test yourself or to learn new words.
Of course, there is no miracle answer of program that will have you speaking fluent Spanish in seven days. Keep practicing Spanish whenever you get the opportunity and you will find that your skills will follow. With a little time and effort you can learn much quicker than you thought.
Here's a great way to get started with the Spanish language for free - take the 12 daily Spanish lessons over at the Spanish Lessons For Free website. When you finish the lessons, they'll also give you some really important tips and methods for learning any language quickly. Well worth it, for free!
Oh, and make sure you complete the challenge at the end of lesson 1 - It makes all the difference!
