Most colleges require at least two years of study in a foreign language. The only majors that are usually excluded from this requirement are business and technical majors. If you're pursuing a bachelor of arts, this will most definitely be a prerequisite. One of the most popular languages to take in college is Spanish. Why? Because it is the closest foreign language to English and is becoming increasingly important to understand due to the large influx of Spanish-speaking individuals in the United States.
But to be honest, most students take Spanish because of the first reason listed above: it will be easier than other languages since its so close to English. However, do not let this popular myth fool you. Spanish can be a very difficult language to grasp, especially in the more advanced levels. It would be wise to invest in a quality study tool to aid in your absorption of material such as vocabulary, conjugation, and pronunciation. Here are some basic guidelines that will enable you to learn spanish most effectively:
1.)Organize and categorize vocabulary words. Learning a plethora of vocabulary words is standard in any foreign language. But a good way to avoid getting confused or increasing your mental retention is to organize the vocabulary words assigned into relatable categories. For example, organize all the vocab words relating to the home (like bathroom, garage, sofa) and then create a category. Whenever you receive more vocab words of the same ilk, place them in this category. This simple technique will really aid in your studies.
2.)"Micro-study" -- Study a little bit each day rather than trying to cram everything in one night. This is an extremely important technique when studying a foreign language. There are so many rules and intricacies associated with foreign language that it's important to study a small amount each and every day as opposed to cramming everything into one major study night before a test. Taking the "micro-study" approach improves both retention of material and understanding.
3.)Find a study partner. Since all foreign languages focus on speaking and interacting with individuals, acquiring a quality study partner is essential if you truly want to succeed with any foreign language, especially Spanish. As most people know, those who are fluent in Spanish speak in a rapid manner and the only way to emulate this style is to speak Spanish regularly with others. The more you speak, feel the words roll off your tongue, and understand the flow of a conversation in the language, the better you will learn spanish. It's that simple.
