How Do I Learn Spanish Fluently At My Age?
May 27th, 2007    Subscribe To Our FeedThis is a question that bothers many people who are middle-aged and decide to learn the Spanish language. They feel that their school days are decades behind them and that they no longer have the study skills to actually learn a second language. It is not uncommon for us to hear the question; “how do I learn Spanish fluently when I feel too old to learn?”
Well, conventional wisdom has it that we can all learn a language much easier when we are in our early teens (12-14 years old). If you recall, our ability to absorb new knowledge during our teenage years was phenomenal. We were literally like sponges taking up water. But does this mean that it’s impossible to learn Spanish now, in our 40’s, 50’s or older? Of course not!
The Strongest Determining Factor
What we believe the determining factor as to how well and how fast you learn a new language, is your will to learn and your dedication. There are really no shortcuts to learning Spanish. It takes determination and motivation.
So think back to your teenage years – you may have been in your prime years for learning, but where was your focus? How about being busy chasing girls or boys, playing video games, watching TV, and “hanging” at the mall. Most teens are not motivated or dedicated to learning a new language.
For many people, it’s not until they are more mature that they realize the need for and actually value the idea of learning Spanish, for instance, and are really willing to put forth the effort and time to make it happen. So, mature adults, we have that advantage!
If You Are A Traveler, It Just Makes Sense
We also tend to travel and vacation more to foreign lands, so learning Spanish as a second language starts to make real sense. Motivation is another one of our advantages to learning Spanish quickly, and plays an important role in re-developing our study habits (just like riding a bike, we never lose them) and memory skills.
So the answer to “how do I learn Spanish fluently at this age?” is to plunge in and as they say, “Just Do It!” And yes, we may not learn as quickly as we did when we were 14 years old, but we have dedication and motivation on our side – a powerful combination! Purchase a good quality Spanish language program that you can use at home or in the car, buy some good books in Spanish, read Spanish newspapers, watch Spanish TV, and find some Spanish speaking friends, if possible. Make it a fun experience and you will learn Spanish vocabulary and pronunciation in no time at all!
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Your Best Method to Learn Spanish and Speak Common Spanish Phrases
May 27th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed
The truth is that there is no one right answer when we speak of identifying the best method to learn Spanish. All of us are different and we tend to learn best through different methods and styles. If you can identify your learning style, then your ability to learn Spanish and speak common Spanish phrases will be greatly enhanced.
Styles of Learning
Essentially, there are three basic styles of learning that we all use. At times, we use varying combinations of these three, but there is generally one basic style that each of us favor. The learning styles are:
- Auditory
- Visual
- Kinesthetic
So, for your Spanish lessons, you will need to first determine your preferred style for learning. This will play a role in how you elect to structure your Spanish learning experience.
Auditory
The auditory type learners will benefit if they learn Spanish on cd rom or DVD, where they can listen to common Spanish phrases and vocabulary. A good at-home learning Spanish course with tapes, cd’s, or online audio works great for these people.
Visual
If you tend to learn best by the visual style, you are a visual learner. People in this category learn best when they can see what they’re trying to learn, and will prefer a workbook or textbook for their learning. Also, Spanish courses with a DVD or online video component will be preferred.
Kinesthetic
Now the kinesthetic learners are a little different, in that this type of learner learns best by doing or with a hands-on approach. Activity exercises or computer games will be most effective with these individuals. This type of learner tends to have the most difficult time learning because of limited access to hands-on learning tools.
The good news is that everybody will use all of these methods, depending on the learning situation. And remember, none of the styles listed above are inherently better than the other. Each style has its advantages and disadvantages, all depending on the learning format.
By adapting your learning format to your learning style, you will be able to learn Spanish and speak common Spanish phrases much easier and will find it a more rewarding experience. So, remember to take your specific learning style preference into account when choosing your desired Spanish course.
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There are Huge Advantages to Learning Spanish
May 27th, 2007    Subscribe To Our FeedIf you have been considering taking Spanish lessons, you have plenty of company. People are choosing Spanish as a second language in record numbers these days, as they realize that there are advantages to learning Spanish.
The reasons for learning Spanish are many and can be personal in nature. Regardless of the reason for wanting to learn this fascinating language, the facts are:
- Spanish is unofficially the second language of the United States
- The Spanish language is increasingly importance as a second or third language in many European countries
- There are over 400 million Spanish speakers around the globe, only exceeded by those groups speaking English, Chinese, and Hindustani.
- Spanish is the fourth most popular language in the world and the official language on four major continents.
As you can see, the increasing popularity of Spanish around the world is reason to take note. So, if you are asking yourself the question “why do I need to learn Spanish?”, the answer is you really don’t! But why would you want to restrict yourself to only one language when 100’s of millions of people globally speak this language.
Do you avoid traveling to countries because they speak Spanish? Do you shy away from people who speak Spanish in fear of not being able to communicate with them? Do you feel like a “total” tourist when you vacation in a Spanish speaking country?
Well, these are just of few of the reasons you may want to consider taking Spanish lessons. Limiting your ability to travel for fear of not being able to communicate with the locals is a thing of the past. With modern language learning techniques, almost anyone can learn a second language these days.
Let’s look at some of the advantages to learning Spanish rather than any other language:
Spanish Is One Of The Easiest Languages To Learn
The Spanish language is truly one of the easiest foreign languages to learn. Much of the Spanish vocabulary is similar to English. Better yet, written Spanish is almost completely phonetic. Even a complete beginner can look at almost any Spanish word and tell how it should be pronounced.
Learning Spanish Can Be Fun And Rewarding
As far as difficulty, learning the Spanish language is quite basic and you can really have some fun in the process. The enjoyment involved in mastering a second language and being able to speak with native speakers can be extremely rewarding.
Speaking Spanish Opens Up Many New Worlds To You
Knowing how to speak Spanish provides a host of new options to you when you look for new vacation experiences. Countries that you have avoided in the past due to the language barrier now become prime targets for your new travels.
Spanish Can Enhance Your Job Skills And Employability
Employment candidates who speak Spanish as a second language are highly sought after in the marketplace. Being able to speak Spanish allows you to be considered for foreign assignments and can lead to a better paying job, regardless of your area of employment.
These are just a few of the many advantages to learning Spanish over any other language in the world. So why not open yourself to new horizons and adventures by learning and speaking this wonderful language? We think you’ll be glad you did!
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Looking for Shortcuts to Learning Spanish? The Spanish Professor is Here to Help!
May 27th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed
Welcome and thank you for joining us at the Spanish Professor blog. We assume you are here because you have an interest in learning the Spanish language. Whether you are just exploring your different learning options or feel prepared to dive into a language class, we are here to help you make the right choices.
So, you may ask; “why is learning Spanish important to so many people worldwide?” For starters, Spanish has become the foreign language of choice, after English, in many European countries and is the official language in countries covering four different continents. With over 400 million Spanish speakers globally, it is the fourth most common language in the world. With this knowledge in hand, you can see why Spanish is such a popular choice for individuals who desire to learn another language.
So, how do you get started?
Well, there are a myriad of methods and philosophies for the proper way to learn a language. Some methods attempt to teach you by memorizing common Spanish phrases while another will want you to learn Spanish vocabulary and pronunciation with a more structured approach.
Now, some of these methods work for some but not for others. Also, some individuals may benefit from an immersion class setting, while a self-study approach may appeal to many people. It boils down to a personal preference and a realization of how you learn best – visual, audio, written, etc. The system that caters to your learning style will most likely work best for you.
So, whether you want to learn Spanish in your car while driving to work or are looking for an easy to learn Spanish online course, why not let us help you in your quest to learn this increasingly popular language? Why not review our recommended language programs and our popular tips and shortcuts to learning Spanish section to help you make a smart choice for your language course needs. We think you’ll be glad you did!
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