Spanish Learning Strategies

[livingdeb]

One of my plans for things to do when I retire is to finally learn Spanish. I would do all the things I used to do when taking classes:
* go to class
* do the readings
* do the homework
* study for the tests
* be well-rested for the tests
* ask the instructor questions/visit during office hours (didn't really learn that until the very end)

Plus I would do what my old roommate Cissy recommended:
* flashcards for vocabulary learning (and I once found a flashcard ap that looked really good)

And what my old friend Mattias did:
* try to do a lot of my self-talking in Spanish

And what my friend James did:
* try to get a study partner

And my old friend Jack:
* figure out who the smartest and best students are and sit near them and try to do any group projects with them

Plus I would do those things I've been hearing about from by academic advisor co-workers:
* start a study group
* talk to an advisor and see what is recommended
* check out any learning center resources

And what I've heard from other sources about language learning:
* study every day, even if it's just a few minutes--cramming doesn't work
* talk to Spanish speakers, even though you don't sound as good as a two-year-old (maybe--scary--or maybe just try conversation meet-ups and/or an informal class on conversational Spanish, plus at restaurants)

And my own additional ideas:
* pick up children's books from the library
* look at the same topics in multiple texts, not just our required textbook
* become a tutor
* watch familiar movies with the sound and/or subtitles in Spanish

I suck at languages. So even though I had three years of Spanish in high school and have tried to learn it a few times since then, I thought I'd take Austin Community College's placement test cold. And make sure not to answer any of the questions unless I was sure of the answer so I wouldn't look more advanced than I really am. I'm afraid I'll get into a class where there will be a lot of prerequisite knowledge I don't have, and I have enough trouble keeping up as it is. I'd rather start in a class where I already know some of the stuff and then I can learn every single other thing that is taught. And then by the end of the classes I will actually know Spanish--be able to talk to people, read my favorite local Spanish weekly newspaper, and maybe even read Spanish books in the original (though there's nothing in particular I'm looking forward to).

But then I saw a review of duolinguo, which teaches you things bit by bit and you keep score like in a video game that's actually fun. And because the lessons are short and repetitive, you actually learn things and don't get overwhelmed and don't forget last week's stuff while you're learning this week's stuff.

So now I'm thinking maybe I'll learn and re-learn as much stuff as I can on my own and then take the placement test, hoping I'll need at least one more class because group learning is better.

Opinions?

Quote of the Day - "Of course I can't go interview people myself because I have a medical condition where I don't want to." - Stephen Colbert

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Well... CatMan and I love to study Spanish together. We started with a bunch of old "Spanish Readers" that we found at a thrift store. Kids books were also great. But the thing that really worked for me was to get addicted to the Spanish language soap operas! Personally I'd avoid anything with classes or tests because it would feel WAY too much like work to me, but not everyone has the rebel personality that I do! :-)

[(Anonymous)]

BTW - that was me, Cat... but you probably knew that. Anyhow - you got me to thinking about my favorite telenovela "Corazón Salvaje". I never got to see the first episodes, so I went and looked it up on YouTube and it looks like I might be able to watch them ALL - oh dear, this could get dangerous!

[livingdeb.livejournal.com]

Talking about CatMan really gave it away!

Ugh, the telenovelas I have watched looked really horrible. But that was years ago, and maybe I would like your favorite one. I'll add it to my list of things to do.

Classes and tests make me stick to things that feel like work, and classes are a place to find study partners.

My boyfriend does also want to learn Spanish, but he thinks it would be best to just visit Spain or something--the sink or swim strategy. That feels like the worst possible strategy for me--I like the idea of people organizing and explaining everything to me and basically handing it to me on a platter, and then all I have to do is, um, (metaphor is getting weird) practice eating a lot.

[(Anonymous)]

Oh, it's terrible, like all the rest of them... but it has Eduardo Palomo in it... serious eye candy. But I suppose it's a little less over the top than most of them... no stolen babies or dead people coming back to life, but certainly the themes of rich aristocracy vs. poor peasants. Kinda reminds me of Downtown Abbey only in Spanish.

[livingdeb.livejournal.com]

Ha! I didn't even know stolen babies and coming back to life were an option. Hmm.

Sadly, I didn't really get into Downton Abbey.

[(Anonymous)]

I didn't really become comfortable with understanding spoken Spanish until I spent a summer in a Spanish speaking country.

[livingdeb.livejournal.com]

Yes, I have heard this is the best or even the only way. However, I will try for a lot of good listening (movies and perhaps the one telenovela), music, and conversation.