Best Way To Learn Spanish

I don’t know about you, but I find the idea of speaking more than one language exciting! I, like many people, am attracted to the Spanish language, not only because it’s so expressive and fairly easy to learn, but because I hear it almost everywhere I go. However, to get to the point of being bilingual, I must go through the rigorous work of actually learning the language, and that can make me a little frustrated at times. So what is the best way to learn Spanish?

Find Your Learning Style
First of all, you should understand what your particular learning style is. By this I mean, how do you tend to learn things best? Are you a visual learner—do you need to read manuals, see pictures, or watch things being done? In this case, you would do well to learn Spanish with written materials, by writing out words and sentences, and using flashcards. Or are you an auditory learner—that is, you learn most efficiently when you hear things? If this is your learning style, then the best way to learn Spanish is to listen to CDs or tapes, watch Spanish language movies or television, or surround yourself with people who are native Spanish speakers.

Immerse Yourself
Regardless of your specific learning style, the best way overall to learn Spanish is simply to immerse yourself in the culture so that you are forced to read, hear and speak the language in a place that doesn’t allow you to fall back on your own language. If possible, spend some time in Mexico, South America or Spain; you will not only learn Spanish, but you will become very familiar with the whole culture, from the food to the music to the customs, and that will aid your journey to becoming a fluent Spanish speaker.
You can still immerse yourself in the Spanish language without traveling to another country, however. Because the Spanish culture is so prevalent, most major cities have a Hispanic neighborhood. Make it a point to visit this neighborhood regularly: browse the bookstores, purchase food at the grocers, eat at the restaurants and, most importantly, converse with the latinos!

Other Learning Tools
In between your excursions to the Hispanic barrios, there are many other tools you should be using to learn Spanish. There are interactive software programs to use at home, audio CDs to play in your car, books to read on your lunch break and Spanish-speaking songs to dance to! Start by reading books en español for children or popular Spanish-language magazines for their simplicity. Carry a pocket-sized Spanish/English dictionary to look up words whenever you come across one you don’t know. Expanding your vocabulary is an easy way to get to know the language, and the more words you know, the more you will be inspired to form proper sentences with them.

Remember that in order to learn anything new, you must practice on a daily basis. The best way to learn at first is frequently but for short periods of time. So you may want to start with spending only twenty to thirty minutes each day learning in the way that suits you best: reading, writing, or listening to Spanish. Doing a little bit each day will soon add up, and before you know it you will be confidently ordering enchildados de pollo y un cerveza at restaurants, much to the amazement of your English amigos!