Learning Spanish And The Joy Of Verbs

[Redpossum]

estebandepraga -


Spanish is much easier? Ah god, I dont think i`m made for learning languages. I`m definitely more of a visual person, so perhaps I need to learn some techniques for studying. I`m 46 now and its certainly more difficult to remember things these days.

You're preaching to the choir about age, brother

Seriously, IG has a good point about learning styles. If you're among the ~80% of people who are Visual Dominant, Skype is a bad venue. You need face to face instruction, if you're primarily visual. Just thank all gods great and small you're not one of the Touch Dominant, what IG referred to as kinesthetic learners; they have it really rough. The good news is there are a bazillion (technical term there) teachers of Castellano in this city.

Dump your current teacher, get a new one who suits your style.

And don't be discouraged. You can do it, you just need to be patient and persistent. It will happen in time, but we're talking 5-8 years here, not 18 months. Relax, don't stress, it will all be happen naturally in time.

 

[nikad]

internationalguy - I did try a couple of other teachers, one I liked actually but then she had to cancel as she found another job. So perhaps its time to look elsewhere. This one I use now is via skype and I`m feel its too remote compared to 1 to 1 in the same room, partily due to the connection quality aswell.

nikad - Actually me and my wife never speak Spanish to each other. Mainly because she wants our kids who are very young to learn English so we only talk in English at home, and shes not a very good teacher anyway. I spent months say "Es bien" to people with her until she said one day , oh its "Esta bien" not "Es bien".
The other issue is having the time, I work 8 or so hours a day, on top of trying to complete a house we have built, day to day things with kids,etc its difficult.
Hopefully things will start calming down as our house is pretty much done and my work is reducing.

yadda yadda I made that mistake with my husband when he got here: We were working together in English, so talking to each other in English was just easier... the end result: It took him about 4-5 years to become fluent. This only chaged when he got himself a job and had to interact in Spanish. I know it is challenging with kids, etc. Your kids are going to speak Spanish if they are living here and going to school or have friends, etc and you will be the only one left out. Just switch your Spanish classes to something else that you like or its related to your job, etc.

 

[nikad]

This issue with verb tenses and being unable to speak is the same problem locals have after years of English Institutes ie: they get to learn the tenses, vocabulary, and they are unable to speak or hold a short conversation when talking to a native English speaker. This is why many expats easily get teaching jobs - students are eager to start talking already and are sick and bored of the grammar structure!

 

[lucha54]

I studied a lot independently. StudySpanish.com ; sites that go over Voseo, lunfardo, specifically Argentine spanish. Also the video program Bueno, entonces... was great but it does cost $$ (but send me a message if you want more info about that wink wink)

 

[marcopolo]

My in-laws have lived here for more than 40 years and almost every verb they use is expressed as an infinitive. They seem to do just fine.

 

[Noruega]

I had a similar kind of teacher at the beginning and she also did my head in - I was overthinking everything and too afraid to open my mouth on the street and just practice for fear I was sounding rediculous (when in reality no one even cares if you're making mistakes). I think branching out is essential. When I joined a small group class at a school I felt so relieved when I got a teacher who was more my style and also watching how other students - especially the Europeans - just went for it and spoke freely, errors and all, really helped me. Then when I got my puppy I got a ton of speaking practice as we walked down the street because every third person wanted to stop and say to him. So bottom line is that I would start to mix it up and speak other people. I'm sure you know tons more than you even think - it's just lying dormant in there waiting to come out!

This is so important! I highlighted that particular sentence because I think it is crucial to just go for it. Don't be shy (it can be hard, but try!) and just speak freely, not thinking about tenses or anything. I am sure you have quite a few conjugations down already, and the others will come with time as you listen and understand more. And as Meri points out, for some reasons many Europeans, including myself, seem to be more OK with speaking even when they make errors and mix things up - maybe our language education is different? Best of luck to you!!

 

[Chet]

slightly off topic.
How about the 'understanding side of things?
So far I am trying, and generally finding very helpful people on the speaking side but understanding what people say to me is an issue.
In fact lots of people are very helpful, even teaching words when I get stuck. (of course then they want to practice english )
Ya'll got any good suggestions for listening practice?

 

[Rich One]

for listening suggest The Simpsons in Spanish-

 

[wineguy999]

Actually me and my wife never speak Spanish to each other. Mainly because she wants our kids who are very young to learn English so we only talk in English at home

Seize this opportunity to encourage your children to become fluently bilingual. When I grew up in Texas, Spanish classes were compulsory...I later found myself wishing I had taken them seriously.

 

[cruizes]

Nikad always has great advise. Not so much for so many of the others on line - sorry!