Spanish Language Programs Tips
Read these 11 Spanish Language Programs Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Spanish tips and hundreds of other topics.
Volunteer To Learn Spanish
To get the benefits of Spanish language immersion free, consider volunteering in Spain or Latin America. This will enable you to make a contribution to the society while learning Spanish from native speakers. Volunteer programs cover a wide range of interests, including: * teaching English in schools (additional qualifications may be required) * tutoring * supporting work in hospitals or medical outreach programs * working with animals * farm work * and much more Some volunteer programs offer Spanish language programs with native speakers so you can be sure to improve your spoken Spanish.
Spanish Borrowings
For those who want to learn Spanish, language and culture go hand in hand. Studying a country's history, literature, art and drama gives a guide to what people think about, what excites them and what they think is important. This is a key part of any country's culture. Many of the words people use reflect aspects that are peculiar to the culture or region. This is why there are so many Spanish words that have crossed over into English. Some of these are: * aficionado * bronco (originally 'wild' or 'rough') * cafeteria * chocolate * hammock (hamaca) * machete * macho (originally 'male) * siesta * savvy (from 'saber' - to know) * vigilante (originally 'vigilant')
Speedy Spanish Learning
To learn Spanish quickly and effectively, there is no substitute for a Spanish language immersion program. Teaching on these Spanish language programs takes place only in Spanish. This means that students are constantly exposed to the language. This is a way of becoming fluent very quickly. Although Spanish language immersion programs can take place anywhere, consider taking the program in a Spanish-speaking country. Since students hear Spanish both inside and outside the classroom, they make even quicker progress. This type of Spanish language program can create fluent Spanish speakers within a few weeks or months. It is best to choose a Spanish language immersion program that matches the accent you want to acquire. To learn castellano, learn Spanish in Spain. Alternatively, learn Spanish in Mexico or Latin America for a Latin American Spanish accent.
Help Your Children With Spanish - Even If You Don't Speak It
Even if you don't speak Spanish, you can still help your children to learn Spanish. It is very important to hear Spanish spoken to learn the accent and pronunciation correctly. Using audio tapes and video material will help your children to develop a good Spanish accent and to learn Spanish quickly. There is also the option of a learn Spanish CD or DVD. If you have access to Spanish-language radio and television, this is another way to help your children learn Spanish. There is also educational software with games and activities to help children learn Spanish.
Learn Spanish In Mexico
For those who want to learn Spanish, Mexico or Latin America are good places to follow Spanish language programs. Some of the benefits of learning Spanish in Mexico or Latin America include: * learning to speak Latin American Spanish. This can be useful if you are traveling in Mexico, Central America, South America or parts of the Caribbean. * learning about aspects of Mexican or Latin American culture, such as different music and dance forms. * learning the Spanish language quickly by being surrounded by Spanish speakers daily. * having easy access to South and Central America for sightseeing and traveling. * helping with business or professional development. If traveling to Mexico is not possible, you can reap many of the same benefits by using a learn Spanish CD where people speak Latin American Spanish. You could also learn to speak Spanish online.
Learn Spanish In Spain
For those who want to learn Spanish, Spain is a good place to follow Spanish language programs. Some of the benefits of learning Spanish in Spain include: * learning to speak Castilian Spanish (castellano). This can be useful if you are traveling in Spain or Europe. * learning about aspects of traditional Spanish culture, such as flamenco. * learning the Spanish language quickly by being surrounded by Spanish speakers daily. * having easy access to the rest of Europe for sightseeing and traveling. * helping with business or professional development. If traveling to Spain is not possible, you can reap many of the same benefits by using a learn Spanish CD where people speak with a Castilian accent. Alternatively, you could learn to speak Spanish online.
Learn Basic Spanish Online
If you wish to learn basic Spanish words, there are several online resources to choose from. Some sites have lists of useful Spanish words and phrases for a variety of situations. This is a way to learn Spanish free of charge. However, sites with text-based lists do not provide pronunciation guides. Learning to pronounce Spanish words is key to making yourself understood. A better option is to look for web sites where the word lists are accompanied by audio files. These will allow you to learn to pronounce basic Spanish words correctly. There are several web sites that offer this service. For a more detailed Spanish language program, consider one of the free online Spanish courses. Theses courses cover a wider variety of situations and may also explain basic grammar. This will help you to develop your Spanish language skills even after completing the course.
Immersion programs in the US
Even if you can't afford to travel abroad to learn Spanish, there are opportunities here in the US to be immersed in the language. Many school districts around the country are offering immersion or partial immersion programs. There are also opportunities for children as well as adults to study in the summer in an immersion environment. Concordia Language Villages based in Bemidji, MN offers immersion summer camp experiences in 13 different languages. There are offerings for adults and families in the summer and throughout the year.
Picture Perfect Spanish
There are a number of programs that state that they can help people to learn Spanish fast. One type of program relies on creating word associations to help learners remember Spanish words. For example, to remember the Spanish word for donkey (burro), you could picture a donkey at a writing bureau. This type of course is available from several Internet sites. It claims to cut the time needed to learn a language by two-thirds. Another option to help people learn Spanish fast is the web sites that allow people to learn Spanish online free of charge. There are many web sites that have free Spanish lessons that cover basic grammar and vocabulary.
Basic Spanish Benefits
There are more native speakers of Spanish than any other language in the world, with the exception of Mandarin. That means there are a lot of places to visit where Spanish is spoken. It is useful to learn basic Spanish words and phrases to get by when traveling to a Spanish-speaking country. Some of the other benefits of learning Spanish include: * getting to know the Latin American and Spanish cultures. * improving career prospects by being bilingual (the US has more than 35 million Spanish speakers) * interacting with Spanish-speaking coworkers * improving memory skills - research suggests that the skills needed to learn another language enhance memory function * improving your knowledge of your own language - learning the grammar of one Romance language will help with the grammar of others * providing intellectual stimulation.
Help Children To Learn Spanish
A crucial aspect of helping young children to learn Spanish is enabling passive listening. This means that children listen to spoken Spanish without being aware that they are learning anything. If Spanish is spoken around the home, this can be one way of encouraging passive listening. Another strategy is to use Spanish language television and radio. Once children have started to learn Spanish, parents can help by going through drills with them. These can be made into games or can be part of songs. Just as parents use alphabet and counting songs in English, similar songs can be used to help young children learn Spanish well. Parents should encourage their children to speak Spanish, even if they don't always get it right. Reading Spanish picture books with young children is another way to help them learn basic Spanish words. This is the same strategy that is used to teach basic English words to children. Parents can find Spanish picture books at their local library or on the Internet.
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| Barbara Gibson |
