Spanish Tutor - Learn Spanish Here!

If you have tried to learn a new language, like Spanish, you will know that it is often a tough task that can be very frustrating at times. You often feel that you are making no progress despite the hours and hours of study that you put in. The fundamental stumbling block is that you have been conditioned over years to think unconsciously in English. That means you implicitly understand the grammar and nuances of the language. This often leads to an over reliance on your native tongue and the reluctance to build your foreign language knowledge from the ground up because you don't know how.

If you have ever played soccer, it is similar to using your right and left feet to play the ball. Most people are right footed and they learn their skills with the right foot. As they get better at dribbling or shooting they continue to use it. They score some great goals and have many positive experiences. Then they think that to become a more rounded player they must learn to shoot with the left foot. They try and it's dreadful. They miss hit the ball or get tackled. They can't score a goal and get frustrated. Then without even thinking, they find that they are shooting with the right foot again. They remind themselves to use the left foot but in a tight game they always end up using the right. This is often the problem with learning a new language. So what is the answer ?

To continue with the soccer analogy, a friend of mine was getting repeated strains and injuries to the ligaments of his right leg from playing soccer, that his doctor advised that he give the game up. Take on something less strenuous advised the doctor. But he loved the game so much that he didn't want to give it up. Instead he learned how to kick and shoot with his left foot. Apart from the doctor's advice, he also experienced pain when he used his right foot to kick the ball so the more he used his left foot the less pain he had to deal with at the end of the game. As he continued to play he became better with the left foot until it reached a tipping point and he just started using the left foot all the time. He still plays soccer and is now completely 'fluent' with the left foot.

So what does this mean about learning Spanish ? Well, the first point is motivation. You need to get motivated. You have to have a good enough reason to learn the language. If you don't, then you will end up using the right....I mean using English rather than Spanish. This doesn't mean inflict pain on yourself whenever you speak English but develop goals that you can tick off when they are achieved that serve to motivate you. Have a long term goal, like work in Spain or date a Spanish speaking person. Have short term goals and reward yourself every time you reach these goals.

The second point is to give yourself the opportunity to learn the basics. There is no substitute for this. You have to learn the basics before your knowledge will really expand. The best way to do this is through the Spanish immersion method. Immerse yourself in the language. Cut yourself off from English as much as possible. Learn every nuance and facet of the language and culture. Watch Spanish films, read Spanish books, participate in Spanish language forums. Get Spanish pen pals. Learn about Spanish, Mexican or any other Spanish language foods. You are only limited by your imagination as to how much Spanish you want in your life. The ultimate is to go and live in a Spanish speaking country but this is often not practical for many people. When you think you are starting to forget your English then you know you are fully immersed (and don't worry, you won't forget your English, it's pretty much hard wired into your head).

Whilst you won't learn Spanish in a week or a month, I think these two principles are the most useful things to remember when you want to learn to speak Spanish fast.