Approaches To Learning Spanish

Have a business trip coming up to Spain? Is your job requiring you to learn Spanish so that you can better communicate more with your employees, co-workers or customers? Are you planning a vacation to Cozumel? Perhaps you want to learn Spanish so that you can move to the beautiful city of Buenos Aires. Or you may have a romantic or family reason to learn Spanish.

Whatever the reason, there are a number of ways you can begin to learn Spanish, or improve the skills that you already have.

Different Approaches to learning Spanish

1. Take a class

This is a traditional approach to learning a new language, where you sit in a classroom (or perhaps an online class) with an instructor and a group of other people also learning Spanish. This includes going to class, doing homework, practicing and taking tests in the language to prove your comprehension. To find a class, check out a nearby community college, university, or adult education center. You may also check at your local library for information about classes.

2. Join a conversation group

Perhaps a classroom setting isn't for you. You may learn better in a community setting, interacting with others. A good way to do this is through a conversation group. You will meet other people who are learning Spanish, as well as some people who are fluent, and you learn by speaking the language. You can find conversation groups by searching online, or by looking in your local newspaper. You may also find one by checking with a local community center.

3. Immerse yourself

One of the best ways to learn Spanish is to go somewhere that you have to speak Spanish on a day-to-day basis. You can find a language course that uses immersion (the only language you are allowed to use is Spanish), or you can physically go to an area where Spanish is spoken. That may mean moving to a Spanish speaking country, or perhaps even a different part of your city.

4. Use language learning software

Another common approach to learning Spanish is through language software. You may purchase the software on CDs or DVDs, or you may download it to your computer from the internet. Language learning software is usually organized around lessons on your computer that provide verbal practice and visual tests given through the software. It will often be accompanied by a website that provides support materials or audio resources. Some language courses are entirely online, such as the online version of the popular Rosetta Stone course.

5. Learn online

A quick search on Google will bring up many free resources for learning Spanish, from vocabulary exercises, to video lessons on YouTube. You can learn a lot without ever spending any money at all.

6. Buy a book or audio course

If you want to learn on your own, there are lots of books and audio courses that can help you. Again, a quick search on Google or Amazon will turn up lots of resources that can advance your level of fluency in Spanish.

A Combination Approach

Perhaps the best way to learn is a combination approach. Find a local class, but also buy a good audio course to supplement your learning. Use language software, but also join an evening conversation group. It takes time and commitment, but the resources are available to help you learn to speak Spanish.