How to learn Spanish - Some observations based on experience
LikeI´ve worked as a Spanish tutor at adult education centres in South Wales for several years, teaching beginner Spanish and intermediate Spanish.
During these classes, I was regularly asked by students why they needed to bother with grammar. I would tell them that learning Spanish has to have a bit of "dry" content which I would keep to an absolute minimum in order to keep the class intact. But they had to trust me. Some students were only there to learn a few words and phrases to use on holiday but, in reality, they could use Duolingo or other similar methods to achieve that. I was more interested in students looking for a better grasp of the language and, for that, regular conversation and local immersion will definitely help, but some ammunition is needed. Compiling and enhancing that ammunition requires method and organisation. Below you can find out some of the methods I recommend.
1. The 15 word rule
I used to recommend the 15 word rule. Learn 15 words a day, week or fortnight depending on the time you have to devote to learning. Make some words more obscure, as they will stimulate memory. Thus, even words like "quagmire" and "town crier" popped up in my classes.
2. Start with the must-know basics of grammar
As for the grammar, I would not want anybody poring over irregular verb forms and tenses unless they are looking for major advancement in quick time. Basics, like knowing what infinitives and participles are, can be such a good start. These can be so useful in breaking the back of the language as the infinitive is deployed to say "I am going to" and "I have to" and participles are used to say, for instance, "it is breaking" and "it is broken".
3. Don´t learn verbs in isolation
Now comes a major tip. Never learn things in isolation so, if you learn to say "it is breaking" swap out the verb for as many others as you want to learn e.g. "it is raining", "it is stopping" etc. Another tip here is to start with simple verbs such as hablar (to speak) and concentrate on others with the same (ar) ending in the infinitive form. The language then opens up a bit, especially if you have some vocabulary in the locker. By learning the Spanish for "heart", you should now be able to say "my heart is breaking" or indeed "my poor heart is breaking".
4. Learn at your own pace
Take all this into conversation classes and on holidays but just make sure to expand the vocabulary and grammar at the pace that suits you. Also take note of which nouns are masculine and feminine. Don't worry about tenses other than the present until the stockpile is good and the confidence has grown.
5. Learn the vowel sounds
Another quick tip. Learn your vowel sounds and stick to them. They are very consistent. remember "a" as in cat, "e" as in hay, "i" as in peel, "o" as in dog and U" as in loot. You will realise Pedro is pronounced "Paydro" and Ibiza "Eebeeza" or "Eebeetha", depending where you are.
6. Don´t be afraid to simplify things
Finally, in conversation you can always ask the other person to speak slowly or to repeat something. You can also ask them to explain something in a simpler or alternative way in Spanish, so that you can continue the conversation in Spanish without switching back to English.
If you need further assisitance with learning Spanish, I am a private tutor offering Spanish lessons. Please feel free to reach out for further information or an initial class.