The thing that really made a difference in my speaking was talking one on one with native speakers and changing all my entertainment to Spanish (nearly every time I watch a movie or show or listen to an audiobook or podcast, it's in Spanish).
I always said I wanted to learn Spanish but just said it wasn't possible because I didn't have time or money for classes. I thought I had to take a class or move abroad for it to ever happen. And while, yes, it did turn out that I needed more time and money, I don't think group classes are the answer. The pace is always the slowest student. With individual hourly conversation "lessons" (all I do is talk) a few times a week, plus consuming massive amounts of media, I went from probably A2 to B2 (this is where a most teachers have said I am) in less than a year.... and yes, I think it would've been easier if I did this in my 20s.
I'm almost 40. I believe you can do it if you focus mostly on the part you feel lacks the most and that is also (in my opinion) the most important: speaking!
One on one conversation lessons let you be greedy and focus heavily on your speaking without having to take turns speaking English or listening to someone else struggling with Spanish. I do envy your ability to practice everyday in a real context.
I asked my brother, who learned Japanese, how he got over the shame part, and he said, "what shame? You can't improve if you are too embarrassed to speak." I took that to heart and my strategy is to literally laugh at my mistakes. Helps to keep things light. Wishing all of us luck! Learning languages is not easy.
Def some good tips in here. TV shows and movies have helped for sure. YouTube also has some great videos explaining things. I think learning anything is very personal. As for the pace, I had coffee with a classmate and she complained that the pace this semester was too fast for her. But I should note that I'm in a public language school and the teachers there have a very set regulated curriculum that they need to cover in a semester. I did go to a private language class with no more than 5 a class which was fun and likely what I needed in the beginning. On Facebook, someone commented that some people seem to have their brains wired better to pick up languages and he's a super bright guy who struggles with languages.
I've lived in Spain for 5yrs and have been told countless times that I speak very well. But 2 key things: I still can't express myself the way I want to and I started learning Spanish 10yrs ago! I've stopped feeling "guilty" though because learning a language is a long process. One thing is technically learning it (proper grammar and the like), but another thing entirely is infusing your personality and defining who you are in that language!
But you do speak very well which for sure is one thing and expressing yourself is another. Shoot, some people who are native English speakers can't express themselves very well.
Haha I don't though - I can only make simple sentences (rather than ones that use connectors and indirect grammar) and just in the past year have started feeling like I use subjunctivo correctly and only sometimes!!!
This had me rollin because I am in the same boat. I studied abroad in college. It’s always been one of the things I want to do. Ego definitely plays a roll.
I'm not currently learning Spanish in another country, but did when I was half your age-- I can still relate to the struggle. It's a humbling process.
What I really needed to read today, and will carry with me into my current day struggle: "What I need now is the confidence to fuck up and keep ...... anyway." Different verb; the same path forward. Thanks for that.
Oh, and I really love that your lady is now your partner (hope that doesn't sound like a smartass comment). Love to you and your partner from Austin.
Hi Jennifer from Austin! Thanks for the note. Did you take Spanish in Ithaca? Also, are we not the same age? BTW, I think I bombed my certification exam. It was definitely more difficult than the ones from class. But the good news is I will move onto the next level because I passed the class and can take the certification exam another time.
No, I took French in Ithaca and after I moved away- I was never able to speak it. Actually, I think I'm a year older than you, but I get your point- not sure why I phrased it that way. Congrats on moving on to the next level and staying so interested in life- it's inspiring.
The thing that really made a difference in my speaking was talking one on one with native speakers and changing all my entertainment to Spanish (nearly every time I watch a movie or show or listen to an audiobook or podcast, it's in Spanish).
I always said I wanted to learn Spanish but just said it wasn't possible because I didn't have time or money for classes. I thought I had to take a class or move abroad for it to ever happen. And while, yes, it did turn out that I needed more time and money, I don't think group classes are the answer. The pace is always the slowest student. With individual hourly conversation "lessons" (all I do is talk) a few times a week, plus consuming massive amounts of media, I went from probably A2 to B2 (this is where a most teachers have said I am) in less than a year.... and yes, I think it would've been easier if I did this in my 20s.
I'm almost 40. I believe you can do it if you focus mostly on the part you feel lacks the most and that is also (in my opinion) the most important: speaking!
One on one conversation lessons let you be greedy and focus heavily on your speaking without having to take turns speaking English or listening to someone else struggling with Spanish. I do envy your ability to practice everyday in a real context.
I asked my brother, who learned Japanese, how he got over the shame part, and he said, "what shame? You can't improve if you are too embarrassed to speak." I took that to heart and my strategy is to literally laugh at my mistakes. Helps to keep things light. Wishing all of us luck! Learning languages is not easy.
Def some good tips in here. TV shows and movies have helped for sure. YouTube also has some great videos explaining things. I think learning anything is very personal. As for the pace, I had coffee with a classmate and she complained that the pace this semester was too fast for her. But I should note that I'm in a public language school and the teachers there have a very set regulated curriculum that they need to cover in a semester. I did go to a private language class with no more than 5 a class which was fun and likely what I needed in the beginning. On Facebook, someone commented that some people seem to have their brains wired better to pick up languages and he's a super bright guy who struggles with languages.
Thanks for reading and the comment!
I've lived in Spain for 5yrs and have been told countless times that I speak very well. But 2 key things: I still can't express myself the way I want to and I started learning Spanish 10yrs ago! I've stopped feeling "guilty" though because learning a language is a long process. One thing is technically learning it (proper grammar and the like), but another thing entirely is infusing your personality and defining who you are in that language!
But you do speak very well which for sure is one thing and expressing yourself is another. Shoot, some people who are native English speakers can't express themselves very well.
Haha I don't though - I can only make simple sentences (rather than ones that use connectors and indirect grammar) and just in the past year have started feeling like I use subjunctivo correctly and only sometimes!!!
In France for 9 years ... same shit.
I feel better but were you taking classes there or just living? Plus you are already fluent in 2 languages already.
Just living. Took my first class maybe my fifth year or something. I had some textbooks that I was reading on my own ...
Next time I see you I wanna hear you speak French!
It’s the same lesson I’m trying to teach Emma, while learning it myself. That perfectionistic fear filled ego will get you every time!
It's this weird mix of needing encouragement but not too much so that I get overly confident.
This had me rollin because I am in the same boat. I studied abroad in college. It’s always been one of the things I want to do. Ego definitely plays a roll.
Ha. Thanks. Where were you abroad? And where are you now trying to learn a new language?
I'm not currently learning Spanish in another country, but did when I was half your age-- I can still relate to the struggle. It's a humbling process.
What I really needed to read today, and will carry with me into my current day struggle: "What I need now is the confidence to fuck up and keep ...... anyway." Different verb; the same path forward. Thanks for that.
Oh, and I really love that your lady is now your partner (hope that doesn't sound like a smartass comment). Love to you and your partner from Austin.
Hi Jennifer from Austin! Thanks for the note. Did you take Spanish in Ithaca? Also, are we not the same age? BTW, I think I bombed my certification exam. It was definitely more difficult than the ones from class. But the good news is I will move onto the next level because I passed the class and can take the certification exam another time.
No, I took French in Ithaca and after I moved away- I was never able to speak it. Actually, I think I'm a year older than you, but I get your point- not sure why I phrased it that way. Congrats on moving on to the next level and staying so interested in life- it's inspiring.