WHERE TO BEGIN LEARNING SPANISH.

To begin learning a new language is never an easy task, but it is always a greatly rewarding experience.

Spanish is no different to any other language. From the outside, it may look like a huge mountain to climb if your knowledge on the language is close to zero. However, in these lines I will try to summarize the best, easiest ways of tackling the issue regarding the learning of any language.

If you are reading these lines, then you have taken (or are considering taking) the decision of learning Spanish, but now the question remains: where do I begin?

These are some of the most important aspects you ought to keep in mind.

A reason and motivation.

It may seem quite obvious, but to successfully carry out any task you should find within yourself a good reason for it.

Why are you learning Spanish? Is it because of new job opportunities? Maybe your significant other may be from a Spanish-speaking country or you could well take up this task for the mere joy of learning something new. Whatever the case may be, you need to find a reason for the next steps you are about to take.

Once you find your reason (your purpose, let’s say), then motivation will follow. It is not always easy to learn a language. In fact, it can sometimes be tiring and frustrating. Learning the verb conjugations is surely a tiresome task for anyone, and thus feeling motivated (and being disciplined!) will be of major help to your (now our) cause.

Becoming familiar with the Spanish alphabet.

This point will surely pose a serious concern for most of Asian readers, since Asian languages (let’s take Japanese or Chinese, for instance) can hardly mimic some of the sounds of the Spanish tongue. Some common words like perro (dog) can be an uphill climb for those unfamiliar with the Spanish alphabet.

However, there is no issue that a bit (perhaps more than a bit) of practice can’t solve out. Taking the appropriate time to learn the Spanish alphabet, becoming familiar with the harsh sounds of the language and getting to know some new letters (ñ, in the best of cases) are some basic steps that need to be addressed from the very beginning of this journey.

Introducing yourself.

Once you have everything ready, getting to introduce yourself in Spanish is a perfect way to start your learning. Some basic notions such as buenos días (good morning) or mi nombre es David (my name is David) will get you at cruising speed in no time.

After you’ve learned how to introduce yourself, the next steps will surely seem an easier task. Keep in mind that you have already broken the barrier of, let’s say, a first contact with the Spanish language. Now you know (or should know) that it is not as terrifying as it may look from the beginning.

Things are just going to get better from this point.

Learn basic vocabulary.

If you are to speak any language, you need to find the words you will be using.

Surely, verbs are a major part of communication, but a very first step that you should take must be the learning of some basic, general vocabulary (mostly nouns) that will boost you through your learning. Luckily, at NAME we have several vocabulary lists that will be of great use to you.

Once you manage the basic nouns of the language (family members, clothes, animals, etc.) you can step a bit further away and go with adjectives, and afterwards with verbs themselves. Don’t worry if your first sentences in Spanish sound like a five-year-old child trying to get a hold on the language. We have all been there at some point.

Just hold on.

Get to know the fundamental verbs.

Verbs are the core of any language. In fact, they indicate any action on your speech and keep your story moving, so you want to keep a close watch on them (and also learn as many as you can!).

It is true that Spanish verbs are not on the easy side of the learning spectrum. In fact, they may be quite on the other side, quite close to the German declinations, but further away from any Asian speaking language. You are going to need some time (and lots of patience) to master the conjugation of Spanish verbs, but it’s okay.

You’re not (only) here for the final result. You’re here for the journey.

Taking your time to learn the Spanish verbs will be crucial for your learning. It’s not an easy task, but it’s something anyone can manage if you put your mind to it. Also, you don’t have to pay attention to the most elaborate verbal forms from the very beginning. You could just get a hang on the basic ones at first (present, past and future) and keep building from there.

Speaking in Spanish.

I can’t stress this one enough.

You need to start speaking Spanish now.

Our brain retains information in (surprisingly) quite a simple way. Mostly, this system is based on repetition, which means that if you are to remember something, then you must use it before it on a daily basis.

There are many ways of doing so. Flashcards, checklists or vocabulary pages are a good way of keeping all your notes at hand, and in fact they are going to help you (and us) a lot not only learning languages, but any other thing as well.

However, none of these methods can compare to the most basic, fundamental one: speaking.

If you want to retain what you have learned, then you need to begin using it right away. Get yourself a speaking partner, log into online pages to connect with Spanish speakers or try to get a friend of yours to learn Spanish as well. Whatever the way may be, speaking Spanish will make you (mark my words!) retain most of what you learn.

Don’t let your shyness get in the way.