Spanish

[sunshine02]

I'm taking Spanish and it's really one of my hardest classes right now. I'm struggling to get an A and it's hard for me get a grasp on grammar rules and be able to apply them to speaking, writing, and listening. Do you guys have any suggestions on how to improve? I know the science gpa is more important, but I really don't want to mess up my overall gpa due to a Spanish class.

If you've had similar problems with a foreign language, how did you study to improve?

Thanks!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[PreMedOrDead]

I'm taking Spanish and it's really one of my hardest classes right now. I'm struggling to get an A and it's hard for me get a grasp on grammar rules and be able to apply them to speaking, writing, and listening. Do you guys have any suggestions on how to improve? I know the science gpa is more important, but I really don't want to mess up my overall gpa due to a Spanish class.

If you've had similar problems with a foreign language, how did you study to improve?

Thanks!

Languages are all about repetition and practice. You learn through usage, not rote memorization of general rules.

I'm a language major so I can't really relate, but this still gets me every time:

 

[DrMario13]

It's all about immersion, go watch some telenovelas or spanish dubs, and practice with anyone who knows spanish

 

[Doctor Strange]

It's all about immersion, go watch some telenovelas or spanish dubs, and practice with anyone who knows spanish

Corazon Valiente is the best.

In my 12+ years of learning Spanish, I find it most helpful to immerse yourself like others have said. It's one thing to learn rules and such, but the real language development comes from experience and being able to sense if something "sounds right" or not. If you're struggling with a concept, look up examples on Google or YouTube. The more exposure the better.

 

[ShenanigansMD]

I'd start with reading. It really helps you nail down sentence structure.

Corazon Valiente is the best.

Haha I've only seen parts of some episodes. I get the impression it's just about latina super models fighting crime.

 

[sunshine02]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm positive they work, but it seems like you need to be immersed for a long time in order to get better. Is there a quicker way? I'm trying really hard, but the small things get me, like prepositions that only go with specific words, learning to recognize spoken vocab words (b/c I tend to not recognize them if it's not spoken in American accent lol), etc. Also, speaking is hard for me because I sometimes have to stop midsentence and frantically wrack my brain for the right vocab words to describe what I'm trying to say. I know immersion is good, and honestly, I would study abroad in Spain or something so I can improve and become more fluent, but now, I only have about 10 weeks to pull my grade to an A.

Besides watching Spanish telenovelas and reading, is there anything else I can do to help?

Thanks a bunch

 

[ShenanigansMD]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm positive they work, but it seems like you need to be immersed for a long time in order to get better. Is there a quicker way? I'm trying really hard, but the small things get me, like prepositions that only go with specific words, learning to recognize spoken vocab words (b/c I tend to not recognize them if it's not spoken in American accent lol), etc. Also, speaking is hard for me because I sometimes have to stop midsentence and frantically wrack my brain for the right vocab words to describe what I'm trying to say. I know immersion is good, and honestly, I would study abroad in Spain or something so I can improve and become more fluent, but now, I only have about 10 weeks to pull my grade to an A.

Besides watching Spanish telenovelas and reading, is there anything else I can do to help?

Thanks a bunch

Check this out. Your school might give you free access.

http://lomastv.com/

 

[Stumpyman]

Is it Spanish 1 or one of the more advanced (2+ years) courses? Spanish typically is easy at first, but gets harder along the way.


I'm a Russian major myself, so I can't say too much about Spanish. Languages have a tendency to feel overwhelming at first, but once you're over the first hump, it gets much easier.

 

[sunshine02]

It's one of the more advanced (2+) year courses. We do a lot of speaking, some writing, and reading short stories. And yes, I do miss beginning Spanish, and since I still have to take Spanish next semester, which will be up another level, I'm desperately looking for quick ways to improve.

And thanks for the link, ShenanigansMD! I'll definitely check it out.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

This website is the bee's knees, but I don't know what level you're in so it might not help you. http://www.colby.edu/~bknelson/SLC/index.php