Are you learning Spanish at school? Are you working towards your Spanish GCSE, A level or IBDP Spanish exams? Or, are you looking for the exciting challenge of learning a new language? Today one of our Spanish tutors shares why she encourages people to learn Spanish and offers some top tips for learning vocabulary. To learn any language the main ingredient you need is motivation! If you have this, you can enjoy learning one of the most widely spoken and interesting languages in the world… Spanish! Why learn Spanish? ● To improve job prospects; it is no secret that candidates who can speak more than one language are more attractive to potential employers ● To communicate in the many countries where Spanish is spoken ● To be able to access other languages - like Italian, Portuguese and French, for example ● To get to know a different culture & to enjoy travelling through the myriad of diverse & fascinating countries in which Spanish is spoken ● To become a global citizen! Tips for building Spanish vocabulary: 1. Study cognates (& false cognates): Cognates are words that look or sound like a word you already know. You will soon realise that you know more words than you think you do! For example - the Spanish word for chocolate is “chocolate” the Spanish word for music is “música!”! 2. Use synonyms and antonyms This will add variety to your vocabulary 3. Read! Reading is a great way to quickly improve your bank of vocabulary. Absorb as much as you can by reading different types of materials. 4. Keep a language journal Write about what you are learning. Keep a list of words you do not know. You can return to earlier entries and see how far you have come and how much you have learned. 5. Follow native speakers online Find celebrities who speak Spanish! Why not follow them on social media? This is a great way to increase your everyday conversational skills. 6. Learn one new word a day There are several apps you can download which will help you increase your vocabulary. Listen to the word several times. Repeat it. Then put it into practice. 7. Listen to music Find music you love on Spotify and YouTube. You can read the lyrics & sing at the same time! 8. Practise, practise, practise (& make plenty of deposits)! Think of learning vocabulary as having a bank account. Each day you study for fifteen minutes you make a deposit; each day you do not study for fifteen minutes you make a withdrawal. You need to ensure you have made enough deposits so that you can make the occasional withdrawal!
Comments