If you have Latino blood running through your veins but you don’t speak Spanish for one reason or another, you’re still 1000% Latino. Don’t believe narratives to the contrary for even a second! That said, if you’re interested in learning basic Spanish as a way of connecting to your roots through language, it’s not as difficult as it may seem at first. Yes, learning a new language can be challenging, but it can also be fun. Here are 7 tips to learn basic Spanish faster and enjoy the process:
Learn set Spanish phrases by memory
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Starting with set phrases in Spanish is a great way to build a solid foundation you can use for simple, daily interactions with loved ones, friends, or even strangers. Committing things to memory will help you get started and you can build on that knowledge later on with Spanish courses, practice, and exposure to the language. Here are some handy phrases to start with:
- Hola, ¿cómo estás? — Hello, how are you?
- Estoy bien, ¡gracias! — I’m fine, thank you!
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom?
- Por favor, gracias — Please, thank you
- Lo siento — I’m sorry
- ¿Puedes ayudarme, por favor? — Can you help me, please?
- No entiendo — I don’t understand
- ¿Cómo se dice … en español? — How do you say … in Spanish?
- ¡Salud! — Cheers!
Don’t be self-conscious about talking like a kid
Photo by Bewakoof.com Official on UnsplashYou don’t need advanced verb tenses to get by or make yourself understood in Spanish. Stick to the present tense and simple constructions to express yourself and you will get by just fine. You may sound like a kid relying on the present tense at first, but we all start somewhere. Moreover, kids have no trouble making themselves understood. In fact, talking to kids in Spanish can be a great way to practice, especially if you feel anxious about talking to adults. If you have nieces or nephews, or your friends have children, engage with them in Spanish using your basic skills. It will help you build your confidence! Also, children’s resources like books and TV shows in Spanish can be a great way to grow your basic vocabulary.
Rely on Spanish media
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Exposure to spoken Spanish is one of the best ways to not only improve your listening skills but also learn proper pronunciation. Fortunately, there are plenty of Latin American telenovelas, TV shows, and movies you can watch in Spanish. If you don’t feel super comfortable with that yet, you can start by rewatching your favorite movies dubbed in Spanish or with Spanish subtitles. You can also listen to more music in Spanish and find good Latino podcasts. Whatever media you prefer, make sure you add options in Spanish to your roster and make them a part of your daily routine.
Find ways to integrate Spanish into every aspect of life
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The more you immerse yourself in Spanish, the easier it will be to integrate it. Integrating the language into every possible aspect of your daily life can make a big difference in your learning journey. We recommend changing all your settings to Spanish so you’re forced to think in the language, write short journal entries in Spanish every day, talk to yourself in Spanish, and try to translate your thoughts. These are little things you can do every day that, along with more structured language learning, will help you learn basic Spanish faster.
Learn idioms and slang
Listen, learning a second language can get a little tiresome and the burnout is real. If you ever get to the point where you feel like it’s too difficult or too boring, make it engaging for yourself. Keep yourself interested and motivated! One way to do that is by learning idioms and slang. Hell, you can even learn curse words if that’s what makes it fun for you. Taking little breaks to explore the more informal aspects of the language will keep your brain happy. Talk to your Spanish-speaking family members or friends and ask them to teach you slang or go online and start searching for translations of your favorite terms. Even Latino memes can be a great way to learn new things in Spanish. Either way, it will be very entertaining to see how things change from one language to the other!
Find a partner to practice with
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Speaking regularly with a language partner can dramatically improve your fluency. You should definitely look for conversation classes to join, language exchange events, or even online communities. If your family members and Latino friends speak Spanish, you don’t have to go far from home to practice your Spanish. Just tell them that you would like them to speak and text to you in Spanish all the time unless you need a translation, and go from there. Still, finding people who are on their own Spanish learning journey will be valuable. They will understand your struggles and it will be a more level playing field for everyone involved.
Speak Spanish as often as possible
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If there’s one mistake most people make when learning a new language is they want to wait until they’re fluent to start speaking. They fear making mistakes or being mocked for their accent, but remember this: not even native Spanish speakers know everything and they make mistakes all the time. As long as you’re making an effort and trying your best, you should never shy away from practicing your Spanish with anyone. Accept that making mistakes is part of the process and focus on communicating as effectively as you can. The more you speak, the better!
