One of the first things to jump out at me when I began to learn Spanish was how little I understood about the grammatical structure of my own English language. Perhaps you know exactly how that feels?
Enriching your life with a new language is such a gift to give yourself so let’s brainstorm a few ideas about what learning a language can do for you and how your world can expand in more ways than you can imagine.
1. Deciding to learn Spanish will completely transform your experience when travelling through Spanish speaking countries. Ordering food and immersing yourself in the culture exposes you to so much more when you can converse.
Every country uses its language to express its culture whether through song and music, legends, literature or modern day speech. As you study you will be preparing yourself to better appreciate their culture.
Hispanic speakers are so warm and generous being only too happy to help you if you want to have a go. You will just love their light-hearted reaction to you which will ensure a memorable and everlasting impression.
They adore children too so encourage those around you to step up and order their own meal and drinks.
2. You will be amazed at how learning Spanish will broaden your own understanding of English. The similarities between the two Latin based languages make it feel familiar to us and so one of the easiest for us to learn.
3. Studies show that the cognitive skills required to learn Spanish (or any language for that matter) can greatly reduce your chances of dementia. It can improve a poor memory with long-term practise…and let’s remember that to learn Spanish is a work in progress!
Creativity is essentially stimulating for the brain so as you work your way through your studies in search of interesting ways to learn you will be connecting the old grey matter and dusting off the cobwebs. Particularly if you come to learning a language after the age of 40 plus and post children you may find your memory really needs retraining. .
4. Broaden your interests and you’ll attract new friends to your social circle. Beware; be prepared to be busy!
Think about organising a meal either at home or at the local tapas bars where you can all practise your Spanish together in relaxed surroundings.
What about a weekend trip to Spain? Feeling really fit? How about Salsa dancing?
Think big and enjoy all that learning a language can offer you.
5. Use your computer and add on to your IT skills.
Home computers are fast becoming a ‘must have’, there is no better encouragement to understand how they can work for you other than to use them for fun.
Find a learn Spanish audio and settle without interruption to see what you can understand. I have used these with varying success. The important thing to get right here is finding your level of Spanish.
If the first website you find isn’t right for you move on and hunt for another all the while honing your searching skills.
Once you have sourced the correct beginner’s level you will learn Spanish quickly. Then you can really start showing off to your friends slipping in a few new sentences as you go.
Essentially look for materials that don’t expect you to know more than you do. You could even try a learn Spanish audio for children and then increase the level as you improve.
If you find a website too cluttered or difficult to navigate, find another. If you set out to learn Spanish quickly you may lose your confidence. Be very careful of this.
6. Build self esteem. Accomplishing any new skill is unbelievably good for your confidence although starting out is the tricky part and the first few months are when most people give up.
Knowing this is really going to help you, so before you start accept that you’re not going to learn Spanish overnight and that slowly getting your head around the vocab, the accent and the time you’ll need to set aside, all contributes to the achievement.
By finding and accepting your own unique capacity to learn you will make your studies far more enjoyable. This includes not measuring yourself against your friends with thoughts like, ‘ I should know more because I’ve been learning Spanish for 4 years and you’ve only been learning for 2′. Don’t do it!
The journey will teach you so much. It will teach you patience, creativity, confidence, intellectual stimulation, knowledge and awareness of new cultures and so much more to boot! There is no downside.
Happy Spanish Learning,
Sharon
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