• Home

Answers To Learning Spanish Faqs

Answers To Learning Spanish FAQs

Here are answers to four of the most frequently asked questions beginners have about learning to speak Spanish.

Is it possible to learn to speak Spanish fast?

By fast, I assume you want to learn the language in a short amount of time, not to speak Spanish rapidly (although native speakers do sound like they are speaking “speed Spanish” to our non-native ears). Though it may not be reasonable to become fluent in a language in a short time, it is possible to to become conversationally fluent in another language in only weeks or months.  Most native speakers of a language use a small percentage of their own language’s vocabulary in everyday speech, so with knowledge of relatively few words, you can speak well enough to get by.

Initially when you learn to speak Spanish, you want to be able understand others and make yourself understood in everyday matters. You might be travelling to another country and want to be able to engage in small talk, order at a restaurant, and ask for directions or how much things cost.

Isn’t it easier to learn beginner’s Spanish when you are young than when you are an adult?

That idea has been around for a long time, but that theory is changing. Psychologists and language specialists have come around to the idea that it actually as easy for adults to learn a new language as it is for kids. A number of studies have proven this. So, you can no longer use being an adult as an excuse for not learning a new language. However, it is still a wonderful idea to teach children another language. If you are taking a Spanish course, why not get some Spanish for children materials for your kids, too?

Isn’t immersion by going to another country the best way to learn to speak Spanish?

Learning a language by immersion means going to another country, being surrounded by native speakers of that languagae and being forced to learn the language in order to communicate.  This does speed up the learning process, but now, it is no longer necessary to leave the country to get an immersion experience. There are many ways to recreate this experience. You can use a variety of multimedia educational tools to learn a language. There are Spanish CDs,  CD-ROMs, DVDs, and online Spanish lessons. You can watch Spanish TV, listen to Spanish radio, or even watch films in Spanish and read the English subtitles to get used to the sounds and pronunciation of the language.

Why should I learn Spanish when “everyone” speaks English?

There are many reasons you might want to learn Spanish. Learning another language can be rewarding and fun. It will expand your horizons and give you a new perspective on the world.  When you travel and speak the language, you can enjoy your travels more and have rich experiences that regular tourists never have. There are burgeoning Spanish speaking populations in the U.S., particularly in Texas, Florida, California, and New York. Many major cities have pockets of native Spanish speakers.  Learning Spanish, and being able to communicate with it, can be helpful in unlimited social and business situations.  Many people learn Spanish for business purposes. Being able to speak Spanish can be fantastic to have on your resume and can be quite a good career enhancement.