1. Be sure about what is your goal
Whatever your reason and motivation for learning Spanish may be, it will be easier for you to find the right Spanish course or school if you are sure about what is your goal. Each student requires a specific solution and learning plan. Some students needs improve their Spanish knowledge for business, travelling, visiting their foreign family, making an international language test, become a language teacher, etc. etc. therefore their needs will be completely different ones from others.
2. Make a Spanish level test.
The first thing a good teacher will ask for to their students before starting a course should be making a level test.To know the speaking and writing level is essential for the tutor to prepare, structure and choose the Spanish course, the exercises, the reading texts and all the learning material according the students knowledge.
3. Submerge yourself in the culture of the Spanish speaking country
Whether the learners take online or face-to-face classes, here at CEDIC we motivate our students to learn about the Argentinean Culture as well as that of South America and Spain. We prepare learning material as well as exercises based most of them on Argentinean and South America, therefore students not only learn the language but the history and culture of these countries.
4. Take a trip to the Spanish speaking country you choose
Hearing the language spoken in its natural environment has enormous advantages. You Increase the exposure to new words, situations and accents.
Once students are here in Buenos Aires or Salta, we promote outside lessons to be immersed in the real world, where students take the opportunity to talk with locals, hear their accent, and interact with them. …and this is when they make their really best to understand and be understood in the Spanish language!
5. Build a solid routine
Organize your studies with a routine that fits your needs. This way will be easier for you to continue the learning process in a serious and organized way.
Beside, make sure your lessons are also organized! When you know what you will learn in a specific period of time, you and your teacher will work together to fulfill the plan.
6. Learn the 5 language resources
Not just conversation. Not just grammar. If you really want to learn and speak Spanish you must learn its grammar, vocabulary, speaking, writing and understanding.
7. Study new vocabulary that you need
Acquire new vocabulary that will be useful in your everyday life. It would be useless for a businessman to study specific medical vocabulary.
8. Put grammar into practice
Don´t be afraid of making mistakes. Talk, talk and talk in Spanish!
Every time you learn a new tense, or grammar subject you have to put it into real practice. Use it in a conversation. Talk with your teacher, classmate, natives, friends… Make mistakes, correct them and jump to the next step only when you feel confident.
9. Learn from all kind of resources
The most time you invest on studying a new language the fastest you will learn it, so practice Spanish each time you have the opportunity, by listening and repeating from movies, songs. Watch your favorite film with subtitles. Play games and try to explain the rules. Memorize small dialogues and histories, etc., etc., etc.!
10. Invest time in pronunciation
It is crucial that your teacher can accurately correct your speech. Free speaking “without” any correction at all can be useful to encourage students’ confidence, but this resource must be used carefully, during short periods of time, followed by the corresponding pronunciation and grammar corrections.
Talk to yourself and read aloud. It is a great practice too!