Tuesday, 26 February 2008

Tips to Learn Spanish Easily

By Richard Goldie

Learning to speak a new language is not a simple process for everyone but there are some things that you can do make the entire process much easier and learn Spanish much faster. Of course learning to speak a new language as a child makes it the simplest, but it is just not always possible to do then. The alternative is to take some good classes that help you to learn to speak based upon working with someone who speaks Spanish naturally.

This would mean in order to learn it the fastest you should work with an instructor who speaks Spanish as a primary language. This would allow you to learn all of the small details of the language, as well as enable the instructor to catch small mistakes in your speaking skills. Of course, a good instructor regardless of natural language should be able to help you learn to speak any language fluently.

In addition, it is very important to understand that in order to truly succeed at learning a new language it is important to devote some actual time to the project. Many people decide they want to learn Spanish, but they do not do anything at all to adjust their schedule and make the time available to study. This can be a very large barrier to actually learning to speak a new language. Because of the overly busy lifestyles that people have, the time to spend studying is decreasing slowly.

With some time devoted to the entire process, you can easily learn Spanish within only a few months. If you are only spending a few minutes a day on the process of learning, it may take longer and obviously, if you are able to devote more time to the process it can go much faster. Determining exactly how you can best learn a new language is important to the success. After all, some students learn faster from listening to lectures, while others learn faster by using pictures or even reading the material.

Once you discover your own secret to success and find a good instructor who is able to encourage and correct you when you make mistakes it is possible to learn a new language quite quickly. In addition, learning a new language is a very rewarding experience that can help you in many aspects of your life including getting a job if you have the skills necessary. The overall experience can be a great self-esteem booster as well which makes it all the worthwhile to learn Spanish.

The author of this article is Richard Goldie who is the owner of www.learnhowtospeakspanish.net

Find out how to make learning Spanish interesting at learn how to speak Spanish website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Goldie
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Monday, 11 February 2008

Why is it important to learn Spanish

by Thomas H. Lindblom

Who's learning Spanish these days? For starters, residents of the United States, a bunch of people is studying Spanish in record numbers. This language is becoming of greater importance in Europe, considered the foreign language of choice after English. And it's no wonder that Spanish is a popular second or third language: with some 400 million speakers, it's the fourth most commonly spoken language in the world, and according to some counts it has more native speakers than English does. It is an official language on four continents and is of historical importance elsewhere.
Much of the vocabulary of English has Latin origins, much of which came to English by way of French. Since Spanish is also a Latin language, you will find as you study Spanish that you have a better understanding of your native vocabulary. Similarly, both Spanish and English share Indo-European roots, so their grammars are similar.
Yes, it is perfectly possible to visit Spain without speaking a word of Spanish. But it isn't nearly half as much fun. You can learn Spanish in Spain and it would be much easier the next time you visit any place where they speak this language. There is also business Spanish in Madrid or as they say curso de español en Madrid for those who need it for business purposes.
While most of us can't hope to learn the languages of more than one or two cultures other than that of our own, those that we can learn help us to learn how other people learn and think. When I read Latin American or Spanish newspapers, for example, I often find that I gain a sense of how other people think and feel, a way that is different than my own. Spanish also offers a wealth of literature, both modern and traditional.
Spanish is one of the easiest foreign languages to learn. A Spanish language school in Madrid will help you to learn it and have a vast vocabulary. Much of its vocabulary is similar to English's, and written Spanish is almost completely phonetic. A Spanish immersion will help you mastering the grammar of the language and you’ll realize that you can have a meaningful communication after only a few lessons.

The author Thomas H. Lindblom talks about how easy and common is it nowadays to learn Spanish Madrid and how this language is becoming of greater importance in Europe, considered the foreign language of choice after English.

Article Source: 1ArticleWorld.com

What Languages Do The Spanish Speak in Spain?

by Javier Melendez

There are a variety of languages spoken in Spain and also a number of dialects of language. Almost everyone in Spain can speak Castilian Spanish; Castilian is the official language of the country and so is used throughout Spain. However, although it's the official language, Castilian isn't the only language that has an "official" status. These other "co-official" languages are Catalan, Euskara and Galician. These co-official languages are spoken in different regions "Comunidades Autónomas" of Spain.

On top of this, many of the official languages of Spain themselves have different derived dialects.

Catalan is classified as a roman language as it has been profoundly influenced by Latin. In the Iberian Peninsula, the Catalan langiage and its derivatives are primarily spoken in the regions of the Balearic Islands, Catalonia and Valencia however Catalan is also used in some parts of Aragon and Murcia.

Catalan became recognized in early Spain when it began to spread. It soon became regarded as a primary language. It has passed in and out of favor within the royal court of Spain through a variety, most notably the dictator the Generalisimo Francisco Franco. Since Franco's death in 1975 Catalan has been reinstated as one of Spain's official languages. It should be noted also that this language is not exclusively "Spanish" as it is also spoken in France and Italy.

Euskara is the official language of the Spanish Basque region. However, it is being used in other parts of Spain due to its co-official status. Euskara is a very interesting language in that nobody is really sure from which historical language it is derived as it is so different from any other language in the Iberian region, and indeed the world. There have been several theories on the history of this language, but its origin is still unknown at this time. Euskara is a very enigmatic language as it is one of a kind; historians truly do not have any clues as to how it became. Euskara is spoken by around 500,000 basque natives and is is the most unique language in Spain.

The third co-official language is Gallego (Galician) spoken in the region of Galicia located in the north of Spain. Like Catalan, Gallego is a roman language, however it has a much different sound to the Catalan language. In the past the Galician language and Portuguese were the same language (the historic Kingdom of Galicia once took in the territory of Portugal). Although different languages today, Portuguese and the Galician language are related by what is called a dialect continuum (i.e. they have many similarities having come from the same root language).

There are several areas in Spain where dialects are used by a relative handful of people; these "languages" have to fight to survive and are disappearing rapidly. Most regions have dialects, and although the overwhelming majority of people can speak Spanish, many choose to use their own language. Consequently a visitor to Spain may speak to several different people and hear several completely different languages, regardless of where they are in Spain! This linguistic diversity has been the subject of much discussion throughout the ages as the people of each region are proud of its language and culture.

As previously stated, the official language of Spain is Castilian. Of course many other European languages are now used in certain areas of Spain as various Europeans have migrated to Spain's warmer southern climes. And so it is likely that you will not only hear Castilian, Catalan, Gallego and Euskara (depending of course on where you are) but you may also hear English, German, Italian and French.

Javier Melendez produces content for a variety of Spanish related web sites such as the Talk Spanish website. His recent work is entitled "learn to speak Spanish".

Article Source: 1ArticleWorld.com

Easy Ways To Learn Simple Spanish

by Juan Medina

If you really want to learn to speak Spanish, it is important to understand that Spanish is just another thing to learn, Learning Spanish can be very enjoyable if furthering your education is something you really like. Learning to use Spanish even on a basic level can be a great benefit to you in general. And learning even simple Spanish phrases can be one of the very simplest things in the world to do. And I have found that studying anything, whether it is Spanish or any other subject, is about as hard as you make up your mind that it will be.

Learning Spanish can be an enjoyable pastime just on its own. And in the computer age, a host of alternatives to learning Spanish in a traditional classroom have arisen. I personally like software that can be installed on my home computer so I can study any time of the day I want to. In taking a look at various types of software programs to learn language, I have found they generally fall in to two types. Those that immerse you totally into the new language experience and those that translate as you go along. Both are good and can appeal to individual sorts of people.

With some 400 million speakers, Spanish is the fourth most commonly spoken language in the world. Spanish is what we call a "Romance" language, meaning that it is based on Latin, the language of the ancient Roman Empire. While it is certainly possible to travel to a Spanish speaking country without knowing any Spanish, your trip will in no way compare with the incredible adventure that awaits the traveler who speaks Spanish. And as an extra bonus, learning Spanish can be the perfect excuse for enjoying the cuisine of Spanish speaking peoples.

Typical conversational Spanish lessons can include the most used phrases for meeting and greeting people, along with several other typical everyday expressions. And if you really want to master these simple phrases, you will need to find a way of learning that suits your style. Learning anything can be made into a chore if you don't enjoy the experience and learning Spanish is no different. Think back to high school and all the strange sort of training you were forced to endure.

Spanish classes can teach you not only about grammar but culture as well. Grammar and other useful school-like things for Spanish learners could be the focus of the method you choose to learn Spanish, but they don't have to be. Perhaps you could get one of the programs which allow you to custom tailor your learning experience by picking which type of study you want to concentrate on. Like most people, I started to learn Spanish with the usual ghastly grammar methods that make learning so dull and boring, but soon found other methods that were much more enjoyable and I wound up leaving out all the useless and time wasting high school like grammar based activities.

Perhaps you are learning Spanish simply to prepare for a trip to Latin America or Spain. Or maybe you are learning Spanish in order to communicate with employees or customers. Or maybe, you are the type of person that can study Spanish 1 or 2 hours a day just for pure fun. In any of those cases I really recommend a basic level course for you.

Very few programs actually measure your rate of learning giving you your rate in words-per-day learned and sometimes that is information you don't need. I like the idea of learning how to spell words in Spanish correctly in my learning because I think that is an important part of a language. But pretty much, you should simply pick a language study program that excites you. The right program will reduce the frustration and speed the learning.

Spanish is already one of the most widely spoken and influential languages in the world. And for that reason, if I was suggesting to someone what language to start studying as their second language -- I would always choose Spanish. Millions of people in the US alone speak Spanish as their second language. And if you are going to go the effort of learning another language, I can tell you for sure, that Spanish is definitely the way to go.

Author: Juan Medina was born in the US, and grew up speaking only English. He can help anyone learn Spanish at his website Learn Basic Spanish. If you want to learn Spanish, check this out today, Basic Spanish Words

Article Source: 1ArticleWorld.com

Learn Spanish, The Use of Spanish Is Increasing In The USA

by Thomas H. Lindblom

The number of homes that speak a foreign language in the United States, and in particular Spanish, has risen by 8 million since the year 2000, according to the United States Census Office.

Today, 19.7% of the US population above 5 years old speaks a foreign language, compared with 17.9% in the year 2000.

According to demographic experts, this rise is mainly due to the growth in Latin American immigration in the last few years.

Demographic expert, William Frey, from the Brookings Institution, explained that, “the population has increased in non-traditional areas, such as Delaware, Nevada, Utah and even in Southern Dakota…and this is a tendency that will continue”.

Hispanic people form the largest minority group in the US - 43 million out of a total population of 300 million. An estimated 12 million are illegal immigrants, mostly from Mexico.

Many don’t speak English and have more than one job, working long hours in order to stay in the country and to send money to their families. This makes it difficult for them to learn English.

Conservative groups see the growing popularity of the Spanish language as a threat to the United States’ traditional values and culture.

Yet the number of books, CD’s and all types of products aimed at the Hispanic market is on the rise in the US.

Spanish translations are also a common sight on signposts at airports, government offices and all kinds of shops.

“Being able to speak another language isn’t necessarily a step backwards; becoming bilingual is widely seen as advantageous for a person or country”, said Jeanne Batalova, immigration expert at the Migration Policy Institute (MPI).

The MPI claims that if the US Government were to spend 200 million dollars per year on classes for the next 6 years, it would be able to teach English to all legal immigrants.

“And if it were to spend another 2900 million on teaching illegal immigrants, it would secure the integration of all immigrants into the American way of life”, said Batalova.

As the article states, nowadays it's becoming more and more important to learn spanish and other foreign languages. Alan La Rue is the director of WebSpanish, an online school that provides online spanish lessons to students from all over the world.

Article Source: 1ArticleWorld.com

Learn Spanish

by Mark...... Ling.....

Learning a foreign language is no longer a complicated task. In fact, it is now possible to learn languages like Spanish, Italian and French without leaving the comfort of one’s home. To better understand the nitty-gritty’s of the Spanish language, it is important to understand the various Spanish learning options available today.
Learning Spanish in a Spanish speaking country
It is a well established fact that it is easier to learn a language when the populace converses in the same language. Although there is a large Spanish speaking population in the US also, but it is far simpler to learn the intricacies of the Spanish language in a country where Spanish is the first language. Contrary to popular belief, in countries such as Guatemala or El Salvador, one can get a room in someone's home, meals and instruction for under $200 per week (and sometimes well under that, although quality of instruction and food can vary).
People that want to learn to read and write Spanish should definitely consider an overseas study vacation. It is much simpler to find literature and content in Spanish in Spanish speaking countries than it is in countries like the US.
Learning Spanish in the US
It might not always be possible to learn Spanish in a Spanish speaking country, if this is the case, one can always join a language school in the US and spend some time within a Spanish speaking community. Depending on an individual’s determination, one can choose to attend intensive class room courses of 6 hours each or regular class room courses of 4 hours each.
Learning Spanish online
Although, classroom courses are the most common method for learning Spanish, thousands of people are learning Spanish from the comfort of their homes each year. Online Spanish programs are the most cost effective means of learning Spanish. A student can log on to a Spanish learning program and download learning material at the click of a button. All online courses are designed to be easy to use and self explanatory in nature.
A typical online Spanish learning program is a blend of online classrooms, recorded Spanish content and printed material. People that want to learn Spanish at their own leisure find online Spanish learning programs ideal.
Advantages of online Spanish learning programs
The first advantage of learning Spanish online is that learning Spanish online is the cheapest option available when compared to classrooms and learning Spanish in a Spanish speaking country. In addition, a student can pace himself and learn Spanish at his own leisure, something that is simply not possible in classrooms courses. With time, there have been considerable improvements to online learning techniques, and most Spanish learning courses are developed using scientific learning techniques.
Online Spanish learning programs are ideal for people that cannot afford to spend hours each day learning Spanish. Working professionals and housewives have benefited greatly from online Spanish learning programs as they can learn Spanish at their leisure without disrupting their everyday routine.
Visit www.rocketlanguages.com/spanish for more information on their online Spanish learning program

Mark Ling is the author of this article on Learn Spanish Program. Find more information about Learn Spanish Programhere.



Article Source: 1ArticleWorld.com

Study Abroad Programs: Three Things You Must Know

by

Study abroad programs appear to have the learning system down. They provide the classes and the living arrangements and, of course, the country where you want to study. It's all there.

Your job appears to be even easier. Travel to the country and soak up the language with little or no effort. When it's time to return home, you are fluent and ready to accept a promotion for being bilingual.

Ok. It's time to pinch yourself and wake up. That scenario doesn't work unless you're below the age of 5 and take in languages like you do video games.

You have a lot more to do in order to make your dream come true. It's not difficult but it is more active than passive.

The truth is that the majority of students that travel overseas to learn Spanish or other languages come back with little or no improvement. They have high expectations when they leave but find that taking a leap to the "next level" is not as simple as they thought.

And it's not the program's fault in most cases. Study abroad programs fulfill their responsibility. They offer the students all they need to be comfortable and engaged. They solve problems, guide and encourage.

The problem lies with you, the learner. You have to be mentally prepared to enter a culture where you are not the top dog, the big cheese, the leader of the pack. In most cases, you're the little brother who tags along. You know, the one who is always there but never has much to say.

Why waste all that money and time if that is the reality that awaits? No need to. Here are three suggestions for you to follow so that you get exactly what you're looking for.

Tip #1 - Stay away from English speakers. Nothing can hinder your progress like hanging out with other English speakers. Forget this, "Oh, but he's from England...I've never hung out with anyone from England before." Plan on hanging out with someone from England once you become fluent. Not when you get there.

You must meet and hang out with native speakers as soon as you arrive. If you wait for the right time, it will never come. Do it immediately. Find a speaking partner, go to bars and meet people, take along an English speaking friend if they are as pumped up about learning Spanish as you. but get out there and make some new friends.

Tip #2 - Get used to eating humble pie. You may be the jokester at home but you are a wallflower in Spanish. Don't get down on yourself. It won't last forever. But learning is a process and this is one more step.

Don't worry you can't be the life of the party. Just be at the party for now and you'll pick it up. It may take a month or two but what is that compared to years of being a fluent speaker?

Tip #3 - Keep studying. Why do you thinnk they call it "studying abroad." Just because you're in Spain or Mexico doesn't mean you can leave your studies behind. Keep conjugating, keep a record of cool phrases and words, keep learning something new each day. The effect will be amazing.

I used to remember things I couldn't say and look them up later. Then, I'd write them down. You can do it your way... just do it.

If you follow these strategies, I promise you will come back fluent and loving it. It is a real joy to speak a foreign language and you'll know what I mean when you get there.

Just don't throw your money and time away because it's really neat to "hang with people from Alaska! or New Zealand! or wherever.

Studying abroad can get you to fluency faster than anything so do it right.

Jim Sarris is a veteran Spanish teacher and the author of a new ebook/audio series "The Secret to Learning Any Language." Visit his blog to obtain free information and learn about other resources to help you learn faster and easier than ever.Language learning made easy.

Article Source: 1ArticleWorld.com