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Learning Spanish Advice


Arrlong28

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Hola Chic@s!

Sorry I didn't post more lessons about Spanish but I found that... There's a lot Spanish Lessons on Youtube, that you can use to learn a bit of Spanish and see if you like and feel comfortable learning the language. They are better prepared, and more professional than me.

But as a person who has two native languages and studied more than 3 languages abroad (from very different cultures) I want to give my points in a more "efficient" way to learn a language, and how to minimize your negative experiences. 

 

Remember, those advice are just my opinion based on my personal experience and are the things I liked to know before I started to learn languages.

 

1. Choose the "right" Spanish for you.

There's two main Spanish "dialects". Spain Spanish (or Castillian Spanish) and Latin Spanish. (I'm a native Castillian Spanish)

If you want to learn Spanish to travel and visit Spanish Speaking Countries: my recommendation is Learn first the Latin Spanish dialect. You can use it all over the world, and then you can adapt or learn the other variations of Spanish.

If you want to travel, live or are interested Specifically in Spain: then Castillian Spanish is better suited for you because you will have more "prestige".

Same happens with other languages. If I live in China but I don't learn Chinese I will be just "The foreigner". If I know how to speak Chinese, now I'm "Arrlong, the foreigner" witch is a totally different. And if you know how to speak Chinese, and you can also learn and speak a regional language or dialect (like, let's say, Taiwanese) you will get a lot of respect, but only between those group of speakers. ( In this case, Taiwanese Speakers).

 

2. When you start to learn a new language find a Teacher that is native and had the same culture like you!

That means (for example) if you're English and you want to learn Spanish, find an English Teacher of Spanish language. 

If you're from China, find a Chinese Teacher of Spanish Language.

(the closest to your region and culture!)

Why?

They know exactly what you're going through in terms of grammar, phonetics and culture: and can give you the most efficient ways to learn that language based on your native language and culture. 

So you don't have to repeat the same cultural shocks, mistakes and difficulties they did. You will be learning faster and will be more "safe".

(If you're acquiring a certain experience, then you can change to a native teacher of Spanish, or the language of your choice you're learning)

 

3. Every language has his own mindset, way of thinking and CULTURE.

Be careful. The same Phrase and words in another language can transmit totally different information.

The sensitivities on topics, the etiquette, the way to be dressed, the food... 

You're going to make MISTAKES. If you don't want to make any mistake, my advice is just don't learn a language.

Some will be funny, some will be harsh, some gill get you into troubles, some can get you into make friends, lovers... and sometimes they simply wont understand you and that's it.

For Example: I told a joke that is very common to told in front of children's in Spain, but it turned out to be VERY harsh for my French and British colleagues. 

Where I live, when you see someone you know, you're friends with them but you don't have time to stop and speak with them you just say "Bye!".

It turns out that this behavior in France is a very offensive insult and in South Africa, weird.

Those things WILL happen. Be prepared in advance: have a plan. 

 

 

4. Speak and be surrounded by natives or speakers of that language.

The best way to learn a language fast is to be surrounded by natives of that language.

Just remember what I wrote in the advice number 3. It's going to be Hard.

And remember, every culture has things that you're going to like, and things that you will not like.

 

 

If you have more advice or you think I'm wrong, please leave a comment. 

Probably I sound very negative... But if I knew all those things before I would have approached learning a language in a totally different way.

Not one that destroyed my mind and made me a disabled person... Something I don't want to happen to any of you.

Edited by Arrlong28
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6 hours ago, Arrlong28 said:

Hola Chic@s!

Sorry I didn't post more lessons about Spanish but I found that... There's a lot Spanish Lessons on Youtube, that you can use to learn a bit of Spanish and see if you like and feel comfortable learning the language. They are better prepared, and more professional than me.

But as a person who has two native languages and studied more than 3 languages abroad (from very different cultures) I want to give my points in a more "efficient" way to learn a language, and how to minimize your negative experiences. 

 

Remember, those advice are just my opinion based on my personal experience and are the things I liked to know before I started to learn languages.

 

1. Choose the "right" Spanish for you.

There's two main Spanish "dialects". Spain Spanish (or Castillian Spanish) and Latin Spanish. (I'm a native Castillian Spanish)

If you want to learn Spanish to travel and visit Spanish Speaking Countries: my recommendation is Learn first the Latin Spanish dialect. You can use it all over the world, and then you can adapt or learn the other variations of Spanish.

If you want to travel, live or are interested Specifically in Spain: then Castillian Spanish is better suited for you because you will have more "prestige".

Same happens with other languages. If I live in China but I don't learn Chinese I will be just "The foreigner". If I know how to speak Chinese, now I'm "Arrlong, the foreigner" witch is a totally different. And if you know how to speak Chinese, and you can also learn and speak a regional language or dialect (like, let's say, Taiwanese) you will get a lot of respect, but only between those group of speakers. ( In this case, Taiwanese Speakers).

 

2. When you start to learn a new language find a Teacher that is native and had the same culture like you!

That means (for example) if you're English and you want to learn Spanish, find an English Teacher of Spanish language. 

If you're from China, find a Chinese Teacher of Spanish Language.

(the closest to your region and culture!)

Why?

They know exactly what you're going through in terms of grammar, phonetics and culture: and can give you the most efficient ways to learn that language based on your native language and culture. 

So you don't have to repeat the same cultural shocks, mistakes and difficulties they did. You will be learning faster and will be more "safe".

(If you're acquiring a certain experience, then you can change to a native teacher of Spanish, or the language of your choice you're learning)

 

3. Every language has his own mindset, way of thinking and CULTURE.

Be careful. The same Phrase and words in another language can transmit totally different information.

The sensitivities on topics, the etiquette, the way to be dressed, the food... 

You're going to make MISTAKES. If you don't want to make any mistake, my advice is just don't learn a language.

Some will be funny, some will be harsh, some gill get you into troubles, some can get you into make friends, lovers... and sometimes they simply wont understand you and that's it.

For Example: I told a joke that is very common to told in front of children's in Spain, but it turned out to be VERY harsh for my French and British colleagues. 

Where I live, when you see someone you know, you're friends with them but you don't have time to stop and speak with them you just say "Bye!".

It turns out that this behavior in France is a very offensive insult and in South Africa, weird.

Those things WILL happen. Be prepared in advance: have a plan. 

 

 

4. Speak and be surrounded by natives or speakers of that language.

The best way to learn a language fast is to be surrounded by natives of that language.

Just remember what I wrote in the advice number 3. It's going to be Hard.

And remember, every culture has things that you're going to like, and things that you will not like.

 

 

If you have more advice or you think I'm wrong, please leave a comment. 

Probably I sound very negative... But if I knew all those things before I would have approached learning a language in a totally different way.

Not one that destroyed my mind and made me a disabled person... Something I don't want to happen to any of you.

Hola Arrlong!

Thank you for posting this!

These are very important and great considerations to be aware of especially when you are learning a new language and increasing your knowledge of them.

Here are some YouTube channels that I would personally recommend for everyone to check out:

Butterfly Spanish, Dreaming Spanish, Spanish After Hours, Español con Juan, and the Language Tutor.

There are tons more out there, but all these channels have videos ranging from beginning to advanced that are informative and/or immersive for learners of all levels. Please check them out when you have the chance.

Lastly, I would like to apologize to everyone since I have not posted much in this club as of recent. I had a few things happen in real life recently and my current focus is prioritizing the completion of my final semester at university.

Thank you for understanding.

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21 hours ago, Arrlong28 said:

Hola Chic@s!

Adoro esto uso do sinal “@”. Mi profesor de español hacía lo mismo en sus escritos

One of my Spanish Professor's used to use the "@" sign in the same way, as like a way to indicate something's both masc and fem/gender neutral. Never saw anyone else do that until now, so cool!

Gracias por los consejos.

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On 2024-11-08 at 8:41 AM, Iforgotmybrain said:

Adoro esto uso do sinal “@”. Mi profesor de español hacía lo mismo en sus escritos

One of my Spanish Professor's used to use the "@" sign in the same way, as like a way to indicate something's both masc and fem/gender neutral. Never saw anyone else do that until now, so cool!

Gracias por los consejos.

*Old Pony mode ON*

I was one of the first people to use "@" in a Private Computer School of my town and...

Oh... I've already told that? Back then I was considered very "inclusive" person and....

I told you the time I was struck by a lightning?

*Old Pony mode OFF*

 

 

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