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When our family moved to Ecuador in 2012, the Mr. and I spoke very little Spanish and the kids spoke NONE. We hired a tutor and were quickly immersed in the culture around us. Even so, language acquisition for us adults wasn’t so easy. (The kids soaked it up like a sponge.)
We all acquired enough language to carry on casual conversation, but none of us consider ourselves fluent. Even though we’re back in the States, we don’t want to lose our second language, so we have intentionally sought out ways to practice and improve our skills.
Here are FIVE ways that we’ve found to learn or improve our Spanish-speaking skills:
1. DuoLingo: This free website also has a free app that you can download to your phone. Lessons begin very basic and progress to more difficult ones as you acquire the language. Short lessons are presented in a game-like fashion. I recommend this to everyone that is interested in learning a second language.
2. Dora the Explorer: Don’t laugh… Watching Dora really is helpful for learning a few basic words in Spanish. You can find episodes in English and Spanish for FREE on YouTube.
3. Intercambiar: An interchange. Make friends with a Hispanic person. In our area, there are many immigrants from Mexico and Guatemala. Many of them don’t speak much English and would welcome the opportunity to have someone help them improve their understanding of the language. Having lived in a foreign culture where we didn’t speak the language well, we understand…. Ideally, the Spanish-speaker would help you learn Spanish in return for you helping them learn English.
4. Salsa Spanish: Broadcast on Georgia Public Broadcasting station, this free resource has games and videos in Spanish. It may seem a bit juvenile, but it’s really great for beginners of any age as the words are common vocabulary. Besides, we all have to begin at the beginning.
5. Butterfly Spanish: This YouTube channel has lessons taught by a native speaker. Lessons are kept short, but are explained thoroughly. The pronunciation (because she is a native speaker) is excellent!
What about you? Have you attempted to learn a second language as an adult? What resources or methods helped you?