| One of the biggest misconceptions of learning | | | | However, I do want to emphasize that you don't |
| Spanish (or any foreign language) is the time | | | | need to have marathon study sessions either. |
| commitment. Everyone seems to think you need | | | | What will help more than anything is consistency |
| hours upon hours of study in order to learn. Since | | | | and that is why taking advantage of 5 minute |
| very few people have so many hours to dedicate | | | | sessions when you are stuck for time is essential |
| to studying, they decide that learning a language is | | | | to your learning. |
| not for them. | | | | During these sessions, you are keeping the coals |
| Yet, even with a little knowledge of another | | | | warm so to speak. Your brain is getting the |
| language, they can benefit in so many ways. | | | | message that learning Spanish (for example) is |
| Perhaps they could get a better job, | | | | important because you are finding time everyday. |
| communicate better in the job they're in or enjoy | | | | That is no small factor. |
| a new experience on a forthcoming trip to a | | | | You will still need to find time during the week for |
| foreign country. | | | | an hour here and there but your success does |
| Unfortunately, that's not going to happen because | | | | not depend on total dedication, come hell or high |
| in their mind it's a done deal...no one learns without | | | | water. It depends on consistency. |
| dedicating massive time to the effort. | | | | With that in mind, here are 5 ways to study |
| Well, I'm here to say that there is another side to | | | | when you have little or no time. |
| the story. A side that is more realistic and | | | | #1 - Start describing what is going on around you. |
| positive. A side that may just spark a reader or | | | | It doesn't need to be a literary description, just |
| two to change their mind and try. | | | | take a look around and begin describing things in |
| I've been a Spanish teacher for over 15 years. In | | | | the foreign language. |
| that time I've taught high school, college and | | | | #2 - Always carry a print out of an article you |
| adults students. Naturally, this article is not | | | | plan to read or, a chapter from a children's book. |
| directed to high school and college students for | | | | Make sure it's no more than two pages so you |
| obvious reasons. | | | | can finish it in the time you have. |
| I'm writing so that more adults can discover the | | | | #3 - Repeat a tongue twister you've written |
| secrets to learning any language they want, | | | | down on an index card (specifically for this |
| regardless of their schedules. You see, it's a | | | | occasion). |
| question of taking advantage of the downtime. | | | | #4 - Take out your language tape and get in a |
| Here's what I mean. | | | | quick listen. You can pick up where you were on |
| Everyone has moments in the day when they | | | | the tape or begin randomly. |
| are left with nothing to do. Maybe it's at work, at | | | | #5 - Play with your cell phone. That's right, you |
| home, during the commute. These moments are | | | | can set up your cell phone in the language you |
| there, you just have to pay attention. | | | | want to learn. By doing this, you can begin hitting |
| Once you can spot them, then you can begin to | | | | buttons and learn everyday vocabulary. |
| fill them with little study sessions that can last as | | | | Remember, there will be days when you need to |
| little as 5 minutes. And the best part is, you can | | | | get in the hour session in order to expand your |
| vary them so that you don't fall into a routine and | | | | base of verbs, conjugations and all the rest. But, |
| become bored. | | | | your learning doesn't depend on strict adherence |
| Now, before I continue, I don't want to give the | | | | to any schedule. |
| impression that you can learn a language with 5 | | | | It's more important to do a little bit everyday. |
| minutes of study a day. It won't happen. | | | | You'll be pleasantly surprised. |