| I was taught Spanish when I was at school, | | | | certain phrases and word starting coming back to |
| however I did not study as hard as I should have | | | | me. |
| back then. At that stage in my life I was focused | | | | All of a sudden within a week I could put |
| on the here and now and did not stop to think | | | | sentences together. This really confirmed the |
| how this would benefit me in the future. | | | | power of listening. Maybe that is why we have 2 |
| I also had the attitude that most people around | | | | ears and one mouth. That is why audio can be |
| the world spoke English which meant that I would | | | | really effective |
| not need to learn a foreign language. It was not till | | | | Within three weeks I was able to speak a |
| later in life that I realized my mistake. I was now | | | | significant amount of Spanish. You can imagine the |
| in a job were I needed to be able to | | | | surprise on the faces of my co-workers as I |
| communicate in Spanish. This was so as to be | | | | started to explain various tasks that were needed |
| able to manage a crew of Spanish speaking | | | | to be done in Spanish. |
| people on a given project. | | | | All of this was possible within 3 weeks from just |
| It was at this point that I started to realize how | | | | listening to audio book lessons on how to teach |
| silly I had been not to take my Spanish classes | | | | yourself Spanish. I did this while commuting to |
| seriously in the past. There and then I made a | | | | work, which proved to be an extremely effective |
| commitment to myself to learn Spanish as quickly | | | | use of my time. |
| as I could so that I could work on this project. I | | | | Within six weeks I was able to communicate |
| gave myself six weeks to be able to | | | | effectively so much so that I could outline in detail |
| communicate effectively. By the way you will be | | | | the various tasks that needed to be done with |
| surprised what can happen when you make a | | | | my Spanish speaking co-workers. If I could do this |
| commitment with a timeline. However that is for | | | | within six weeks, I am certain anyone who is |
| another article. | | | | motivated could achieve the same objective. |
| Being an active listener I decided to give audio | | | | In the event you desire to learn any language |
| books a try. I picked up an audio book that | | | | that you love, my suggestion would be to start |
| thought Spanish in two Complete Courses. While | | | | listening to that language. This proved to be very |
| commuting to work I started to listen and learn. | | | | effective for me. |
| The interesting thing here is that just by listening | | | | |