| As a qualified English teacher, I am well aware of | | | | ends up blaming themselves and puts it down to |
| the importance of praising students and giving lots | | | | "not being good at languages" rather than having |
| of positive feedback. However, I am going to be | | | | an unsuitable teacher. At this point it is easier to |
| a bit negative here when I say that for some, | | | | give up then hunt for a teacher that suits their |
| actually many people, learning Spanish is an | | | | needs as a learner. This is often the case when |
| impossible feat. | | | | they are faced with pages of verb tables on the |
| Many people naively expect that they will be | | | | first lesson. Hey, teachers if you really don't like |
| fluent after a month long intensive course or a | | | | the look of your new students present them with |
| course of evening classes. Think again. You have | | | | a few pages of verbs on the first day. I'll be |
| to be prepared to accept that you will be learning | | | | surprised if you see any of them again. |
| for life and that is quite an overwhelming | | | | For the lucky few who get beyond ordering a |
| challenge. It requires confidence and dedication. | | | | beer, the worst point in learning is when you |
| You have to be prepared to make mistakes and | | | | reach plateaus and don't seem to improve for |
| even make a fool of yourselves at times as | | | | months. This is where a lot of people remain |
| speaking another language requires you to take | | | | forever as they don't know how to take |
| on a whole new persona. This can feel | | | | themselves beyond this level. You need to either |
| uncomfortable for some people and can actually | | | | be quite creative and find materials to boost you |
| put them off for fear of not being taken | | | | learning or a good teacher or you fall by the |
| seriously. | | | | wayside. |
| Although you may have all the good intentions, | | | | I really hope that I am not putting people off but |
| when there are so many other important things | | | | I can understand how many people never learn |
| that you need to do during your free time such | | | | Spanish or only learn enough to get by. I come |
| as food shopping, exercise, cooking health meals, | | | | across so many people who are trying to hold |
| when are you supposed to learn Spanish? You | | | | down a job and raise a family whilst constantly |
| also need the right conditions to learn such as a | | | | reminding themselves that they ought to learn |
| quiet background which is not easy when your | | | | Spanish. Yes, they should learn Spanish if they |
| pre-schoolers are fighting to the beat of the | | | | want to stay in Spain for good and know what |
| blaring television! Some might argue that you can | | | | exactly is gong on around them but the conditions |
| learn when they are all in bed but by this point in | | | | must be right. |
| the day, most parents are ready for bed | | | | Unless, you are in a position where you can |
| themselves. | | | | dedicate a set amount of time everyday or |
| The problem is you have to get into a frame of | | | | couple of days to learning and you can give it |
| mind where your life or earning a living depends | | | | your all then leave it to the time is right. Also |
| on your learning. But the reality is this isn't the | | | | don't feel like you need a teacher. In some cases |
| case for most expats who depend on the expat | | | | you are better off using good materials which |
| community to earn a living. Most people can get | | | | could be anything from children's learning |
| by with the odd frustrating experience without | | | | programmes to learning vocabulary from an |
| learning Spanish. So, when you have one hundred | | | | interesting magazine and a dictionary. If you want |
| and one other things to get on with during your | | | | to be taught, look for a good teacher that suits |
| day, why should you struggle with something that | | | | your learning needs. If they are genuine they |
| really isn't necessary? | | | | should be able to offer you the first class free for |
| For those who do set out to learn with good | | | | you to decide whether you can learn with them. |
| intentions, many people are unfortunate enough | | | | Little by little is the key and don't beat yourself up |
| to be landed with a teacher whose teaching | | | | about the grammar. The key is to build your |
| methods do not suit their learning methods. People | | | | confidence and the way to do this is by |
| don't usually question the teacher's techniques or | | | | communicating your message and continue to |
| in most cases lack of them. The student usually | | | | build on it all the time. |