| Do you want to learn Spanish? One of the best | | | | Think In Spanish |
| ways to speed your progress is to start thinking | | | | You might think you have to be fluent to think in |
| in Spanish. | | | | a language, but this just isn't so. If you can think |
| To learn Spanish or any language can be a tedious | | | | "I am traveling to the beach," there is no reason |
| process. Some rote memorization will be required. | | | | you can't think "Yo estoy viajando a la playa," as |
| Fortunately there are also many little techniques | | | | soon as you know those six words. And if you |
| for more easily learning a language. For example, | | | | don't know the verb "viajar" (to travel), but know |
| you can label things around the house using your | | | | how to say "Yo voy a la playa," (I go to the |
| new language. You can listen to tapes while in the | | | | beach) - then think that. You can also look up a |
| car. You can also use a technique I used to learn | | | | word or two in a dictionary as you get "stuck." |
| Spanish - think in your new language. | | | | Repetition helps you remember, and repetitively |
| How I Learned Spanish | | | | speaking the new vocabulary is even better than |
| Before going to Ecuador, I studied Spanish books | | | | just reading or writing. Saying the words in your |
| for about six weeks. However, I just read the | | | | mind is a way to be "speaking" in Spanish all the |
| books and took notes - I didn't speak a word of | | | | time. It is great practice. |
| the language during this time. This was a big | | | | However, this is more than just practice. Putting |
| mistake. Speaking a language is not only crucial to | | | | your thoughts into Spanish forces you to learn |
| learning proper pronunciation, but it speeds up the | | | | not just words and rules, but specific ways to |
| whole process of learning a language. | | | | express what you want to say. We all have |
| However, despite my limited study, I could | | | | different interests, and need to say different |
| converse with the locals in the hostel in Quito the | | | | things. A nurse might need to say "where does it |
| day after I arrived. In fact, within a few days I | | | | hurt?" You may need to ask where the beach is. |
| was discussing economics, philosophy, and politics | | | | Normally Spanish lessons teach you what the |
| with Ana, who is now my wife. So how exactly | | | | teacher thinks you should know. This is a good |
| did I learn Spanish so quickly? | | | | start, of course, but your thoughts and needs are |
| I didn't learn Spanish quickly. In fact, even after a | | | | uniquely yours. When you think in Spanish, |
| month in Ecuador, I had a very limited vocabulary. | | | | imagining the situations you'll be in, you are |
| Fortunately, I could use what little I knew to | | | | teaching yourself exactly what YOU need to learn. |
| express myself, and I credit this to a habit which | | | | To learn even faster, carry an English/Spanish |
| I soon realized is a great technique for learning | | | | dictionary to use whenever your thoughts stop |
| any language. This is the habit of having | | | | flowing. Use it to find other ways to express |
| conversations in my head. | | | | yourself as well. You'll learn your most important |
| You see, I often think of what I might say. I | | | | words, expressions and sentences quickly if you |
| have possible future discussions in my imagination. | | | | are thinking them continually. This is a powerful |
| I quickly found myself doing this in Spanish too. | | | | way to learn to communicate in Spanish (or any |
| As a result I learned how to say a lot with the | | | | language), even before you have a large |
| few Spanish words I knew. | | | | vocabulary. |