Learning a language by the books doesn’t automatically provide you with the ability to speak it properly. Written and auditory distinctions to learning a language exist by the way of the latter’s very nature as something that’s expressed both through writing and speech. Thus, learning how to learn a language through its written terms is never the same as understanding how it’s spoken the right way. Such is highly appropriate for Spanish – one that is relatively easy to understand by way of its grammatical structure and English cognates but requires great practice in terms of its speed and accent. Fluency in speaking Spanish therefore requires you to have great dedication, alongside some well-versed acquaintances to practice it with. To realize your goal to become a fluent Spanish speaker, take heed of some of my tips here.
Tip # 1: Look for a Spanish language partner
Why waste your time talking to yourself in the mirror when you can always get a partner who’s highly-fluent in Spanish? Indeed, nothing compares to having someone fluent in Spanish to talk to when learning how to speak the language, given that the conversational dynamics books fail to teach adequately are put into action here. Be reminded, however, that for your fluency in Spanish to improve through a conversation partner, you must hold sessions regularly – everyday, if possible. You don’t even have to meet your conversation partner in person each time you hold practice sessions – you can use the Internet to talk to one another via applications like Skype and Facebook Messenger, among many others. If you wish to challenge yourself through a greater variety of speakers, you can look for more conversation partners online – you might even chance upon native Spanish speakers who can give you valuable insights.
Tip # 2: Target the easy parts of spoken Spanish
Knowing which aspect of spoken Spanish you must first start on provides you with a valuable first step towards greater fluency. The effort to become fluent in Spanish may seem very overwhelming at first given the vast expanse of the language itself, but taking time to identify the areas that are most comprehensible for you can serve as an ideal starting point. For that, do a quick review of your written Spanish lessons first, then ask your language partner to practice relevant conversation pieces together. I, for one, recommend practicing Spanish phrases that include English cognates first, so that you can have a full appreciation of familiarity shared between both languages.
Tip # 3: Compile a list of Spanish phrases
Learners practicing their fluency in Spanish tend to use a fixed set of phrases with their language partners, and their list grows the more they converse among themselves. Thus, for greater measure, you must prepare a notebook containing a list of Spanish phrases you use on a frequent basis. Endeavor to expand your list further as you in your conversational skills – take notes of idioms, sayings, and other anecdotes your language partner might raise during your sessions, especially if he’s a native Spanish speaker. By keeping a list of Spanish phrases, you can have a repository of valuable sources that may come in handy for expanding your mastery in spoken Spanish further, even if you just intend to impress your language partner for fun!
Tip # 4: Learn the value of connectors
One key difference between learning Spanish by the book and through conversation lies on the use of connectors, which are conversational tools that connect several ideas with one another as they are raised during conversations. Learning the proper use of connectors in Spanish is almost always exclusive in conversational modes of communication, within which several ideas shared by all sides are coherently connected to form a natural flow. With that, the use of connectors comes naturally for fluent Spanish speakers, otherwise they would end up speaking like robots taking commands directly from books. Therefore, you must endeavor in learning the various kinds of connectors used in Spanish – I recommend that you ask your language partner for more kinds!
Tip # 5: Be highly passionate
Lastly, I would like to stress on the importance of being highly passionate about learning Spanish. Being both a physical and mental endeavor, achieving greater fluency in Spanish would not be possible without the right amount of passion on your part. Therefore, I urge you to rediscover your purpose for becoming more fluent in Spanish. Remember to stick to that motivation of yours in every step of the way, and give your perseverance in improving your spoken Spanish with greater meaning. I recommend that you study more about Spanish culture – its history, art and architecture, for instance, so you could see for yourself the further emanation of the language’s beauty.
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