Learning SpanishHow to learn Spanish in context

As you may imagine, learning Spanish in context means learning Spanish in phrases and idioms as naturally used by native speakers in each situation. But what if we are living in our own countries other than where the language is spoken?

This is what I have to share:

1. Read books according to your Spanish skills

As adults, the first thing we tend to do when choosing a book to read in the language we are learning is to choose one according to our tastes. Well, this can work very well if you’re an intermediate or advanced student. If you are not, using the dictionary every three words will get you exhausted before the third page. Yet, there is a way out. Many books are not that difficult. Take for example Como agua para Chocolate, by Mexican writer Laura Esquivel. Or books for children which might work pretty well too!

2. Watch films

Films are the best way to “feel” the true environment of the language you are studying, say Spanish for instance. With movies, you actually are inside the culture. What matters as regards the study of a language is not what the story is about but how the characters react and what they say in different situations. Mi obra Maestra is an Argentinean film you might want to watch. Of course many actors speak too fast and are very difficult to follow. Yet, some time ago Netflix launched a very good app: Learning languages with Netflix.  Although its catalogue is not very extensive, it is a very good way to study with a movie: you choose the movie (original soundtrack) and language you are learning (subtitles). And besides the subtitles in Spanish you will have the subtitles in your own language! El ciudadano ilustre is one of the films with the original soundtrack in Spanish in this catalogue. Or again: movies for children are an excellent way of learning!

3. Talk with native speakers

True conversation with native speakers: shall these be face to face or on the Internet, they will help you gain fluency. The only drawback: nobody will correct you if you make mistakes as nobody wants you to think he or she is rude.

4. Take Spanish lessons

Needless to say, a teacher of Spanish will help you with your fluency as well as to make you aware of your mistakes. And awareness is the first step to avoid making those mistakes in the future.