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| Q&A/ Preguntas y Respuestas | ||||||||
| You are not alone! Most people ask these questions about learning Spanish before they begin. These answers will help you set goals towards language acquisition, have reasonable expectations of yourself, and lead you to more resources and special events that will help you speak Spanish fluently. | ||||||||
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1. How long does it take to learn Spanish? Because you have already learned at least one language, your next language will be acquired more quickly. With my methodology, consistency in practice and individual study a diligent student can be near proficient in 18 months. Of course this can be enhanced by actually traveling to Spanish speaking country and totally immersing yourself for 6-9 months. |
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2. Am I too old to learn a language? You are never too old. Actually brain research is now finding that adults whose minds stay active by doing puzzles, numeric equations, video games, and language development through: conversation, writing or language learning have increased their connecting neurons, and have healthier brains. As an adult, you have a strong base of former knowledge that will decode another language more quickly as well. |
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3. How many classes do I have to take to be fluent? Spanish for Life is prepared to take students through progressive levels of learning. A student will be correctly placed at a level based on his or her knowledge and previous experience. There are 9 standard classes available: Beginner levels I, II, III, Intermediate levels I, II, III and Advanced Levels I, II, III. Often supplementary classes are offered such as a pronunciation intensive, or reading a novel which enhance the standard classes. See the Schedule of Classes for a complete list. |
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4. How do I get placed into a level?
A student can take the placement test on line which is intended to measure skills from the beginner to the advanced student. You may also have a short interview with an instructor. This will more precisely measure auditory and oral comprehension and expression. |
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5. Can I use the internet or CDROM programs to learn Spanish? Yes! These programs are helpful in acquiring vocabulary and fundamental knowledge of the language. They are helpful in reinforcing what is learned in a class with “live” teaching and practice. These programs cannot replace “live” instruction. They are simulated based on patterns of speech, and cannot give you the freedom to be creative or spontaneous when responding, which is what actual situations require. It is also important to remember that often the levels of learning they promote are not an indicator of a native speaker. For example a CDROM program may tell you it has 5 levels. But the levels are including only numbers from 1-1000. The instructional designers at Spanish for Life believe “LIVE IS BEST.” |
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6. How much time should I spend outside of class to study? This varies for each individual. It depends on how hard or easy it is for a student to remember vocabulary. It strongly depends on how often the student practices with someone who speaks Spanish. It is recommended at a beginner level, 1 hour for every class hour. If a class is 2 hours long, plan to study at least 2 hours outside of class. At intermediate or advanced levels there is more preparation for oral presentations and written assignments. |
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7. What kinds of activities or methods are used in class?
Instruction is geared towards natural language acquisition. This is a contrast to the past “drill and kill/ grammatical analysis” methods. Students will be taught through conversation, games, songs, story telling, hand motions, visual aides, total immersion, dialogues, short readings, and immediate feedback on their progress. The class instruction is geared to reach an overall goal, “TO SPEAK SPANISH WITH CONFIDENCE.” See my methodologies for further information. |
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8. What if I feel like I’m falling behind? This is a normal. On your journey you may have times where you need to need to study some extra hours, get a private tutoring class, or experience the language through a cultural event. This is especially true if you have missed a couple classes. Language is cyclical…that means whatever you are learning will come around again in another chapter, story or exercise. Stick with it and keep your goal in mind. |
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9. What kind of Spanish will I learn? Will I be able to understand people from different
regions?
At Spanish for Life we teach Standard Spanish. This way a student will be able to understand any other Spanish speaker. However, students will also be exposed to a variety of accents, vocabulary and nuances from various countries. This will help to anticipate the differences when traveling. |
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10. How can I get immersed in Spanish if I can’t go on a trip?
A strong learner seeks out opportunities everywhere. Spanish for Life keeps a list of current special events on this website and bulletin boards. We also have resources available to you online. These are some general suggestions: |
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