The Advantage to You of the Abundance of Spanish
Have you considered the advantage you have as a Spanish student that the Spanish language is all over the place. Read on to find out how to use this to your best advantage.
Advantage For Spanish Learners
Once in a while I hear people comment about the extra step of having to select a language when they use an Automated Teller Machine or Automated Store Checkout.
But for you students of the Spanish language the availability of common printed and sound material in the Spanish language is a Great Opportunity. This is a big advantage for you to learn from. Any time you see something in Spanish, it's a chance for learning. -- And it's a convenient way to learn too.
Instruction Example
For example, let's say you have just purchased a new DVD player in order to listen to some DVDs (with the sound set to Spanish, if you like). And the first thing you notice as you look at the Instruction Book is it has a Spanish section. You could read each word of the Spanish translation. And look at the diagrams and try to figure out what each Spanish sentence is saying before you look at the English section. This is just one example of the opportunity you have to increase Spanish vocabulary everyday.
Well, how did you do? You experts, were you able to understand how to use the DVD player by reading the Spanish language translation alone? Without having to look at the English section at all? Where you able to read and understand every sentence? Did you learn any new words to add to you vocabulary list?
Beginners, did you see any words you recognized? Where you able to add several new words to your vocabulary word list?
Web Site Example
Or, next time you are visiting a corporate web site, spend a few minutes and click over to the Spanish side. Most corporate web sites have a Spanish side and this is a fantastic learning experience. No matter your Spanish skill level, reading through a Spanish web site is always a great way to pick up new vocabulary words and phrases.
Real-World Experience
What's great about learning Spanish this way is it's Real World. It's the Spanish language from real life and not just some exercise out of a book. (Which could have questionable relevance.) You know that what you're learning is the Spanish that Spanish-speakers are using these days.