Best Way To Learn Spanish Fast

By Harold Peterson

For foreign language students deciding upon Spanish as their second language the question "Is there a best way to learn Spanish?" will inevitably come to mind sooner or later. The answer, of course, isn't a black or white choice, and what works well for one person may not work as well for another. Also, it generally depends upon how much time can be invested in the learning of the language.

Complete immersive language training has always been the preferred method for gaining a high level of ability in the chosen language. It can involve speaking as much as possible in the new language -- according to gradually increasing ability -- and even taking in much of the Spanish culture (depending upon the Spanish-speaking region of the world a person would be most interested in, which many experts say helps to increase learning).

The way most people have learned to speak Spanish as a second (or third, and so on) language -- at least in the United States -- has been the same method used for several generations, which is in the classroom. The upside to such a method is that solid structure and benchmarks for learning exists within the framework of the instructor-student relationship.

The downside to such an arrangement, though, is that little allowance can be made for those students who are having a slightly more difficult time than the class in general. This means the class has to move forward - in order to meet hard deadlines - with generally little regard for individual Spanish language education needs. Eventually, people end up frustrated and unable to learn Spanish as well as they should.

A combination of some amount of immersion in conjunction with classroom learning has shown to be effective in almost every circumstance, which is heartening. The issue exists, though, of just how much language training can be done in a self-paced manner, as the matter of a beginning and end date for the course and the lesson topics within each course still exists.

Today, though, the increasing power of the Internet has set us free from the bounds of brick and mortar institutions of learning and the need to travel to some Spanish-speaking country for a real immersive experience. And many times, online programs which can be made use of when and where appropriate are the norm. Programs come in many different varieties and usually in CD-ROM, with updates regularly available.

The one thing that needs to be realized is that programs such as the above require discipline, which means making the effort to sit down in front of the computer on a regular basis and do the work necessary. But the convenience of more than a few of these software-based language training programs can outweigh any possible pitfalls, given they can be accessed when and generally where (especially if computers are a ubiquitous part of a person's life) needed.

As always, the best way to learn Spanish will be the way that works best for the individual. Generally, there isn't a single-best method for gaining Spanish-speaking ability and what may work well for one person might not work as well for another, though there are general learning abilities inherent in all people. So do a bit of research on Spanish language training programs before deciding on any particular one and go with the method that works for you. - 31529

About the Author:

Learn Spanish Easily Online At Your Own Pace

By Dylan Stewart

Spanish can be a simple language to learn. There are so many groups of words that can easily be converted to and said in spanish. Words ending in 'tion' in english can be changed to 'cion'. However, there are parts of the language that can be difficult such as the masculine and feminine words. Pronunciation is different and will take time and practice. By learning the rules it can be an easier language to learn.

Start with the basics

Start with the basics first such as pronunciation of alphabet and numbers. Try to learn day to day vocabulary. Basic greetings and phrases are a good start. Accept you will make mistakes as this will help your confidence .A spanish holiday course with a real spanish speaker can help you learn quickly. You will need time to learn the language. You must dedicate at least 30 minutes every day to learn new verbs and phrases. Flashcards are useful to help you remember. The more you see and hear the language, the more you will remember it.

Motivation is never a problem at the start, but it can be one of the main reasons of failure as you progress though you spanish learning journey. Ask yourself why you started learning the language in the first place - does it still apply?

Other Ways to Learn

Books and newspapers will help you at the start, but the quickest way to learn is to immerse yourself in the language. Watch spanish TV and listen to radio stations. You'll struggle, but over time you will be able to 'tune' into the langauge a lot easier and will start to identify phrases. This can be a great confidence booster and help encourage you to learn more. There are courses where you can pay to study abroad. These can be costly, so it will depend on the reason and how quiickly you want to learn. - 31529

About the Author:

Focus On Grammar Helps With Teaching English

By Eli Terry

Focus on Grammar is a very well known textbook series created to teach students English. Irene E. Schoenberg is the author of these books and Pearson Longman is the publisher. This is the 3rd edition of this series and there are 5 levels varying from beginner to experienced.

As the title implies, the books focus on the grammar aspect of understanding English. The lesson are separated into areas about different grammar subjects. In each area of the book students will be taught to read, write, speak, and listen, using exercises that support the major grammar subject. This, certainly, is added to the various grammar activities.

All grammar exercises set out in the books have the same format. This makes it easier to go from one level to the next in the series. To start with, the questions are kept simple and use the fill in the blank style. As the student makes progress, the level of difficulty of the questions increase and take on a more abstract style. Time lines are used to compare structure. Correcting grammatical errors in written work is frequently used to help the student learn.

Each chapter carries a heading which spells out the grammar topic in that reading section. The reading sections depict real life situations as given in newspapers, internet, memos and reviews of movies. Teachers find this approach very helpful.

A good example for this kind of reading exercise is a review of the movie, "It's wonderful Life", to show how the 3rd conditional is used. The 3rd conditional is always given in bold letters to help the learners see it easily. An audio CD is included with the book for use in listening exercises. An interactive CD-Rom is also available as an extra and priced separately. Such extras add value to the course on English grammar.

This series of books are excellent in that they help the student learn English grammar on their own. It is also a valuable resource for those who teach English Language. It would be good idea of English language schools to include this in their library.

They have superior explanations, examples, and activities for all of the main verb tenses, conditional sentences, prepositions, nouns, and a lot more necessary grammar subjects. If I had to pick out an ESL text curriculum, this would be first on my list.

This is a pretty thorough treatment, which may be daunting to some students. It's definitely not what you'd want to use with children, but serious adult students who want their English to be better so they can find and keep jobs, for instance, will really appreciate the work involved. ESL teachers will be delighted to know that such a resource exists. - 31529

About the Author:

Experience The Canopy Tours Of Costa Rica

By Elenor Q. Reynolds

With the rise in tourism here in Costa Rica, canopy tours are also growing in popularity. An activity for any age, it's definitely something you do not want to leave Costa Rica without having the experience. The canopy tour is a thrill of a lifetime with breathtaking views for the young and old.

If you are looking for extreme Costa Rica canopy adventure, there are many companies and locations to choose from. This will not only be a memorable experience, it will likely be something you want to do again. The incredible rush you feel traveling across the tree tops, a hundred plus feet off the ground, attached to a cable in a harness is an adrenaline rush of a lifetime.

There are many different tour companies to choose from for your canopy adventure, so be sure to do your research. There are many different options available in the way of the canopy adventure, so if you are looking for relaxed or extreme, it's out there. Repelling with the canopy is one popular choice and the Tarzan swing is another popular option that those adventure seekers.

When you think of canopy tours what do you think of???? Well, the canopy is a sequence of cables that are tactically constructed in various locations throughout the forest. You are harnessed to these cables with a pulley and sent zipping over the tops of the trees to platforms that await you. Each platform has a guide to assist you with the connection and send you off to the next platform.

There is an age and weight restrictions but I have never heard of anyone being turned away because of weight. The youngest that I know that has enjoyed this adventure was six years old. However, all companies have varying policies so it's best to ask prior to booking your tour.

There are canopy tours located in Herradura next to Jaco on the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica and offers breathtaking views of the gulf of Nicoya and the Pacific Ocean. Prices are comparable among all the operators, starting around $40.00 per person for adults.

Congo Trail Canopy Tour is a canopy tour located between Flamingo and Ocotal beaches. Turubari is an eco-adventure oriented theme park and a Costa Rica adventure travel company offering premium quality one day adventure Rain Forest tours. Some of the tours available are the famous Costa Rica canopy tour, the rain Forest aerial tram tour, the tropical park tour, the horseback ride tour, the sensational cable tour and much more.

If you plan on visiting the Monteverde or Santa Elena Cloud Forest, you will have an opportunity to experience the birds view on things. They do have suspension bridges for your amazing views from the treetops. Just enjoy a nice leisurely walk along the treetops taking in the beautiful views of the forest below.

When traveling to Costa Rica, remember that it's a country close to the equator. Remember to bring plenty of sunscreen, as well as insect repellent. Plan ahead and enjoy the vacation of a lifetime, beyond a doubt, a trip you will never forget. - 31529

About the Author:

Zipline the Cloud Forest Canopy

By Elenor Q. Reynolds

If you're wondering why you should take a Cloud Forest canopy tour on your next trip to Costa Rica, it's not difficult to find a good reason. Basically, a Cloud Forest ziplining tour is an unforgettable thrill and so unique an experience. If your searching for a way to experience the tropics and have an exciting time, this will be worth your while.

A cloud forest canopy tour experience can be a spectacular family event. Folks of all ages enjoy this very unique adventure. It will certainly be a ride that will forever be remembered and cherished for years to come.

The majesty of the cloud forest is viewed from a rare point of view. While zipping through the canopy from platform to platform, you'll be able to take in vistas that only cloud forest critters would normally be priveleged to seeing. From high above the forest floor you'll witness the cloud forest from a very unique perspective that not many humans have ever experienced.

The cloud forest canopy is home to a host of very site-specific flora and fauna. Bromeliad and orchid species, glow-in-the-dark fungi, hanging moss and lichen covered tree branches are home to migrating tropical birds, howler monkeys and sloths.

The canopy tours in this area have qualified instructors and safety guides to help you enjoy your first experience with peace of mind. They will direct you on how to zipline from treetop to treetop safely, so that your worries can be put aside.

The experience that you and your entire family will have on this unique tour is something that you will be eager to repeat over and over again. If you plan to be in Costa Rica, this is the first thing that you should look for when you are trying to find tours and activities that the whole family can take part in. A Monteverde zip line experience will easily become your favorite event on your next holiday in Costa Rica. - 31529

About the Author:

Extreme Costa Rica Zip Line Tours

By Elenor Q. Reynolds

Costa Rica canopy tours are becoming increasingly popular to many more tourists visiting Costa Rica each year. Tourists aging in range from ninety years old to as young as six years old can experience this thrill of a lifetime. Do not leave Costa Rica wishing you had taken the chance to experience this incredible thrill.

If you are looking for extreme Costa Rica canopy adventure, there are many companies and locations to choose from. This will not only be a memorable experience, it will likely be something you want to do again. The incredible rush you feel traveling across the tree tops, a hundred plus feet off the ground, attached to a cable in a harness is an adrenaline rush of a lifetime.

Depending on what your extreme adventure idea is, you can bet that you will find it on a canopy tour. With a range of activities outlined along the way, you get to choose what works best for your perfect adrenaline rush! Choose your tour operator according to your "extreme", or not, desire.

When you think of canopy tours what do you think of???? Well, the canopy is a sequence of cables that are tactically constructed in various locations throughout the forest. You are harnessed to these cables with a pulley and sent zipping over the tops of the trees to platforms that await you. Each platform has a guide to assist you with the connection and send you off to the next platform.

You job on this amazing adventure is to just relax and enjoy the ride. The hardest part about this experience will be deciding which canopy company to choose from. Age and weight restrictions do vary slightly from company to company so it's best to check prior to booking.

Prices range from about $40.00 U.S. and up depending on which tour company you choose.There are canopy tours in Herradura, which is on the Central Pacific coast, close to Jaco beach. This incredible spot offers spectacular views of the gulf of Nicoya and Pacific Ocean as you are soaring through the sky.

Between Ocotal beach and Flamingo, there is a great tour company called Congo Trail Canopy Tour. If it is eco-friendly tours you are looking for there is a theme park oriented tour that offers first-class day adventures to the rain forest. There are tours that are more famous like the rain forest aerial tram, Tropical Park or horseback riding tours and many more.

While the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and the Santa Elena reserve are both amazing places and depending on your choice, both are a must see. There are many trails to explore in Monteverde and Santa Elena reserve and they do have suspension bridges. Your birds-eye view for bromelias, orchids and of course the birds from their perspective.

When traveling to Costa Rica, remember that it's a country close to the equator. Remember to bring plenty of sunscreen, as well as insect repellent. Plan ahead and enjoy the vacation of a lifetime, beyond a doubt, a trip you will never forget. - 31529

About the Author:

Feeling frustrated trying to learn Spanish?

By Elenor Q. Reynolds

If you are eager to learn another language and it happens to be Spanish then why not come and study at one of the many language schools available in Costa Rica. It would be an unforgettable experience that you could not possibly say no to! What have you got to loose??

If you are attracted to the nature and beauty of this wonderful world in which we live, then studying Spanish in this tropical paradise will be perfect for you. Why not book your chosen course today and before you know it, you will not only be studying but you will be living a life changing experience!

Choosing your Spanish course and school might seem quite daunting and therefore I would like to suggest checking out CPI (Centro Panamericano de Idiomas) Spanish Immersion School. It is renowned for its excellence in Spanish teaching and it offers variety, especially with regards to where that excellence is taught. There are three beautiful schools and each is set in its own distinct place. What could be better than dividing your time between three places of nothing but pure, paradise?

CPI Heredia is situated in a typical Costa Rican town, named San Joaquin de Flores. It takes approximately a 30 minute ride to reach Costa Rica's capital; San Jose. The lush gardens that surround the school are ideal for relaxing in during your free time and for those who just can't sit still can opt to play ping pong, soccer or even basketball.

The second school is lodged high up on a mountain top, nestled between the small Santa Elena town and the Monteverde Quaker community. The area boasts its nature and wildlife which exist within the depths of the cloud forest; birds, monkeys and if you are lucky even a puma! The school offers a range of facilities; a mini gym, jacuzzi, hammocks and best of all one of the perfect positions from which to watch the stunning sunset after an eventful day!

CPI Flamingo is located in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica, which is notorious for its stretches of white, pristine beaches and crystal, blue waters. The Flamingo area has a slight Northern American feel to it, so take a trip to the nearby typical Costa Rican towns. The school has a place to play basketball and ping pong. If you want to relax and cool down then why not take advantage of the swimming pool. However, if you want to go out and about then take a 5 minute walk to Flamingo Beach.

At ICC you can start your Spanish language course at any time of year and you decide if you want to study for a week, a month or even a whole year. Specialized Spanish programs are offered, catering for all individual needs. The three schools are interconnected so if you want to divide your course between them, then moving is hassle free. All you need to do is sit back, relax and take in the views, one after the next .... after the next. Need I say more?

Once CPI has selected the right Spanish Program for you it doesn't stop there. It can arrange your accommodation. If you don't want to speak anything but Spanish then a home stay would be ideal. Nevertheless CPI also offers stay in one of its fully equipped and furnished studios, which are located close to the school.

Take advantage of the exotic paradise In which you room. When you have free time be it an hour, a day or a weekend, why not get out there and explore those surreal surroundings, Because I promise you that there is nowhere in the world quite like Costa Rica. It is a country that possesses beautiful beaches, xxx jungles, mysterious mountains and vicious volcanoes. - 31529

About the Author:

Sign Up for our Free Newsletter

Enter email address here