My Spanish Learning

From one of my faithful blog readers: I would like you to share with us how you started learning Spanish (I have read your Spanish vs French page), how much time it took you to master the language, why you chose Spanish and not Italian, etc.

I’d been studying French in high school for two years and loved it, so I decided it would be fun to learn another language. The only languages offered at my school were French and Spanish, so that made that decision easy. As for how long it took me to master it, quite frankly I haven’t. I studied Spanish for two years in high school and maybe 2 in college, and I did some Spanish translation/interpretation classes at MIIS. My level is about intermediate – I know a lot of grammar, and can often correct my husband* but when I speak my tongue gets very tied and usually wants French to come out instead. I can understand a lot more than I can say.

*He speaks Spanish fluently thanks to having worked and lived with Mexicans for more than 10 years, but he never really studied it, so does not ever know why he says anything a particular way.

Topics: Spanish language
 

6 thoughts on “My Spanish Learning

  1. Cyndi Wagner says:

    Le tete comprende mais la bouche ne comprende pas…

    La cabeza comprende pero la bosca no comprende….

    C’est normal, n’est pas?

  2. Clarence says:

    It sounds very familiar. I’ve studied Spanish for two years (threshold level/evening classes) and now I’m studing French for already two years.

    When I try to speak Spanish, most of the times I’m thinking in French and vice versa.

    I think our brain needs time to get beyond the threshold level (neurons and solid connections need to be developed :-)) in order for it to distinguish each of the languages as a separate language.

    I also think that part of it has to do with the fact that French and Spanish originate from the Latin language.

    We need to be patient and in a few more years the problems, we are now experiencing, will dissipate.
    Good luck! Bonne chance!

  3. Eduardo says:

    Laura, I wish your stay in Costa Rica helps you improve and enjoy spanish, and learn the “real” spanish, that is, the one that most spanish speaking people speak… trust me, I know, since I was born and live in Honduras, another central american country like Costa Rica.

    Now in spanish:

    Espero que su estadía en Costa Rica le ayude a mejorar y entender el “verdadero” español, o sea, el que la mayoría de los hispanoparlante hablamos… confíe en mí, yo sé porqué se lo digo, ya que yo nací y vivo en Honduras, otro paí­s centroamericano como Costa Rica.

    Saludos y le quiero comentar que estoy aprendiendo francés con usted, he aprendido mucho y quiero seguir más de cerca sus “peripecias” por el mundo, ahora en Costa Rica.

  4. will says:

    Pronoucing the Trill, R, I read your post on the producing the Trill sound, Could you give a little more info? You said if your tonge is touching the top too much it produces the “D” sound and if not, it produces an S sound.

    My problem is what sound to start making in the begging. Just start blowing? start trying the R sound? or what.

    thanks

  5. VocesEnEspañol says:

    I think motivation and personal circumstances are the most important factors that determine whether or not an adult can learn a second (or third) language. It’s not an impossible task. Where there’s a will, there is ALWAYS a way!! To all the adult language learners out there:

    Never give up, never surrender!!!

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