Spanish Online Lessons | Learn Spanish Speaking

Reference & EducationLanguage

  • Author Marcos Soriano
  • Published April 10, 2010
  • Word count 586

Is there such a thing as an innate aptitude for learning a language such as Spanish? Although some people seem to be able to learn a language faster or with more ease than others, there is no evidence that certain people are born with an advantage. The human brain is miraculous to study and the way that our brains learn a new language is fascinating. Think about how you learned your first language. Did you start by picking up a dictionary and listening to grammar lessons on tape? Doubtful, considering that from the time you are born you are beginning to learn language. Learning a language is not done by memorization, but by practice, repetition , mimicking, and immersion.

The reason a language is learned this way and not through memorization is explained by how the brain is built. There are three ways that the brain is used when you learn new information. The information can be stored either in the sensory or working memory sections or in the section for long term memory. The sensory memory is what is used when the brain immediately receives input. Looking at an address as you enter a friends house and then immediately using the information to relay the address to someone on the phone is usage of the sensory memory. Working memory, or short-term memory, functions as a notepad in your brain. By paying attention to information that enters your sensory memory, you can recall phone numbers, names, and movie times for some time after you initially received the information. Working memory, however, erodes quickly because when you are alert, your sensory memory is constantly adding new information to your working memory.

On average, information stored in your working memory erodes within two hundred milliseconds and has a very limited capacity. So how do you get information to transfer from your working memory to you long-term memory? It is not by memorization,but rather by authentically using the new information. Think about the things that you know how to do easily; the things that are second nature and take no thought, perhaps driving a car, dialing your home phone number, or driving to school or work. Now think about how many times you have done these things. The information that is stored in your long-term memory is information that you have used hundreds or even thousands of times. Your long-term memory is what you want to store a new language in, but how do you get that information there?

To get started learning Spanish, begin by seeking out sources like radio, tv, or any videos online where you can begin engagin your senses and hearin the language. You should also start to read Spanish newspapers and watch Spanish movies that have English subtitles. These methods will help you to practice and have fun when you are not in your online virtual classroom. You should certainly try to communicate with other Spanish people in your neighborhood so that you can polish off your verbal skills before you visit Spain on a holiday or on a business trip. Translation too is a good career and if you master both Spanish and English then you could have a bright future as a translator.

Along with self-help books, classes and home-tutors, you now have a choice to learn Spanish quickly by simply logging on to the Internet. This cost-effective method will help you to learn and practice Spanish quickly, and you will surely learn to speak Spanish effortlessly and fluently within no time.

Marcos Soriano and Olivia Wacek are the co-founders of Spanish Classroom Revolution, a multimedia online Spanish training course packed with video lessons, podcasts, video flashcards, weekly challenges and much much more. Finally speak Spanish! Get your free DVD and manual while they last! http://www.SpanishClassroomRevolution.com

Article source: https://articlebiz.com
This article has been viewed 757 times.

Rate article

Article comments

There are no posted comments.

Related articles