Learning Spanish
Language schoolsBeginnersIf you are really serious about learning Spanish you should go on an intensive beginner’s course at one of the many language schools. for a list of all the language schools in Gran Canaria, they don’t always offer Spanish classes so unfortunately it will just be a case of ringing round. The classes tend to be quite informal and follow the pace of the learners. They vary from a week to a month. If the school you want to go to doesn’t have any courses and they offer private tuition you’d be better off finding your own private tutor as it will be much cheaper.
BooksBelow are a few books we have used and would recommend. <A HREF=”mce_HREF=”Widgets</A> CDsMichel Thomas has created a 8 CD set for learning Spanish and he claims that after listening to the 8 CDs you’ll be confident in the language. Whereas they don’t teach you all the grammar necessary and all the vocabulary they are a very good start and are a great way to build your confidence. You can buy them at Amazon here but they are also available on various P2P file sharing sites for free. <A HREF=”mce_HREF=”Widgets</A> InternetThere are a number of great resources on the internet to help you learn Spanish. The following sites are highly recommended.On learnspanish.com they have a very useful audio guide to the top 100 spanish phrases, it is well worth downloading and listening to as it will actually make you sound more Spanish and less foreign.
PodcastsSubscribing to Spanish podcasts is a great way to learn the language. The following are a good start.
However a search in itunes for Spanish lessons will give you a plethora of choices
Our recommendations.We at GCGuru have many years experience teaching and learning foreign languages and these are our recommendations to sound like a Canarian.
First1. Get a private tutor – have about 2 hours of classes a week. This will improve your speaking and listening.2. Use the Michel Thomas Learn Spanish CDs – these will boost confidence and give you a real kick start in the language. Although they will not give the grammatical base that you will later need, they will give you the confidence to go out there and try to use the language.3. Work your way through a textbook. Starting Spanish from scratch is a slow process if you only work with your tutor. If you work hard by yourself on vocabulary and grammar you will improve a lot quicker.
We arrived in GC in September, using this method, by Christmas we were socialising with Spanish people, watching Harry Potter at the cinema in Spanish and were comfortable in most situations.
Second1. Read a book – get a trashy novel and read it – don’t look up the vocabulary unless absolutely necessary and enjoy reading in Spanish. Choose your book wisely. The Harry Potter books, CS Lewis and Isabel Allende’s children’s books are a good start.2. Try to watch TV – choose an American programme dubbed into Spanish, they use less vocabulary and are easy to understand. To begin with use subtitles in Spanish too. 3. Continue with your tutor.4. Listen to a couple of podcasts and try to learn some Spanish phrases. The real Spanish vocabulary guide is a very good start.
Good Luck.