Learn Spanish fast – find similarities between English and Spanish words

Admin — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:33:00 +0000

Finding similarities between the Spanish words you are learning and English words in your vocabulary is one of the most effective ways of expanding your knowledge of the new language. When you start learning Spanish, many of the words you come across from lesson one look similar in both languages, or even identical: individual, mineral, hora, presentar, teléfono, momento, electrónico, radio, recomendar, salmón, limón, apartamento and countless more. Those will be easy to learn and to remember, and a great boost to your motivation. In my experience both as a Spanish teacher and as a student of foreign languages, what is even more encouraging is finding less obvious connections between words in both languages. For instance, have you noticed that the Spanish word for ‘beef’ and ‘cow’ (vaca) has the same origin as the English word ‘vaccine’?; or are you aware of how many English words share their origin with the Spanish numbers: unity (uno), duo (dos), trio (tres), quartet (cuatro), sexagenarian (seis), September (seven), octopus (ocho), November (nueve), December (diez)?Once you have seen those similarities, you are more likely to remember the new Spanish words without effort because your brain works by making associations. If you have ever tried to learn lists of Spanish words without context or associations you will know what a hopeless endeavor that is. That is why I always teach Spanish vocabulary to my students by connecting the new words to other words they already know. Even if you have only just started learning Spanish, making those connections will be one of your greatest allies. They will save you precious time and energy, and will transform the learning process into a game and an enjoyable challenge. The problem, however, is that if you are a beginner, or even if you have already reached an intermediate level, finding similarities between English and Spanish words might not always be easy. A good Spanish language course, however, should point at those similarities, as well as guide you through the most efficient vocabulary learning techniques. To show you how much faster you can learn new Spanish words by associating them to other words you are familiar with, here are twenty-five everyday Spanish words. In brackets I have given you the English translation and on the right is the English word of the same origin as the Spanish:lavadora (washing machine) – lavatorymicroondas (microwave) – undulatecongelador (freezer) – to congealbebida (drink) – beveragecaña (small beer) – canecopa (glass) – cupmanta (blanket) – mantlevino (wine) – vineyardtinto (red [wine]) – tinctureterraza (balcony) – terracemarisco (shellfish) – marinaquerer (to want) – to querycarne (meat) – carnivoreprimero (first) premiercasa (house) – casinotener (to have) – tenantantes (before) – antenatalequipaje (luggage) – to equiphabitación (room) – cohabitationlavaplatos (dishwasher) – lavatory, platemandar (to order) – mandateordenador (computer) – orderencantado (delighted) – enchantedlibre (vacant) – libertycarta (menu) – cartographyCan you connect other Spanish words you know to English words of the same origin? What about ‘pasillo’, ‘fumador’, ‘último’, ‘pescado’, ’suavizante’, ’sombrilla’?

The Easiest Way To Learn Languages

Admin — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 17:36:46 +0000

The easiest way to learn languages cannot be found in one single method. The truth is, there are many different ways to learn languages that are friendly to foreign language novices and virtually costs nothing. If you are looking for the easiest way to learn languages, you may want to start by getting yourself a dictionary of whatever language you wish to learn and start looking up random words that are often used in everyday conversations. Do not get intimidated when you do not get the words and their definition right away. It is understandable especially if you have been speaking only one language, like English, for a very long time. Language audio tapes could also come in handy. In fact, it is better if you have a dictionary and an audio tape of the language you are trying to learn for purposes of learning the correct pronunciation of the words. Remember that pronunciation is an essential part of diction in most languages. The easiest way to learn languages includes a lot of repetition. Learning languages is about the same as learning to speak your very first word as a child. It needs to be repeated to you over and over before you start saying it correctly. It sounds silly but that is really how the human brain works. It is like a sponge that absorbs information. Furthermore, the information that the brain can best absorb are those that are presents more frequently than the rest. Expose yourself to native speakers of the language you want to learn. What can perhaps be considered as the easiest way to learn languages is to be among those who speak them fluently. If you are lucky enough to know such people, take time and make an effort to get to know them and try conversing with them in their native tongue. Chances are, they will correct you whenever you mispronounce or misuse a word. It is also a great way of knowing how the words and sentences are actually spoken in regular conversations. Language manuals can be very technical sometimes that what you learn from it may sound very formal compared to what is normally used. When you learn enough words and sentences in your chosen language, make it a habit to vocalize them. Yes, you have to say those words and sentences out loud. It does not matter if you find yourself silly doing it because it is a very effective way to master a foreign language and it will surely pay off. If at all possible, have a partner when you are starting to learn languages. Perhaps your husband or your wife or even a friend may become interested in joining you to learn languages. It is very easy to learn something when you have somebody to practice with. You can do the vocal exercises together and check on each other’s progress as you go along. The easiest way to learn languages will be optimized with a well enthused learner like yourself.

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Learn Spanish fast – find similarities between English and Spanish words

The Easiest Way To Learn Languages