I’m currently running a poll on why you’re learning Spanish. Although only 14 persons voted so far, it seems that most learn Spanish to have fun. But then I ask myself: “Why do so many people use methods that aren’t fun?”. Heck, even if you don’t study Spanish for fun, it should be… FUN. Yes, fun is more important than anything. If immersion isn’t fun, it’s not good for you (although I highly doubt watching/listening/reading/doing things you love in your own language wouldn’t be great fun) (Wow, heavy use of the word “fun” in this paragraph. Oops, did it again!)
Somehow, in the past 100 years or so, people moved from language learning because it was necessary but in a natural way, to language learning because it’s necessary and being hell on earth at the same time. Yes, we need to learn languages, otherwise we can’t communicate with people. First we learn our native tongue, but often move on to other languages as well. Okay, Columbus didn’t bother; he just killed most of the Aztecs. But there are stories of Spaniards that learned the language of the natives and were able to communicate. They still killed indians, but told them in their own language they were going to slash their heads off (okay, cruel joke). The point is: they didn’t have grammar books (even Spanish didn’t have a written grammar until 1492, but that didn’t keep Spaniards from speaking their own language), classes or books in those languages, but were still able to learn a language. Who are we then to degrade language learning to a chore, something that’s evil and boring? It’s no that way!
We all want to have fun; the more, the better. It’s a natural thing, we’re here on earth to make fun. No matter how we live nowadays; we’re here to make fun. And somehow, language learning isn’t fun anymore. And that sucks, because you sure need to spend MANY hours in order to learn juuuuust a little. Yes, most people believe that you should be motivated to learn a language, otherwise you’re more likely to hurt yourself in some way than actually learning that freakin’ language. But still, they have no fun whatsover. Many don’t know their objective anymore (you know, knowing that language). They see language learning as a goal itself. Wake up call: language learning is just the way to your ultimate goal; knowing the language. The method you’re using will never ever be a goal, the most important thing is knowing that language.
To recap this rant: be sure to have fun all the time. Learning Spanish will take you quite some time, and if you don’t have fun while learning it you’ll eventually quit and never know Spanish. Yes, everything depends on the amount fun you have. Remember this formula: FUN = more input = more Spanish skills = Spanish fluency.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I second this. I don’t have an immersion environment because of lack of materials at the moment. I’m currently getting by from listening to the local Spanish radio station every time I get into the car and watching Spanish movies on YouTube (which sadly has caused me to say the “th” sound and sound more like a Spaniard than a Mexican which is what I trying to copy since I live in the southern United States.)
I’ve been study off and on for the past few weeks and, although I still can’t speak the lanuage, I feel as though I have passed a milestone. I can actually hear what people are saying now! I was never able to do that with even three years of studying Spanish in high school.
Rae: It’s still important to use things you like. Sign up for a Spanish library (like Instituto Cervantes) to get access to DVDs and CDs in Spanish. Also: as you live in the US it’s quite easy to watch Telenovelas (if you like them, of course).
You said you’ve been studying Spanish for a few weeks now. Well, if that’s the case you shouldn’t speak. Wait a few months and listen A LOT in the meanwhile. This will only make you sound more like a native and speak you more correctly.
I will definitely heed those words and shut up before I hurt myself. LOL
It makes me think of Caribbean music and rap all in one.
I’ve made it a habit to have the tv on Univisón or Galavisión. There are some telenovelas that I simply can’t sit through because of the bad acting but I do watch the news and the talk shows like El Gordo y La Flaca.
In an earlier post you said that you enjoy reggeatón; what artists do you listen to? I have taken a liking to the genre.
* If* I listen reggaeton (also called gangsta rap of the caribbean) (earlier this was a lot, but not anymore: I want lyrics with a meaning, now I can understand them
), I listen Daddy Yankee or Ángel (Ángel is more the romantic guy, I think). Nowadays I simply listen hip-hop from Spain (often has more critical lyrics, which I quite enjoy).