| If you have tried to learn a new language, like | | | | foot until it reached a tipping point and he just |
| Spanish, you will know that it is often a tough | | | | started using the left foot all the time. He still |
| task that can be very frustrating at times. You | | | | plays soccer and is now completely 'fluent' with |
| often feel that you are making no progress | | | | the left foot. |
| despite the hours and hours of study that you | | | | So what does this mean about learning Spanish ? |
| put in. The fundamental stumbling block is that | | | | Well, the first point is motivation. You need to get |
| you have been conditioned over years to think | | | | motivated. You have to have a good enough |
| unconsciously in English. That means you implicitly | | | | reason to learn the language. If you don't, then |
| understand the grammar and nuances of the | | | | you will end up using the right....I mean using English |
| language. This often leads to an over reliance on | | | | rather than Spanish. This doesn't mean inflict pain |
| your native tongue and the reluctance to build | | | | on yourself whenever you speak English but |
| your foreign language knowledge from the ground | | | | develop goals that you can tick off when they |
| up because you don't know how. | | | | are achieved that serve to motivate you. Have a |
| If you have ever played soccer, it is similar to | | | | long term goal, like work in Spain or date a |
| using your right and left feet to play the ball. Most | | | | Spanish speaking person. Have short term goals |
| people are right footed and they learn their skills | | | | and reward yourself every time you reach these |
| with the right foot. As they get better at dribbling | | | | goals. |
| or shooting they continue to use it. They score | | | | The second point is to give yourself the |
| some great goals and have many positive | | | | opportunity to learn the basics. There is no |
| experiences. Then they think that to become a | | | | substitute for this. You have to learn the basics |
| more rounded player they must learn to shoot | | | | before your knowledge will really expand. The |
| with the left foot. They try and it's dreadful. They | | | | best way to do this is through the Spanish |
| miss hit the ball or get tackled. They can't score a | | | | immersion method. Immerse yourself in the |
| goal and get frustrated. Then without even | | | | language. Cut yourself off from English as much |
| thinking, they find that they are shooting with the | | | | as possible. Learn every nuance and facet of the |
| right foot again. They remind themselves to use | | | | language and culture. Watch Spanish films, read |
| the left foot but in a tight game they always end | | | | Spanish books, participate in Spanish language |
| up using the right. This is often the problem with | | | | forums. Get Spanish pen pals. Learn about |
| learning a new language. So what is the answer ? | | | | Spanish, Mexican or any other Spanish language |
| To continue with the soccer analogy, a friend of | | | | foods. You are only limited by your imagination as |
| mine was getting repeated strains and injuries to | | | | to how much Spanish you want in your life. The |
| the ligaments of his right leg from playing soccer, | | | | ultimate is to go and live in a Spanish speaking |
| that his doctor advised that he give the game up. | | | | country but this is often not practical for many |
| Take on something less strenuous advised the | | | | people. When you think you are starting to forget |
| doctor. But he loved the game so much that he | | | | your English then you know you are fully |
| didn't want to give it up. Instead he learned how | | | | immersed (and don't worry, you won't forget |
| to kick and shoot with his left foot. Apart from | | | | your English, it's pretty much hard wired into your |
| the doctor's advice, he also experienced pain | | | | head). |
| when he used his right foot to kick the ball so the | | | | Whilst you won't learn Spanish in a week or a |
| more he used his left foot the less pain he had to | | | | month, I think these two principles are the most |
| deal with at the end of the game. As he | | | | useful things to remember when you want to |
| continued to play he became better with the left | | | | learn to speak Spanish fast. |