Thinking about learning Spanish and entering a university in Spain but don’t know where to start? You are not at all sure that you can handle it maybe? This article is for you. We examined the possible difficulties in detail and advised on learning to read, write and speak in the Cervantes language and collected many valuable resources. You will only need to know essential Spanish words for beginners to start using our small guide.
You Have to Start Learning on Your Own
- The first thing you have to know is your motivation. It seems like you want to learn Spanish, but you are not sure why? Chances are good; you will get bored quickly. You need to understand your motivation and not lose sight of it: think about what exactly you want to get, and maybe you want to read “One Hundred Years of Solitude” in the original or understand Enrique Iglesias singing about it. Some people dream of visiting a Spanish-speaking country one day and making friends with the locals without taking classes of Spanish tutors all the time, or maybe even moving abroad and staying there forever. Each of these aspirations is equally important; the main thing is to find your own.
- Set realistic goals and break them down into long-term and short-term ones. Understanding the global result is essential, but it can seem unattainable, and any momentary progress is insignificant. For example, you want to discuss with a Spaniard the pros and cons of an exciting and bloody bullfight in three months, know the future of Futuro Simple and vocabulary on the topics “Mi pasatiempo favorito,” “En el restaurant,” and “En la tienda” in two and be able to tell about yourself and your interests in the present tense in a month.
- Tell your loved ones that you started learning Spanish. They will support your endeavors, and you will receive an additional incentive not to give up what you started. Remember to share your successes and reward yourself for them, even if they seem very humble to you. Learning the ser conjugation is already a big deal.
Learn More Spanish Words
Let’s take a look at some more tips on learning Spanish:
- Learn words by topic: there are a large number of ready-made vocabulary lists of any difficulty level. Start with basic concepts on topics such as days of the week, colors, and family, and then move on to more voluminous and complex topics like health, sports, or leisure. You can also group the exact root words and synonyms at a more advanced level.
- Use spaced repetition. You need to return to it at different intervals so that what you have learned is not forgotten: immediately after the end of the reading, 20 minutes after the first repetition, then after one day, two weeks, and three months. It is best to use phrases rather than individual words. It can be used in conversation, and they also contain additional information and images, which means they are easier to remember.
Some More Tips on Learning Spanish
Choose what you understand well. Many people think that the more challenging listening is, the better, and it is wrong. You should understand 80-90% of the audio. It means that you should be familiar with most of the vocabulary as well as grammatical structures. Onda Campuspersonas con Historia radio broadcasts are more suitable for those who continue to levels B1-B2. A series of listening exercises from SpanishPod 101 with essential dialogues is a much better option for beginners A1-A2.
The rule is the same as for listening: do not tackle the texts of classical literature if you have an insufficient level of language. You will quickly lose interest and self-confidence if you don’t know every second word. It is best to choose the material with a ready-made dictionary, illustrations, and a little grammar reference.
Wrap Up
Preparing for university in Spain is not an easy task. It will be much easier when it comes time to choose a school or program that suits your needs. We hope this article has been helpful as you prepare for life abroad! Good luck with all of your future endeavors!
