While I generally think that Lee Binz has good ideas, I have to disagree with several points in her recent post, “Foreign Language is like Weight Watchers”. To begin at the beginning, she says, “Learning a new language is work.” I disagree. I have learned a significant amount of Spanish through No-Work Spanish audiobooks, which [...]
From the category archives:
Ways to Learn Spanish
Practice Speaking Spanish while Traveling in Spain
I know I’m not alone when thinking that while it would be great to practice speaking Spanish in Spain, that I’m worried people will find my limited Spanish irritating. So I asked a Spanish native (I’ll tell you who later) about this issue and here is her reply: I know for sure that people in [...]
New Way to Learn Spanish Dates Back to 1884
A new way to learn Spanish that dates back to 1884? Yes, that’s right, not a typo, 1884. I had never heard this story, but apparently back in the 1800′s there was a man, James Henry Worman who came up with an idea for a ‘new’ way to learn a foreign language. His method used [...]
What Spanish Words Should I Learn First?
I came across an interesting article talking about a study done by Mark Davies at Brigham Young University — which says, among other things that learning the top 2000 most frequently used words in Spanish will allow you to understand 84% of written non-fiction, 86.1% for written fiction, and 92.7% of oral speech. I decided [...]
Easiest Way to Learn Spanish Gets Another Boost
After more delays than a road trip on Thanksgiving weekend, The Case of the Missing Poodle, the third title in No-Work Spanish’s audiobook collection is available. I know I’m biased, but I think it’s been worth the wait. We added a new voice, Chip Wood, who reads the Dad voice with wonderful calm that contrasts [...]
Where to Practice Speaking Spanish on Holiday
In my last post, I talked about improving your Spanish pronunciation and confidence speaking Spanish. While the methods I listed are good, a MUCH more fun and effective way to practice speaking Spanish is to do so by traveling to Spanish-speaking countries, hopefully while on a nice vacation. I’m not exactly a globe-trotter, so when [...]
Spanish Pronunciation: Do You Hesitate to Speak Spanish?
There are a lot of reasons people want to improve their pronunciation of Spanish words when they are learning Spanish. Many people learning Spanish hesitate to speak Spanish, afraid that they sound unintelligible, awkward, or simply like someone who still belongs in Spanish 101 on Day 1. So here are a couple ways to get [...]
Why I Do Like Facebook
Having posted about why I don’t like Facebook, now I’ll balance with a reason that I do like Facebook. It is very easy to post a question to people, such as: What’s the hardest part of learning a foreign language? Go on…. give an answer. I posted this on another forum and so far, that [...]
Links to Info About Learning Spanish
Just calling attention to the fact that I added a section, “Links about Learning Spanish” over in the right-hand column. I did this after running across a great blog about learning Spanish. Its author, Andrew, says he’s …still in the process of figuring this stuff out (learning Spanish), so this isn’t so much the professor [...]
Learn Spanish Video
I created a video version of chapter 1 of Yaks March on Washington. Enjoy and pass it on to friends! P.S. That is actually a picture of Phil Wykle (in the video) who the story Yaks March on Washington is based on. It may not be a particularly good picture, but it is Phil. The [...]
