Tip - Improving your listening/ speaking skills
A repost from the Fluenz FB discussion thread....
Help!! I can't understand a word they are saying....if they'd just slow down and enunciate each word....we've all been there:). Well, that's just how Spanish is spoken. So, what to do?
A technique that has helped me is to read Spanish out loud...a lot. If you can say it, you can hear it! Well.....in time.
Here's the method I use. Pick a paragraph from a Spanish magazine, blog, etc. Now, scan the paragraph for natural breaks...commas, y, como que. Don't worry about translation just yet. It's all about developing a natural rhythm. Print it out of if it will help you to break it up. Underline groups of words, circle the ends of 2 words you know will sound like 1 word...la amiga (lamiga) ......su maleta (sumaleta)....a la(ala). You get the idea.
Next, group 4-5 words together. Say them out loud. On to the next group of words, etc. Focus on each group of words as 1 unit of sound. When you can fluidly say each group of words, connect 2 groups and again, practice out loud until you can read two groups out loud fluidly, as one unit of sound. Eventually you will be able to read the paragraph quite fluidly.
The next step is to determine what each sound unit means in English. Literally translating word by word will not work in the long run. The sentences found in the Fluenz lessons are perfect for this. Repeat each sentence out loud until you can say each one as a fluid unit of sound which represents an idea, a thought, etc in English. It is critical that you read out loud not just say it in your mind. Imitate the speaker over and over.
Pay particular attention to correct pronunciation of the vowels....a, e, i, o, u. Ma, me, mi, mo, mu, ta, te, ti, to, tu, pa, pe, pi, po, pu is a nice little phonetic exercise to do everyday.
Over time, you will find your listening skills improve. It's lots of hard work. There are no shortcuts to becoming fluent in a language. I hope that some of you will find this tip helpful. ¡Hasta pronto!
Status:
Open Mar 05, 2011 - 10:57 AM