12 Great Ways to Waste Your Time Trying to Learn Spanish
Today, let’s take a look at 12 ways to waste your friggin’ time just trying to learn Spanish. Don’t worry, I’ve made these mistakes too! Here’s what to watch out for:
Follow along with the video for best results:
Learn Spanish Faster – Avoid These Pitfalls
- Over-Reliance on Translation Apps: Using too many translation apps can make you dependent and slow down your Spanish learning. Engage in conversations to improve faster.
- Passive Learning through Apps: Apps are great, but if you don’t practice speaking or writing, you’ll only be learning passive Spanish – which is just not good enough. Supplement apps with active practice.
- Endless Grammar Study: Focusing only on grammar without real-world practice is unproductive. Balance your study with conversation practice.
- Memorizing Vocabulary Lists: Simply memorizing vocabulary without using the words in sentences will limit retention and practical use.
- Perfectionism: Striving for perfection can hinder progress. Making mistakes is part of the learning process. Just get out there and do it!
- Not Diversifying Resources: Sticking to one resource limits exposure. Use a variety of materials to experience different accents and contexts.
- Ignoring Listening and Speaking Practice: Neglecting these skills will stunt your Spanish-learning growth. Balance all four skills, which include Input: Listening & Reading and Output: Speaking & Writing.
- Lack of Consistency: Studying inconsistently leads to forgetfulness and frustration. Regular practice is key to progress.
- Isolated Learning: Integrate Spanish into your daily life for better engagement and retention. Practice throughout your day.
- Avoiding Feedback: Not seeking feedback can make errors stick. Embrace constructive criticism for growth.
- Geographical Focus: Choose the right type of Spanish based on your needs. Focus on the regional dialect of the country or city you plan to visit or live in.
- Learning Slang First: Avoid trying to learn all the slang before mastering the basics. Focus on standard Spanish to build a solid foundation to communicate with the masses.
Avoiding these pitfalls and using your time and resources wisely will help you learn Spanish faster than you ever thought possible.
Enjoy the journey and remember, you don’t have to be perfect, just be good enough!
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Do you have any tips for someone learning Spanish but doesn’t have anyone around them that speaks the language? How can such a person get that much needed practice?
¡Leer en voz alta ayuda!
Reading out loud helps!
I am somewhat of a perfectionist and I can see how it can hinder my progress in learning the language. Indeed, mistakes are part of learning and we shouldn’t beat ourselves up about it.
¡Claro!
Exactly!
I am glad I have read your article before starting on my Spanish learning journey. I will definitely be sure to avoid these mistakes. Thanks.
¡Bueno! Gracias por tu comentario.
Good! Thank you for your comment.
The Endless Grammar Study is a mistake that a lot of people tend to make. With time the grammar kind of just comes to you naturally.
¡Claro!
Exactly!
I am guilty of quite a few of these mistakes. I’m so glad I ran into your article as now I can start learning Spanish the proper way.
Si, ¡puedes hacerlo!
Yes, you can do it!
I like that you point out how one should not solely rely on apps to learn Spanish. I see a lot of people who use Duolingo but never compliment it with every day practice.
Sí, desefortunadamente DuoLingo puede ser una “trampa mortal” para muchos estudiantes de español.
Yes, unfortunately DuoLingo can be a “death trap” for many Spanish learners.
I do agree that over-reliance on translation apps can be counter-productive. It’s much better to engage in actual conversations.
Claro, gracias por tu comentario.
Definitely, thank you for your comment.
You’re very right with these errors to avoid while learning Spanish language. In fact, not only the said language but all. Thanks for this great information.
Gracias por tu comentario.
Thank you for your comment.