Monday, January 12, 2009

Learn Spanish CD - Audio Spanish Is The Best Way To Learn Spanish

By Adrian Fletcher

Spanish is one of the most diversely spoken languages in the world. It is estimated that up to 400 million people currently speak it as their first language with many more learning it. In countries like the United States it is growing in popularity as a second language.

A popular method to learn Spanish is to use an audio course. Such a course generally comes on mp3 or CD and is a convenient way to learn the language. This article will explain why an audio course is a good option.

If you are looking for the right type of course to learn Spanish, I would say that it should have an audio part to it.

Why ? Well, the crux of learning any language is to talk to people. People like to share and receive different perspectives on a topic. This could be socially or in business, but ultimately people like to talk.

By comparison to reading, writing and grammar, I would suggest that speaking is far more important. True these other skills are vital to developing your Spanish language skills but the number one priority is speaking. This is illustrated by how you learned your first language. You spoke it long before you considered learning grammar or writing.

So talking is the first skill to have if you want to learn Spanish. Oddly enough it is also the hardest becuase it combines many skills to get it right.

You have to be able to pronounce words correctly. You have to be able to comprehend what is being said to you to hold a conversation. And you have to do both of these things quickly if the conversation is to flow naturally.

A Spanish audio course allows you to learn and practice these skills without having to converse with another person. They slow down the process until you are comfortable and you can use them anywhere you like.

For instance, listening to an audio course in the car is a potentially great use of dead time. Rather do something constructive with your time than sitting in grid lock every day.

However, it is debatable whether you can give your full concentration to the course while driving at the same time. Many courses advise against doing this but in my experience you can do it if you have listened to the CD many times and just want to touch up some of your knowledge.

Most audio course range from around 30 to 45 lessons. A lesson will last around 15 - 30 minutes in length. The basic format is you listen and then repeat. you will be asked questions, give and answer and then hear how it should be said. Once you hear the answer you should repeat, trying to perfect the accent. Most will take you from beginner to advanced levels.

Advanced level pretty much means being able to ask basic questions, understand the repsonse and then say something in response. It doesn't mean fluent Spanish. This requires far more practice, including learning more grammar, turns of phrase and speaking to native speakers.

In my view, being confident about talking to people is as important as the language skills you have. Once you get to this stage your Spanish language skills will really take off. However, a good Spanish audio course is the first step in this process. - 16955

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