Spanish Blog 365
Post 135 of 365
Es martes
Hey, Welcome!
This week we have some fun planned, but it’s going to be a lot of work on your part! However, it’ll be worth it!
Mucho trabajo pero ¡Vale la pena!
When we learn a new language we do so in order to ‘speak’ to people, however, the way the language learning process goes, that is one the last pieces to come into place.
Here’s part of the reason: to learn a language we want to include 4 components:
reading, writing, listening and speaking. On Spanish Blog 365, you get all of these activities.
leer
escribir
escuchar/comprender
hablar
all of these activities contribute to better speech.
How adults learn foreign language
Activo / Pasivo – Considering these words and the 4 components above let’s say that…
Leer es pasivo. Nadie te espera. – Reading is ‘passive.’ Nobody is waiting for you.
Escribir es pasivo. Nadie te espera. – Writing is ‘passive.’ Nobody is waiting for you.
Escuchar / comprender es pasivo o activo, depende si alguien te espera. – Listening or comprehension is ‘passive or active’, depending on if anybody is waiting for you.
Hablar es muy activo! Otras personas te esperan. – Speaking is ‘very active! People are waiting for you.
When it is ‘pasivo‘ you can take your time to figure it out. There is no time pressure.
However, when it is ‘activo‘ as in having to listen closely so you understand and can respond properly in a conversation or having to speak which is ‘muy activo‘, the pressure is on and it gets very chaotic in your mind trying to organize all the words you’ve learned and get them to come out in an organized fashion…quickly.
The only way to really get past this is to get experience with the language. I’m really big on practicing aloud in private. The more you say words out loud the easier they will come out in a real conversation. Saying words aloud lets you hear them and practice saying them…getting your mouth, jaw and cheeks around them. Again, you’ll recognize these same words quicker when you hear someone else say them. Don’t worry about your pronunciation! Spanish is a phonetic language so chances are you are doing just fine. Again, you’ll recognize the words easier when you hear someone else say them, like a native speaker and you’ll say, Oh!, that’s that word I’m learning! and then you’ll have the reference to pronounce it correctly next time.
We are all constantly improving and fine-tuning our pronunciation. Even if you live in a place where Spanish speakers are all around you like Mexico or Spain, etc… you still need this ‘Out Loud Private Practice’. You’ll notice a big difference with the ease when ordering your next cup of coffee or meal, both in the pronunciation, but also in the way the words flow out of you! 😉 It’s a beautiful thing!
You can do this Out Loud Private Practice in your car, at home, while walking on the beach or in the mountains.
Anywhere where nobody can hear you and you feel free to experiment with language.
This week is all about getting the words to flow.
Today we’ll begin by talking about yourself. Below is a short reading for you to memorize. Before reading it aloud, let’s begin with a warm up.
Repite conmigo
Las vocales y más – a, e, i , o, u,
erre con erre burro
llantas, la llantería
huele delicioso, sabe a ajo, queso
limpio
tratamientos
aprender
estoy aprendiendo español, señor
1.
Hola
Buenos días. Me llamo Carolina. ¿Cómo se llama Usted? (your name)
¿Miguel? Mucho gusto. (María)
2.
Mi apellido es Saavedra. (your last name)
Soy de California pero vivo en Denver. (Uruguay…Florida)
Hace 3 años que vivo aquí. (15)
3.
Trabajo para una compañía grande. (pequeña)
Estoy aprendiendo español porque me gusta viajar. (castellano … tengo amigos de Sevilla)
4.
Voy a España en el otoño y a México en la primavera. (Salamanca …el verano …. Guatemala …el invierno)
5.
Los sábados por la mañana me gusta dar un paseo. (jueves…trabajar)
6.
Los domingos por la tarde me gusta mirar una película. (viernes…salir con amigos)
7.
Todos los días tomo café con leche y hablo con amigos o familia. (como una ensalada…escucho música latina)
Tarea – homework
Action steps: Read aloud several times changing the word in bold for the words in parenthesis. Try to memorize it by the end of the week.
You’ll find the translation below
Muchas gracias, sigue practicando.
Hasta mañana,
Carolina
Translation
1.
Hi
Good morning. My name is Carolina. What’s your name? (your name)
Miguel? Nice to meet you. (María)
2.
My last name is Saavedra. (your last name)
I’m from California, but I live in Denver. (Uruguay…Florida)
I’ve lived here for 3 years. (15)
3.
I work for a big company. (small)
I’m learning Spanish because I like to travel. (castellano … I have friends from Sevilla)
4.
I’m going to Spain in the fall y a México en the spring. (Salamanca …the summer …. Guatemala …winter)
5.
On Saturday mornings I like to take a walk. (Thursdays … to work)
6.
On Sunday afternoons I like to watch a movie. (Friday…go out with friends)
7.
Everyday I drink coffee with milk and I talk with friends or family. (eat a salad…listen to Latin music)
