If you study a language and want to increase your level quickly, then you need to maximize your exposure to that language.
Although individual classes and group courses are usually a fairly complete way to study a language, if you really want to improve your level in a short time, you must go further. For this, it is necessary to use all possible strategies and maximize your contact with the language.
Here I share some ideas that cover all aspects of language. There are different ideas for different types of students. Choose the ones that you can easily implement in your daily life to form the habit.
For vocabulary:
- memorize your favorite songs
- use memory cards (in paper or digital)
- change the language of your devices to Spanish
- use learning apps
- read books, newspapers and write a list of new words
- classify vocabulary into categories
- follow Spanish teachers on social media.
For grammar:
- use learning apps
- Study with other students to practice and learn together
- Summarize what you have learned
- take individual or group classes
- Watch videos with explanations of grammar points on YouTube
- Do exercises online with self-correction
For communication and conversation:
- listen to podcasts and repeat
- speak aloud simulating a dialogue
- talk to other Spanish students
- use memory cards and repeat them out loud
- watch movies or series in Spanish with subtitles and try to notice how people speak
- take individual or group classes
For reading comprehension:
- read books adapted to your level (especially if you are an elementary level student)
- read authentic material (real life material, not created for students) such as books in their original versions, reading the newspaper or articles online, etc.
For listening comprehension:
- listen to podcasts in Spanish
- listen to songs and try to understand what they say before reading the lyrics
- speak with native speakers or other Spanish students
- watch movies or series in Spanish with subtitles
To sum up, the more you are exposed to a language, the better it is. Try to incorporate some of these suggestions to your daily life and soon you will start to see a difference!
