| There are tons of people who want to start | | | | Hispanic community (depending on where you |
| speaking Spanish now. There's one problem...They | | | | are). Watching the Latino TV and listening to the |
| don't know where to begin. If you fit in this group, | | | | radio stations that speak Spanish is something |
| you are probably planning on taking lessons - | | | | that is widely accessible to anybody. |
| however, you may want to teach yourself how | | | | Writing Spanish Using Dictionaries and Simple |
| to speak Spanish without lessons! | | | | Books |
| Turning on the Television and Listening to the | | | | So, let's start writing Spanish. We should probably |
| Radio | | | | start with the simplest of books: "Children's |
| Watching Latino TV and listening to radio stations | | | | Books!" These are great for obvious reasons: |
| that speak Spanish is something that practically | | | | - They are designed so that young readers will be |
| anybody can do. You do not need even the most | | | | able to comprehend |
| basic of cable to receive the Spanish speaking | | | | - They are completely grammatically correct |
| stations - all you need is an antenna that can pick | | | | - They will completely introduce you to the |
| up television signals. When you do this, you will be | | | | language |
| giving yourself the opportunity to grow accustom | | | | - Have clear descriptions of what you are reading |
| to the style of the language. This includes the | | | | It's great if you can read the child's book, |
| "speed", "pronunciation", and even certain phrases | | | | translate the words using a Spanish to English |
| and sayings. You will begin to observe trends, etc. | | | | dictionary, and try to write sentences by doing |
| When you perform one of these tasks, you may | | | | this. You will probably get so good, that you don't |
| want to consider sitting down with a dictionary | | | | even need the Spanish the English dictionary! |
| and trying to decipher some words that may | | | | Listening to Cassettes and Compact Discs |
| come through the radio. When you observe that | | | | Music is a great tool to learn Spanish, although it |
| a specific word is spoken often, you may want | | | | does not always translate completely well in |
| to look that word up and translate it using your | | | | English. The reason for this is the simple fact that |
| dictionary. You will be able to put sentences, | | | | like all cultures of music, Spanish tends to be |
| paragraphs, and even full essays together by | | | | much more expressive - and sometimes |
| practicing on a daily basis. You may also want to | | | | emotional expressions can be translated with a |
| combine this method with either a Spanish class, | | | | simple dictionary. When you listen to the music, |
| or a commercially available product that teaches | | | | you will be able to decipher certain words much |
| you Spanish. | | | | clearly, especially if it is a song which is some sort |
| One thing that many aspiring Spanish learners do | | | | of ballad, slow song, or country type song. You |
| is to listen to the Spanish radio while driving the | | | | may also pick up on the culture of the certain |
| car. This gives you an opportunity to learn the | | | | artist as well. |
| language, and to learn what's going on in the | | | | |