10 Things to be aware while attending a Spanish Language School:

Published: 11th March 2011
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If you're like most people who are thinking about attending a Spanish Language School, you don't want to sound like an idiot. Making mistakes is a natural part of learning any language (even the one you grew up with), but chances are you don't want to make some of the easily avoidable mistakes that might make you sound less intelligent than you are.

Here, then, are 10 common mistakes that English speakers commonly make when attending a Spanish Language School. They aren't necessarily the most common errors, but they are ones that should studiously be avoided if you hope to get beyond a beginner's level.

1.Assuming that Spanish words that look like English words mean the same thing: Words that have the same or similar form in both languages are known as cognates. Since Spanish and English share a large vocabulary derived from Latin, more often than not words that are alike in both languages have similar meanings. But there are plenty of exceptions, and it wouldn't be a bad idea to study a lists of false cognates and partial cognates. You'll find, for example, that embarazada usually means "pregnant" rather than "embarrassed," and that a violador usually is a rapist, not someone who merely committed a traffic infraction.


2.Using pronouns unnecessarily: With very few exceptions, English sentences require a subject. But in Spanish, that frequently isn't true. Where it would be understood by the context, the subject of a sentence (which in English often would be a pronoun) can and usually should be omitted. It usually wouldn't be grammatically incorrect to include the pronoun, but a good Spanish Language School will teach you to omit it.

3.Not learning how to use prepositions properly: Prepositions can be notoriously challenging and in a Spanish Language School they will spend some time explaining the proper use, put attention to these classes. It can be helpful to think about the purpose of the prepositions as you learn them, rather than their translations.

4.Always following English sentence order: You can usually follow English sentence order (except for putting most adjectives after the nouns they modify) and be understood. But as you're learning Spanish at a Spanish Language School, pay attention to the many times where the subject is placed after the verb. Changing the word order can sometimes subtly change the meaning of a sentence, and your use of the language can be enriched as you learn different word orders.


5.Translating idioms word for word: Both languages have their share of idioms, phrases whose meanings cannot readily be determined from the meanings of the individual words. A Spanish Language School will show you the idioms of Spanish and how to use them.

6.Not learning when to use articles (un, una, el, la, los, las): Foreigners learning English often have a hard time knowing when to use or not use "a," "an" and "the," and it's the same for English speakers trying to learn Spanish. Using them incorrectly usually won't keep you from being understood, but it will mark you as someone who's awkward with the language.

7.Not learning the subjunctive mood: In English, we seldom make a distinction when verbs are in the subjunctive mood. But the subjunctive can't be avoided in Spanish if you wish to do more than state simple facts and ask simple questions. A good Spanish Language School will teach you when and when not to use the Subjunctive Mood.

8.Ignoring proper pronunciation: Spanish pronunciation isn't all that difficult to learn, and you should make an effort to imitate native speakers whenever possible. Make sure the Spanish Language School you are attending is correcting your pronunciation.

9.Assuming that Spanish speakers are always correct: Even educated people don't always talk according to the rules. Although Spanish according to the rules will almost always be understood, it can lack the texture and sincerity of Spanish as it really is spoken. Your Spanish Language School should teach you how native speakers say things so you can sound more like a native speaker.

10. Being afraid to make mistakes: Mistakes are inevitable with learning, and the worst mistake you could make would be to be fearful of using what you know. Remember that no matter how many mistakes you make, wherever you go to a Spanish Language School your sincere attempts to learn the language will almost always be appreciated.

For more information about Spanish Language School please move on www.sipuebla.com

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Source: http://jerrywilson.articlealley.com/10-things-to-be-aware-while-attending-a-spanish-language-school-2109581.html


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