Here 13 common mistakes you probably make when learning Spanish.
When learning a foreign language we need to pay attention to these mistakes if we really want to success.
Did you set up your goals with Spanish already?Are you ready to learn a new language?Do you have a learning method or a teacher to help you improving Spanish?
Think about how you are learning Spanish or how you would like to start learning Spanish.
The 3 most common mistakes when learning Spanish:
- To forget setting up your goals or don’t have a powerful reason to study Spanish. Even though any reason could be a good reason to start learning, you need to think about what you would like to achieve with Spanish and how you would do it.
- To tell yourself ‘you are not good at languages’ or it is ‘too late’ to start learning Spanish right now. Get rid of this idea. Anyone can learn a language especially if you know how to do it.
- To be unready to step out of your comfort zone. Yes, you need to get prepared for the beautiful, uncomfortable, amazing, awkward process of learning Spanish!
Myths when learning Spanish:
- To think that you need to live in a Spanish speaking country in order to learn the language properly. For sure, it would help living in the country, but this doesn’t mean it is the only way to learn Spanish. You can make your own Spanish world and be immersed in the language wherever you are. It is just a way of living and thinking.
→ How to learn a language effectively and fluently. My struggles learning English.
- To believe that you will learn Spanish fast and in a short period of time. Unfortunately, I’m afraid you will need time, practice and dedication if you really want to fulfill your goals with Spanish. It also depends on many aspects like the time you spend practising the language, your Spanish learning method, your mother tongue language, etc.
- To avoid talking just because you are afraid of making mistakes and what people will think about you. I completely understand it. I was there, I’m still there sometimes, even while talking my native language.
My recommendation is to find the proper strategies and techniques that help you overcome this. In the lessons with my students we work on their confidence and fluency with the Spanish Alter Ego Method.
- To study just grammar without practising it. One of the biggest mistakes is to think I will learn Spanish grammar and vocabulary and then I will be ready to talk or practice the language.
The more you procrastinate, the later you will start learning Spanish effectively.
- To think you will always be improving in a straight line without taking into account that mental blocks, lack of energy or motivation might occur. The process of learning a language goes through different phases, states and feelings. Embrace all of them and keep your mind strong to overcome any difficulty.
Level, method and materials are crucial for learning Spanish:
- To practice with Spanish books or materials over your real Spanish level. In this case, you will probably get frustrated and you will lose your motivation to keep practising and learning. It is not recommended to use difficult materials to understand or practice with, but the ones are just a bit challenging for us. This way, you will keep up your engagement and motivation.
- To learn just the vocabulary you need for your Spanish level, even if you are not using it. Instead of learning interesting and useful vocabulary for you or your circumstances (adapted to your level too)
So, if you are not combining input and output activities your learning process could be incomplete and in fact you might be wasting your time and also your money.
- To work inconsistently and not giving the best of you to practice or study Spanish. If you really want to learn Spanish you will need to do consistent and persistent work. You will get better results if you work day by day than working a lot for a short period of time.
- To keep using the same methods or ways of learning over and over without achieving good results. If this is happening to you right now, I recommend you to think and analyse your learning situation and ask yourself these questions: Am I using any method or strategies to fulfill my goals with Spanish?Who do I practice my Spanish with?How much time do I spend learning Spanish?What should I change in order to improve my Spanish?
→ Learn more about the Spanish Alter Ego Method.
How many of these mistakes are you making at the moment?
After read these 13 mistakes when learning Spanish I recommend you to take notes, analyze and think about what you need to change or to do in order to improve or start learning Spanish effectively.
Hope this can help you in your process and experience learning Spanish 🙂
Un abrazo.
Nuria.