Your Personal Learning Process

[NiCACHiCA]

I have been studying Spanish, somewhat steadily, for the past 6 months. In the beginning, I mainly concentrated on vocabulary and the Present Indicative for verbs. I would say I have a pretty good handle on those, but obviously learning more day by day. My problem is, during a conversation I will come across a verb I'm unsure of how to conjugate or need to use another tense that I don't know yet, so instead of guessing, I automatically start talking in the infinitives for everything. (Only the people that know me WELL understand what I'm trying to say!). Now I'm trying to jump into the Past Tense and Subjunctive, but it just seems like so much to remember, and that's just with the regular verbs. I don't know where to start...So my question is, from the beginning, what was your process of learning it all. Did you do a little of everything (vocab, present tense, past, future, subjunctive, idioms, etc.), or did you learn one thing at a time (and in what order)? Any help I can gleam from your experiences would be GREATLY appreciated!!

[Tomisimo]

I wouldn't try to study everything at the same time. Since you have a handle on present indicative, you should probably move on to past (imperfect and preterit) and the future tenses. Along with that, study noun adjective agreement. That'll give you enough to work on for a while. Leave the subjunctive for a bit later.

[CrOtALiTo]

Originally Posted by NiCACHiCA

I have been studying Spanish, somewhat steadily, for the past 6 months. In the beginning, I mainly concentrated on vocabulary and the Present Indicative for verbs. I would say I have a pretty good handle on those, but obviously learning more day by day. My problem is, during a conversation I will come across a verb I'm unsure of how to conjugate or need to use another tense that I don't know yet, so instead of guessing, I automatically start talking in the infinitives for everything. (Only the people that know me WELL understand what I'm trying to say!). Now I'm trying to jump into the Past Tense and Subjunctive, but it just seems like so much to remember, and that's just with the regular verbs. I don't know where to start...So my question is, from the beginning, what was your process of learning it all. Did you do a little of everything (vocab, present tense, past, future, subjunctive, idioms, etc.), or did you learn one thing at a time (and in what order)? Any help I can gleam from your experiences would be GREATLY appreciated!!

You must not be unsure with your leaning, I think what the order of how you can learn the language does not the more indispensable something although it's important to be ready for the things that can beginning when you learn something new about the language, if you can try to study the verbs in their times verbals and later you can start to speak them with your friend to an oral way, so if you can start with things easier then I can suggesting you that you find places where you can improve your Spanish and so a little by little you will can learn the words easier than now, the words from Spanish are harder to learn them because exist more meanings than in English in some words, but really is easy the Spanish because you have choicer to get words with the same meaning or hang, only you need to have more concentration and handle with your learning, I don't know more about you or your situation about it, but if you need support with it, I will glad in help you.

And I know that my support can give you handler in your learning.

[bobjenkins]

The way which was easiest for me was to practice them separately, take a week and do the present (which you already have So move on to the past tense for a week or two, then the subjunctive and so on...

Write down the conjugated ending ALOT and you will remember them

Once you remember them all, as you said, you will start to sometimes use them at the wrong times, but just have confianza and keep practicing
(Try to speak, write to someone that will correct you or your mistakes will go unnoticed and its hard to relearn something you have learned wrong)

Te espero el mejor

[CrOtALiTo]

Originally Posted by bobjenkins

The way which was easiest for me was to practice them separately, take a week and do the present (which you already have So move on to the past tense for a week or two, then the subjunctive and so on...

Write down the conjugated ending ALOT and you will remember them

Once you remember them all, as you said, you will start to sometimes use them at the wrong times, but just have confianza and keep practicing
(Try to speak, write to someone that will correct you or your mistakes will go unnoticed and its hard to relearn something you have learned wrong)

Te espero el mejor

Yes it could to be one way to learn it.

[NiCACHiCA]

I have been looking over a little of each this week; preterite, imperfect, subjunctive, commands, etc. No wonder I can't sleep at night! All I see are different Spanish words floating around in my head, trying to figure out if it's the right ending!! ...I guess I just want to learn and speak better so badly, that I was trying to rush things along! I think I will just study the past tense for a while. That's a big task in itself for me, knowing (and being comfortable with) when to use each tense.

Does anyone have specific websites they use to learn? Maybe one certain website that is better for learning past tense, or subjunctive mood, or adverbs, etc...or maybe one website that is great at teaching it all?

¡Muchas gracias por su ayuda!

(Quick question about my attempt in Spanish...Since I'm thanking more than one person, would the possessive pronoun need to be suyos?? It doesn't sound(seem) right to me, but it would make sense to me since it's plural!?)

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

@NiCACHiCA: I agree with David's recommendation; "attack" only one tense at a time, so you won't be confused and will learn the rules for each one of them.
My own recommendation is that you buy a conjugation manual. When one sees verbs conjugated, one tends to learn them by heart, and isolating the rules isn't easy, but a manual will give you a model and a list of verbs that are conjugated similarly, so you can learn to do it yourself.
I found Larousse's "Conjugación. Lengua Espanola" is available through amazon.com.


"Gracias por su ayuda" is right.

You only used "suyo(a)" when you're referring to a substantive that is not included in the sentence.

¿Todos trajeron sus libros? Veo que Juan no tiene los suyos.
Did anyone bring their books? I see Juan didn't bring his.

[Vikingo]

Originally Posted by NiCACHiCA

I have been looking over a little of each this week; preterite, imperfect, subjunctive, commands, etc. No wonder I can't sleep at night! All I see are different Spanish words floating around in my head, trying to figure out if it's the right ending!! ...I guess I just want to learn and speak better so badly, that I was trying to rush things along! I think I will just study the past tense for a while. That's a big task in itself for me, knowing (and being comfortable with) when to use each tense.

I'm actually going to disagree with almost everyone else, and tell you that what you've been doing for the last week was what worked for me. The different conjugations will fall into place, slowly but surely. Attack the verb endings like a hungry lion, and go for their throats! Don't get discouraged when you don't remember, just go over the tenses a few times more, and try to notice the patterns.

Also try to read a little Spanish, say a short story, and notice the verbs. You'll sit there and think: "Hmmm.. they said 'hablaron'.. -aron, that's the 3rd person plural ending for the preterite.. right, right.. so why didn't they use 'hablaban'.. ah, they're just telling what happended, plain and simple, and they're done with it.. cool, I'm getting the hang of this, let's read on.

Originally Posted by NiCACHiCA

Does anyone have specific websites they use to learn? Maybe one certain website that is better for learning past tense, or subjunctive mood, or adverbs, etc...or maybe one website that is great at teaching it all?

I used different websites, but look for one that doesn't go into too much detail in the beginning. The point is to get up to speed, and handle the details later. Studyspanish.com was one that I used, and can recommend. The free lessons were the ones I used, never bothered to pay for the rest.

Also get a very basic grammar book, for when you're not online. The one I used was called "Spansk lommegrammatikk" (Spanish pocket grammar), and even though it was only 150 pages and written in a large font, it covered enough grammar to understand the basic usage. I didn't just read it once, of course, I tried to internalize every grammar point. At the same time, I was completely aware that this wasn't everything, and that more complete and detailed books would be necessary soon.

Good luck

[CrOtALiTo]

Originally Posted by Vikingo

I'm actually going to disagree with almost everyone else, and tell you that what you've been doing for the last week was what worked for me. The different conjugations will fall into place, slowly but surely. Attack the verb endings like a hungry lion, and go for their throats! Don't get discouraged when you don't remember, just go over the tenses a few times more, and try to notice the patterns.

Also try to read a little Spanish, say a short story, and notice the verbs. You'll sit there and think: "Hmmm.. they said 'hablaron'.. -aron, that's the 3rd person plural ending for the preterite.. right, right.. so why didn't they use 'hablaban'.. ah, they're just telling what happended, plain and simple, and they're done with it.. cool, I'm getting the hang of this, let's read on.



I used different websites, but look for one that doesn't go into too much detail in the beginning. The point is to get up to speed, and handle the details later. Studyspanish.com was one that I used, and can recommend. The free lessons were the ones I used, never bothered to pay for the rest.

Also get a very basic grammar book, for when you're not online. The one I used was called "Spansk lommegrammatikk" (Spanish pocket grammar), and even though it was only 150 pages and written in a large font, it covered enough grammar to understand the basic usage. I didn't just read it once, of course, I tried to internalize every grammar point. At the same time, I was completely aware that this wasn't everything, and that more complete and detailed books would be necessary soon.

Good luck

Do you like write so much right?


Yes, I'm agree with you, I guess that you sometimes have to work very hard to learn the language as your needed, then I feel that if you have troubles with your learning but you can do less stressing your learning in Spanish taking one time to the time, I mean, if you need study some verbs today any verbs, then you study only the you need to study today, you don't get more homework that day, because your brain won't take much information and you can stressing you if you take more information of the normal.

I don't know as you can take my commentary about but only it was my view point about it.

I hope this can help you.

[lisenar]

I think that there is a big difference between learning the rules of spanish and being able to speak fluidly. I think its almost two completely different things and you have to do them both in order to become truly fluent.

[CrOtALiTo]

Originally Posted by lisenar

I think that there is a big difference between learning the rules of spanish and being able to speak fluidly. I think its almost two completely different things and you have to do them both in order to become truly fluent.

Yes. As you have said that are two different things the speak the language and to speak the language fluidly, but I think never is bad a little to handle in the learning any language.

[Vikingo]

Originally Posted by CrOtALiTo

Yes, I'm agree with you, I guess that you sometimes have to work very hard to learn the language as your needed, then I feel that if you have troubles with your learning but you can do less stressing your learning in Spanish taking one time to the time, I mean, if you need study some verbs today any verbs, then you study only the you need to study today, you don't get more homework that day, because your brain won't take much information and you can stressing you if you take more information of the normal.

I think it's important to work hard at times, and especially in the beginning, when we're talking about languages. It goes a long way, since you always forget quickly. Sitting down quietly and remembering "aba, abas, aba, ábamos, ábais, aban", doesn't take long, but it gives a reward immediately. It's also a matter of not falling into a trap of saying to yourself that "oh... this is too hard for me right now", since that is just a negative attitude that will get you nowhere.

Take the big blocks first, and the rest will follow as you work through it afterwards. And in all the romance languages verb conjugation is squarely among the big blocks. Now, when exactly to USE this or that tense is more involved, and that skill will develop over time. But first you need to recognize them.

So if NiCACHiCA feels a bit overwhelmed right now, that's just her brain working. A good thing. As long as she repeats the conjugations regularly, she'll get them down, anything else would be impossible.

If you stop at the present tense, you really can't READ anything. And that's a goal in itself. Start reading, and pay attention to what's written.

Saludos

[AutumnBreeze]

I know this thread's kinda on the old side but I wanted to comment anyway .

Originally Posted by Vikingo

I think it's important to work hard at times, and especially in the beginning, when we're talking about languages. It goes a long way, since you always forget quickly. Sitting down quietly and remembering "aba, abas, aba, ábamos, ábais, aban", doesn't take long, but it gives a reward immediately. It's also a matter of not falling into a trap of saying to yourself that "oh... this is too hard for me right now", since that is just a negative attitude that will get you nowhere.

Take the big blocks first, and the rest will follow as you work through it afterwards. And in all the romance languages verb conjugation is squarely among the big blocks. Now, when exactly to USE this or that tense is more involved, and that skill will develop over time. But first you need to recognize them.

So if NiCACHiCA feels a bit overwhelmed right now, that's just her brain working. A good thing. As long as she repeats the conjugations regularly, she'll get them down, anything else would be impossible.

If you stop at the present tense, you really can't READ anything. And that's a goal in itself. Start reading, and pay attention to what's written.

Saludos

This is where I'm at. I guess I try and attack everything at first, get overwhelmed, then fall into a study pattern that works for me .

What's really been great for me is writing everything I need down on flash cards. From verb conjugations to grammar basics to vocab to whatever. I've now found that that is so much better for me than note taking in a notebook.

I've been trying to think of what words and phrases I tend to use the most with my son and work on those too. This tends to lead me down the path of an area I need to focus on more.

I'm getting ready to sit down with 501 Spanish verbs, which I checked out of the library this afternoon. Looks like it will be of great use!

If I come across something on the internet that looks useful I'll print it out and put it with my study packets.

Eh, I think I'm rambling now. Perfect time to get off the 'puter and go study .

ETA: Oh, ¡Exacto!:
http://www.amazon.com/Exacto-Practical-Guide-Spanish-Grammar/dp/0071396519
has been indispensable in my studies .

[Vikingo]

I agree that flashcards are great! I use a flashcard program on my PDA, and whenever I have to wait for something I know what to do. In the beginning of my studies I thought that such a thing would be silly, but I've found it to be an effective way to repeat and remember.

[CrOtALiTo]

Originally Posted by Vikingo

I think it's important to work hard at times, and especially in the beginning, when we're talking about languages. It goes a long way, since you always forget quickly. Sitting down quietly and remembering "aba, abas, aba, ábamos, ábais, aban", doesn't take long, but it gives a reward immediately. It's also a matter of not falling into a trap of saying to yourself that "oh... this is too hard for me right now", since that is just a negative attitude that will get you nowhere.

Take the big blocks first, and the rest will follow as you work through it afterwards. And in all the romance languages verb conjugation is squarely among the big blocks. Now, when exactly to USE this or that tense is more involved, and that skill will develop over time. But first you need to recognize them.

So if NiCACHiCA feels a bit overwhelmed right now, that's just her brain working. A good thing. As long as she repeats the conjugations regularly, she'll get them down, anything else would be impossible.

If you stop at the present tense, you really can't READ anything. And that's a goal in itself. Start reading, and pay attention to what's written.

Saludos

Yes and I accept your commentary about it, I believe that the learning of some language is hard always you frowned the rewards in the your brain and you get goals in your life, if you like some thing in your life you must to try to do the better possible in your learning and you never must stop if you started with the learning, then the language does not nowhere but the never will arrives alone to your heat then, I believe and I agree with you.

[irmamar]

501 Spanish verbs! I think I don't use even half

[AutumnBreeze]

Originally Posted by irmamar

501 Spanish verbs! I think I don't use even half

lol I'm finding the parts that talk about the tenses and how they relate to each other, the exercises you can do in the back of the book, and when they talk about grammar basics the most useful . It's also good to see the verbs conjugated and laid out the way they are in the book but that I will get in time anyway.

I don't think I'll end up using half of these either .

[irmamar]

Originally Posted by AutumnBreeze

lol I'm finding the parts that talk about the tenses and how they relate to each other, the exercises you can do in the back of the book, and when they talk about grammar basics the most useful . It's also good to see the verbs conjugated and laid out the way they are in the book but that I will get in time anyway.

I don't think I'll end up using half of these either .

Oh! Ok, I understand. Anyway I think I was overdoing (exagerando?). I meant half of the half (how could I say "la mitad de la mitad"?)

[CrOtALiTo]

Overdoing meaning Exagerado.


I think that you may to say between half to half.

I'm not very sure in it.

[Tomisimo]

Originally Posted by irmamar

Oh! Ok, I understand. Anyway I think I was overdoing (exagerando?). I meant half of the half (how could I say "la mitad de la mitad"?)

Overdo takes a direct object--
I think I overdid it. = Creo que lo presioné mucho.
I think I overdid it. = Creo que hice demasiado esfuerzo.


For exagerar, use exaggerate.