Can learning Spanish be fun?

Question

I took Spanish in High School many years ago. I was forced to take a language for 2 years, so I chose Spanish. I heard it was easier than French or Latin. So, I took Spanish and did awful in that class. It was so boring and I feel like I hardly learned a thing. Now I am in my 60s, and I REALLY want to learn Spanish. My husband and I plan to do a lot of travel to Spanish countries in the near future after I retire at the end of 2020. I appreciate any advice. Also, if we find the right tutor, we would be interested in talking to him or her about teaching us both together, if that is an option, for a discount. Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello! Firstly, congratulations on your upcoming retirement and kudos to you and your husband for wanting to spend time traveling together! Secondly, while I may not have any experience teaching Spanish to older students (yet!), I know learning Spanish can be fun for all ages. As a person who is not a native speaker and whose parents do not speak Spanish I know firsthand the difficulty in acquiring a second language; I also understand the pitfalls that teachers experience in their struggles to relate the information to non-native speakers.

For a year I taught elementary school students, high school students, and teachers English education using cognates. Cognates are words in two languages that are spelled the same - or nearly the same - and have the same meaning. Using this strategy, teachers and students can hyperfocus in on the importance of correct pronunciation. This strategy is successful among my students, and I know if you and your husband are committed to learning and overcoming difficulties, it will be successful for you two as well.

If you are interested, we can establish a schedule and develop a curriculum together that can range from survival words and phrases to idioms to thorough grammar comprehension to cultural understanding depending on your priorities.

Let's get in touch! I look forward to hearing from you and suerte! (Good luck!)

Answer 2

If you have commitment I can do my best, English and Spanish are really different, just a few similar words.

first lesson rolling the R

from my perspective this one is really difficult to achieve but at the time you actually can roll the R's you will be speaking like a Spanish.. Oleeee!!

Answer 3

Yes! It can be fun. Learning a new language can always be fun. In my experience the best way to learn anything is when you feel engaged and not bored. I worked with children from 6 weeks to 12 years or 2 years and I used games and activities all the time. All my students were English speakers and I taught them some Spanish through fun activities. I had 2 and 3 year olds who were able to understand many words and sentences in Spanish. They also learned numbers, colors, etc. even though teaching them Spanish wasn't part of the curriculum and we didn't have scheduled time for it.

As adults I think it is easier to learn the same way. The best way is to listen and practice with native speakers. I would also add listening to music, watching movies in Spanish.

If you're interested in a tutor feel free to contact me. I can help you for an affordable price.

Answer 4

Hola!

Let’s get right to answering your question: YES!

And not only yes, but ABSOLUTELY! [Place cheering crowd here.] Learning should be fun. Period. You should leave every class (and even every coaching session or rehearsal also, in my case) feeling inspired and excited about the journey!

I really feel that it’s my job as the teacher to set (and maintain) the tone for the class, to pull you in, and keep you enthralled until you see why what I’ve prepared is important for you to learn. (It’s the same when I rehearse for a show also!) If this isn’t happening for you as the learner, then I, the teacher, need to revisit my methods!

I would be HONORED to show you what I mean!

Please feel free to reach out at your convenience and let’s pursue your next AHA moment TOGETHER!

Answer 5

My instructional strategy is focus my teaching on linguistic ways of how speakers think during their communication process.My proposal is learning Spanish culture before learning language grammar ; you need to understand Spanish culture on their idioms and how they focus contexts in their quotidian live. After this learning the rest comes softly and efficiently as are the formal uses of the Spanish language.I would like to lead you as tutor in this process, I am sure your will love this language as my strategy of learning languages.

Answer 6

I am a native speaker/reader/writer of Spanish. I was born and raised in Costa Rica. I went to Spanish speaking schools, but learned English at home.

I would be happy to serve as your Spanish tutor/teacher.

Contact me at your convenience.

Cordially, John S.

Answer 7

The very FIRST thing I recommend is the following video:

How to Acquire any language NOT learn it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=illApgaLgGA

I thought this title was outlandish but, I watched and was locked in. He learned Arabic (a level 5 language for European language speakers, hardest) in one year. He has a very down to earth style and even though he has a big accent in Spanish he speaks very well. And, he has inspired me to learn Mandarin.

I somewhat disagree and at the same time ardently disagree with NOT learning the written part of a language. If your time is very limited then ONLY speaking and omitting the written language is great.

NEXT, make a GOAL sheet and start with how much time you can dedicate DAILY to learning Spanish.

Answer 8

Hola,

Yes, learning Spanish definitely can be fun! My name is Sarah M. Please check out my short video about my classes. I also teach classes of one or two students for the same one price, as long as you are both on the same level. I have students online ranging from 8 years old to 88! Yes, 88! And every age range in between. Please let me know if you have any questions and I'd be more than happy to answer them for you. Thank you for your question!

Hasta Luego!

Sarah