How can I be more fluent when speaking Spanish?

Question

Do I have to speak Spanish with Spanish accent?

Why Spanish accents vary in every country?

How can I speak Spanish without being shy?

Answer 1

You do not have to speak Spanish with a Spanish accent . There are many Spanish accents for the same reason there are many English accents - geography has a lot do do with it. Even within a country, accents can vary. Take the USA as an example; a person from the Bronx, NY will probably have a very different American English accent than a person from New Orleans, MS. They may even have difficulty communicating and have to repeat what they are saying from time to time.

There are some tips for reducing your American influenced accent that can help your Spanish in a general way. It also it helps to listen to and repeat spoken Spanish - in the accent you are most interested in.

However, even if your Spanish accent is not that great if you are an English speaker, most Spanish speakers will understand what you are saying. (This would not be the case if you were trying to speak French in France with an American accent)

Spanish speakers are usually patient and friendly and will appreciate you making the effort to speak Spanish- so no need to be shy. Remember, even Spanish speakers from different countries will struggle understanding each other sometimes. So, Just go for it! If you are still feeling shy or uncertain you can always preface your communication with a new person with a phrase like "I'm sorry, my Spanish is not so good put I'm learning and I like to practice."

Learning a new language can be challenging but fun too. Try not to be afraid to make mistakes - most Spanish speakers will not expect you to speak their language perfectly. And don't feel bad if someone corrects you. Making mistakes is part of the learning process. In most cases people are just trying to be helpful.

Answer 2

What worked best for me to start getting comfortable speaking in a foreign language was to listen to music I loved. I downloaded the lyrics to my favorite songs, looked up words or phrases that I did not understand and then sang along. I also made flashcards with the new vocabulary and phrases I learned through the songs and practiced them speaking out loud to myself. If you like to sing, it is a good way to make a real life connection with your target language and will build your confidence to help you speak with other people. To learn Spanish I recommend Shakira's songs.

Answer 3

One strategy that helps me when learning and teaching languages is to watch a TV show or a movie in the language with matching subtitles. Then, I pause the show and try to repeat what the characters just said, using the subtitles to help me. You can rewind and listen again to the dialogue if you really want to imitate their accents. This is a great way to learn conversational phrases, to get the natural rhythm of speaking, and to improve both your listening comprehension and confidence when speaking.

One Spanish show that I enjoy is "Historias Para No Dormir" because the language is simple and the actors speak very clearly. I also like watching animated movies dubbed in Spanish because I already know the story.

Answer 4

To be more fluent speaking Spanish, you just need to relax your mind and let the words flow, no need to be shy when learning. A good way to pronounce and remember new words is to pay attention in how native speakers express the language, sometimes they use facial gestures or hands to explain an idea, object or situation when telling a story. Watching tv, as movies and documentaries can be a really good source of new vocabulary.