Learn Conversational Spanish – First Term
When attempting to learn Spanish, it is imperative you learn the Spanish pronunciation in a way it becomes second nature. There is no more important step to you as a beginner. I have seen too many intermediate or even advanced students who have neglected this step.
Quot linguas calles, tot homines vales. (You are worth as many people as the languages that you speak. – Latin Proverb)
Mind this proverb is in Latin language, not in Spanish.
The benefits of mastering Spanish pronunciation are immense and a keystone to keeping you motivated on your journey to learning the Spanish language. Once you have learned Spanish pronunciation cold, you will get a feeling of gratification every time you manage to put it to use correctly.
On the contrary if you don’t you’ll just feel miserable, just as if you were not making progress in your attempt to master the language. Therefore the very first skill is to familiarise yourself with the Spanish Pronunciation Key:
Once you are familiar with the Pronunciation key then apply yourself to learn it cold as this is something you’ll use no less than every single time you speak Spanish. No kidding, kids are just those who haven’t learnt it cold yet.
Now let’s say you’ve successfully mastered this essential step. What else would you need to do on a regular basis? Well at least at a job interview you’ll need to greet someone and introduce yourself at some point. The following section presents different approaches to help you deal with the very first encounters with someone.
- 6 Simple Ways of Greeting and 3 Simple Ways of Saying Good-bye in Spanish
- 4 Formal and Informal Ways of Greeting Someone you Meet
- 3 Simple Ways of Introducing Yourself and 7 Simple Ways of Acknowledging in Spanish
Repetitio mater memoriae est. (Repetition is the mother of memory. – Latin Proverb, in Latin)
Once you know a few greetings and can introduce yourself in different manners, it is easier to start a dialogue. In the section below I have presented different kind of typical dialogues you could have when travelling to Spain or Latin America:
- Asking for Directions in a Dialogue, Simple Spanish Phrases for Getting Directions
- Taking a Taxi to the Hotel in a Dialogue, Simple Spanish Phrases for a Taxi
The hotel and the coffee shop are places of choice for striking a conversation with strangers.
- Booking a Room at the Hotel in a Dialogue, Simple Spanish Phrases for Hotels
- Ordering at the Coffee Shop in a Dialogue, Simple Ways of Ordering in Spanish
Speaking about the time and the weather is very common, this means they have a great frequency.
- Saying the Time in Spanish in Dialogue and the Numbers, Spanish Phrases for the Time
- Speaking about the Weather in a Dialogue, Simple Spanish Phrases about the Weather
Knowing your numbers cold in Spanish is essential for everyday tasks involving some commercial and financial activities.
El que va piano, va lontano. (The one who goes safe and slow, goes far and well. – Spanish Proverb.)
English Proverb Equivalent: Slow and steady wins the race.