Increasing Your Spanish Fluency

Here is a list of ways to increase your Spanish fluency courtesy of Explore and Retire in Mexico

Make the effort to read or listen to Spanish for at least 10 to 20 minutes each day (and if possible, speak, even to yourself).

• Television: Watch Spanish language television. Telenovelas (Spanish Soap Operas) are a good choice because the characters have a tendency to speak a bit slower for dramatic effect. News programs are also helpful as you can often infer meaning from the program's context.


• Community Education Programs: Local junior colleges or high schools havecommunity education programs day and evening. Typical offerings are "Conversational Spanish" (usually in 3-8 quater/semester segements) and more focused and shorter classes susch as "Spanish for Travelers". Don’t be afraid to mix it up or repeat a class. It’s good to get exposured to variety teaching methods as you start your Spanish learning to find one you're comfortable with.


• Start a Local Conversational Group: Place an ad on a community billboard (online too! Use craigslist.org if you’re in a metro area).


• Rent Spanish language DVDs: This method has some good options - you have control - watch with or without English sub-titles. Repeat segments. many libraries also carry dual/multi language DVD - you can check them out longer and they're usually free.


• The Library: While it seems so old school, most libraries have foreign language CDs or tapes. CDs can be ripped into MP3 files and you can listen to them on an iPod or in your car.


• Go online to Borders or Amazon: they have a huge inventory of Spanish books, a few of which I have used personally and are listed below.


• Latin Music: On of the most influential sources of musical inspiration, whether it be Son Jarocho, Tango or Tex-Mex, there is a tremendous amount of great Latino music out there. For translations of the lyrics just type in the song and/or some of the lyrics into a search box and you’ll probably find the both Spanish and English versions to follow along with.


• Volunteer for an ESL program: As more and more Hispanic migrants arrive in this country, the need for assimilation grows. Volunteering as an ESL teacher or assistant will give you vital interaction with native speakers of Spanish – people eager to learn your language and culture as well as share their culture with you.


• The Internet: True, you’re reading this because you're ON the Internet and you've found this blog post. One useful resource is Spanish.About.com. I'll be adding more in the future.