How to Speak Spanish

With the Latino population of the United States continuing to grow each year, it is becoming more and more useful to have some grasp of the Spanish language. And though you may not have absorbed what you learned in high school, it is not too late to develop a grip on the Spanish language.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• MP3 player

Instructions

Learning Spanish is muy facil!

1. Take a class. Probably the best way to learn any new language is to sit among other students and be taught by a competent teacher. Contact colleges and adult learning centers in your area to see if they offer Spanish classes. If you cannot find a local class, Ed2Go offers several online courses that could suit your needs.

2. Use Spanish language learning tapes. Your local bookstore will have CDs and tapes that you can listen to to learn Spanish at your leisure. You can also order a well-respected audio course on Spanish through the people at Rosetta Stone. If you're technologically inclined, you can find MP3's of Spanish lessons online. Pop them in your portable MP3 player and listen during your workout or on your drive to and from work.

3. Buy a book. If you prefer to read to learn Spanish, pick up a book on the language through a local bookstore or an online retailer.

4. Use a text translator. Yahoo!'s Babel Fish translator will translate text from any language into a variety of other languages, including Spanish. Drop in some lines from your favorite book or a news article and see what they look like translated to help you gain understanding of basic Spanish words. Be warned: these translations can be awkward and are not always accurate, so the translator is best used in conjunction with another learning method.

5. Chat with a fluent friend. If you're learning Spanish to have a basic conversation, there is no better way to practice than to speak with a friend who has already mastered the language. Not only will your accent and diction improve with real world help, but a friend won't judge you too harshly if you make a few mistakes.

Resources

• Ed2Go
• Rosetta Stone Language Software
• Babel Fish