How to Learn Pronounced Spanish

Using CDs and Internet courses help to reinforce pronunciation skills.

Learning a foreign language requires intensive study of grammar, vocabulary, verb forms and pronunciation. Spanish, said to be one of the easier languages to learn, has numerous verb forms and distinctive pronunciations that require repetition and mastery. Listening to native speakers is the best way to learn how the Spanish language is pronounced. If you wish to learn Spanish as it is pronounced by native speakers, use the wide variety of materials that are available for language study.

Things You'll Need

• Spanish books
• Spanish language CDs
• Internet connection
• Radio
• TV
• Spanish movies

Instructions

1. Enroll in a classroom Spanish course. In these classes, the basic rules of Spanish pronunciation are emphasized. Textbooks often have pronunciation keys. Often, reading aloud is encouraged in these classes, and the teacher correct pronunciation errors.

2. Buy Spanish language courses on CDs to supplement your classroom work. These offer a different look at the language, often with representation of everyday usage CD courses provide the proper pronunciation of the language and encourage students to repeat words, phrases and sentences as they progress.

3. Take advantage of Internet courses in Spanish that offer yet another way to hear native speaking people pronounce Spanish correctly. Many sites offer short videos with teachers speaking Spanish, inviting students to repeat along with them. These are helpful in reinforcing how to pronounce commonly-used words and phrases correctly. These site can also demonstrate the differences in pronunciation of Spanish in different parts of the world. The main difference is between the way Spanish is pronounced in Spain and how it is pronounced in the Americas.

4. Tune in to Spanish language radio stations and TV shows. These can help you refine your ear as to the subtleties of pronunciation.

5. Rent Spanish language movies. Movies in Spanish are a very good way to train your ear to the pronunciation of words. Movies often offer captioning that helps beginners follow the story while they listen to the proper way to speak the language.

Tips & Warnings

• Take the time to listen whenever you hear others speaking Spanish around you in everyday life. This will not only help you to learn how words are pronounced in normal conversation, it will also give you an opportunity to pick out words and word-forms to reinforce your study of the language.

• Learning a language requires constant study, even if broken up into small sessions. Neglecting your study of grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation for long periods will set back your progress in the language.

References

• U.S. State Department: Oral Reading Practice For Large Groups
• Lingolex: Learn Spanish
• Scholastic: Gather Spanish Glossaries