How to listen to Spanish

 

• Anyone can listen to anything in Spanish. How much you understand depends upon how much Spanish you know, and a few other factors:  how fast they speak, how standard or how accented the Spanish is, how much you already know about the topic they're discussing, the quality of the delivery system (the recording, your speakers, etc.), and more. However, anyone who has studied Spanish for a year can find at least a word or two now and then in almost anything s/he listens to... if the ear is trained.

• How do you train the ear? By listening. Duh, you're saying. But lots of folks get intimidated by how much they DON'T understand, so when they hear Spanish, they shut down. But if you really listen to the same 20-second segment three times, you WILL pick up words, assuming that they're using vocabulary that you've learned.

• So, pick a topic about which you might know some vocabulary. Then, keep your mind open to cognates. Hear a word that sounds like one you know in English? It probably means the same thing.

• At first, it's really important to remember that you aren't listening to understand what they're talking about! You're just listening for a word here and there that you recognize. Each time you catch one (it's like fishing... just be patient and one will come along eventually), celebrate! Yay me!!!

• Remember... the same 20-second segment three times. Yes, I know it's tedious. But you won't have to do it for long. When you're ready, or crazy with boredom, listen to a different 20-second segment three times. Or listen to a two-minute segment several times. You get the idea.

• STAY WITH IT!!! The learning curve is fast and the rewards are big!