El Patio Spanish Language School

WHAT WAS YOUR MOTIVATION TO START LEARNING SPANISH?

I don't know why I chose Spanish. It's mystery why some people are drawn to one language and some to another. For me it was always Spanish. But now I am glad I am learning a language that is spoken in so many countries.

When did you begin?

I started with El Patio in Term 4, 2012.

How did you start - group classes, online, CD, book, podcasts, in the street ...?

In 2012 I did a 5 week conversation course. It was a great introduction to El Patio. I was very nervous before my first class. I had studied Spanish at university but hadn't spoken any Spanish for almost 30 years. The teacher made me feel at ease and I've enjoyed every class since then.

Have you travelled or lived in a Spanish speaking country?

I have travelled this year to Mexico and it has given me a lot of motivation to keep working on my Spanish.

Do you have a current goal, and if so, what is it?

Long term: I would, one day, like to understand native speakers. My listening is getting better but it will take a long time. My other goal is to be able to read novels in Spanish. My reading is getting better but, as with listening, it will a very long take time.

Short Term: I am in Upper Intermediate El Patio levels and I'm aiming for higher.

Do you have a particular study schedule apart from your group class?

I try to do a little every day. Even if it's only listening to Spanish for a few minutes.

I often finish my Spanish homework just before class. It's going to class that motivates me.

What do you think is the most challenging thing about learning Spanish?

I think keeping going is the most challenging thing. Learning a language takes a long time and it can feel like you aren't making any progress. The tenses in Spanish take a long time to learn and I don't know if I will ever be able to use them correctly. Also, what is the difference between por and para?

What do you think your strengths and weaknesses are for learning Spanish?

I don't know about strengths and weaknesses. I'm sure I have both (especially weaknesses) but I prefer to think that I am trying and that is good. Not giving up is a strength. I just try to feel like I am putting in effort and later I will notice that something has stuck - a word I looked up 12 times has finally made it into my long term memory.

What is your most effective method for memorisation?

I like flash cards and I have an flashcard app on my ipad. It takes a lot of practise before I memorise something. I just try to be patient.

What are or have been your most helpful resources? (eg, podcasts, songs, books, websites ...)

Duolingo is a free language learning program you can use it on computer or ipad.

Reading easy texts in Spanish - Dolores Soler-Espiauba is one author who has written novels for learners of Spanish that I enjoy and almost understand.

RTVE has free radio and TV programs from Spain that you can access on computer.

RTVE has a 4 minute daily world news program.
I got addicted to Águila Roja from RTVE for a while. It is a ridiculous Spanish show about a 16th Century teacher by day / ninja by night.

What is your advice for anybody starting out learning Spanish?

Don't worry about comparing yourself to anyone else. Don't worry if your progress is slow. Listen to Spanish even when you don't understand a word. Celebrate small victories. Remember it takes a long time to learn a language. Find things to do in Spanish that you enjoy.

¿POR QUÉ EMPEZASTE A ESTUDIAR ESPAÑOL?

Empecé con El Patio en el fin de 2012. Tenía mucho miedo antes de la primera clase pero la maestra fue muy amable, como todas las maestras en El patio.

¿Cómo empezaste - clases en grupo, en linea, CDs, libros, podcasts, en la calle....?

Estudiaba en la universidad hace casi treinta años. Pero antes de que he estudiado en EL Patio no recordé nada.

¿Has viajado o vivido en algún país de habla espanola?

He viajado este año a México y esto me motiva para seguir estudiando español.

¿Cuál es tu plan con respecto al español en estos momentos?

Mi gran plan es poder hablar con nativos y leer libros en español. Mi plan pequeño es mejorar un poco cada semana.

¿Tienes un horario de estudio aparte de tus clases en grupo?

Trato hacer un poco de español cada día. Muchos días solo escucho por pocos minutos a español. Mi gusta las ‘noticas en cuatro minutos’ en RTVE. Completo mis tareas antes de mi clase. Mi clase me da la razón por estudiar.

¿Cuál es lo más fácil y lo más difícil para ti de la lengua española?

Lo más difícil son los verbos. Y escuchando nativos. ¡Ellos hablan tan rápido! Otra cosa - no entiendo la diferencia entre por y para. La ortografía es mucho más fácil en español que en el inglés.

¿Qué método de memorización te resulta más efectivo?

Tengo dos ‘flashcard’ apps en mi ipad. Uno es para los verbos y otro para el vocabulario. Tengo que tener mucha paciencia porque mi memoria no es muy buena.

¿Qué es lo que más te ha ayudado a aprender el español?

Hay cosas diferentes que me ha ayudado. Claro que las clases en El Patio son fantásticas. Una hora cada semana en español en un nivel que puedo entender casi toda. Los apps en mi ipad, leyendo en español un poco, escudando las noticias - todos me ha ayudado.

¿Cuál es tu consejo para la gente que empieza a estudiar la lengua?

No te preocupes y ten paciencia. Aprender una lengua es una cosa de años no de semanas. Escuchar cuando posible. No te preocupes si no entiendes ninguna palabra. Celebrar las cosas pequeñas, por ejemplo, si recuerdes una palabra o entiendes una frase ese es una victoria. Lo más importante es disfrutarlo.