Baby Steps

When you first set out to learn Spanish, or any foreign language for that matter, it is important to take baby steps. After all, learning something well will take some time to do.

I like the analogy of babies taking their first steps. It is much like many things we learn for the first time. We won't do it right when we start, but in time, it gets a little easier and a little better. Learning Spanish is no different!

Many often ask me what are the first things to do in order to learn this language. The answer lies with you. What is your ultimate goal with the language? Why do you want to learn it? What's in it for you? When you have a crystal clear answer to those questions, you can begin your journey.

If you have a grandiose goal like speaking Spanish fluently, you must break that down into small goals. Again, you must have a clear picture of what "speaking fluently" means to you. To most, people would like to hold their own in a conversation. At this point, you have to start asking yourself more specific questions to help you get to accomplishing those smaller goals. What do you have to do in order to "hold your own" in a conversation? Do you need to know the vocabulary of the topic? Do you need general knowledge of politics, religion, or other conversational sources? What sort of conversations do you "hold your own" now in your native language? What is missing when you move to Spanish?

Dissecting these answers will give you insight into what you need to do next. Do you need to brush up on vocabulary? How about speaking properly -- grammar? Do you need to throw in some colloquialisms -- or idioms?

Start out small. I suggest write down a list of 5 tasks on an index card and put it in front of your computer or on the bathroom mirror. Somewhere you will see this card on a daily basis.

These 5 tasks will be duties you assign yourself to do as research or homework to get you toward your first goal. For example, if it is brushing up on vocabulary in Spanish. Select a couple of topics. Find the words you need to hold a conversation on those topics. Find their meanings in Spanish. Be sure to review any examples of their use in Spanish. Determine how you learn best and find a system to help you learn that vocabulary. Make your first task something you can do within one day. That way, it will help motivate you in continuing with the process of achieving your goal. Be sure to check off each task on your way to finishing the goal. Treat yourself to something special once you've done it. Motivators are wonderful ways to keep you striving and moving forward in language learning.

Take a moment right now to comment below on what your first step will be to learn Spanish.

Remember that when taking on such a task as learning Spanish, "it is better to take many small steps in the right direction than to make a great leap forward only to stumble backward." (Proverb)

¡Hasta luego!

~Keith