Learn Spanish Now! No More Excuses Part 2

March 24, 2017 Carla Jones

Alright folks get ready for some real talk! I speak to tons of Londoners every week as part of our street promotion and come across many bad excuses for why folk feel like they can’t start learning Spanish now. In part 2 of the series I’ve exposed 9 of the worst excuses I’ve ever heard:

1. I’m bad at learning languages - I was rubbish in school

You were probably a rubbish kisser in school too! But seriously, our learning skills generally improve the more we’ve had practice at learning anything (driving, cooking, sports, etc). Don’t let a bad memory of school language lessons put you off the rich and amazingly fun experience of speaking a new language.

Try learning in a different style. For instance on our courses we think it helps to have a bit of a vantage point and be able to mark out the route of where you are headed and have clear milestones of your successes to mark along the way. You need to enjoy the language learning journey as it’s a long one! A free pint while you learn anyone?

2. I’m too busy to learn a language

Don’t overestimate the number of hours you need to get speaking a new lanaguage. If you can’t commit weekly to a lesson then a pop-up social lesson or a drop in Spanish conversation class or English-Spanish exchanges. When these interactions are combined with a good app on your phone it can be an excellent recipe to get your practice in there drip, drip, drip styleee to fit around your schedule.

3. I’m too lazy

This shhhht aint hard! Plus we’ve made it even easier by making it social AND fun. Consistency is king and so is perseverence. So yes, you need some virtues but it’s more straightforward than you would think.

4. I am too old to learn a language

I won’t get too sciency but that’s no excuse - our brain cells are contantly regenerating, etc. Don’t let it be an excuse - let it be a reason! “Oh, look at how my years can enrich my range of ways to enjoy the new language!”

5. I’m rubbish at memorising new words

Yes, there are lots of new things to remember but you’d be surprised at how many ways there are to improve your memory. A lot is about repetition - simple and sometimes boring - hence why we put a drink in your hand and give you a silly, inane game to play as an excuse to keep repeating words. Another key aspect of improving memory (which is why lots of people like to learn while travelling) is that the meaning of new words become clearer when you are in a real context and so the recall becomes easier. The sights, sounds and smells ofa good Mexican restaurant, for instance, will help you trigger memory of the phrase "una tequila más por favor".

6. I can’t pronounce Spanish words

Well not yet you can’t! Give your mouth time to get used to the sounds of Spanish and over time you’ll get there.

7. Learning Spanish is boring

Depends on how you learn it I mean watching paint dry can be fun if it’s in a rave and we’re talking glow in the dark paint. You know what I’m saying, you need to bring your study to life and connect it with the parts of life that you find engaging and fun. Come to one of our social lessons and see how we do it or join one of the myriad practical Spanish meetups in London from Spanish and hill walking, Spanish and choir singing to Spanish and creative writing.

8. I’m never going to go to a Spanish speaking country

We live in one of the most multicultural cities in the world. You can go out every night of the week and find someone to speak to in Spanish. That’s no excuse.

9. My Spanish-speaking girlfriend/boyfriend already speaks English

Think about further down the line, what about their family and friends back home, don’t you want to connect with them properly? Also, wouldn’t it be awesome to hear what they sound like when they’re expressing themselves in their native tongue? Why not surprise one day when you can come home and just start chatting in Spanish!

10. I’m native Spanish-speaking already.

No, alright fair enough.

- Carla

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