How to learn Spanish using salsa dancing
Salsa is such a fun and energetic dance, and it’s been proven that moving and learning by doing things helps you to retain what you’ve learnt.
So why not go along to a salsa class or event and get speaking Spanish, moving your body and having fun at the same time? Here are a few ideas:
1) Listening to salsa music
It’s likely that when you go to a salsa class, you will be dancing to Spanish or Latin American music. While you’re dancing, try listening to some of the key bits of vocabulary in the chorus and picking out the key messages of the song. Chorus’ tend to be repetitive which makes it easier to remember them.
2) Naming parts of the body
If you’re in a Spanish speaking salsa class, the instructor will likely tell you what parts the body to move and demonstrate it at the same time, meaning you will be able to associate names to movements. As you get better and better at salsa dancing, you will easily remember how to move ‘las caderas’ (hips!) and your ‘pies’ (feet).
3) Chatting to new people
After all that dancing you will be ready for a drink and a socialise. Because Spanish is such a social dance where you change partners, you will easily get to know others and make friends. This is the perfect time to try out your Spanish language and use basic introductions to introduce yourself. You can start simple:
¿Te gusta bailar? - Do you like to dance
Me gusta tu estilo - I like your style
Me duelen los pies - My feet hurt
Estoy cansado/a - I’m tired
¡Me encanta esta canción! - I love this song
4) Listening to dance instructions on Youtube
Another great way to help you learn and get you started is to watch videos from native Spanish speakers on Youtube. One of the great ways to actually remember a language is to associate it with a movement and what the instructor is asking you to do.
Muévelo- shake it,
Da una vuelta - spin
A la derecha - to the right
A la izquierda - to the left
Try them out and let us know how it goes! Our Level 4 course includes a salsa class with students reacting in Spanish learning about the dancing etiquette and discussing the culture of fiesta in Cuba.
Take a look at our upcoming courses.
By Emily
Similar blogs:
How To Make Friends In Spanish
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