Dame6089 Posted September 29, 2013 Report Share Posted September 29, 2013 I took 3 years of Spanish in college and was at the top of my class. One of my professors even made it a point to tell me that I was one of the best students he has ever had.Unfortunately, Spanish was not my major and I have not continued studying it. It has been a year and a half since I've last spoken Spanish on a daily basis. Is there anything I can fit into my daily schedule to help me stay sharp with my Spanish? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eruvande Posted October 4, 2013 Report Share Posted October 4, 2013 I feel you... I just got back from a year in South America and things really fall apart when you don't practice. Have you tried listening to any podcasts?That's something you can do in the car or while you're cooking dinner or even when you're falling asleep. Just think of a subject that you really like and search for it in Spanish on the itunes store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dame6089 Posted October 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 Nice idea! I love podcasts! Any particular Spanish podcast that you would suggest? I wouldn't even know where to start looking. Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgaz83 Posted October 8, 2013 Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 If you enjoy keeping up with the news or like a particular TV show, then read news sites in Spanish or find fan sites for that show in Spanish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caparica007 Posted October 8, 2013 Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 Podcasts are a great idea, reading is a good idea too, something that keeps you in touch with the language will keep the language alive inside your head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitkat0124 Posted October 8, 2013 Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 Try watching a videos or movies in spanish. If you can find someone you can talk to in spanish the better. Another thing you can do is read books that are written in spanish. I also feel the same with my german, it's been a year since I heard a real conversation. And there are many words that I already forgot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JessiFox Posted October 11, 2013 Report Share Posted October 11, 2013 Unfortunately that's the very thing I've had the most trouble with myself. Like you, I was an excellent student in the language. I learned quickly and easily and when I spoke it everyday, had no trouble accumulating more and more information. Speaking everyday IS the biggest thing for me. Also, listening (music, tv, movies, etc.) and reading frequently are helpful as well. Perhaps do one of those email word a day things, except in spanish, and commit to using whatever word you get in some way? Even if it's just in your own brainstorming or verbal practice, it could be helpful to keep integrating more information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jodig Posted October 29, 2013 Report Share Posted October 29, 2013 I suggest keeping in touch with the friends you have made in your travels or do some reading occasionally. I recently came back from Spain, where I was living for 5 months. I love that feeling of success when you are told you sound like a native and I certainly don't want to lose that!What I also do is speak spanish with friends that also learn spanish, helping them to get used to the language! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pluser Posted October 29, 2013 Report Share Posted October 29, 2013 I used to carry around a tiny pocket spanish-english dictionary. When I'd hear or see a new word, I could challenge myself by learning it immediately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
czarina84 Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 I don't have anyone that I speak with who knows Spanish. The way I keep it in my head is to listen to Spanish music and watch shows/movies en Espanol. That helps. How do you type an ~ over a word? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sofia.lopez Posted January 16, 2016 Report Share Posted January 16, 2016 One way to stay sharp when you're learning a new language, especially Spanish, is to practice everyday. If you do not use the language in your everyday life, you will forget the mechanics of the language, and you will lose your fluency. Personally, there are no Spanish speakers in my house, so using the language outside of my Spanish class is difficult. Homework alone isn't enough, you have to practice speaking the language with proper grammar in order to learn it and become fluent. If that means talking to yourself, then that will still help. But do not lose your fluency because you have no one to practice with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeesaJohnson Posted February 22, 2016 Report Share Posted February 22, 2016 You should keep reading some books to stay sharp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trellum Posted March 21, 2016 Report Share Posted March 21, 2016 If you can't or don't want to practice daily at least try watching videos or TV shows in Spanish. There are so many interesting videos on YouTube you might find interesting. I specially like to watch vlogs I can say that watching videos and listening to Dutch language has helped me stay sharp and not to forget the word order that took me a while to grasp! I know this can work for other languages as well, it did for me with English Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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