Everyone has an opinion on the best method to learn a new language.
And most of us have attempted plenty of methods that DID NOT work for us.
The thing is, we all learned our first language the same way.
Our mother spoke to us. We heard her voice from inside the womb, and then at birth, she showed us items, demonstrated something, and just talked to us while there was context ALL around us.
As we got older, she (and others) held up an item for us to see, or pointed to it, said some sounds (a new word), and then proceeded to put it into a simple sentence.
Every single English speaking human has had the same baby's experience. Hear the word, see the item, say it back, and get a "reward;" a dopamine hit - someone smiles and exclaims at how smart the baby is! So we spiral up and say more and more to continue the pattern.
This is GREAT news! You already can learn a language. No question about it.
Now how do we recreate that with a new language. You know lots of ways that don't work. In fact, score yourself - give yourself ONE point for every method you've tried below: (each option is a drop in the bucket!)
💧 Memorizing type app (Rosetta Stone, Babbel)
💧Gaming type app - (Lingopie, DuoLingo)
💧 AI Speaking App - (Jumpspeak, Speak, AI stuff)
💧Learning with Songs
💧Public school class time
💧"Immersion" via a vacation or mission trip of three days or more
💧"Immersion" via a vacation or mission trip of one month or more
💧Textbook with Audio
💧Audio Learning only (Learn In your car, Pimsleur)
💧Computer program on a desk top (Like Rosetta Stone)
💧Live Tutoring Sessions online
💧In person tutoring
💧Self-Paced Learning techniques (flashcards, hands on, etc)
The grand is 13 - the higher your score, the less likely you'll be to have success right now.
Why is that? It's actually fairly simple - the more we do something, we form a habit. Sadly, a habit may have formed if your score is 5 or higher.
Simply because you've trained your brain to expect failure in this arena.
So - what do you NEED?
Just three NOUNS, and a way to use them in a sentence.
HOW you do it matters!
If you have FUN with songs, DO THAT!
If you LOVE the visual cues, DO THAT!
If you can remember all sorts of movements or choreography, DO THAT!
Add SOMETHING to your words.
Then make a sentence.
(Me gusta = I like.)
(NO me gusta = I don't like.)
How about
LA FRESA (FREH-sah) - strawberry
LA MANZANA (Mahn-SAH-nah) - apple
LA CEREZA (seh-REH-sah) - the cherry
I chose three red nouns on purpose - you need to ADD something to the lesson.
What did you choose?
If your family actually USES the Spanish they're learning...
The language will stick!
Just hear it, say it, use it—and make it yours.
Wondering if you did it right? Come back next week and I'll have a follow up to help you decide. :-)