The Jumping Bean Technique.

 

One of the problems language learners face, especially adult students, is the fact that they know in their minds how to say a word, but somehow what comes out of their mouth hardly resembles the appropriate sound for such word. This is because there is no mind-body connection for the Spanish sound students are trying to produce. It’s a bit like if you had watch a tennis game for sometime: your mind understands what you are suppose to do with the racket, but the first time you try to hit the ball, your arm, hand-and-eye coordination and your feet will be very awkward and it is unlikely that you will be able to hit the ball (although flukes have been known to happen).

 The jumping bean technique can help you create this min-body connection. I have tried it with my students with very positive results and it only takes minutes to do it. First, find or write a long sentence with the new vocabulary you want to master. It would be best if you listened to the correct pronunciation several times before “jumping. Thus, you can use a sentence from a study book that includes a CD or MP3. You could also go to www.voki.com, create an avatar and type the sentence. The avatar will say it out loud and you will be able to hear the right pronunciation.

Now that you have your sentence in front of you, say out loud two times. Now say the fist three words; then the last three. Say the sentence one more; now read it half-way. Read it backwards. Read the first word and then the last one. From the last one to half-way; now say the whole sentence. Transform it into a question, then a statement, then an exclamation. Then the whole sentence one last time. The whole process should take a couple of minutes. Time permitting do two or three sentences at the time. Do this exercise several times a week and you should notice an improvement in the way you pronounce the new vocabulary. Go back to  Voki, create another avatar and this time record yourself saying the sentence. Compare your recording with the previous one, to see how to fine tune your pronunciation. Most importantly, have fun –see it as a tongue twister of sorts  and once you feel comfortable with the vocabulary, add new words to your sentence. Be creative and enjoy your learning!

The Natural Way

Learn Spanish the natural way, just like you learned your mother tongue! Spanish fast and easy! No pains Spanish! Learn Spanish like children do! Does it all sound familiar? It should, if you have been looking around for a Spanish course. The question is, is it too good to be true? If I’m to judge on my own experience, as language learner and teacher, then the answer is: probably.

Have you ever heard of an athlete who accomplished a medal the “easy” way, or a musician who mastered her instrument with only a few lessons? Neither have I. Both the athlete and the musician have made a commitment to their disciplines; they have had bad days, plateaus and years of study. To learn a second language is not that different from learning a sport or an art. It takes time and effort. Which is not to say that it has to be drudgery. Think of Michel Angelo in the Sixtine Chapel: he must have worked very hard -and enjoy every minute of it!

Let’s look now at children. Recently I saw an advert from a renowned language company, stating that as a child, your Dad threw you a ball, said the name of the ball, you made the connection, and -voila!- you learned how to say ball. Whoever wrote the copy for such ad it’s certainly not a mother, carer or any adult in contact with children. You have to repeat the name of things to children continuously until they get it right, just as you gently constantly correct their grammar. Children undergo 16+ years of training at school to be able to talk like a moderately educated adult. So to learn a language like a child does, would take you almost two decades.

It is true that children learn foreign language very fast, especially if they are in total submersion situation. But they learn to talk like children. And they learn, among other things, by going to a school, for five to seven hours, two of which are usually devoted to the learning of grammar and usage of the second language. To say that children learn languages the easy way is an insult to all the intellectual work behind such learning.

So how should you learn Spanish? You should learn it with passion and commitment. You should be in contact with the language and the culture as much as possible. Stop considering grammar an insurmountable obstacle. See it instead as a Da Vinci code of sorts, which once deciphered, will open new ways for you to master your new language. Give time to your learning. You would not expect to gain any muscle if you only worked out one hour per week.  Why would it be any different with you Spanish learning?

The natural way of learning is one that includes time, practise, review, study, use, mistakes, corrections, curiosity and joy; one which integrates grammar, communication, high and popular culture and usage. We are learning all the time, in many diverse manners. Add a hobby in Spanish, such as cooking or drawing as part of your learning. Find a pen-pal or a speaking buddy. Read stories, even if you have to start with children tales, to gain vocabulary and see grammar in context. Learn songs, translate them and sing them. Post notes around your home with the name of objects and a few descriptive words. Make Spanish part of your everyday life. And enjoy learning.