Explora el idioma de Colombia: The journey of learning Spanish
Spanish is such a beautiful language, both linguistically and culturally. It is “el idioma de Colombia” and many other countries. It is full of color and meaning. You can express whatever you want to say in many different ways. If you are learning Spanish or thinking about learning it, you must know it is like any other language; it is possible to learn, but it will require energy, motivation and hard work like everything meaningful in life.
Of course, when we start learning, there are a lot of feelings involved. At the beginning, we feel excitement and expectation along with the fear of not being able to learn.
We start comparing ourselves with other students and wondering how long it takes to learn. Looking at ads that offer miraculous methods claiming that people become fluent within 1 or 2 months, we need to understand that these claims are just marketing strategies and do not correspond to the reality of language learning.
Let’s face it. Learning a new language is not easy, but it can be fun, challenging, rewarding and satisfying if we put in the effort, motivation, discipline and will. Furthermore, it is an excellent exercise for your brain, improving cognitive skills and enhancing communication.
We all learn in different ways, but there are some common keys to learning. As a teacher with a master’s degree and 8 years experience teaching Spanish, I can help you achieve your learning goals with these tips:
1. Motivation and discipline are key in learning and life
Our motivation is high when we begin a new activity or sport, go to the gym, or learn something new. Learning a language is like everything in life that is worth it. There are no magic tricks or shortcuts; it is fundamental that we set a goal and work hard for it. If you really want to be fluent in any language, you can do it. You just need to work hard and trust and enjoy the process. No one runs a marathon for the first time after three weeks of training.
If you have a good teacher who cares about your learning, you will have great support. The rest depends on you.
2. Set realistic goals
There are tons of offers based on the wrong ideas of learning, courses that promise you will learn Spanish and be fluent within a month or two. Every day someone claims to have created a revolutionary new method, an untold strategy never revealed before. They have discovered THE SECRET.
However, in my eight years of teaching Spanish to many different people, including students, diplomats, businessmen and tourists, I can tell you that those ads are not true.
So please don’t fall for miraculous methods, grammarless ones or those, for example, that claim you will learn naturally like a child does. Adults process information quite differently than a child.
3. Stay organized
Establish a time for your class and create a routine for reviewing and practicing what you learned. Buy a notebook, write down new vocabulary and practice it. Watch television programs and movies in Spanish and listen to Spanish podcasts. If you create the habit of studying, reviewing and practicing, it will be easier to follow with time, and you will see progress every week.
4. Stay positive while learning Spanish, the Colombian language
Sometimes we are overly critical of ourselves, constantly comparing our progress with that of others. We start thinking we are not good enough to learn a new language— which could not be further from the truth.
For some students whose mother tongue is close to Spanish (romance languages), it will be a little easier to learn, as there are many similar words or similar grammatical structures. For those who already speak two or three languages, they know how the process works. I have taught students from many different countries, including France, Brazil, the United States, Russia and Kazakhstan. All of them have different abilities.
But we all have intrinsic and natural skills. We should not compare ourselves to others. We should trust that we are capable of learning and stay motivated.
You might also like to read this: Learn Spanish for beginners in Medellin
5. Do not view learning as an obligation or a stressful task
You can stop or take a break whenever you want. Our brain sometimes needs time to assimilate what we are learning in order to continue learning more complex structures.
When you’re studying Spanish with the goal of passing a proficiency test crucial for your job, like diplomats, visa applicants, or corporate executives, it’s vital to develop strategies that keep stress from hindering your learning process.
Go out and practice with people. Here in Medellín, people are very friendly and are always willing to practice Spanish with you. El idioma de Colombia has many different ways of expressing the same idea with different nuances. You must expose yourself, go to language exchanges. They are a unique opportunity to make new friends and explore the local culture while you’re learning.
You are reading: “Explora el idioma de Colombia: The journey of learning Spanish”
6. Trust the process
There are different cognitive processes involved in learning a new language. So give your brain time to process all the information.
Stay motivated, knowing that you will soon be able to communicate with native Spanish speakers in their own language. How cool is that?
7. Practice and make mistakes
Mistakes are the raw material for learning. We need to make mistakes without feeling embarrassed or bad. That is the normal process: making mistakes and correcting them so you know the next time and use the correct form. There is no need to beat yourself up about it. It’s great that you’re putting yourself out there. It’ll boost your confidence each time. In my teaching experience, I’ve noticed that students who are open to making mistakes and correcting them, or asking for corrections, have a significant advantage over those who don’t.
8. Idioma de Colombia
Spanish in Colombia is very varied; We have different accents in each region of the country and vocabulary that changes in meaning from place to place. But don’t worry; We all speak general Spanish that we understand.
The variations in Colombian Spanish, el idioma de Colombia, can be attributed to several factors, reflecting the country’s diverse geography, history, and cultural influences. Some key reasons for the regional variations in Colombian Spanish include:
- Geographical Diversity: Colombia’s diverse topography, which includes coastal areas, mountains, and jungles, has led to isolated communities and distinct regional accents and vocabulary.
- Indigenous and African Influences: The presence of indigenous languages and African cultural influences, especially in certain regions, has contributed to linguistic diversity and the incorporation of unique words and expressions.
- Historical Isolation:Colombia’s history includes periods of isolation for certain regions, which allowed for the development of distinct linguistic features in different areas.
- Migration and Settlement Patterns: Migration within the country and settlement patterns have played a role in shaping linguistic diversity. Urban centers may exhibit different linguistic characteristics compared to rural areas.
- Influence of Indigenous Languages: In some regions, indigenous languages have influenced the pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar of Spanish, leading to variations in speech.
- Cultural and Social Factors: Socioeconomic factors, education levels, and cultural traditions can also contribute to linguistic variations, as different social groups may use language in unique ways.
- Media and Communication: The influence of media, including regional television and radio, can impact language use and contribute to variations in pronunciation and vocabulary.
Overall, the linguistic richness and diversity of Colombian Spanish can be seen as a reflection of the country’s complex history, cultural heritage, and geographical characteristics.
9. Find a professional teacher and a good school if you want to learn el idioma de Colombia
Not only is being a native speaker essential when teaching a language, but it’s also crucial for the instructor to possess a deep understanding of the language’s mechanics. This knowledge enables them to explain the language in an easily comprehensible way, complete with relevant examples. It’s advisable to ensure that your language teacher has pursued studies related to language and education. This way, they can answer any questions you may have.
Remember that every person is able to learn Spanish or any language. Please don’t forget to establish a plan, stay motivated, and enjoy the process.
If you come here, visit us at Colombia Spanish in Medellin, Colombia. We can help you achieve your goals; remember, you can also learn online.
