Spanish immersion environment

[Ben]

Comments on the latest post on NIS (http://www.notesinspanish.com/2006/10/03/how-to-go-from-zero-to-fluent-spanish-in-9-months/#comments) included some excellent advice for learning Spanish, but there was one concept that I found really interesting: Since I don’t live in a Spanish-speaking country, I have decided to create my own immersion environment. I watch TVE on a daily basis and I read Spanish books and newspapers. I also listen to podcasts and to radio programs on the Internet, and my latest addition is an ¡Pod so I can immerse myself even more, e.g. during boring rides on the bus....

Do you have a Spanish immersion environment?
(Thanks for the quote Edith ;) )

[Cynthia]

I pretty much do the same as Edith. I read El País every day (and a few other newspapers online, but with less frequency); if I have time to watch TV, I watch either TVE, TeleMadrid, or La Otra online (If you're affiliated in some way with a university, they may subscribe to Scola, which is a collection of television broadcasts from other countries. They have at least 4 hours of broadcast from Spain every day--mostly news, but some entertainment programming as well. They have Madrid, Catalonia, País Vasco, and Galicia programming. I make use of this service frequently.); about 97% of the music I listen to is in Spanish; I listen to the NIS podcasts (of course); I have friends with whom I chat online in Spanish (and occasionally I write in Spanish on this forum); I have a Colombian friend in my department with whom I go out to lunch once a week and speak only in Spanish (very helpful!!). This is probably less helpful, but fun: I also set the language to Spanish on electronic equipment (like my cell phone), ATM's, the credit card reader thingy at the grocery store, etc. I also watch all the Spanish language movies I can get my hands on, and I set the Spanish dubbing on when I watch English language movies. (I'm obsessed with improving my Spanish, as you might have noticed...)

The interaction is definitely the most helpful part of the immersion for the obvious reasons, but even if I'm not totally paying attention or completely understanding the other stuff, it forces me to think in Spanish on a regular basis.

A friend of mine suggested volunteering for a non-profit organization that serves the Spanish-speaking community in your area if you don't normally have much opportunity for interaction with Spanish speakers. You're not only helping yourself improve your Spanish, but helping your community as well. Plus, non-profits generally don't have the money to hire translators, so they may be in need of people who speak some Spanish. There may not really be any Spanish-speaking communities in your area, but if there are, it's a great opportunity to get involved with them.

[Brian]

Pretty much all of the above, plus we try to speak as much in Spanish at home as possible. The kids can be resistant at times. :'(

Other than that, we try to cultivate friendships with other couples from Spanish-speaking countries. We have a close friendship with a Mexican couple that lives down the street. Once a month we get together for either a Mexican dinner or paella, depending on who's cooking.

[Edith]

(Thanks for the quote Edith ;) )

¡De nada! :)

Since buying the ¡Pod, I listen to spoken Spanish for at least two hours instead of one hour a day and already I'm beginning to notice the difference... sometimes I wake up with the sounds of Spanish ringing in my ears. Yesterday I read out some pages from a novel and I noticed my pronunciation had improved a little. (someone adviced me to read Spanish out loud for at least ten minutes a day, which is another good idea but you need some self-discipline to do this on a daily basis)

[Edith]

Pretty much all of the above, plus we try to speak as much in Spanish at home as possible.

Isn't your wife Spanish, Brian?

[Catica]

I listen to a variety of podcasts now, all of which I found out about on Notes in Spanish. I've also been tuning into Hablemos de Cine and Desde el Baño. All this I've got on my mp3 player, which I usually listen to when I have to take public transit to the city a couple of times a week, which can take up to an hour.

Once a week, I meet with my Spanish teacher, from Madrid. We basically gossip for an hour. It's fun.

And I've also recently found a Spanish-language hiking group, which meets once a month, with both native and non-native speakers. I've only been to one, but I thought it was a great day, and great exercise.

I'm also fond of audio magazines, like Puerta del Sol and Puntoycoma. Puntoycoma is my favorite now, because I like the included exercises. They enforce learning new expressions, which is what I want to learn most of all.

I try to do a grammar exercise a day as well. So basically, I've tried to recreate immersion mixed with education, just like what I had growing up, but with a lot more recess.

I'm sad to say that my boyfriend, although perfectly bilingual, will not speak Spanish with me unless certain conditions are met: he must have a full stomach and he must not be under any stress whatsoever. And then, and only then, I must be willing to accept his unrelenting criticism. Which means that I must have a full stomach and not be under any stress whatsoever. :)

[Cynthia]

...(someone adviced me to read Spanish out loud for at least ten minutes a day, which is another good idea but you need some self-discipline to do this on a daily basis)

That is a really good idea, thanks for the tip! I read aloud occasionally, but I should make myself a 10 minute per day schedule. I find that if I read aloud something that's more conversational (like the NIS Podcast transcripts, por ejemplo), I'm able to read it aloud much faster. I sometimes read newspaper articles aloud, but there's often a lot of vocabulary or less common usages that throw me off a little and slow me down.

[Brian]

Isn't your wife Spanish, Brian?

She is, yes. Born in Zamora, lived in Salamanca and Madrid, grew up in Valencia.

She's been in the States for 20 years, so English comes more naturally for her these days. We have to really focus on keeping the conversation in Castellano.

[Edith]

She is, yes. Born in Zamora, lived in Salamanca and Madrid, grew up in Valencia.

She's been in the States for 20 years, so English comes more naturally for her these days. We have to really focus on keeping the conversation in Castellano.

Lucky you though! You can practice as often as you want! :)

[Brian]

Lucky you though! You can practice as often as you want! :)

I AM fortunate, and not just because of the built-in Spanish Immersion Environment! ;)

The funny thing is that I first got her interested in me when I asked her for some assistance in a listening comprehension class in college. "Oiga, Pati, ¿me ayudas con esta grabación?"

:rolleyes:

[guapo]

I"Oiga, Pati, ¿me ayudas con esta grabación?"

thanks Brian, that's another one I can add to my list of chat-up lines (along with "¿estudias o trabajas?") ;D

[landlady]

I do find it difficult, even though I live in Spain!!! My husband has early retired, so likes to spend most of the day talking with me, (in English of course) and my daughter finishes school at 2.30. so again I'm surrounded by English chatters as she and her friends are constantly around the house! I need to be totally isolated when concentrating on Spanish, otherwise I get easily distracted when my brain in in both Spanish and English language mode
http://img115.exs.cx/img115/1319/2x25kf.gif
I sometimes practise with her when walking the dog, but its like pulling teeth getting her to speak Spanish with me. Other than that, I buy Spanish magazines to read, and try to watch a bit of Spanish TV (when I'm given the chance) I try to do a bit of Spanish grammar every day, and listen to the excellent podcasts off course. I've just bought a Spanish book called cuentos de mujeres solas, so hopefully can read the short stories within without it being too heavy.

[cubix]

I did this more last year when i was taking a Spanish Lanuage Class, but this year I am in Spanish Liteature, so I haven't had the time or the interest to work on my speaking. When you have to read 20 or more pages a night of stuff in spanish, much of it prose that is difficult to understand.

One thing that helps a lot with comprehension is reading outlout, it has the dual purpose of improving spanish and helping to understand the story.

Last year before my big credit exam(in AP classes you take an exam at the end of the year to determine if you earn credit) I went about a month where the TV was to spanish, I only listened to my spanish music playlist, read mostly in spanish when possible. It helped me a lot.... I passed the exam

[Edith]

One thing that helps a lot with comprehension is reading outlout, it has the dual purpose of improving spanish and helping to understand the story.

Reading out loud certainly helps me to improve my pronunciation, but while I'm doing it I can't concentrate on the story, so I have to re-read it in silence. But reading out loud is a great learning tool for sure to practice your spoken Spanish.

[Ashley]

I'm the same way, if I read aloud (even in English!), I can't really follow the story. But now I will try to read out loud in Spanish for 10 minutes a day--it must be a great way to build up confidence when speaking.

My at-home immersion is about to get better because I'm going to start teaching my flatmate basic Spanish ahead of our Nov. trip to Spain. Surely making her ask for a cuppa or asking about the weather in Spanish is good practice.

[richardksa]

I agree with the speaking out loud, but not to improve my accent, which must be terrible, but I have no one to correct me! I read a word or phrase out loud to get the rhythm of the sylables. When I read , unless I'm really concentrating, my mind is silently pronouncing the words as in English. So, when I get to a multi-syllabled word I've not met before, I stop and say it out loud a dozen times, pronouncing all the vowel sounds. Somehow that shoves it into the listening comprehension bit of my brain, so when I hear it, I recognise it. The only trouble - it must be an age thing - is that although I might recognise the word as one I have practised, I don't always remember it's meaning. On the other hand, some times the spoken words flow around me as incomprehensible sounds, and then, a second or two later, bingo!, I realise I have somehow understood the meaning. Brings a smile to my face when that happens.
This has been mentioned on other threads, but for those who may not have read them, my two/three hours of "Spanish Environment" every evening always contains at least one episode of "Destinos". (I have found the Puerto Rican part really easy to understand.)

[Chris M]

Where could I get these episode?

[rob]

My immersion enviroment is Spain itself :O

[Edith]

Where could I get these episode?

'Destinos' is great stuff. You have got to register first but after that you'll be able to watch the entire series for free. Tip: use a headset! I always use a headset when I'm listening to Spanish and it really helps.


http://www.learner.org/resources/series75.html

[Chris M]

Gracias, va a ser útil.

[cubix]

Destinos is great, well sort of cheesy, you will find yourself after a few episodes, only watching the review episodes, becuase the review episodes pretty much show the same exact thing as the last 3 episodes(or however many) We watched them when I took Spanish 3/4

There is another easier(well I guess) called la Catrina, which had a better story line, it went along with our workbook/textbook, not sure if it is available online

[richardksa]

Cubix,
you don't watch Destinos for the story!! It's practice. But it does sort of drag you along with it, although there's no great tension in the story line.
The great thing is that you can repeat and repeat until you understand.
If anyone wants to be disillusioned with the effects of age, heavens I know I am(!), use google images for Liliana Abud and see how she's changed.:cool:

[Edith]

Cubix,
you don't watch Destinos for the story!! It's practice. But it does sort of drag you along with it, although there's no great tension in the story line.
The great thing is that you can repeat and repeat until you understand.
If anyone wants to be disillusioned with the effects of age, heavens I know I am(!), use google images for Liliana Abud and see how she's changed.:cool:

I don't believe they are one and the same person at all!



http://i.esmas.com/image/0/000/004/579/liliana_N.jpg



http://www.learner.org/newimages/resources/pic_destinos.jpg

[richardksa]

Oh yes, they are! Read the accompanying filmography that goes with those pics and you will see it's true. Apparently she now writes award winning TV dramas.

[Ally]

<quote>So, when I get to a multi-syllabled word I've not met before, I stop and say it out loud a dozen times, pronouncing all the vowel sounds. Somehow that shoves it into the listening comprehension bit of my brain, so when I hear it, I recognise it. </quote>

Yes, 'desafortunadamente' and 'desgraciadamente' are still my favourite words! Mainly because I couldn't say them for ages without tripping up :)

On a different note, does anyone know of a spanish channel I could get on NTL in the UK? I've looked and can't see one?

[omeyas]

Haven't got NTL, so not sure how it works, but 802 TVE is on Sky. Plus, there are about 2 others you can programme for Spanish.

Channel 802 : TVE Internacional
Channel 509 : Euronews

[Ally]

Haven't got NTL, so not sure how it works, but 802 TVE is on Sky. Plus, there are about 2 others you can programme for Spanish.
Channel 802 : TVE Internacional
Channel 509 : Euronews

Thanks :) I used to have Sky, NTL is pretty pants in comparison but I'll have a look for those channels.

[cubix]

Cubix,
you don't watch Destinos for the story!! It's practice. But it does sort of drag you along with it, although there's no great tension in the story line.
The great thing is that you can repeat and repeat until you understand.
If anyone wants to be disillusioned with the effects of age, heavens I know I am(!), use google images for Liliana Abud and see how she's changed.:cool:


Hah we did, we had quizzes on the content and the story. We had destinos parties(anything to make us learn spanish, teachers got creative)

Wow, she really did change.

[Kryshah]

Wow, amazing ideas all! So, now I think I may buy a book or two in Spanish. Have any of you guys ever read the Harry Potter books in Spanish?

[Cide Hamete Benengeli VII]

Edith,

You might try reading poetry aloud instead. Then you don't have to worry so much about the story and you'll be working with a text that is meant to be read aloud. I like Lorca for this.

Reading out loud certainly helps me to improve my pronunciation, but while I'm doing it I can't concentrate on the story, so I have to re-read it in silence. But reading out loud is a great learning tool for sure to practice your spoken Spanish.

[Cide Hamete Benengeli VII]

I've read all of the Harry Potter books in English. Haven't done it in Spanish though.

Wow, amazing ideas all! So, now I think I may buy a book or two in Spanish. Have any of you guys ever read the Harry Potter books in Spanish?

[Juanjo]

Edith,

You might try reading poetry aloud instead. Then you don't have to worry so much about the story and you'll be working with a text that is meant to be read aloud. I like Lorca for this.

It is not as easy as it would seem because of elisions between words and the fact the Spanish poetry uses different metres to that of other countries. Further, remember that Federico had an andaluz accent that also affectd the pronunciation of some words.

As a lorquista, I have had to learn how to speak the poetry as Federico intended (apparently, we do not know for certain) by listening to recorded recitations by native-Spanish professional speakers to get the right idea of the cadences and stresses. It helped!:D

[Cide Hamete Benengeli VII]

Wow! It's great to know that we have Lorca expert in the forum. If you've been researching him for the last 30 years, I'm going to hazard a guess that you wrote your Ph.D. dissertation on some aspect of his work. That's great.

In terms of my suggestion to Edith, I wasn't talking about reading Lorca aloud as he would have intended, just using the text to have something interesting to read. Do you have a favorite poem of his?

[Juanjo]

In terms of my suggestion to Edith, I wasn't talking about reading Lorca aloud as he would have intended, just using the text to have something interesting to read. Do you have a favorite poem of his?

Here are two of my favourites. The first one because the rhythm of the words sound like hoofbeats on an open plain (and because I love Córdoba). The second because the subject-matter and attack is (to me) the essence of Federico´s life-long angst.

CANCIÓN DE JINETE

Córdoba.
Lejana y sola.
Jaca negra, luna grande,
y aceitunas en mi alforja.
Aunque sepa los caminos
yo nunca llegaré a Córdoba.

Por el llano, por el viento,
jaca negra, luna roja.
La muerte me está mirando
desde las torres de Córdoba.

¡Ay qué camino tan largo!
¡Ay mi jaca valerosa!
¡Ay que la muerte me espera,
antes de llegar a Córdoba!

Córdoba.
Lejana y sola.


La guitarra

Empieza el llanto
de la guitarra.
Se rompen las copas
de la madrugada.
Empieza el llanto
de la guitarra.

Es inútil
callarla.
Es imposible
callarla.
Llora monótona
como llora el agua
como llora el viento
sobre la nevada.
Es imposible
callarla.

Llora por cosas
lejanas.
Arena del Sur caliente
que pide camelias blancas.
Llora flecha sin blanco
la tarde sin mañana
y el primer pájaro muerto
sobre la rama.

¡Oh guitarra!
Corazón malherido
por cinco espadas.

[Janna]

Wow, amazing ideas all! So, now I think I may buy a book or two in Spanish. Have any of you guys ever read the Harry Potter books in Spanish?


I read Harry Potter 1-4 in English back when I was in middle school (about 7 years ago), so I have a vague idea of the story but can't remember it. Now I am returning to re-read 1-4 and finish the series in Spanish. I started with 2, now I'm on to 3. At first it was ery difficult because there is a series of vocab that you will not be familiar with (e.g. you won't know how to say words like "wand," "owl," "wizard," etc.) but once you get past that, it gets easier. That was actually my first novel I read in Spanish and I loved it, improved my reading confidence a lot, and now I can read Paulo Coelho novels or basically anything in Spanish.



Some other tips I find useful: Change as many websites to spanish as possible. I have had my facebook in spanish for the past 5 months, which is great except when they make changes and I don't know what things are called in spanish and causes some embarassing conversations (e.g. "fan" vs. "admirador"). also change your e-mail, google calendar, etc so you constantly have a barrage of spanish.

I like to listen to spanish music or podcasts while cleaning and driving.

Also, I have used my spanish as an excuse to become more extroverted. If I meet any spanish speakers on the train, haircut place, store, hostels, etc. i automatically start talking to them in spanish. some people are really happy for the chance to talk in spanish to someone and impressed at my efforts, other people are more condescending and switch back to english immediately, either way I think it's worth it for some of the amazing conversations I have had.

[alma hermosa]

The best way of being in touch with the language and my immersion environment is teaching others what I have learnt. There are questions always asked which push me on to research more and in the process all stand to gain.

[lovelydee]

My immersion enviroment is Spain itself :O

Lovely! I wish I'm as lucky as you. I'm so busy with work that I don't have time to take a vacation. I'm certainly planning to do it in the near future though. Does anybody have suggestions on the best vacation spot in a Spanish speaking country?

[Acosta]

Someone sent me this list a few days ago, interesting idea

http://www.lyricstraining.com/game2159.htm


Cheers

[KieranLFC]

It's quite cool to see what people use to surround themselves in Spanish.

For me, since I just started out recently I think this has helped put some words in my mind, even if they are not basic language.

I have my phone in Spanish, I have my Mac in Spanish (Sometimes proves VERY difficult and requires a dictionary!), and I also stream TVE from my Mac to my TV when I'm not doing much or just browsing the net.

Because I am a big fan of football and play the game Fifa 10 a lot, I even set the commentary in Spanish, which is alright because now and again I can pick out the general idea of the topic the commantary is on about.

But the pocket dictionary is a life saver, I bought the easy learning Collin's dictionary from Waterstones (Think it was £8) and it's great for testing myself on words for objects etc. when I'm around town or even on the bus. I always have it in my back pocket! I even forgot it was there and went on a night out with it

[darrenf]

My UK immersion environment highlights consist of Spanish Meetup group (once per week), one Spanish conversation evening class per week, notes in Spanish, Sky Euronews (set to Spanish), El Pais, El Mundo, Spanish language websites, occasional News in Slow Spanish. Spanish friends news feed on Facebook - great for seeing how Spanish speakers really communicate!

I'd definitely say the Intercambio/meet up gives me the most speaking/listening practice.

[LindaM]

In theory it should be easy for me to be immersed in Spanish as I live in Spain! But trying to speak Spanish when you live on the Costa del Sol is a nightmare. I look obviously Northern European, so when I go in a shop I am spoken to in English before I even open my mouth. Even my bank has employed an English speaker for all its non-Spanish customers and we are always referred to that person. Although when I can I rebel and choose someone else. I have got to know the manager of our local Massimo Dutti shop (shows how much I spend there) and I asked him why he always speaks to me in English as my Spanish isn't that bad, and he said he needs to practice.

[Uriel]

Parece que a ellos, vales más como recurso del inglés que estudiante de español.:D

[LindaM]

Mi situación intentando hablar en español sigue mal. Hoy fuimos a un restaurante nuevo para comer. Hablamos con el camarero en español y pedimos bebidos (en español) ¿Sabes qué? ¡Nos dio los menus en inglés!

Please feel free to correct my Spanish.

[Pippa]

Mi situación intentando hablar en español sigue mal. Hoy fuimos a un restaurante nuevo para comer. Hablamos con el camarero en español y pedimos bebidas (en español) ¿Sabes qué? ¡Nos dio los menus en inglés!

Please feel free to correct my Spanish.

Cuando voy a un restaurante con mi marido, a él siempre le dan los menús en inglés, y siempre insiste en que se lo den en español. No puede soportar las traducciones pésimas que hacen del inglés (ni yo tampoco).

[LindaM]

Pippa, es peor para tu marido porque está contigo. Una vez estaba en un café con una amiga argentina (y mi profesora de español) y el camarero habló con ella en ingles (ella es rubia). Pero es un mundo pequeño porque el estaba del mismo barrio de Buenos Aires que ella.

Please feel free to correct my Spanish.

[freebird]

A good environment to practice your Spanish is vital ,which can improve your level rapidly .

[Pippa]

Pippa, es peor para tu marido porque está contigo. Una vez estaba en un café con una amiga argentina (y mi profesora de español) y el camarero habló con ella en ingles (ella es rubia). Pero es un mundo pequeño porque el estaba del mismo barrio de Buenos Aires que ella.

Please feel free to correct my Spanish.

Una vez estábamos en Milán, en Italia y yo pedí dos cervezas en italiano y me contestó el camarero en inglés. Entonces me puse a hablar en español con mi marido preguntándole que qué había dicho el camarero, a lo que mi marido me contestó en español. Al camarero se le veía muy confuso.;)
No soporto que me hablen en inglés en Italia cuando yo me dirijo a ellos en italiano, entonces me pongo a hablar en español (se puede llevar una conversación sencilla italiano-español)

[Uriel]

Me hace preguntarme: cómo fue su inglés? Me parece que personas deciden hablar en inglés cuando perciban que su dominio de una otra lengua no es perfecto, pero nunca se dan cuenta que su maestría de inglés no puede quizá ser espectacular tampoco.

Tengo problemas comprender por qué dos personas que pueden comunicar en una dada idioma pensarían que conversar en un tercer lengua, lo que ninguno de los dos habla como nativo, sería mejor.:rolleyes:

(In case that was really tortured grammar: It makes me wonder: how was his English? It seems to me that people decide to speak in English when they perceive that your command of another language isn't perfect, but they never realize that their mastery of English might not be spectacular either. i have problems grasping why two people who can communicate in a given language would think that conversing in a third tongue, which neither of them speak natively, would be better.)

[Pippa]

My husband is English, I am Spanish. We speak in English mainly, sometimes Spanish and occasionally Spanglish (Have we got any pilas? -or even piles ;D- meaning have we got any batteries? )


The waiter's English? Bar English, more or less like my Italian.