Spanish is not an easy language to learn, and the journey has its ups and downs. But that does not mean you should give up easily or fail to achieve the Spanish fluency we all dream of. Everyone is capable of speaking a foreign language, so do not get discouraged—start learning! The sooner, the better, and there will always be someone (your Spanish tutor or teacher) to help you whenever you need. We are going to learn how to avoid common errors while learning Spanish.!
In this article, I will talk about some of the most common mistakes Spanish learners make at the beginning of their studies and how to fix them. Since learning from mistakes is crucial for improvement, take some notes and enjoy the read!
Top 4 Mistakes English Speakers Make When Learning SPANISH
1. Underestimating Listening in SPANISH
Spanish, like any other language, has many dialects and linguistic variations across different Spanish-speaking regions, where native speakers have diverse accents and vocabulary. Some Spanish learners make the mistake of focusing primarily on grammar and vocabulary, which is not ideal considering the size of the Spanish-speaking community. Moreover, it is one of the fastest-spoken languages in the world, so you do not want to miss anything important in a conversation!
A quick tip to avoid this problem is to listen to podcasts, videos, and documentaries in Spanish from a variety of countries to become familiar with different dialects. If possible, try listening to the same clips in different dialects. Also, avoid learning words you do not fully understand to prevent confusion. At first, look for non-complex audio materials with common expressions from the dialect you are trying to learn.
2. Forgetting Noun Genders
If you are starting to speak Spanish, you have probably noticed how easy it is to misgender nouns, and how some gender rules do not seem to make sense. For example, saying la problema instead of the correct el problema, or el moto instead of la moto. Additionally, keep in mind that changing the article can alter the meaning of a word. For example, el cura means “the priest,” while la cura means “the cure.”
To avoid this mistake, try to memorize and review exceptions regularly. Most importantly, never stop reading in Spanish!
3. Overusing Direct Translations from English
Many Spanish learners tend to translate directly from English, which can lead to misunderstandings and false cognates (words that look or sound similar in both languages but have different meanings). Some English speakers assume that a similar-looking word in Spanish and English has the same meaning when, in reality, it does not. For example, suceso in Spanish does not mean “success” but “event,” and carpeta does not mean “carpet” but “folder.”
To avoid this, make a list of common false cognates and review it often. Additionally, always try to understand words in context to grasp their full meaning.
4. Not Getting a SPANISH Tutor
Learners often underestimate the role of a Spanish tutor. While tutors are valuable, especially for developing speaking skills, their main contributions include improving pronunciation, boosting confidence, tracking progress, and maintaining motivation. A tutor can also help you build a more structured approach to learning.
So, if you want to feel more confident speaking Spanish, do not hesitate to get a Spanish tutor!
Now that you know how to avoid the common errors while learning Spanish, you can start Spanish lessons with the best teachers in Valencia. We are waiting for you in our Spanish school in Valencia
Spanish & Valencia – Private Spanish Lessons
Calle del Mar 23-25 Valencia – Spain
Author: Erika Torres
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