In this article, we will show you how to improve your pronunciation in Spanish. Even though your accent can be noticed as Spanish is not your mother tongue, it is useful to have some tips so you can sound more local.

Improving your pronunciation is very important to reach the goal of understanding everything you listen and to speak fluently with Spanish speakers, as this language has a clear and natural tone of voice. But remember, don’t be obsessed with this issue and try to have fun with your Spanish skills, that will make everything even easier!

Let’s see some tips:

Firstly, read in Spanish

But don’t read to yourself, read out loud for you or for others. Reading is a fun way of learning Spanish as you can listen to yourself and compare it to, for instance, audiobooks so you can see what you can improve. You can even read with your friends and practice together.

Then, listen in Spanish

Podcasts, audiobooks as I’ve said before, TV shows, films, songs… make your ears used to the pronunciation in Spanish and then when you have to speak it, it would be easier as you would’ve listened that words before. Don’t worry if you don’t understand everything you hear, as the important point is to be familiar with the language and how different people talk. Try also to listen to the radio and make an effort to understand the news of the day.

Next, repeat.

Take every material you’ve used to listen to Spanish speakers and repeat what you hear, compare yourself to the other speaker. Grab your favourite part of the audio and use it constantly until your pronunciation is similar to the original. Maybe it doesn’t sound good at the beginning, but then you will find it very funny, and you’ll be proud when you notice your improvement.

Afterwards, use the most popular resources: TV shows and films. Seeing TV shows and films and Spanish is a great tip to improve your pronunciation and your comprehension. Start by seeing them in original version with subtitles and then remove them and try to understand by yourself with your knowledge. Don’t choose your film or your TV show by chance, choose your favourite one so it will be easier. You will not only learn pronunciation but also common expressions and words that maybe don’t exist in English or your mother tongue.

Don’t be shy and sing in Spanish.

We’ve got a lot of international artists that you will know at least one song of them. You can learn vocabulary, grammar, expressions… And it is a good way to learn having fun. A good idea is to go to a karaoke with your friends and make the challenge of only singing songs in Spanish You’ll have so much fun, and you will learn, both at the same time.

Meanwhile, speak Spanish as much as you can.

Going to the groceries, to the cinema, to the theatre, to have a drink… Use every situation to practise and interact with Spanish speakers, as their pronunciation will help you with yours. As we say in Spanish: “la práctica hace al maestro, el conocimiento al estudiante”. It doesn’t matter how much you study Spanish, if you don’t practise it and you don’t make the effort to speak it, you won’t learn how to talk fluently in this beautiful (and very useful) language.

And last but not least, don’t worry to make mistakes.

We all learn and fail constantly, and it doesn’t matter, it is part of the process. Learning a language is not easy, so practise and practise without thinking on what others will say.

 

We hope this tips will help you!

 

Author: Maria Pilar Casabán
Photo by George Milton

 

Learn Spanish in Valencia with the best tutors.

We are in:   Spanish & Valencia. Calle del Mar 23-25 Valencia – Spain