If you want to have a competitive advantage in today's business world, you need to be able to speak at least one language other than English. In a country like the USA with its large immigrant communities, this is even more important since it will help create mutual understanding and respect too. One language that is not that hard to learn and that is as widely spoken internationally as English is Spanish and by following a few tips, you can make Spanish lessons in Houston work for you.
Houston, TX is a very cosmopolitan city, with people from all over the world living and working here. Since Texas used to be part of Mexico, a large part of the population are of Mexican descent. In addition, there are large communities of immigrants who came from other parts of Latin America, including Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. In fact, more than a third of the city's people speak Spanish at home.
So many people who speak the language of Pablo Neruda or Gabriel Garcia Marquez make finding a teacher quite easy. A good idea is to find a reputable language school and ask for classes that involve private lessons or small groups. This will ensure personal attention but you'll also have a better guarantee that the teacher is competent and qualified.
Your classes will be suited to your level of Spanish. If you've never spoken the language before, you'll start at a beginner's level and gradually move on to more advanced lessons. You'll start with basic greetings and everyday phrases but will also learn grammar and vocabulary.
One of the most important things to remember is that you need to take control of your own learning process. For example, spend some time doing your homework assignments. These will help you make sense of the day's lesson and help you practice your writing and reading skills. They'll also help your teacher get an idea of your progress.
Conversation is very important, so don't be afraid to try and speak the language as much as you can. Do it in class but also do it in your daily life as you come into contact with people of Latin American origin. You'll win their respect simply by trying to communicate in their tongue and they'll readily help you.
Another good way to get used to the sounds of the language is through music and movies. Listen to Hispanic radio stations or find songs by artists from countries such as Mexico. There are great movies from Mexico, Chile and other countries that you can watch with English subtitles. They'll expose you to different accents and help you pick up idiomatic expressions.
When you know the basics, it's time to try some total immersion, where you have no choice but to speak Spanish. You don't have to move to a Latin American country to do this. Simply go there for a couple of weeks of vacation time. However, try not to stick to the popular tourist areas only. For example, spend time at a volunteer project where nobody else speaks English.
Houston, TX is a very cosmopolitan city, with people from all over the world living and working here. Since Texas used to be part of Mexico, a large part of the population are of Mexican descent. In addition, there are large communities of immigrants who came from other parts of Latin America, including Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. In fact, more than a third of the city's people speak Spanish at home.
So many people who speak the language of Pablo Neruda or Gabriel Garcia Marquez make finding a teacher quite easy. A good idea is to find a reputable language school and ask for classes that involve private lessons or small groups. This will ensure personal attention but you'll also have a better guarantee that the teacher is competent and qualified.
Your classes will be suited to your level of Spanish. If you've never spoken the language before, you'll start at a beginner's level and gradually move on to more advanced lessons. You'll start with basic greetings and everyday phrases but will also learn grammar and vocabulary.
One of the most important things to remember is that you need to take control of your own learning process. For example, spend some time doing your homework assignments. These will help you make sense of the day's lesson and help you practice your writing and reading skills. They'll also help your teacher get an idea of your progress.
Conversation is very important, so don't be afraid to try and speak the language as much as you can. Do it in class but also do it in your daily life as you come into contact with people of Latin American origin. You'll win their respect simply by trying to communicate in their tongue and they'll readily help you.
Another good way to get used to the sounds of the language is through music and movies. Listen to Hispanic radio stations or find songs by artists from countries such as Mexico. There are great movies from Mexico, Chile and other countries that you can watch with English subtitles. They'll expose you to different accents and help you pick up idiomatic expressions.
When you know the basics, it's time to try some total immersion, where you have no choice but to speak Spanish. You don't have to move to a Latin American country to do this. Simply go there for a couple of weeks of vacation time. However, try not to stick to the popular tourist areas only. For example, spend time at a volunteer project where nobody else speaks English.
About the Author:
When you are looking for information about Spanish lessons in Houston, you can go to the web pages here today. Details are available at http://www.texasschooloflanguages.com now.
No comments:
Post a Comment