Becoming 'Fluent' in Spanish: A Journey, Not a Destination
¡Hola a todos! Are you on a mission to become fluent in Spanish, but aren’t quite sure when you’ll be able to confidently say, “Sí, hablo español” (Yes, I speak Spanish)? I’m here to tell you that it’s a wee bit more complicated than you might think, but in the best possible way. Buckle up and let’s dive into the gloriously messy journey towards Spanish ‘fluency’.
1- The Art of Being "Fluent"
First things first, let’s demystify this idea of being ‘fluent’. For some, it means living their life in the language, whereas for others, it’s speaking like a native. But let’s be honest, there’s no point reaching for that native-level fluency (at least at the beginning) because, well, how can I put this… you’re not a native. Sure, you might do a grand job of imitating a local, just like you can pull off an American or an Irish accent. But after a while, just as someone might call you out with, “Hold on there, we don’t say ‘Howdy partner’ here,” you’ll eventually drop a phrase or word in Spanish that screams, “Not from around these parts!” It could be your pronunciation, an error, or you could end up using words that even a Spanish dictionary wouldn’t know. And that’s okay!
Picture this. You’re at a bustling mercado in Valencia, and you’re haggling for oranges like a pro. You’re using local lingo and the vendors are smiling, impressed. You’re thinking, “Sure, I could be mistaken for a local.” But then you say “muchos gracias” when it’s clearly “muchas gracias”. The vendor raises an eyebrow, and there it is – your cover’s blown. That’s the fun part of fluency – you’re constantly playing undercover. The secret is to embrace your own version of fluency and enjoy the ride.
2 - Speak, Don't Just Read
Learning Spanish from a book is like trying to master football by watching matches and reading books. You can’t become Messi by reading about his ‘tiki-taka’ style; you’ve got to get your boots dirty. The same applies to Spanish. Let me take you back to my mate, Seán, and his first foray into Spanish. Seán had memorised every page of a Spanish phrasebook, but when he tried to order a café con leche in Madrid, he just couldn’t pluck up the courage to complete the order, and reverted back to English. Speaking the language is a must – practise it, get feedback, and improve. Make those mistakes, get a few laughs, and then correct them. You’ll see your confidence grow each day. So don’t lose heart.
3 - Listen up
Listening to Spanish is a real game-changer. You could know all the words in the dictionary, but if you can’t understand them being said at real-world speed, it won’t do you much good. Tune into Spanish radio, watch a few telenovelas (they’re a hoot), or listen to some Spanish music. Your ears will start picking up the rhythm and nuances of the language like a pro.
Start slow, a friend of mine kicked things off ambitiously, diving headfirst into Spanish cinema classics, convinced that he was ready to take it up a notch. Soon, he found himself grappling with complex sentences and cultural references that went over his head. Those films might as well have been in Martian!
He eventually decided to switch gears and swapped the intricate plotlines of Almodóvar films for the colourful simplicity of … Peppa Pig. At first, he felt a bit silly sitting alone, chuckling at cartoon characters instead of enjoying sophisticated dramas. But hey, if talking animals and silly catchphrases kept his interest, who was he to argue?
As the weeks rolled on, he got accustomed to the cheerful theme tunes and goofy storylines, and something magical happened. His understanding of Spanish started to improve. He was no longer just laughing at the slapstick humour, but actually started getting the puns and jokes.
4 - The Dance of Grammar and Vocabulary
Grammar and vocabulary are your dance partners in the flamenco of language (God, my examples are getting worse…). They become crucial when you’re trying to express yourself clearly. Now, before you break into a cold sweat at the thought of mastering Spanish grammar, remember that even natives make mistakes. Sometimes, they mix up their subjunctives and infinitives. So, if you forget where your ‘por’ and ‘para’ go, don’t worry. Just keep dancing!
5 - Practice Makes Perfect-ish
The journey to fluency varies for everyone. It depends on how much you practise and how much time you spend in a Spanish-speaking environment. A student of mine decided to work in a tapas bar in Barcelona one summer. His Spanish before he left was shaky, but after a summer of taking orders, chatting with locals, and fumbling through Spanish TV shows, his Spanish was flowing as smoothly as the sangria he was serving (that was better than the “flamenco of language” metaphor and you know it).
Moving to Spain for a few months could catapult your skills, but if you can’t, try surrounding yourself with Spanish speakers, or at least a few good Spanish movies or books. Check out my “Spanish at home” blog for tips!
Five Tips to Speed Up the Journey
Practise Daily: Just like brushing your teeth, make speaking Spanish a daily habit.
Immerse Yourself: Surround yourself with the language as much as possible. This could mean listening to Spanish music or podcasts, watching Spanish TV shows or even labelling household items in Spanish.
Get a Language Partner: Practise with someone who’s also learning, or even better, a native speaker.
Take Risks: Don’t worry about sounding silly or making mistakes. The more you use the language, the more natural it will feel.
Have Fun With It: This is crucial. Enjoy the process, laugh at your mistakes, and celebrate your progress.
Conclusion
The journey to Spanish fluency is less of a straight line and more of a dance routine. It’s full of twists, turns, and a few trips, but it’s all part of the jig. Remember, it’s not about becoming a perfect native speaker, but about enjoying the journey and becoming the best Spanish speaker you can be. Sure, you might let slip an ‘Irishism’ or an “Americanism” or a “whatever-ism” now and then, but hey, that’s just part of the fun. Happy learning and ¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!)