How to actually improve your Spanish at NYU Madrid

Can you really speak fluently after one semester abroad? Here is your guide to including the city in your language learning journey.

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One student’s advice for those trying to learn Spanish during a semester abroad in Spain. (Karina Christo for WSN)

You came to Madrid for a semester abroad and decided you were ready. You’ve fixed the euro to dollar conversion and figured out when is the best time to FaceTime with your best friends from home given the time difference. Someone on TikTok informed you that sangria is not popular in winter, so you ironically vowed to stick to tinto de verano until at least March. But despite all that, it turns out there was one more beast to deal with – and perhaps the biggest of them all. Were you ready to learn the language?

In the iconic episode “Caso Cerrado” host Ana Maria Polo which is basically Cuban Judge Judy but 10 times better once said that a person who speaks two languages ​​is bilingual, a person who speaks three is trilingual, and a person who speaks one language is American.

You may have been inspired to learn Spanish because it looks beautiful to you, or because you want to dazzle your LinkedIn. Maybe you’re itching to connect with your Hispanic roots as a “no clogs” Hispanic. At the very least, I’m willing to bet that you appreciate other cultures and don’t want to come across as an ignorant American.

Whether you’re studying in Madrid right now or planning to study in the future, I’ve put together a list of five tips to help you get the most out of your Spanish abroad.

Be confident in your abilities

You may have heard the stereotype that service workers in Paris always answer Americans in English. Since this can happen in Madrid too, it’s best to develop a plan to deal with the anxiety that comes when a barista answers you in English. Confusion, shock, confusion whatever you feel is normal. Master it and understand that a 15-second conversation does not determine your intelligence, or even your true knowledge of a foreign language. The other party can speak English even if it is limited to help you. Answer in Spanish and see what happens. You can always say, “I know you speak English, but I would like to practice my Spanish, please,” acknowledging their ability. But be realistic. If there’s a line of people at the door looking at you, and every other word you say is “um,” then it might be time to give up. Don’t worry you will have many more opportunities to practice.

Consistency is key

If there’s one thing I remember from high school health classes, it’s the SMART idea. goals – specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, timed it’s a somewhat banal methodology that’s been ingrained in my brain since I was a teenager. Installing a New Year’s solution is nothing more than a demonstration until you take steps to achieve this goal. Personally, I made a commitment to take two classes on Duolingo and listen to one podcast in Spanish each day, as well as several episodes of TV shows or YouTube videos in Spanish throughout the week. Take advantage of the fact that you are in a Spanish speaking country. Madrid is home to a variety of cinemas, museums, dance classes and performances that allow you to practice the language while exploring the city. Make sure you also take a holistic approach by practicing listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Actually do your homework

If you study in Madrid, you are guaranteed to receive at least one Spanish course. As easy as it is to skip reading and still stay in New York, giving up language assignments abroad won’t do you any good. If you really want to learn, you will have to pay attention to the words you don’t know and answer questions. Make “SpanishDict” your best friend instead of Google Translate.

Chat with native speakers

Meeting people whose native language is Spanish can be the most exciting way to practice a foreign language, especially if they are your age. NYU offers the opportunity to participate in a language exchange which includes weekly activities such as bachata lessons, board games and bowling with students from Spanish universities. Discos or nightclubs are also a fun way to meet people. you can pre-play by talking with taxi drivers and restaurant workers. As YouTube traveler Joe Franco says, you can even use dating apps to make friends while abroad, allowing you to learn Spanish with a native speaker and have your own personal guide.

Immerse yourself in the Spanish media

Because Spanish has so many different dialects and accents, it’s important to brush up on your listening skills, especially if you don’t have much Spanish listening practice in the peninsula. Binge watching TV shows set in Spain such as Elite, Money Heist, Smiley and The Cable Guys, or listening to podcasts such as LightSpeed ​​Spanish, Hoy en EL PAÍS, Radio Ambulante. ” and “COOLture” can be a great way to discover authentic dialogue. As someone prone to multitasking, I find audio content to be a convenient option. there is something for everyone.

¡Buena suerte, lo tienes!

Contact Karina Christo by phone [email protected]

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