How To Really Learn Spanish - by Ricardo González, Founder & Executive Director of Bilingual America  

Table of Contents
Forward - Dr. Jane Madsen Introduction
Chapter 1 - The Importance of Methods
Chapter 2 - Assess Your Abilities
Chapter 3 - The Fruit and the Root
Chapter 4 - The Power of Patterns
Chapter 5 - You're Not A Native...All About Immersion
Chapter 6 - The Four Secrets To Long Term Retention
Chapter 7 - The Cozy Comfortable Classroom
Chapter 8 - Eight Reasons Why Telephone Tutoring is Better Than Face to Face Tutoring
Chapter 9 - What To Expect From a Great Tutor
Chapter 10 - What To Expect From Great Course Materials
Chapter 11 - Mastering Pronunciation, Speech Flow and Comprehension
Chapter 12 - Put Your Products on the Shelf!
Chapter 13 - What to Do When You Already Speak Some Spanish
Chapter 14 - Cultural Training and Language
Closing Thoughts


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Chapter 1 - The Importance of Methods

I cannot overstate the importance of methods in learning. Methods are the key to your learning process. Methods to Spanish learning are like oil to an automobile. Without great learning methods, the process burns out and bogs down. There simply is no motor to drive the process.

You need to understand how you are going to learn before you start learning. If not, you run a great risk of spending a lot of time, and perhaps money, on things that do not work.

With this in mind, allow me to introduce you to the importance of methods in Spanish training.

• A learning process is only as good as the methods implemented.
• A teacher is only as good as the learning methods he or she uses.
• A student will learn only as well as the learning methods allow.

If you purchase a Spanish Course at your local book store that has dialogues of Gabriel and Andrea in a burrito shop, that is exactly what you would learn. You would be able to order burritos, but you would not be able to carry an extended conversation, much less negotiate a business deal in Latin America or hire effectively for your business.

Unfortunately, many people make the mistake of choosing a school or course based on pricing, location or social environment. In fact, the first question many people ask when considering a language school is, Where are you located, when are your classes and how much does it cost?

Sorry, amigo, wrong questions! A school should be chosen based primarily on methods because the method will determine the result.

Learning is about what you do, not where you are or who you are with. It certainly has nothing to do with how beautiful or nice your teacher is! The fact is that most teachers are great people. The problem is that being great people does not make for great results; great learning systems make for great results.

Again, a teacher is only as effective as the learning methods he or she implements. Remember also that many people drive automobiles, but few are outstanding mechanics.

There are two types of methods used by schools and teachers. They are:

• Learning Methods
• Logistical Methods


Learning methods include things like:

• How are memory systems developed and implemented?
• How and when should pronunciation skills be taught?
• How do you develop speech flow?
• How is grammar and structure most easily and comprehensively learned?
• How are comprehension skills developed?
• Should you be introduced to native rate of speed immediately?
• Should you learn in a dialogue based, immersion method or through a bilingual approach? Is there a balance? If so, what is it?


Logistical methods include things like:

• Will you take a group class, engage in one-on-one tutoring or do an independent learning program?
• When will you take instruction? Can you consistently make that time?
• How frequently do you work with a tutor or instructor?
• How much time do you need to invest in course materials?
• Can you leverage the use of course materials when traveling?
• Do you take tutoring face to face, by telephone, or in an on-line format? Which is better? Why?
• Can you learn on-line? Can you use an on-line tutoring process? If so, how does it work?
• Can you use audio tapes or videos?

Schools can mimic another school's logistical methods, they cannot, however, easily mimic proprietary and proven learning methodologies. For example; any school can offer one-on-one tutoring, however, no other school can offer tutoring — live or virtual — that directly integrates with Bilingual America courseware.

So, with which institute should you choose to learn Spanish? The answer is simple — the one with the best methods!

The key I would like you to remember in this chapter is —

You should choose your Spanish provider based on the methods implemented in your learning process. This includes both learning and logistical methods. Methods will determine the success of your learning process.

In order for you to determine the validity of the methods implemented by a school or course, you must understand the logic and purpose of the methods implemented. You must learn before you sign up for a course somewhere. This, of course, is why you are reading this book.

I believe this book makes a great case for starting a learning program with Bilingual America. You, of course, will be the final judge of that and we respect your intellect. This is why we are giving you such detailed information regarding methods and processes.

Whatever your decision about a Spanish learning program, this book will set you on a great path towards communicating well in Spanish.

Please click on Chapter II, Assess Your Abilities, in the left-hand navigation to continue.