Can You Learn Spanish from a CD - Blog Pinker - World News Blog Website and Articles

Can You Learn Spanish from a CD

Monday, 13 August 2007

There are literally hundreds of language-learning related programs available for a steep cost on the market, but are they really worth the money that you will pay for them? Can you really learn to speak Spanish from just a book and a CD? The answer is-more or less. There are a number of advantages to learning through an audio language course that should not be discounted.

First and foremost, by learning from an audio CD you will be given the opportunity to learn Spanish the way it was meant to be taught; by learning to speak it first and foremost, then learning how to read and write. Many classes offered through schools and universities attempt to teach the two skills together, and while that may be a good idea in principle it almost guarantees that the student in question will have a very difficult time retaining the information they learn.

Of course, if you have found yourself in the position of having to learn to read and write in Spanish as well as speak it you have been given a distinct advantage by your choice in language. Spanish is one of the few modern languages written precisely how it sounds (unlike English, with its soft and hard vowels, long and short letters and silent Es). Once you have mastered the letter sounds of the Spanish alphabet you will be able to read the words properly, and once you have learned to speak Spanish fluently you should have no trouble blending the two skills.

Secondly, learning from an audio CD gives you the opportunity to practice your words with the proper pronunciation and accent. English is spoken much more harshly than Spanish, and the rolled Rs and lisped Ds can be very difficult for many to master. By practicing along with an audio CD you will be able to hear how the word is intended to sound and attempt to pattern yourself after it.

Finally, one of the greatest advantages of learning Spanish from an audio CD is the ease with which it can be studied. Almost everyone spends at least a portion of their day behind the wheel of their vehicle as they commute to and from work, the grocery store and various social and sporting events. This is a perfect time for you to practice your Spanish skills; after all, what else are you going to do while sitting in traffic?

The answer to the question of whether you can learn Spanish from a CD is yes; however, remember that learning any language is going to take time and patience, and unless you are using the language to meet all of your needs every single day you will never learn to speak the language with the fluency of a native. There is only so much room on a CD! Regardless, an audio course is a great place to start gaining an understanding and appreciation of this beautiful language.

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