If you are struggling in learning Spanish, these brain power boosters might help you. Check these 10 top tips.
Boost brain power for learning Spanish
Whether you are just starting to learn Spanish or have been working on it for some time now, everyone can benefit from strategies and techniques to improve their brain and retain new knowledge as fast as possible.
Learning a new language is a challenge for the brain. Listening to or reading Spanish is not enough; if you want to remember what you’ve learned and build fluency, your brain constantly needs new challenges.
Learning a language will keep your brain alert and active. These 12 tips will help you boost your memory, concentration and thinking skills while learning Spanish at the same time.
They will also make your vocabulary much more extensive…
Create your own Spanish learning game
Whether a child or an adult, having fun while studying a new language is more enjoyable and can significantly boost memory retention! Try to make learning Spanish as much of a game as possible.
For example, if you are studying adjectives, come up with a game where each adjective is paired with an image representing it.
For example, “interesante” could be paired with an image of a person with an interesting look on their face; or “difícil” could be linked to an image of a very difficult puzzle.
You can also practice with your friends and family; you can make the game more challenging and interesting by having two people work together to pair the words with images.
Write new words and phrases you learn
Suppose you write down new words you encounter as you go along. In that case, you will significantly boost your ability to remember them.
Many researchers suggest that writing down new words and phrases as a memory tool is even more effective than reading them! One trick is to make your writing as memorable as possible by pairing each word with an image.
For example, if you are learning Spanish and come across the word “luz” (“light”), you could write down “light” with an image of a lightbulb.
Use mnemonics to remember vocabulary
Mnemonics are a great way to link new words to related, already-existing knowledge. The trick is to make the new word or phrase rhyme with something you already know.
For example, if you want to remember that “abrir” means “to open,” you could make a phrase out of it, a kind of story in which “abrir” rhymes with “broder” (to sew up a wound).
Keep a vocabulary journal
As you learn more and more words, it is important to keep them organized. The best way to do this is by keeping a vocabulary journal.
Write down whenever you come across a word you don’t know. Then, please find the best way to make it easier to remember.
You can use rhymes, images, etc., to link the word with something you already know.
Speak Spanish regularly
As strange as it may sound, speaking a language is the best way to learn it regularly. Whenever you have the chance, practice your Spanish and get out of your comfort zone.
This will not only help you improve your pronunciation, but it will also help you remember what you have learned because you are actively engaging your brain with new and challenging tasks.
Take Spanish learning breaks
Learning Spanish is a long-term process; if you constantly study, you might reduce your ability to retain information. Your brain needs rest to process and store new information effectively.
Aim to learn something new for about 30 minutes a day, and then take a break for a few hours or a day before resuming your studies.
Hook up your senses to the language
Try to link words and phrases with your senses. For example, suppose you are trying to remember the Spanish phrase “es una cosa hecho” (“this is a thing made”).
In that case, you could imagine a thing that is made of concrete. This will help your brain remember the phrase more easily.
Sum up sessions with a brain boost
When you finish studying, try to summarize what you have just learned. Make a summary in your own words.
This will help you retain what you have just learned and link it to other information in your brain.
Try brain training games
Many brain training games, including websites and apps, help you learn Spanish faster. These games are an excellent way to challenge your brain and make it more active.
They usually come with audio instructions in Spanish and a visual component so that you can practice both your reading and listening skills at the same time.
Spelling practice is key to accuracy
Learning Spanish does not only mean learning new vocabulary and grammar rules. It also means learning how to spell correctly.
Although many words in Spanish have a Latin-American spelling, others have a more special European Spanish spelling. So make sure you practice spelling, especially as you begin to write in Spanish.
These 12 tips will help you boost your memory, concentration and thinking skills while learning Spanish at the same time. They will also increase your vocabulary and give you the language skills you need to communicate in another country.