If you want to have a competitive advantage in today's business world, you need to be able to speak at least one language other than English. In a country like the USA with its large immigrant communities, this is even more important since it will help create mutual understanding and respect too. One language that is not that hard to learn and that is as widely spoken internationally as English is Spanish and by following a few tips, you can make Spanish lessons in Houston work for you.
The oil business had drawn people from many parts of the world to Houston, TX, making it one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the USA. Moreover, the city has a huge population of Hispanic descent. After all, Texas once was part of Mexico and as Chicanos often say, they didn't cross the border; the border crossed them. Add to this the many people coming from Central and South America in search of a better life and it's not surprising that around 37 percent of the people in the city speak Spanish as their home language.
So many people who speak the language of Pablo Neruda or Gabriel Garcia Marquez make finding a teacher quite easy. A good idea is to find a reputable language school and ask for classes that involve private lessons or small groups. This will ensure personal attention but you'll also have a better guarantee that the teacher is competent and qualified.
You'll be assigned a class depending on how much of the language you already know. If you don't know any Spanish at all, you'll start with beginner's classes. First you'll learn greetings and other basic phrases. Then you'll start learning simple vocabulary and the grammar that will form the basis for more advanced classes later on.
One of the most important things to remember is that you need to take control of your own learning process. For example, spend some time doing your homework assignments. These will help you make sense of the day's lesson and help you practice your writing and reading skills. They'll also help your teacher get an idea of your progress.
It's important to practice spoken Spanish as often as you can as well. Join in during conversation classes and don't be too afraid that you'll make mistakes. Take your practice outside of the classroom too, speaking to shopkeepers, workers and any other speakers of the language that you might come into contact with. They'll be happy to help you learn their language.
It's also good to expose yourself to different accents and to the way people speak in their everyday lives. Watch movies from different parts of Latin America. The subtitles will help you follow the plot but focus on the phrases and sounds. Music helps too and radio stations catering for the Hispanic community will play a variety of songs that will help you learn everyday expressions and slang.
Total immersion is a great way to practice once you know a little bit of Spanish. When you don't have the option of speaking English, you'll be surprised at how much you learn. Therefore, make your next vacation destination somewhere in Latin America and try building in some time volunteering, which will get you out of the tourist centers and out among the people.
The oil business had drawn people from many parts of the world to Houston, TX, making it one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the USA. Moreover, the city has a huge population of Hispanic descent. After all, Texas once was part of Mexico and as Chicanos often say, they didn't cross the border; the border crossed them. Add to this the many people coming from Central and South America in search of a better life and it's not surprising that around 37 percent of the people in the city speak Spanish as their home language.
So many people who speak the language of Pablo Neruda or Gabriel Garcia Marquez make finding a teacher quite easy. A good idea is to find a reputable language school and ask for classes that involve private lessons or small groups. This will ensure personal attention but you'll also have a better guarantee that the teacher is competent and qualified.
You'll be assigned a class depending on how much of the language you already know. If you don't know any Spanish at all, you'll start with beginner's classes. First you'll learn greetings and other basic phrases. Then you'll start learning simple vocabulary and the grammar that will form the basis for more advanced classes later on.
One of the most important things to remember is that you need to take control of your own learning process. For example, spend some time doing your homework assignments. These will help you make sense of the day's lesson and help you practice your writing and reading skills. They'll also help your teacher get an idea of your progress.
It's important to practice spoken Spanish as often as you can as well. Join in during conversation classes and don't be too afraid that you'll make mistakes. Take your practice outside of the classroom too, speaking to shopkeepers, workers and any other speakers of the language that you might come into contact with. They'll be happy to help you learn their language.
It's also good to expose yourself to different accents and to the way people speak in their everyday lives. Watch movies from different parts of Latin America. The subtitles will help you follow the plot but focus on the phrases and sounds. Music helps too and radio stations catering for the Hispanic community will play a variety of songs that will help you learn everyday expressions and slang.
Total immersion is a great way to practice once you know a little bit of Spanish. When you don't have the option of speaking English, you'll be surprised at how much you learn. Therefore, make your next vacation destination somewhere in Latin America and try building in some time volunteering, which will get you out of the tourist centers and out among the people.
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