language learning techniques, the benefits of being bilingual, the influence of Spanish on Latin American writing, and a list of useful phrasal verbs in Spanish

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The Influence of Spanish Language on Latin American Writing

This article offers an interesting look at the influence of Spanish language on Latin American writing. It examines how various Latin American authors incorporate Spanish words and phrases into their work, and how this has helped to shape the literature of the region. It also highlights some of the key elements that characterize Latin American writing, such as its use of slang and vivid imagery.

If you're learning Spanish or Latin American Spanish, you should definitely give this article a read. It's a great way to gain perspective on how writers from the region use their language, and it also provides insight into some of the unique characteristics that make Latin American writing so captivating. Plus, it's a great way to get more acquainted with the language itself – you may even pick up some new words and phrases along the way!

Learn a new language while doing something else

• Scientists have found that learning a new language can be easier if you're doing another task at the same time.
• They say that this is because the two tasks compete for attention in the brain, and this can help to 'cement' new words and phrases.
• The researchers suggest that this could be a more effective way to learn than traditional methods, such as listening to language tapes.

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Spanish speakers worldwide

If you're interested in learning Spanish, you're in good company – according to the Cervantes Institute's yearbook 2022, there are almost 500 million native Spanish speakers worldwide.

• Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world.
• Spanish is continuing to grow as a language, with almost 500 million native speakers according to Cervantes.
• This growth is largely due to the increasing number of Spanish speakers in Latin America.
• The Spanish language is also becoming more popular in the United States.

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The benefits of a bilingual brain

This video discusses the benefits of being multilingual and how it affects the brain.

• Most people in the world are bilingual or multilingual.
• Knowing two or more languages can make traveling and watching movies without subtitles easier.
• Language ability is measured in speaking, writing, listening, and reading.
• Bilinguals may have varying abilities in each language depending on their situation and how they acquired each language.

There are three general types of bilingual people:

• Compound bilinguals develop two linguistic codes simultaneously with a single set of concepts.
• Coordinate bilinguals work with two sets of concepts.
• Subordinate bilinguals learn a secondary language by filtering it through their primary language.

Recent advances in brain imaging technology have given neurolinguists insight into how specific aspects of language learning affect the bilingual brain.

• The left hemisphere is more dominant and analytical in logical processes while the right hemisphere is more active in emotional and social ones.
• Children learn languages more easily because the plasticity of their developing brains lets them use both hemispheres in language acquisition.
• Being multilingual gives your brain some remarkable advantages such as higher density of grey matter that contains most of your brain's neurons and synapses, and more activity in certain regions when engaging a second language.

Switching Between Languages:

• Bilingualism may not necessarily make you smarter but it does make your brain more healthy, complex and actively engaged.
• It's never too late to learn a second language.
• Making the linguistic leap from "Hello" to "Hola," "Bonjour" or "你好’s" can be beneficial for our brains.

The benefits of bilingualism:

• Bilingualism makes your brain more healthy, complex and actively engaged.
• It helps with executive function, problem solving, switching between tasks, and focusing while filtering out irrelevant information.
• Learning a second language is beneficial even if you didn't have the good fortune of learning one as a child.

The secrets of learning a new language

Lýdia Machová talks about her love for learning foreign languages and how she has been able to learn eight different languages.

• Polyglots find ways to enjoy the process of language learning
• Different methods are used but enjoyment is key
• Reading books or watching TV shows in a foreign language can be helpful
• Effective methods are necessary for long-term retention
• Spaced repetition helps with retaining vocabulary
• Immersion is important for developing fluency
• Create a system in your learning by planning ahead and finding small pockets of time throughout the day.
• Use everyday activities like listening to podcasts or doing household chores as opportunities to practice language skills.
• Set specific goals such as practicing speaking with a friend or listening to a YouTube video while having breakfast.
• Learning a language fluently takes time, but visible improvement can be made in just two months with consistent effort.
• Learning in small chunks every day in an enjoyable way is key to staying motivated.
• Little victories, such as understanding jokes or expressing oneself more fluently, are highly motivating and lead to greater success over time.
• Find effective methods that work for you, such as speaking with native speakers or experimenting with different techniques.
• Use these methods consistently over time to make progress quickly.
• Enjoying the process is key to staying motivated and achieving success.

Phrasal Verbs

What are phrasal verbs?

Phrasal verbs are a type of multi-word verb that consist of a verb and one or more particles. The particles can be adverbs, prepositions, or both, and they change the meaning of the verb in various ways. Some common examples of phrasal verbs include "give up," "run into," and "look forward to." Learning phrasal verbs is an important part of mastering English, as they are used frequently in both spoken and written communication.

The 16 most useful phrasal verbs in (Latin American) Spanish are:

• Acabar de (to have just finished an action) Acabo de volver de la tienda.
• Caer bien (to be liked, referring to a person) Tu prima Clarita me cae super bien.
• Caer mal (to not be liked, or referring to a person or when a food doesn’t agree with you) Uff, creo que ese huevo frito estaba malogrado, me cayó super mal.
• Contar con (to have / to be able to count on someone) El spa del hotel cuenta con piscina, jacuzzi y sauna.
• Darse cuenta de (to realize) ¿Cuándo Marina se dará cuenta de que su relación no se va a ningún lado?
• Dejar de (to stop doing something) Deja de hacer eso, ¡me molesta!
• Estar de acuerdo (to agree) ¿Ustedes están de acuerdo con esa idea?
• Estar por (to be about to do something) No puedo hablar ahora, estoy por entrar a clase.
• Llevar a cabo (to carry out) Necesitamos llevar a cabo una limpieza profunda en la oficina.
• Pensar en (to think about) ¡Ricardo ya está pensando en sus vacaciones y todavía faltan 3 meses!
• Pensar de (to have an opinion about) ¿Qué pensarán mis compañeros de trabajo de mí si llego tres horas tarde al trabajo?
• Ponerse a (to start to do something, often suddenly and it can refer to emotions) La niña se puso a llorar porque el perro la había asustado.
• Soñar con (to dream about) Anoche mi esposo soñó con tiburones, ¿que significará eso?
• Tener ganas de (to feel like doing something) Como siempre, los alumnos no tienen ganas de ordenar el salón.
• Tener que ver con (to have to do with something) Wilbert no entiende qué tiene que ver ese comentario con el tema que estamos hablando.
• Volver a (to do something again) ¡Qué lindo cantaste! ¿Puedes volver a cantar esa canción?

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How to Self-Study Spanish

Some key techniques to enhance your self-study include finding a Spanish language partner, getting a private tutor, using podcasts and recorded audio for listening practice, streaming Spanish-language radio and music, watching content in Spanish, staying on course with structured programs, using language apps, trying translation tools, choosing a good textbook, reading everyday Spanish material, and immersing yourself in the language where you are.

It is essential to use a combination of these methods to create a well-rounded learning experience and to make sure you're continuously practicing reading, writing, speaking, and understanding the language.

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Learn Spanish watching TV shows 📺

Language learning is made easier and more fun with Lingopie, a website where you can immerse yourself in videos and watch a variety of genres such as interviews or TV shows.

Think of it as bilingual TV! If you’re struggling to find a way to learn languages, Lingopie has been designed specifically for these types of learners and their needs.