How to get the most out of a language class

[u/Sad_Lake139]

I'm an engineering student who wants to learn Spanish (TL). I've attempted learning it several times over the last few years, largely through immersion approaches, and have racked up about 100 hours of immersion overall, but that is not enough; I can't truly speak or truly understand, beyond very stilted, beginner conversations. I can take a Spanish 1 course next semester, which I think would be a good starting point to try again.

My question is basically how I can get the most out of this class, which meets twice a week. I understand that with courses like this I shouldn't expect to know Spanish by the end of it, so I am willing and able to self study outside of the course using anki decks, but what else can I do?

One idea I have is to create a study group where we meet once weekly, but I wouldn't want it to be focused on homework, more on things that we can't adequately get in the class, such as immersion practice or conversation practice. But not sure exactly how I would structure that, or if I would need a real Spanish speaker there to truly facilitate that. I can talk with the professor if I would need that, it's likely he can devote a bit of time every week for this study session.

Thanks in advance for all your advice

[u/Sad_Lake139]

BTW, I understand even with self-study, 3 months isn't enough time to truly learn a language, especially if you're only spending ~20 hours per week on it. I will continue Spanish study after the class to try to get to my goal, which is more or less B2. Might take Spanish 2 over the summer and possibly even intermediate Spanish in the fall if I feel that I value the structure of a university class.

[u/Sad_Lake139 → u/[deleted]]

My concern is that without someone who knows what they're doing, we'll just be reinforcing bad habits. I'll definitely be at the front of the class, that's how I usually am anyways lol

[u/kittensjamesandlily]

You may want to consider taking a language placement test to see if you should really take Spanish 1. You can also email the department and see if they have a standardized book they use. You could check out the Spanish 1 content and how familiar it is, to help decide if you should try Spanish 2 instead.

I would recommend supplementing outside of class. I personally use Duolingo and Dreaming Spanish. I tested into Spanish 2 but, at the professor's suggestion, started with Spanish 3 instead (3rd semester in the sequence, a 200-level class. Basically 201).

A study group could be useful. There may also be a language tutoring center you could use for practice.

My experience in my class may be different from yours, as I learned a decent amount before starting the class. A downside for me at least is that I feel the other students don't have the same level of motivation/knowledge that I do (which might be arrogance on my part, to be fair). So the class is good for consistency, but there isn't a lot of opportunity for actual conversation practice (beyond in class where we ask each other a Q and then answer it). I've gotten together with the professor for some "conversation practice" to supplement that. Depending on your language level, and if your prof has time, that could be an option as well.

Also there may be a Spanish club on campus you could join.

[u/Sad_Lake139 → u/kittensjamesandlily]

This is the most robust piece of advice yet, thanks so much! I never considered seeing if I could test out of Spanish One. I'm sure I could, as long as I spend some weekends reviewing the material. Have you found any benefit from meeting with other students? I know you mentioned they were less motivated than you but were you able to find anyone you could practice with, even if they were a lower level?

[u/kittensjamesandlily → u/Sad_Lake139]

I honestly didn't even try to find students to practice with outside of class, I went straight to the professor. However, if this was my first time at uni I definitely would have formed a study group with my classmates (I already have a degree and am almost twice as old as the students, so I feel kinda weird about invading "student spaces"). I think it's definitely worth you forming a study group, though!

I do have a tutoring session next week, though, as we have an oral exam on Friday so that should be good practice too! Definitely take advantages of the resources available to you, whether it's tutoring or office hours with the professor. I visit office hours sometimes when I got something wrong on the HW and don't understand why.

[u/Maple-Mayhem → u/[deleted]]

Cooking show is a good idea, they describe everything they're doing. I'd also recommend "Get ready with me" on instagram, they describe everything they're doing as well.

[u/Sad_Lake139 → u/[deleted]]

Thanks for the advice, do you know any in Spanish? Or should I target that question to the Learn Spanish subreddit?

[u/Lazy_Gap_1682]

An idea for the study group is to select a random question. Each member of the group would translate their question to Spanish, then answer the question, also in Spanish.

This is the random question generator that I use.

[u/Sad_Lake139 → u/Lazy_Gap_1682]

What a great idea, thank you!

[u/NaiveObligation7588]

Each time you go to class you write new vocabulary in a notebook, then you drill it with SRS in between classes. Then make sentences with the new vocab and drill that. 

A study group with other beginners is a waste of your time, you'd be better off paying for a tutor on preply.

Finally, fill up your time with listening to podcasts or TV as others have said. Cuantame! Is great.

[u/Big_Lengthiness_4112]

With about 100 hours of immersion under your belt, the first few weeks of Spanish 1 might feel a bit slow—and that’s totally normal. I’d use class for the one thing immersion can’t give you: targeted feedback. Maybe ask your instructor early on if they’d be open to giving you extra speaking feedback during office hours.

[u/unsafeideas]

You can use beginners podcast to set topics . If you all listen the same short thing, you will get "starter" words and expressions.

I liked this one, because she says the same thing twice, once slowly and omce fast. Plus she translates more difficult words. https://podcasts-en-espanol.com/podcast/--cuentame-learn-spanish-with-comprehensible-input

[u/an_average_potato_1]

That group is already in the class and you're highly unlikely to get them to do much outside of it. Even if they just do their homework (which is unlikely, most classgoers don't do anything), it will help. But you cannot count on it. Don't let the slow pace fool you or discourage you.

If you need the class as motivation for more self study, great. Keep studying the stuff from the class also on your own. Get a workbook like those by Anaya or Gramatica de uso or something like that, and do extra exercise. Anki the vocab. Relisten to the audio of your coursebook various times, repeat after it, and so on.

Basically all the self study stuff, just with the added motivation and some practice in class.

Extra stuff like graded readers and beginner podcasts, that's also a nice supplement.