Over the past 10 days I have been seeking language exchange partners and am very excited to have done my first speaking of Spanish with a native speaker.
I reached a clear point during the SSISpanish course (I’m on level 1) where I just felt the next step for improvement was definitely to try out my skills in conversation with a native Spanish speaker!
I feel that the big difference for me is that the SSIS course has given me a great confidence and strength in my language learning, whilst keeping the whole experience enjoyable.
I really had no doubts that I would be able to get by and hold a basic conversation.
I signed up to two language exchange websites - My Language Exchange and italki.
I now have four exchanges in Spanish-English. One by email, two by whatsapp and one for live face-to-face Skype conversation. Each way gives me something different.
The whatsapp format is a good one for keeping up with general learning.
We do this by writing short texts using both English and Spanish, and then also recording the sentence in our native languages so that the other can hear how it is said.
I held my first (small) conversation in Spanish via Skype two days ago. I learnt so much through the process.
However, it was my exchanges comments on my Spanish level that were most interesting, and I thought I would share them.
She explained that she was surprised by my Spanish level as it was good, and my Spanish was much better than she was expecting.
She remarked on how, unlike other beginners she has spoken to in the past, I was confident and willing to jump into into having a go at talking in Spanish. Also, unlike other beginners, she remarked how she could actually have a conversation with me in Spanish because I could express my own thoughts and ideas, and I could form my own sentences. I did not just repeat memorised phrases or have only the odd disjointed word.
I was really pleased by this observation as this is, of course, what the SSIS way of learning is all about!
The parts which for which I realised I needed more experience were on my listening skills - I really struggled to pick up and understand what my exchange was saying and asking me. I kept having to ask for what it meant in English. Though once I knew, I could then answer ok in my basic Spanish.
The other was that I realise I need to access a wider vocabulary on the subjects I’m likely speak about.
My first exchanges have been positive experiences that are taking my Spanish learning to a new level, and I’d really encourage anyone to have a go at trying out their Spanish in conversation.
I’m really happy with my progress, and can definitely say that the SSIS course is preparing me well.
Any tips for continuing to improve my listening skills?
