Spanish Learning through Listening
Five Ways to Increase Comprehension of Spoken Spanish
Listen to audio books, join a conversation group, learn Latin songs, watch the news in Spanish or listen to children's stories to increase your Spanish comprehension.
If you’ve exhausted your collection of tapes and CDs with Spanish phrases for travelers, it may be time to expand your learning through opportunities to hear Spanish that are available in most American cities. Below are a few ideas that can start moving you toward more fluent comprehension of this widely spoken language.
Books with CDs or Cassette Tapes
Your library may stock popular novels and non-fiction books in Spanish, plus the same books on CD or tape. Book stores often sell both the books and the audio books, or can special order them for you. You might start by reading the book, then – once you’ve got the story down – listen to the tapes either at home or in your car. If you can’t understand a passage, you can always refer to the book for help. You can find a wide selection of books and audio books in Spanish at Spanish-Bookworld.com.
Conversation Groups
Many cities have groups of Spanish speakers who meet regularly for an hour or two of coffee and chat en español. This provides an opportunity not only to listen, but to polish your speaking fluency as well. Many groups include both native Spanish speakers and locals who are learning the language or have gained some level of fluency through travel or work abroad. The mix can be fun and especially helpful to learners. The on-line social networking site Meetup lists Spanish conversation groups in hundreds of cities across the U.S. and Canada.
Music
Music is a great way to learn a language. The number of Spanish language artists is almost endless, most readily available in U.S. music stores. A number of popular CDs come with the printed lyrics, and many have English translations as well. Once you’ve listened to the songs and learned the lyrics, you can sing along, giving your language learning a huge boost. Gloria Estefan’s Mi Tierra and Luis Miguel’s México en la Piel both come with the Spanish lyrics and English translations. If you get a CD without the lyrics included, the artist’s website often has them.
Latino Cable Television
Most city cable companies offer a Latino option at very reasonable cost. A basic package will likely bring you The Discovery Channel and The History Channel en español, a couple of movie channels, plus news, and other programming, including telenovelas (soap opera-like romances in the form of a miniseries), from Mexico and other Latin American countries. Some learners find the narrated Discovery and History channels relatively easy to understand. The telenovelas and movies offer more everyday conversation exchanges.
Children’s Book and CD Packages
Most city libraries have a varied selection of children’s books in Spanish that include a CD of the complete story told aloud. You can begin with very simple stories or choose ones designed for more advanced readers, depending on your comprehension level. Many of the stories are delightful and provide an enjoyable way to learn the language.
It’s best to browse through library collections before choosing what you want from these book-and-CD packages. El Principito (The Little Prince), by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, is a classic selection for intermediate learners. It’s generally available with both book and audio book at libraries, or the two editions can be purchased separately from local and on-line book stores.
Once you've honed your listening skills, you'll find conversations with native speakers, at home or on trips abroad, go much more smoothly.
