!!WARNING!!
The Spanish Cultural Association of Hong Kong contacted bc magazine in October 2020 to buy an advertorial about learning a new language. It’s now July 2022 and they still have not paid the invoice!
Learning a language is good fun, just don’t choose this school!
!!WARNING!!
We’ve all had lots of free time over the last few months, but what have you actually done with that time? Why not learn a new language? bc magazine spoke with Josep Medina of the Spanish Cultural Association of Hong Kong that organises Spanish classes in Hong Kong for his thoughts and suggestions.
“During this pandemic, people are wary of face to face lessons in a language school. The government has encouraged adults to stay at home while parents worry for the safety of their children” said Josep.
“But we all know that the best way to learn a new language, like Spanish, is via face to face contact with a native speaker, ” continued Josep “Having a teacher in front of you that interacts with you has proven to be the most effective way to learn a new language.”
That doesn’t mean you can’t learn or improve, your linguistic skills with all this time on your hands. Here is a list of tips provided by the Spanish Cultural Association of Hong Kong to work on your language skills from home in an effective way. The tips are about learning/ improving your Spanish but apply equally to learning any other foreign language.
Improve your listening skills by watching tv shows or movies in the language that you are learning and use the English/Chinese subtitles to help with vocabulary and comprehension. Watch with your children or friends and enjoying learning together.
The hardest part of learning a language is to improve your listening. There is no shortcut to be better at ‘listening’, it takes time. But it is a skill that you can work on at home by getting used to hearing the language that you are trying to learn.
Nowadays Netflix and other streaming services offer shows and films in multiple languages and sub-titles, even if the show or movie wasn’t originally made in that language. Watch a film you have seen before, so you know the plot, and can concentrate on the language. Or watch an original show with subtitles and learn about the culture and humour…
Getting hooked on a binge-worthy Spanish TV show is a great way to practice vocabulary and listening skills while learning about other cultures and gaining exposure to different accents and slang. Among the most popular Spanish streaming shows are: La Casa de Papel (Money Heist); Dark Desire (Dark Desire); Valeria; Elite; White Lines, Toy Boy; La Casa de Las Flores (House of Flowers); Vis a Vis (Locked Up).
Don’t rely too much on language learning apps. The apps focus mostly on teaching you vocabulary and individual sentences, but they are like a robot, they won’t help you to speak like a native. The most efficient way to improve your language skills is to interact with people and have real meaningful conversations.
So where can you engage with Spanish people in Hong Kong? Join the Spanish meetup group. There are weekly meetings (usually at a Spanish restaurant) and lots of events where you can learn about Spanish culture and experience delicious cuisine and wine. Or once ‘normal’ life returns learn to dance Latin Culture Meetup.
How about online Spanish lessons? Honestly, it’s not as efficient as having lessons in person. But do you have a choice if you want to continue improving your language skills? The current answer is mostly no. There are lots of online options including lessons and conversation. Finding someone who stimulates you conversationally can take time.
With online teachers, look for locally based ones which means you have the chance to continue lessons in person when circumstances improve. The best way to improve a language is by talking with someone, and if that someone is a teacher this will be most efficient way to improve your speaking skills.
Grammar is boring, really boring but without at least a basic understanding you could be completely misunderstood or worse give unintended offence. The good/bad news is that grammar is something you can work on by yourself. A good Spanish grammar book is Competencia Gramatical en Uso which is available for all levels.
Learning a new language is a long-term project. There are no shortcuts and you need to be consistent. If you stop for too long you will go backwards instead. So don’t let the virus stop you from learning. Keep improving every week even if is just a little bit, no matter if it’s via watching a tv show, revising your grammar, having an online lesson or using an app.
This article was sponsored by the Spanish Cultural Association of Hong Kong
The Spanish Cultural Association of Hong Kong is the largest Spanish school in Hong Kong with branches in TST and Causeway Bay. Two program coordinators will help you find courses and teachers whatever your level and needs. 30 full-time native qualified Spanish teachers host classes with online class prices starting from on a private basis (550 HKD/h) or in a small group basis 2-6 students (160 HKD/h to 275 HKD/h depending on the group size).
New group classes start every month, for more information contact them by email at [email protected] or WhatsApp 5134 9008 or visit the www.spanish.hk. It is never too late to start learning a new language!