I bet this has happened to you. You're merrily chatting away in Spanish when suddenly, the listener's reaction tells you that you've either said something silly or worse, put your foot right in it! God knows how many times it's happened to me during my time here in beautiful Barcelona, so if you've ever been left bemused and in red-faced embarrassment because your listener is in fits of laughter or down-right offended, then let me help you.

Here's 5 common "false friends", betrayers that cause all sorts of uncomfortable and embarrassing moments as they confuse, amuse and occasionally offend native speakers. I've had all sorts of trouble with false friends and here's some of my best howlers to help you polish up your Spanish and give you a giggle or two as you go!

One summer evening, I was enjoying a quiet drink in one of my favorite bars when a local and his little dog sit at the table next to mine. Although strangers, we exchange pleasantries, something I love about life here. His little dog was sitting next to him and he's patting it and making a real fuss. It's obvious he loves his dog so ever eager to chat in Spanish I confidently say:

"Tú das mucho afección a tu perro." - You give your dog lots of affection. Well that's what I thought I was saying...not quite!

He gives me a puzzled look and although it took a while for me to understand his explanation as it was all in Spanish, it turns out that I'd actually said:

"You're giving a medical condition to your dog."

I was betrayed by a false friend - affección. The correct word is: Afecto. Affección is actually "complaint" or "condition". Woof! Down boy!

There's some really great places to shop here but my favorite is my local grocery store. It's run by a lovely family who have made me feel very welcome right from my first visit. No matter how busy they are, they always find time to chat with me and and this has really helped me with my Spanish. All of them speak fluent English too! One day we're having a good chin-wag and I'm explaining why I think it's so important for me to speak Spanish, even though I could easily get by just speaking English as many ex-pats do.

"Creo que si se vive en España, se habla en Español. Si se vive en Inglaterra, se habla en Inglés."

"Estoy de acuerdo hombre, es un cuestión de respeto."

"En absoluto."

Oskar starts laughing and says to me in English: "Why are you disagreeing with me? Oh I forgot. You're a guiri!" And he's chuckling away as I stood beside the ripe red tomatoes, blending in with them nicely.

Eventually he explains that "en absoluto" means "absolutely not" and not "absolutely." A better response would've been "claro" or "tienes razón" or even "venga" or "vale". Still amused he says:

"¡Debes de aprender español, bobo!" - You should learn Spanish, idiot!

I'll refrain from sharing my reply...let's just say it involved one finger and a well-known Spanish expletive!

This next one is a classic. My good friend Edu is going steady with a beautiful Mexican chica. I hadn't known him for long and we're talking about relationships and he's telling me how much he loves her. He then says:

"Ella es muy bella, por cierto, pero también, una zorra." - She's very beautiful for sure, but also, a fox.

My jaw dropped and I went bright red! At this point, Señor Guiri here thought the word "zorra" had two meanings: One for a female fox, a vixen. The second is pejorative and means a woman of loose virtue, who, ahem, "enjoys the company of men" a lot!

As Edu is fluent I explained this to him in English and he said between bursts of laughter that I was right but that "zorra" also has another meaning: Cunning, astute, smart.

"Menos mal tío, ¡me diste un susto por un momento!" Oh, in such situations you aren't "embrazada" you're "avergonzada". The first means "pregnant" the second "embarrassed". I expect you already know this false friend but it's here as a reminder for you anyway.

Here's another cracker for you! I'd been here about 3 months and I'm talking to someone who is now a good friend of mine, Kiki, a proud Catalan. He doesn't speak a word of English so communicating with him back then was quite difficult for me. One of the problems here - and it isn't THAT much of a problem - is being pestered by beggars on the streets. One particular street near our local bar is notorious for them. We're talking about this one night and Kiki says:

"Mi esposa está a las narices con los mendigos. Siempre ellos la molestan en esa calle." - My wife is up to here with the beggars, they're always bothering her on that street.

Except brain of Barcelona here, having not heard the verb "molestar" up to this point, puts two and two together, makes seven, and asks:

"¿Ellos la tocan sexualmente?" - They touch her sexually? Thinking that los mendigos have been molesting her. Well you would think this wouldn't you?

But Kiki is looking at me like I've gone mad and by the look on his face I know I've said something iffy. Staring right into my eyes he says menacingly:

"¿Qué dices?"

Luckily, Wanda, the bar owner who is fluent in Spanish, Portugese and English has heard our conversation and she explains the problem to us. To my horror, it turns out that molestar doesn't mean "to molest" it means "to bother". Doh! This is now a standing joke with us. I'll go in the bar and he'll say:

"¿Te han tocado los mendigos recientemente?" - Have the beggars "touched" you recently? And I'll say:

"No porque ¡ellos están demasiado ocupados molestando tu esposa!" - No because they're too busy bothering your wife! You can be sure I won't use tocar in my reply, Kiki is an amateur boxer!

Finally, a delightful "moment" for yours truly. About 6 months ago, I met a gorgeous Spanish chica, Sylvia, who I fancied like crazy! I'm trying my best to impress her by chatting her up in Spanish. I'm doing fine until she asks me what I like to do, you know, the usual stuff. I confidently reply:

"Toco la guitarra, me encanta cocinar y me gusta relajarme con compañía buena y conversación interesante. Soy sólo un tipo ordinario guapa." - I play the guitar, I love to cook and I like to relax with good company and interesting conversation. I'm just an ordinary guy love.

She starts laughing, I'm looking like I've been asked to explain Quantum Physics and this just adds to her amusement! Eventually she explains:

"What kind of girl do you think I am, I would never go out with a stupid thug!"

"¿Qué?"

"Mira hombre, ordinario doesn't mean you're "ordinary" it means you're a lout, a slob and a simpleton. ¡Qué burro!"

Never did get anywhere with her for some strange reason, can't think what. Oh and if you want to say you're just an ordinary guy or girl just use "normal" - "Soy un(a) tipo normal". Why didn't I think of that?

Venga, watch out for all of these betrayers, learn from my experiences and you''ll avoid being told you're a dumb donkey by someone you had the hots for!

Hasta pronto,

Peter.

There is an increasing demand for bilingual workers who can speak Spanish and English, both in the US and overseas, due to the growing importance of the Hispanic market. In the US, Spanish is the second most-spoken language after English and globally, Spanish is the third most commonly-spoken language. The demand for Spanish speakers is also fueled by increasing trade and investment opportunities between the US and Central and Latin American countries, which require employees who can deal with their local counterparts in their native language. For workers who want to learn Spanish, the best solution could be the learn to speak Spanish software.

There is also a great demand for Spanish speakers in service industries such as retail and health care, who can deal with customers who may not be able to speak English very well or not at all. According to the US Census Bureau, as of 2007 there are 34 million Americans aged five and up who speak Spanish as the main language in their households. There are also 45 million Hispanic-Americans for whom Spanish is their first or second language. This means that applicants who can speak Spanish have an advantage over non-Spanish speaking ones. Spanish-speaking employees may also earn higher salaries than those who can only speak English.

Using learn to speak Spanish software allows workers to learn Spanish at their own pace and during their free time, without having to sacrifice nights and weekends to take classes or other formal lessons. Learn to speak Spanish software packages are also flexible enough to allow workers to learn using their own particular learning styles and their own individualized learning paths.

Learn to speak Spanish software helps workers develop their Spanish vocabulary, teach them how to comprehend spoken Spanish, provide them with conversational practice using native Spanish speakers as well as help them with the correct pronunciation of Spanish words. Learn to speak Spanish software also gives them access to online support in the form of tutors who can help them with the lessons and assess their progress, as well as fellow students with whom they can share their experiences and learning difficulties.

If you've ever wanted to learn to speak Spanish you may have a decent amount of luck heading online to purchase software that is designed to learn Spanish in a logical format. Many people think that learning to communicate Spanish is as straightforward as learning any other elementary language, and that with a textbook they can rapidly obtain a 2nd language.

However, linguistics is not a measured science and the way that people learn to speak Spanish is essentially much more difficult than a text book can precisely portray. In order to properly learn to speak Spanish you have to not only understand the accent, the grammar, and the contextual double meanings, but also the right intonation which explains why a textbook alone will not suffice.

the best way to learn how to talk Spanish is thru a course that is designed to offer you both exposure to the language with audio recordings, practice sessions where you repeat along with the audio, grammatical exercises, and naturally through a textbook that can assist you in learning the varied accents and vocabulary needed to excel. This is not may not sound like a straightforward way to be taught how to speak Spanish, but it actually is much simpler since you get a full backdrop to shape your learning experience.

When using the right tools you will find that your lessons begin to come together in a full demeanour making it simple to pick up the patterns of the Spanish language. When you can identify the patterns you can apply them to different principles of the language that will make more advanced language rules much easier to understand.

While you may not be able to learn how to talk Spanish fluently overnite, if you practice and proceed through your specifically designed lessons in a smooth manner you'll start to become closer to fluency quickly. Since the end goal is to beat the language it is critical that you don't skip any step provided when it comes to learning the language as each is a graduated step towards the eventual mastery of the language.

Spanish is a very beneficial language to learn and if you seek online learn to speak Spanish programs; you just came across the one article that can possibly guide you in the best direction possible. There are various possible routes that you could take in your learn to speak Spanish quest, all according to your learning preference.

Irrespective to a persons learning preference, a page with the phonetic comparison between the two language's alphabets is the most practical and feasible way to begin your learning. All thanks to the latest flash technology, now any phonetic comparison page will also provide you the option to not only compare the alphabets, but also hear the audio file better pronouncing the phonetic of any given alphabet.

After you are past the grass root level beginner stage, you can now move on to more advanced courses. Plenty of Spanish learning programs online mean that plenty of these programs will try to incorporate you in their program. This ensures that if you look at it the right way, you can easily come across various free demos designed to give you as real a taste of the original learning tool as you can.

If your learning preference requires a more fun loving and interactive as well as unconventional procedures, you can take advantage from any of the common flash based games, designed for this very purpose, many games may also be available for download.

Or you could always log on to some of the more trafficked Spanish forums and sites where you can interact with various Spanish fluent individuals who speak Spanish in varying dialects, and as they say... Practice makes a man perfect.

You could either go through the above tactics step by step as is most recommended for most people or you could always plan your Spanish learning course around the above procedures to incorporate to your personal learning preference.

So, are you wondering how long does it take to learn Spanish? Well, that really is not an easy question to answer since everyone learn Spanish at a different pace. One issue that many people encounter when they are learning to speak Spanish is that it can be a difficult process so they decide to give up. If you really want to learn the Spanish language and speak it naturally, then you will have to teach yourself Spanish at your own pace.

First of all, instead of wondering how long does it take to learn Spanish, just try to learn Spanish at your own pace and you will eventually pick up the Spanish vocabulary. If you are having trouble learning some of the Spanish language lessons, just take your time and keep reviewing them a few times each day. Chances are that the more times that you review the Spanish lessons, the easier it will get to actually learn the lessons.

On the other hand, one issue with trying to learn Spanish by taking a Spanish class is that you are required to learn it based on the time frame of the teacher. This could be an issue since you might find yourself memorizing the Spanish words instead of actually learning them. So, Instead of actually learning Spanish, all you may be doing is trying to memorize the words for an exam.

There can be easier ways to learn Spanish rather than taking some Spanish classes in school. You can find plenty of different Spanish programs on the internet that have videos, Spanish audio lessons and fun Spanish activities to help you learn the language. After all, you want this learning process to be a fun experience and not a boring activity so you can widen your knowledge by learning to speak Spanish.

I am sure that you will agree that it is much easier to learn something in a fun environment. If you find a Spanish software program with different types of Spanish exercises and games to learn Spanish, then you should have a much better time while studying Spanish. Instead of viewing it as a boring process, you can play the games over and over so you can learn Spanish quickly.

Finally, one of the main reasons that you want to learn how to speak Spanish at your own pace is because it can be less stressful than taking a Spanish course in a classroom. Also, you should be more relaxed and comfortable when you study Spanish in your own home. It can be very frustrating if you are always having to try and learn Spanish words and phrases with a deadline every week. Be patient and do not worry about how long does it take to learn Spanish. You just need to give yourself some time and learn the proper Spanish grammar at your own pace.

Buena Suerte (Good Luck) with your new found romantic language.

Copyright (c) 2009 Peter Christian

If you're like me, you'll find verb drills a real drag and although they're a must-do exercise, they are a bit of a bore! And many common verb uses aren't taught in formal courses and these are the streetwise phrases that will add authenticity to your Spanish. Here's 5 cool and practical verbs you can blend in to your vocab that'll make a fabulous impression wherever you travel in the Hispanic world!

First up we have the verb Andar - to walk. This is the straight-forward usage, as in: Ando a las tiendas - I'm walking to the shops. But what if you were asked:

¿Por dónde andas?

This is a cool way of asking: "Where are you" and not "to where are you walking?". Andar has many more uses like this but one I like refers to how things are working:

"Mi reloj no anda bien" - My watch isn't working well."

"¿Qué tal anda tu moto nuevo?" - "How's your new motorcycle going?"

Dejar, "to leave" provides us with a pair of phrases that are really useful to have when you're being pestered by all manner of sales people and con-artists on the streets of major cities like my home city Barcelona. In summer, there's hardly a week goes by without me saying these phrases:

Déjame en paz - Leave me alone

Déjalo - Leave it (You can also use this when you want to drop a subject from conversation.)

Here's a cool little verb you will rarely discover in formal courses. Lograr means "to manage" and it is a handy little verb to acquire. A couple of examples for you:

"Si yo logro salir de trabajo antes de las cinco, llegaré a tu casa a las seis"

"If I manage to leave work before 5 I'll be at your house for six o' clock."

"Logré fijar la televisor así que podremos mirar el fútbol esta noche."

"I managed to fix the TV so will we be able to watch the football tonight."

I'm sure your familiar with the common usage of Parecer, to seem, e.g. me parece bien - it's good with me. But the reflexive form, paracerse is another cool verb to master and it means "to look like." So, Me parezco a mi padre - I look like my father. Pero, ¡cuidado! If you want to say "it looks like" then you need to use parecer que, like this: "Parece que va a ser un día calorazo" - it looks like it's going to be a very hot day or "Parece que va a llover." - it looks like it's going to rain.

Finally, a favourite cool verb of mine that's sure to win you the admiration of native speakers. Soler doesn't really have an English equivalent and it's used to describe your regular habits and actions. Examples will work the best here:

Suelo ir el bar saliendo del trabajo - I normally go to the bar after work

Suele cenar a las ocho cada noche - He normally has dinner at 8 'o' clock every night every night.

El autobús suele llegar a las tres - The bus usually arrives at 3 'o' clock.

It's a great little verb and fun to play around with and form your own phrases that reflect your daily routines.

That's five cool, useful verbs that'll add an authentic flourish to your Spanish. Play around with them to get them nicely dialled-in and enjoy the looks of admiration from native speakers as you sprinkle them into your conversations!

Hasta pronto,

Peter.

Spain's recent triumph at the 2010 World Cup has made the country the center of the world's attention and reignited many tourists' interest in visiting the country during their vacation. However, it would be better if you would be conversant in Spanish when you visit the country, since it would help make your time there more pleasant. You wouldn't need to rely on translators or tour guides and you could see the country like a native rather than just doing the usual guided tours around the regular tourist sites. If you want to be conversant in Spanish quickly, learn to speak Spanish software can help you.

There are many great tourist sites that you can visit in Spain and which you would enjoy more if you are fluent in Spanish. For example, there are some 38 World Heritage Sites in this country of great historical value. Spain is home to some of the world's most beautiful beaches, such as those in the Costa del Sol or Costa Blanca areas. You can also take walking tours around Barcelona and many other Spanish cities.

Learn to speak Spanish software can teach you how to speak the language in a matter of weeks. You will be able to speak the language well enough to ask directions and order at restaurants and otherwise be able to make yourself understood. Learn to speak Spanish software uses a variety of methods to teach you how to speak the language, including conversational practice, learning comprehension and vocabulary building. And to make learning more fun, it also includes puzzles and games to complement the more formal lessons.

When selecting which learn to speak Spanish software to use, choose one which will help you become quickly conversant in everyday Spanish so that you can learn enough of the language to be able to communicate even if you have only a short period of time to study. You might also want to get learn to speak Spanish software packages that have audio lessons that you can play on your mp3 player so that you can continue to study even on the flight.

Learning Spanish is something you can definitely do, even if it's the first time you've ever tried to learn a foreign language. New languages are a skill like anything else, and one that anyone can acquire.

In today's global culture, there are so many benefits to being multilingual. Knowing more than one language can really help if you do any traveling. But it can also be very useful right at home, conversing with people in your own area. For people who are planning to learn another language for the first time, Spanish is a wise choice for several reasons. Let's look at some ways to make learning Spanish simpler.

Learning a language does not have to be stressful. It's really quite a bit of fun if you don't make it into a chore! A whole new world is opened when you learn a new language. If you travel, it can make communication much less of a problem. Not only that, but you may find you can talk to more people right where you live. If you know two or more languages, you are also qualified for many more jobs. For people who live in the U.S., the language that is spreading most quickly is Spanish.

In certain areas, more people speak Spanish than English. Knowing how to speak and translate Spanish into other languages is a valuable skill to have.Learning a second language is always a good idea. In the U.S., Spanish is nearly as commonplace as English. Think about it: how many times are English messages repeated in Spanish? So it's a great idea to learn and include Spanish into your life. Of course, very many people have a tough time tackling a second language. Here are a few useful ideas and tips that will help you if new languages are a bit difficult.If you don't speak a second language, thinking about learning Spanish may seem a little intimidating.

You could have heard somewhere that learning Spanish is the way to go because it's less difficult than other languages. The truth is that most languages are easy to learn, you just have to figure out what kind of learning tricks you want to use to make the process simpler. Lots of suggestions and helpful tips are available to help you learn Spanish much easier. Try using the following tricks:You want to learn Spanish - congratulations! Thankfully, learning Spanish does not have to be difficult. Even if you are someone who has trouble learning languages; Spanish is such a dominant language today, and there are plenty of methods to use that will make your learning process easier. Learning Spanish can be fun and easy, so we'll discuss some tips you can use to help make it more enjoyable.

Work on your "Spanish tongue" this means working on your pronunciation of Spanish vocabulary. You can say the words all you like and you can be great with grammar but if you don't know how to go from a word to the next while speaking you won't get far. If you want to quickly get into the habit of speaking Spanish, get anything you can find written in Spanish and read it out loud. While written material is good to practice with, you can also get good practice by repeating any phrases you hear from people actually speaking Spanish. This process can show you how to use proper inflections and using words in the right order and even the way idioms are used in Spanish. It's likely that you will have fun when you practice speaking out loud in a new language. It can feel like singing, which is a great way to let loose and express your creativity.

There is probably no better way to become fluent in a new language than to go somewhere that forces you to speak it constantly. For anyone wanting to learn Spanish, going to a country where that was the main language would be a way to gain fluency. In some American cities, you could find this situation right in the city where you live. Usually what this means, however, is traveling to another country so that you are not able to simply switch back to your own language when it is convenient. Many people swear by the immersion method--they say it forced them to learn faster. But not everyones likes to be in such a high pressure situation. It's a matter of personal preference.Hiring a tutor is a great idea. Books and CDs can be great. But a tutor can help you in ways that a book or CD cannot. Language tutors need to be fluent in their language. They should be able to teach you about specific dialects within the language.

Learning the local dialect of a place you may be visiting really will help you with interacting with people. More importantly, a tutor can tell you about the casual uses of the words you will be learning. Language CD's and books are usually more formal in what they teach. But a tutor can teach you the slang words.Keeping some patience in mind will help. It will take longer than 24 hours to become fluent in Spanish.

Even if you have a perfect memory and can remember all of your vocabulary and conjugations, you might still have some problems stringing together a sentence correctly. Your progress will suffer if you try to become fluent too quickly and put pressure on yourself. Just let your self take it slowly. Doing this will let you feel more comfortable with learning. If people know you're learning their language, when you talk to them they'll be more patient with you. If you go too quickly you could make a mistake during a conversation and say something offensive.Get a course on CD. If you're feeling shy about learning a new language, CDs are great to use.

You'll hear a fluent speaker use the words and sentences together. You'll find the CD courses are equal in quality as a classroom, yet there's no stress about making mistakes in front of everyone. And with a CD, you'll be able to practice Spanish if you're traveling, etc. You can download them to your favorite mp3 player, or simply use a portable CD player and learn while you are on the go! You'll never be restricted to where you can learn.Teach yourself to think in Spanish. It may not be easy when you first try, but take any thoughts you can and turn them into Spanish. Take your time and learn how to do this at your own pace. Periodically throughout your day ask yourself how you would say the words you are thinking in Spanish. This is something you have to practice regularly to get comfortable with it.

As you practice, you will notice that you can translate words faster. You will know you have mastered this when you find that you sometimes think in the new language when you aren't even intending. Of course, you also want to say some of these thoughts out loud, so your ability to speak improves as well.

Place some kind of note or label on various items, with the Spanish word for it. Make labels for everything in your home and, if you can, your work space. You will be constantly viewing the words then, without even having to consciously think about it. By gaining a thorough knowledge of the right words, you won't later make a mistake that could prove to be an embarrassment. When you don't know what you're saying, you can end up confusing similar sounding words that mean very different things. The very simple strategy of using labels can accelerate your learning of the new language.

Take a course. A lot of people are nervous to take a language course with others. In a course it's standard practice to talk in the language while you're learning. Many people feel this is intimidating.

You should still do it even if you make lots of mistakes. That's the best way to learn because everyone else is learning, too! Everyone can participate in making silly mistakes! And that is a lot better than talking to a local, making some insulting mistake, and not being forgiven.

Work on improving your "ear" for the language. Many languages are more oral-based than written. You will still need to learn how to 'hear' a language as long as it's still alive. Memorizing the alphabet, or writing a proper sentence, only takes you so far. Naturally, you'll want to be able to understand other people when they speak to you. The best way to do this is to listen to as much of your chosen language as possible. When you get to the point where you can correctly identify Spanish after hearing just a few words, then you'll be on your way to success.You can use the web!

There are a lot of sites offering great information to help you learn Spanish. One great tool is Babelfish, a translation bot. Just type in your sentence or word, and it will translate into Spanish. A tool like this is extremely helpful because you can learn much faster. But just keep in mind that English and Spanish sentence structures are different from each other. So the translation tool will show you exactly how the structure changes from English to Spanish. There are also other online learning tools that you can take advantage of to help you learn Spanish and other languages.

Test yourself with flashcards This may seem very simple, but it works well. Simply remembering what words mean is really what a large part of a language comes down to, and this method helps you do that. With flashcards you can quiz yourself on vocabulary and grammar and tenses. You can use flashcards almost anywhere you go, as they are portable. You can make a game of it and have a friend or fellow student test you. All you have to do is use one side for Spanish and the other for your first language; it's that easy!

You need a certain amount of discipline. No matter what course or system you use, it has to be done in a certain logical order. You can't learn everything at once; you have to start somewhere and move forward bit by bit. If you start with the fundamentals, like how to pronounce each letter and how to count, you'll have a foundation. Learning vocabulary before grammar makes the learning process easier. Whether you are using a book, tape or video, follow it as much as possible the way it is presented. The people who put together these programs know the best way to lay it all out. Skipping around will only slow you down and make it less clear. Just keep in mind that the more you focus, the faster you'll learn.|Surround your self in your new language.

Are you in close proximity to a location where most of the people speak in Spanish? An excellent way to learn is by listening to a fluent conversation between two people. You may find a lot people really are happy to help others communicate in Spanish. You won't have to travel far, and you can get the same experience and practice with your second language.Keep in mind that perfection comes from practice. Be sure to always talk in your language as often as you can, and don't be concerned about how it looks, or sounds. It will help you a lot if you substitute your native language with the words you do know in your new language.

So if your new language is Spanish, then just try to use "cena" instead of "dinner" and in place of "one" use "uno." The words will feel like second nature to you, in time. This way you'll be able to understand the words when you hear others speak them. That's the best way to help you understand when you speak with people in your new language.You can also watch Spanish TV and movies. It's not hard because all movie rental outlets have a foreign language section, plus there are many Spanish broadcasts on TV.

You'll be able to learn how Spanish is really spoken without needing to travel. Your learning will accelerate if you don't have the ability to speak with an authentic Spanish speaker. Just start by watching with subtitles on. Then as your understanding increases, just turn them off and check yourself. Your learning will go much faster by using this method.If you need help in your study of Spanish, there are quite a few tools available that can be of use. There's no reason not to take advantage of the many sources of help that are out there today. You will find that some methods will work better for you than others. If you try several systems, you'll eventually find one or more that feel right for you. You'll eventually find a few that help you and, before you know it, you'll be speaking Spanish!

There's no reason that speaking another language has to be hard or complicated. If you don't yet have a second language, Spanish is a good one to start with, because it's relatively easy. There are lots of ways to go about learning a new language. Not everyone has to take the same approach; ask yourself what seems like the best choice. Just keep trying different learning techniques until you find one that "clicks." Just take a step by step approach to learning Spanish and one day you will find that you are speaking and understanding it fluently!

It's great to learn a new language, but many times its not easy to find out the best way.

Perhaps you're thinking about getting a book from some bookstore. A class is a great idea, and so is meeting people who are fluent. You have many options if you want to learn any language. Be sure to have lots of fun!

Learning Spanish or any new language does not have to be so painful. You might have a rough time of it in the beginning, especially if you are not used to learning languages, but over time you will get better. You will become fluent if you persist and make good use of as many tricks and tips as possible.There's really no reason to go through a lot of frustration when learning Spanish. It's so easy to find hints and tools to help you with the learning.

One great key to learning any language - an open mind. A more open mind helps you to more easily take in the knowledge. If you try to force a foreign language to sound like your native language, you'll only make it more difficult.

The Spanish language has seen a huge explosion in learning demand in the recent days owing to the fact that many businesses are now recognizing that since the number of Spanish-speaking people is now over 40% of the population, there is need for them to reposition themselves to take advantage of this market. The current population of Hispanics in the US is increasing exponentially and by 2015 it will be around 50%. This will automatically translate into trillions of dollars worth of impact to the US economy. Projections show that these figures will only increase and no wonder then that businesses are making different hiring decisions because of this. It is now an open secret that job applicants who are multilingual have more of an edge when it comes to landing the job. The reason for this is because these same businesses are now making it a priority to hire Spanish-speaking reps and workers.

Because businesses are now making it known that multilingual workers are preferred to others who only speak one language, people are making the rush to learn Spanish. In actual fact, Spanish-speaking workers are actually paid more than their non- Spanish-speaking companions.

One of the ways to learn Spanish is to enroll in a class. These classes should not be hard to find. Employment guides are replete with institutions teaching Spanish. But many people are pressed for time especially those who have jobs and families at the same time. Another way is to read the Spanish dictionary and practice the terminology. But in order to learn Spanish faster than the other aforementioned ways, one needs Spanish-lesson tutorials. These tutorials can come in books and Internet tutorials which are common on the Internet.

The best tutorials however can be found in Spanish-lesson software. These CDs offer excellent tutorials geared to translate you from novice or beginner mode to advanced Spanish speaker in less than three months. These tutorials are popular especially among those who work because they offer a way to learn Spanish in your own time. Classes can also offer excellent tutorials but again without adequate time to devote to the curriculum there is no telling when you will complete the study. So software tutorials become the better alternative.

The tutorials are excellent because they come in CD format. Take this and combine it with voice-recognition software and you are well on your way to grasping the important concepts of the Spanish language. The voice-recognition software modules make it easy because they allow you to speak and then the software grades you.

Spanish tutorials are essential because one can practice at their own time and the issue of time is no longer important. Those who are already working are able to follow the tutorials in their own time. This is also a cheaper way than to enroll in a class which can be very expensive. Therefore Spanish tutorials are very popular especially to those seeking a job or those seeking to get a promotion in an already-existing job.

Vowels
A
As CAN
E
As PET
I
AS PIN
O
As OAT
U
As PUBLIC
LL
This double L sounds always like in the words JUICE, JOHN, JIM
Example
Llanta
Llavero
Lluvia
QU
In Spanish, Q goes always followed by an U. After this combination of letters, can come only an E or an I. It is pronounced like QUE = KE, QUI = KI. The U is mute.
G This sounds like it is with the combination of A, O, U. Galon, Gong, Gunther, and it changes into strong sounds with E, I (GE, GI).
Softsounds GUE, GUI. To make this soft sounds with GUE and GUI, the air comes out from the throat gently. GUE (sound) like in GHETTO, GUI like in GUITAR.
V sounds usually like B, still the correct pronunciation should be as in Victor (sound), this is called ve labiodental (lip-dental), because you put your lower lip in contact with you upper teeth and exhale.
B is called labial (lipped) because you put both lips together and exhale, like in boat.
R can be soft or strong, depending if is between to vowels or not. Strong Rusia) or soft carguero ( lifting boat) .
There are also words which use RR like ferrocarril, which sound the same as the strong R like in Rusia.
A‘ This is a letter which only exists in the Spanish Language. Its sounds like NH in other languages (piranha) or like in champagne.

J always sounds strong with all vowels, like GE and GI previously seen.

C sounds strong with vowels A, O, U (KA, KO, KU) and soft with the rest (CE, CI) like the sound in the words CERO or SIN
Z will go only with letters A, O, U, never with E and I. It sounds also like soft C in CE, CI. Zapato , zorro , zurdo.

B,D,F,K,L,M,N,P,S,T and X sound normal.

H has absolutely no sound in Spanish, except when used with C as in children .

W is used usually with foreign words like Winston , or the name Wilfredo.