If you want to patch that vocab hole, you've gotta keep speaking. iTalki pairs you with language teachers for Skype lessons. That oughta take care of it.
Hey, because Google won't let me edit a comment: I've been considering iTalki for practicing my Spanish since, as a result of mostly practicing written Spanish, my spoken Spanish is a bit halting and my listening comprehension is absolute crap. Do you have any tips for picking out a good language tutor, especially in terms of price? And would different people be better at dealing with different levels of experience, and if so, how do I tell which one is right for my level? I consider myself a Spanish speaker (barely), but I need experience with using it face-to-face.
In my experience, paying more for an experienced teacher on iTalki only helps if you've got a really specific thing you want to study. For instance, I wanted to use conditional and other more complicated verb forms, so it was good to have someone that could design exercises just for me. But if you're looking for practice, I'd say go for someone a bit less experienced - you'll be giving them more experience, and they'll for sure be able to speak with you, which is what you're working on.
You might even consider picking someone who DOESN'T speak Spanish as a native language, but fluently as a second or third language. Trust me, it's way easier when you're starting out to speak with someone who isn't a native. Easier to understand, and you don't feel so bad about screwing up.
I'm not a polyglote, but sometimes for some reason I can remember quickly only the word in two non-native languages I speak, and only after some delay -- in the native one (Russian). Oh the brain tricks...
I definitely know what you mean. Sometimes it's just because you've been practicing in the non-native languages, and you haven't used the word in your native language in a while. Then your friends stare at you like you're a moron.
LOL
ReplyDeleteThat either says somehting about the speaker or abou the language, I am not sure which one.
Me: ...we'll just have a look at the Übersetzung.
ReplyDeleteClassmates: ?
Me: oh, you know, the Übersetzung!
Classmates: ???
Me: [facepalm]
Haha, that was my middle school German class. XD
DeleteThe only reason this hasn't happened to me yet is because I don't talk a lot.
ReplyDeleteHey, because Google won't let me edit a comment: I've been considering iTalki for practicing my Spanish since, as a result of mostly practicing written Spanish, my spoken Spanish is a bit halting and my listening comprehension is absolute crap. Do you have any tips for picking out a good language tutor, especially in terms of price? And would different people be better at dealing with different levels of experience, and if so, how do I tell which one is right for my level? I consider myself a Spanish speaker (barely), but I need experience with using it face-to-face.
ReplyDeleteIn my experience, paying more for an experienced teacher on iTalki only helps if you've got a really specific thing you want to study. For instance, I wanted to use conditional and other more complicated verb forms, so it was good to have someone that could design exercises just for me. But if you're looking for practice, I'd say go for someone a bit less experienced - you'll be giving them more experience, and they'll for sure be able to speak with you, which is what you're working on.
DeleteYou might even consider picking someone who DOESN'T speak Spanish as a native language, but fluently as a second or third language. Trust me, it's way easier when you're starting out to speak with someone who isn't a native. Easier to understand, and you don't feel so bad about screwing up.
Hope that helps!
Thanks for your help!
DeleteI'm not a polyglote, but sometimes for some reason I can remember quickly only the word in two non-native languages I speak, and only after some delay -- in the native one (Russian). Oh the brain tricks...
ReplyDeleteI definitely know what you mean. Sometimes it's just because you've been practicing in the non-native languages, and you haven't used the word in your native language in a while. Then your friends stare at you like you're a moron.
DeleteNo joke: In reading this comic, I've just realized that I have NO idea/can't remember to save my life what the heck "la mairie" is in English.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it'll come to me tomorrow morning when using the word will no longer be necessary. --.--
-Barb
Town Hall.
DeleteI read through all this strip last week. Having learned a bit in several languages, I found so much of this straight out hilarious.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Glad you enjoyed it. Stick around :)
Delete