Learn Spanish your way with a TakeLessons expert

A new year has just begun, and many of us have found ourselves mulling over our New Year Resolutions, which often might include the goal of learning a new language. I must confess, based on my own personal experiences with New Year Resolutions, that they are normally doomed to fail, regardless of how good our intentions are. Life starts back up with a vengeance after the holidays and many of us quickly shelve the resolutions we were so certain we could actually achieve this year, for once. W

One of the best ways to learn about cultures and language is through food and food vocabulary. Learning about traditional Spanish holiday food is one of the best ways to expand your vocabulary, and it’s also one of the most fun, as well! Christmas is a day that ties many countries around the world together, but the food can look quite different. Spain is all about holidays, and one of their favorites is definitely la Navidad. It’s a family centered holiday, and very much traditional in the s

Bloggers, journalists, and even business people are always looking for an edge. Something that will help them learn new information more quickly or retain information longer. If you're studying Spanish and want to get a CLEP Spanish test score, a study guide may be the answer.  What is a CLEP Spanish test? How do I use a study guide to prepare for the exam? Keep reading to find out. How Do I Prepare for Spanish CLEP? Spanish CLEP is a great way to earn college credit without taking a tr

When I was growing up, whenever I came to my parents with a problem, I could almost always expect their advice to begin with a refrán. That’s Spanish for a saying or proverb. And that is because refranes are a significant part of the Spanish language. We use refranes often, and they bring insight, humor, and a sense of familiarity to the conversation. As a language learner, knowing popular sayings or proverbs in the language you are looking to master will put you ahead of the game. And it

Want to learn Spanish fast? Moving to a Spanish-speaking country is a great way to immerse yourself in the culture and fast-track your language-learning experience. While Spain is known for its beauty -- and the Spanish culture is certainly exciting -- don't forget about Mexico as an option! Living in Mexico can be a fantastic experience, as many expats can attest to. We recently connected wiith Tina over at Los Gringos Locos, and her article featuring her observations definitely stood ou

Want to avoid looking like a tourist during your trip to Spain? In this post, you'll first learn about some of the top destinations in Spain... then, tutor Emmanuel M. explains what NOT to do while you're there! Spain is known as a beautiful, romantic, and overall wonderful place to visit. Tourists across the world visit Spain to explore the local sights, food, and traditions. You'll find that the people of Spain tend to be laid-back, good-natured, and cheerful -- and there are pl

Using translation as a language learning method often gets a bad rap. We are taught that if we want to learn a new language, we must avoid translating from our first language at all costs, and instead, we should immerse ourselves in our target language.  Language immersion and avoiding translation is, indeed, a good way to go about learning a new language. However, translating should not be seen as a method of learning but as a helpful tool. A tool that can get you to start thinking in a new

How much do you really know from your Spanish lessons or classes? While there are a few Spanish proficiency tests available online, there's an easier way to test yourself: simply ask yourself 15 practical questions. Read on as Fairfax, CA tutor Jason N. explains...   Learning Spanish can enhance your life in innumerable ways, such as having more competitive job opportunities, understanding Spanish films and poetry, and -- most importantly -- being able to form deep connections with peop

Every language has its own intricacies that take time and practice to master. In this article, we'll discuss the distinction between the formal and informal use of the word 'you' in Spanish. But first, here's a quick summary of the difference between tú and usted. Usted vs. Tú - What's the Difference? Tú in Spanish is ‘you’ in English -- but what about usted in English? In English, there's not a great translation for usted. So what

Spanish is one of the most common languages spoken globally, with over 400 million speakers worldwide. Therefore, it’s no surprise that many people want to pick up Spanish as a second or even third language to communicate with other Spanish speakers, travel to Spanish-speaking countries with ease, and experience classic literature and music by Latin artists in their native language. Spanish has many similarities to English, as both languages stem from Latin roots. However, there are a