Learning "how to learn" is just as important as "what we learn"! I truly believe that all students have a potential within them to become better learners.  As a result, I spend time in class teaching students techniques that they can use to increase their learning levels.  I also talk to students about their brains -their short-term and long-term memories- and provide them with tools that they can use to improve their memorization and language acquisition skills in ways that will be more effective and productive.  I encourage you to ask your students about their "Spanish warehouses" and their "loading docks"!  Talk to your students about things you used to do to improve your grades and overall performance in the classroom.  Being a good learner is a skill that can be used in almost any area of life, because although we may leave the classroom, we never stop learning...or needing to.

Studying a foreign language requires strong focus on long-term memory retention and as a result, we revisit information studied in previous weeks, semesters, years, etc.  Acquisition of a target language requires constant study of vocabulary and therefore, students need to study their vocabulary on a daily basis.  They also need to practice the language out loud.  If long-term memory retention does not occur with language, students will find that Spanish becomes more difficult as courses advance.  Language builds on itself much like other pedagogical endeavors, and therefore, basic concepts and vocabulary need to be in students' long-term memories, where those things can then be accessed when needed.  Our knowledge of English is stored long-term; any target language needs to be stored that way, too.  

Study Tips

1. Keep a binder with separate divisions for grammar, vocabulary, verbs and historical/cultural information (or however your teacher asks you to divide it up).
2. Keep everything! Save old materials, especially reference materials.
3. Maintain a personal vocabulary list/notebook. Write each letter of the alphabet on a separate page in a notebook. Then, as you learn vocabulary throughout the year, add the words to the correct page.
4. Use a daily planner or homework calendar.
5. Create and organize a flip chart, using note cards to organize grammar, verb charts, etc.

MEMORIZING
1. Make flash cards with the word in the target language on one side and in English on the other side.
2. Write a word with a drawing or symbol on one side of a card, and write a synonym or definition on the other.
3. Create vocabulary study sheets by folding a sheet of paper and writing the English equivalent on one side and the word in the target language on the other side.
4. Practice for several nights in a row.
5. Look for cognates and patterns.
6. Write the new vocabulary or verb tense repeatedly until you remember.
7. "Chunk" words together that have something in common (i.e. masculine/feminine).
8. Use grammar shortcuts (i.e. BAGS in French to remember where adjectives go, or WEDDING in Spanish to remember the subjunctive).
9. Make associations with the words (example: billete/boleto=ticket, so think "ballet ticket").
10.  Practice your vocabulary in small time spurts (10 minutes) several times a day.
IN THE CLASSROOM
1. Don't be embarrassed. Relax. Try. Don't get discouraged.
2. Use the words you do know.
3. Don't fall behind!
4. Speak daily, even if it sounds like "baby talk".
5. Repeat words. Practice new, strange sounds.
6. Act a little. Exaggerate your pronunciation while speaking!
7. Ask questions. Again, don't be embarrassed.
8. Memorize a few classroom phrases immediately.
9. Listen for cognates.
10. Mimic/copy others. Watch what others are doing and follow along.
11. Learn to use the dictionary correctly.
12. Don't translate word for word.
13. Learn the alphabet and the phonetic sounds in your language.
14. Take notes, even if "it's in the book".
15. Make an outline for a quiz or test while the teacher is reviewing.

STUDY AT HOME
1. Practice with a parent or classmate.
2. Study out loud in front of a mirror.
3. Tape record yourself speaking/studying.
4. Find a quiet place without distractions.
5. Practice several nights in a row. Don't cram.
6. Outline what's in the book.
7. Go through the chapter or lesson and think up possible questions or use the study guides at the end of the chapter.
8. Review flash cards or the day's lesson for fifteen minutes every evening.
9. If you need to listen to music, choose soft, wordless music to avoid distraction.

MAKING UP WORK
1. Check the assignment folder/web page AND with your teacher after you've been gone.
2. Set a due date with the teacher for the work and follow through.

WRITING
1. Look for patterns and cognates.
2. Learn to use a dictionary.
3. Double check spelling.
4. Avoid translating English idioms and colloquialisms (phrases that don't translate directly), as well as slang into the other language.
5. Do not write in English and then translate into the language of study; think and write in the target language.

READING
1. Guess the meanings of words from the context - you don't need to know/look up every word.
2. Take notes on what you've read. Summarize each paragraph in one sentence.
3. Be careful when translating. Do not take every word literally!
4. Use reading tips learned in English/Reading classes.

TEST TAKING STRATEGIES
1. Come well-rested and prepared.
2. Do not cram right before the test; you will likely become more confused.
3. Study (at least) two nights before the exam, review the evening before the exam and then briefly review the morning of the exam.
4. Look over the test before you begin, so that you know what to expect.
5. RELAX!
6. Budget your time.
7. Read the directions. Read them again.
8. Listen for special instructions.
9. Read a question first, read the selection, look for key words and guess the meaning of the words you don't know.
10. Think about how many points an essay question is worth to determine how much to write. (Example: a 10 point essay question might include 5 complete sentences, worth 2 points each.)
11. Answer the questions you know first. Then go back and try to answer the remaining questions.
12. Never leave an answer blank - a guess is better than nothing.
13. Review the test afterwards, if possible.