Start learning a new language from scratch
Today I didn’t learn a new phrase. Instead, I took the 5 phrases I learned throughout the week and experimented with them like legos. I wanted to see if any of the components can be mixed and matched together to create new phrase combinations. Indeed they did!
Continue reading Day 06 – Mix & Match (28 Day Spanish Challenge #1)
Today I knew I wanted to practice saying “I like <to do something>” in Spanish regarding my hobbies. This is one of the power tool phrases from the DIY Spanish book I’m using as a reference guide. Then I chose an item from my habitat that represents the hobby I like to do, such as “rollerblades.”
So, I am using the Language First approach to the Habitat Language strategy I teach in the Foreign Language Smart start video course. This is when I start with a phrase or sentence from my language materials first, then make it relevant by adding in things from my own habitat.
Continue reading Day 05 – “I like to rollerblade.” (28 Day Spanish Challenge #1)
Today I was outside at a free music concert in the park! We have a thing here during the summer where I live called “Jazz on the Green.” Every Thursday night there are jazz bands that come and play on an outside stage in a park. It’s a huge event! Bunches of people gather out on the grassy lawn with their family and friends for what is essentially a giant picnic. Everyone brings all sorts of sandwiches, snacks, goodies and drinks. They lay out their blankets, fold-up chairs and tables, and feast while they listen to live jazz music.
Continue reading Day 04 – “Look at the clouds.” (28 Day Spanish Challenge #1)
Today I didn’t choose a single item in my habitat, per se, but rather I chose my morning routine. During my morning routine I’m pretty much doing the same things every day. I suppose that’s why they call it a routine 🙂 And since I’m doing the same things over and over again daily, this is a perfect example of habitat language. But first, let’s review what we did yesterday.
Continue reading Day 03 – “I have to wake up.” (28 Day Spanish Challenge #1)
Today we will start with our first actual Habitat Language phrase. Habitat language is just that – language I’m using from my own habitat or surroundings.
I am using strategies from my video course called The Foreign Language Smart Start in order to help me start learning my first words and phrases in Spanish. You can check out the introduction to these strategies by watching the video course. It’s completely free – no opt in required. Just go HERE!
These strategies apply to ANY language you are learning, so you don’t have to be learning Spanish to follow along.
Let’s start by refreshing our minds with the phrases we learned last time.
Continue reading Day 02 – “I’m going to turn on the lights.” (28 Day Spanish Challenge #1)
Welcome to day 1 of the 28 day challenge. Today I learn my first 6 phrases in Spanish – Pocket Phrases! If you don’t know what I’m talking about check out the Pocket Phrases video in the Foreign Language Smart Start video course.
Continue reading Day 01 – Pocket Phrases (28 Day Spanish Challenge #1)
I’m super excited today because I’m actually, finally, going to start studying Spanish!
Woohoo!
I know, I know. You’re probably thinking – didn’t you already start learning Spanish?
Yes. Yes I did.
Here is a small video course on how to start learning your first words in a foreign language. You can find a link to it in the menu at the top of the page or click HERE. Below is a list of the videos along with a brief description of what they cover.
Intro Video: The above video explaining who I am and what’s covered in the course.
Video 1: Pocket Phrases – Six phrases you should learn first, no matter who you are or what language you are learning
Video 2: Habitat Language – Using the environment in which you live to help you build vocabulary.
Video 3: Advanced Practicing Techniques – Five awesome language learning techniques you can use to create great practice for yourself
Do you want to learn another language but maybe you don’t know where to start? Maybe you don’t know which words and phrases to learn first. Maybe the thought of memorizing a whole bunch of grammar rules, word lists, and verb charts turns you off. Maybe you just don’t have a lot of time, energy, or money to spend right now.
Or maybe you have tried to learn another language, but found the process became too complicated and much more of a hassle than it was worth.
For myself, all the of these things have been true at some point in my life. But does language learning have to be so complicated? I don’t think it does. Continue reading Welcome to Language From Nothing!
Last time we went through utility phrases. These are phrases I will be using when I come across words I don’t know in Spanish. I would be saying them in English anyway, so I figured it would be best to learn these words first.
| Say this when you don’t know what something means. | ¿Qué significa eso? |
| Say this when you are curious about a specific word. | ¿Qué es esta palabra? |
| Say this when you want to know how something is said. | ¿Cómo se dice? |
| Say this when you are stumped. | No sé. |
| Say this when you used to know something but you can’t seem to recall it now. | Se me olvidó. |
| Say this when more research is involved to learn a word. | La tendré que buscar. |