Welcome to the next phase of your Spanish-language learning journey! You already know some Spanish, and now you're ready to review and learn more. Whether you are brushing up on what you learned some time ago, polishing what you know, or preparing to meet new challenges in Spanish at home, work, your community, or abroad, The Everything
Take a few minutes to think about your reasons for continuing to learn Spanish: personal enrichment, practical applications, career opportunities, or travel? By understanding your motivations, you'll find it easier to tailor your studies to your specific needs and help you focus your learning experience in a more meaningful way.
Keep in mind that, for most people, learning a language takes a significant amount of time, effort, and commitment. A sense of fun and adventure is also very helpful. Don't wait to know it all before you try out what you're learning! As you practice what you're studying in Spanish, make it a habit to play around with the possibilities. Then look around and seek out opportunities to practice Spanish with others in the real world, such as going to a Mexican restaurant and ordering in Spanish. If you're ready for a bit more of a challenge, you might seek out volunteer opportunities in your community where a basic knowledge of Spanish is valuable. Perhaps you have Spanish-speaking colleagues at work with whom you can practice or associates abroad with whom you can dialogue via e-mail. You'll soon discover that by interacting regularly with Spanish speakers, you can learn more than a book can possibly teach you!
Greater proficiency in Spanish also offers new opportunities to explore the diverse world of Spanish-speaking peoples and cultures firsthand. You'll be able to surf the Internet in Spanish, enjoy Spanish-language newspapers, magazines, films, and TV and radio programs. You might try reading some of the great literature written in Spanish, starting with any one of the ten Nobel Prize-winning authors from Spain and Latin America. And, hopefully, you'll be able to take your Spanish on the road and explore some of the twenty-one countries in the world where Spanish is spoken.
Be patient on your Spanish journey. It takes a great deal of time and loads of practice to become proficient in a new language. Progress may be slow, but your skills and knowledge will continue to improve if you study thoughtfully and practice diligently. Set realistic targets, and enjoy the process of reaching them.