10 Easy Ways to Improve Your Spanish!

Here we outline 10 methods of improving your Spanish on a daily basis. So fast and easy, there’s no excuse not to!

1. Spanish Word of the Day is one of the easiest ways to learn vocabulary. While often it is important to learn a vocabulary set of a particular topic, whether it be for work or leisure, it can also be useful to ad just one ‘random’ word each day to your repertoire. For this to be an effective method of learning, we encourage you to try to use this new word 10 times in that day for maximum retention. Even if that just means writing it down in different sentences. Here are a few resources for your word of the day:

Spanish Institute Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SpanishInstitute

Dictionary.com: http://dictionary.reference.com/wordoftheday/es/

iGoogle: http://www.google.com/ig/directory?type=gadgets&url=www.transparent.com/widgets/igoogle-spanish.xml

2. Listening to the RADIO can be one of the easiest ways to learn a new language. In today’s world everyone is constantly on-the-go, but luckily for us, we have technology to keep us productive in such a fast paced lifestyle. Whether you’re going for a run, driving in the car, or sitting at your office desk, the radio is always at our fingertips. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t understand everything you hear or if it seems to fast, because whether or not you understand it all, you’re still learning and with time you will understand more. So turn on those radios and smart phones and TUNE-IN to these great local stations:

FM 92.1 , FM 96.5 The Peak , AM 1280 , AM 1650 (religious) , AM 1090 Just to name a few!

3. Watching TV isn’t something us Colorado folk love to do often, but if you’re going to, might as well be practicing your Spanish! With the demographics rapidly changing here on the Front Range we are getting more and more Latino tv networks on the air. Not only will this fill a gap in your news world, it provides an opportunity to learn about another culture from the comfort of your own home. Choose from sports, news, movies,  soap operas, and much more! This is one time when talking to yourself (or the TV) is not considered taboo. I have found it extremely helpful to try and repeat what is said, and if you have the ability to stop/pause/rewind it can be that much more useful. Here are a few of the Spanish Institute’s favorites:

Azteca America Colorado

Univision

KTFD

(If you find these too difficult, try finding Spanish cartoons like “Dora the Exploradora” on youtube.com)

4. Go to a local Latino grocery store, or should we say El Supermercado, to buy your tomatillos for your next Mexican themed dinner! This is a great opportunity to practice face to face with native Spanish speakers and boost your food vocabulary all at the same time. Try going to AB Fruteria & Carniceria for your next Taco Tuesday! 

5. Local events that attract native Spanish-speakers are a great way to not only practice your Spanish, but to learn about another culture. This might include going to local Salsa dancing nights, going to Spanish Institute’s or CU Boulder Spanish Club’s “Noche de Cine, or finding something completely different through Denver’s Events Page.

6. Eat out at a local Latino restaurant. With all this great Latin American food in Boulder County how can you not find yourself in a position to practice your Spanish. Even ordering your favorite plato in Spanish at one of these fine restaurants is an easy way to practice.

7. Make some new friends that speak the language! We all know that making new friends is not always the easiest, but once you do, you’ll be glad you did. If you haven’t met anyone at one of the local Latino events you’ve attended, try volunteering. Volunteering is not only self rewarding, but can be yet another great way to practice, practice, practice! Call up one of your local Hispanic dominant schools to see how you can get involved. Another great resource is volunteering to teach English with Intercambio de Comunidades .

8. At the end of a long day, right before you’re going to bed, kiss your sweetie goodnight and start thinking Spanish! Studying vocabulary and just plain thinking in Spanish has proven to be an effective way at retaining a way of Spanish thinking. If you can completely focus your brain on Spanish you are more likely to dream in Spanish and thus essentially using Spanish for a chunk of your sleep.

9. Read, read, read! Reading is one of the most effective ways to getting your brain working in Spanish. For many years I had the excuse that Spanish literature is too difficult to read and that I just don’t have time. Boy was I wrong! With so many native Spanish speakers being born in the United States there is a growing number of literature being translated from English to Spanish at all reading levels. This includes from pre-school age books (which I’ve read), Harry Potter, and up through the most advanced books. With books for all ages, abilities, and of all generes, there is absolutely no excuse not to pick one up!

10. Spanish conversation groups are all over Boulder and the Front Range. This is a great way to meet other people learning the language and many groups also have native speakers that attend. We all know how nerve racking it can be to speak in a classroom setting, but that feeling is eliminated in one of these relaxed and fun group settings. Especially if you have some food and a margarita to go with it ;) Here are just a few resources to finding groups.

Spanish Institute hosts a bi-weekly Spanish Happy Hour

Meetup.com hosts weekly conversation groups for all levels on different days at different times. Boulder Spanish Meetup

Be sure to let us know which of these tips your’ve found useful and let us know if you have others that didn’t make this list! Esperamos que ustedes tengan un buen día. Happy learning!

What Students Are Saying About Spanish Institute

As many of you know, learning a language is no easy task. I’m also sure that most of us can attest to the fact that the teacher can ‘make or break’ the success of the class. That is why we have put so much effort into finding the best native Spanish speaking instructors from Latin America that also speak English.

Here at Spanish Institute we know that we have the best teachers and offer a great product, but what are our students saying?

Here is some of the overwhelmingly positive feedback we received in 2011.

“Alejandra is a great teacher who comes up with really creative ideas. The class is a good mix of structured activities and free form conversation.” “Keep up the good work! I really like the interactive activities that make us converse naturally.” 

                                                         - Nicole G, Intermediate 2

“Carlin Rosa is fabulous! She is funny, well prepared, respectful, and energetic!”

                                                         - Kiplynn D, Intermediate 2

“The small class size is great. The teacher is prepared, engaged, and enthusiastic.”

                                                         - Mahlia L, Intermediate 1

“This has been a fun class. Carlin knows when we need more work on a topic and gives us extra practice.”                                                        

                                                          - Lee R,  Beginner 2

“It’s fun, I love coming to class. We learn a lot and have a good time. It’s interactive which is great, and helps me remember what we’ve learned. I really am impressed. This class and teacher (Carlin) have exceeded my expectations.

                                                         - Christina S, Beginner 2

“Ale (Alejandra) is one of the best teachers I’ve ever had (español o no) because she really gets to know the abilities of the students, encourages everyone to go just that much further without making it too stressful and she makes every class very very fun. This class was a bit above my abilities but Ale was excellent in encouraging and inspiring me to keep learning. Muchas gracias! My speaking has improved immensely.”

                                                            - Ellie, Intermediate 2

It is nice to know that after our first year in Boulder, our students feel the same way about our teachers and classes as we do. We are constantly updating and improving our curriculum, as well as creating new and exciting activities for our classes. Take a minute, if you haven’t done so already, and head over to our “about us” tab on our website to learn about all of our great teachers and staff members! Click here

Study Abroad in Beautiful Cuenca, Ecuador!

Spanish Institute of Cuenca

The Spanish Institute of Cuenca, Ecuador was created by a passionate group of teachers in conjunction with the Spanish Institute of Boulder, Colorado. With over 10 years of teaching experience, the enthusiastic staff has worked alongside university students and neighbouring communities in an effort to preserve the environment and create ecological and social awareness. They use the natural learning and teaching techniques of language as a bridge between cultures in order to achieve goals within the community. This benefits both the local people and visitors alike by establishing multicultural connections and lasting friendships.

Spanish Institute of Cuenca holds a friendly and participative atmosphere. The emphasis is on having a relaxed and fun atmosphere rather than intensive and business-like. The staff makes the effort to include their students in their day-to-day lives and even meet their families. The amazing teachers, natural teaching methods, and specialized curriculum all combine to a once-in-a-life-time learning experience.

Visit their website for more details! www.spanish-institute.org

The City of Cuenca:

The beautiful city of Cuenca is nestled in an Andean valley in the southern highlands of Ecuador (441 km from Quito), at an altitude of 2535 meters above sea level. The moderate weather and mostly sunny days, with an average temperature of 20º C/68 ºF, make Cuenca the perfect place to enjoy the beautiful outdoors such as the nearby Cajas National Park.

Cuenca is considered the third largest city in Ecuador after Quito and Guayaquil. While Quito and Guayaquil are the economic and political centers of Ecuador, Cuenca is a cultural center that provides everything from museums, art, music, festivals and other various enriching events.

Cuenca preserves its colonial heritage through its architecture, giving the city a special charm in comparison to the metropolitan skylines of Ecuador’s other major cities. These factors all contribute to the allure of stunning Cuenca and keep travellers returning year after year.

The city of Cuenca is like a time capsule, preserving both its pre-Columbian and Spanish heritage. Cañari ruins can be seen in downtown Cuenca amidst the bustle of urban life and beautiful churches are scattered throughout the city. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, located in the center of the city, is adorned with intricate stone carvings and towers over the Park of Calderon, where you can relax on a park bench and people watch.

To escape the fast pace of downtown Cuenca many tourists escape to the beautiful national park of El Cajas. It is a place where the rivers, streams and lagoons seem to unite, creating a temple of nature, in which the altitude varies from the 3500 to the 4200 m.a.s.l. It is a great place for hikers, bird watchers and fishermen. At the edge of town there is another oasis: Baños. The relaxing spas and pool are enjoyed by travelers and locals alike on the weekends.

(Source: )

Private Spanish Lessons - Boulder & Longmont, CO

Private Courses at our School:

Courses held at:
2850 Iris Ave Suite I–4; Boulder, CO 80301
Phone: (303) 350 - 5533
Email: info@spanish-institute.org
Google Map

Student/s must take minimum 8 classes to receive this pricing.
Price includes books and materials.

1 Student, 8 Hours, $304 ($38 per Hour)