Learning Spanish: how level is your table!?

Do you need to level up your Spanish skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing? From my point of view, learning a foreign language is like building a table. A table has four legs; a language has four skills: speaking, listening, writing and reading. When you build a table, you measure each leg the same length. However, with a language it’s hard to get each “leg” the same. It’s very difficult to build up all the skills at the same time and with the same level.

There are different reasons why we don’t develop all the skills equally. Their development depends on our preferences and aptitude. Some people love writing so it may become their most developed skill. Others love chatting and conversation will flourish compared to writing. Our personality, social or professional needs, will also have much to do with the speed the four skills will develop in each person. We all learn differently and that is OK.

In many cases, reading and writing tend to be the skills that come more easily, as we have time to review, check, think, correct, without pressure. Whereas, speaking and listening happen on the go. No time to stop or reflect. This makes us more tense and hinders our effectiveness, despite a high level of alertness.

How level is your “language table”? What are the skills that need more attention and reinforcement? Is speaking confidence and fluency lacking? If so come and join me in the Spanish clubs or, for a quick improvement, the 8 week intensive speaking course ¡Ya hablo español!