Señor Gringo's Learn Spanish Shop

The Señor Gringo Spanish Language Shop is for people learning to speak Spanish. Most English speakers find learning Spanish easier than expected and we provide the materials to make it happen.

Learn Spanish at Home

Learning Spanish at home can be just as effective as attending a Spanish class, provided that you diversify your studies. Don't just try to learn Spanish words. Learn as much as you can about Spanish grammar and the Spanish verbs.

Hearing the Spanish language being spoken is crucial so be sure to invest in some Spanish audio CDs. Listen to native Spanish speakers as much as possible and attempt to pronounce the words as they do.

Fortunately, learning Spanish can quickly be rewarding.

Learning Spanish? Try this approach...

As someone who wants to learn Spanish you have probably wondered what is the best way to go about it. Short of going to a Spanish speaking country, we suggest this approach:

1. Step 1: Start with a simple phrasebook and some Audio CDs.
   Many people start learning Spanish by purchasing a coursebook or attending a Spanish course, both of which rushing them into the nitty gritty details of the language. Avoid that. Start by just learning some basic words and phrases from a Spanish phrasebook and by listening more than speaking. If you don't find learning Spanish quickly rewarding then chances are you'll give up so learning a few phrases will leave you feeling encouraged to continue.
2. Step 2: Build upon your listening and repeating skills.
   Continue to avoid any books at this stage. Keep listening to Spanish being spoken, either from Spanish course audio CDs or even just Spanish news on television. This gives your brain and ear time to tune into the sounds and tempo of the Spanish language. After all, you can't read a Spanish course book if you have no idea on how the words are meant to sound! Sometimes is sounds like Spanish speakers are very fast however most of time this is just because you don't yet understand what is being said. Continue to persist!
3. Step 3. You guessed it - Spanish verbs.
   Verbs are the building blocks of the Spanish language and there are plenty of them. Fortunately by now you realise that you need more Spanish verbs to make your sentences meaningful in a practical conversation, even a simple one.
4. Step 4. Start building your Spanish vocabulary.
   By now you should be pretty familiar with what Spanish sounds like, the speed and intonation. You are probably also starting to form your own sentences more successfully, albeit with the usual mistakes every beginner makes. You also find yourself needing more and more Spanish words with which to form your sentences. Time to get yourself some Spanish vocabulary books.
5. Step 5. Add some polish with better Spanish grammar.
   Improving your Spanish grammar will boost your respect with other Spanish speakers. You would have learned English grammar at an early age at school as so you must in your early stages of learning Spanish. It really pays off though. With every small improvement in your grammar the closer you get to being a real Spanish speaker yourself!

If you follow the path above or something very similar to it then you will be well prepared for a Spanish course or to continue studying at your own pace at home. The thing to remember with attending a Spanish course is the instructor will want to give you value for money which sometimes means they go a little too fast for their students. By preparing yourself with some of your own study you can ensure you will handle a Spanish course fairly comfortably allowing you to get as much from it as possible.

Learn Spanish Language Exchange

We suggest that if you don't have a someone with whom you can practice speaking Spanish then consider a language exchange. Basically this is an arrangement between yourself and a Spanish speaker where you help them learn English and they help you learn Spanish. This is a great way to get genuine help without any cost!

A good place to start looking for a language exchange partner is Gumtree.com.au (select your city on their web site).

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What does 'Gringo' Mean?

'Gringo' is defined by the Collins Concise Spanish Dictionary as meaning foreign or foreigner along with Yankee or North American. It is often used in a derogatory sense however many Spanish speakers use it simply to refer to foreigners who in particular can't speak Spanish.