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If you have had any experience learning a new language then you will know that vocabulary (or a lack of it) can be a problem throughout the learning experience. However it is most frustrating when you have got the basics of the language down and can communicate with people to a reasonable level. If you want to say something but don’t know one of the words then it can cause you to stutter or pause and make speaking tougher than it should be. On the flip side, if you don’t know a word that somebody is saying to you or in a general conversation at a party then you will lose track of the conversation and become bored. So what are the easiest ways to learn Spanish vocabulary without it being tedious and painful ?

There are a number of different ways with which to expand your Spanish vocabulary, and while some of them are more painful than others it is recommended that you utilize all of them in order to gain the broadest expanse of knowledge possible. First, there are the inevitable vocabulary lists. Reading vocabulary can be long winded and tedious so ways to make this process easier and more enjoyable are to use bilingual books. Bilingual books will have a page of Spanish and the corresponding English translation on the opposite page. If you are stuck for the meaning of the Spanish word simply look at the English. You can read some fairly complex novels and short stories using this method, so that the story holds your attention while you are learning vocabulary.

Another method is to read Spanish cartoon strips. Cartoon strips allow you to get the meaning by looking at the pictures. This is a proven method of learning words and is, essentially, how we learned our native language as a child. The picture can tell you about nouns and verbs. In most cases the cartoon strip is about action, so verbs can be learned from them. They can also teach the tenses and conjugation of verbs.

Despite reading books as a way to learn vocabulary, it is probably better to learn the pronunciation of the word at the same time. Learning a language is all about getting confident enough to speak to people. If you are uncertain about how to pronounce a word you will probably avoid saying it. The best way to learn vocabulary and pronunciation is to get a language program that gives oral recitation of Spanish vocabulary.

There are a number of computer software programs that will allow you to play matching games with Spanish vocabulary; many of them are available at no charge via the internet. Take advantage of these as well; not only will this provide you with various visual aids with which to practice your vocabulary.

Try to say common, everyday words in Spanish, especially words around the house. Count in Spanish and think about colors in Spanish. Try to use these words in sentences. Even if the sentence is in English, throw in a Spanish noun. Build on this until you are saying the whole sentence in Spanish. Increase the words you say each day until you are saying whole sentences and it becomes a natural process rather than forced and requiring too much thought.

Spanish Oral Exam, Bastiaan, Sjoerd, Ted.