How Learning Spanish Changed My Destiny

Learning Spanish Audio courses like the sophisticated ones available today did not exist when I began my Spanish learning journey. Due to a love affair gone horribly wrong, I stumbled into learning Spanish.

I had been studying language (German) at the Goethe Institute in Bavaria in a small, pretty town called Murnau and had a huge crush on a tall, devastatingly handsome German who was an expert at skiing and ice-skating. We spent many days traveling to thrilling ski resorts and, being a typical Pisces, I was soon swept off my feet. My boyfriend was attractive and popular with the girls. It took me some months to discover that his feelings for me did not run deep. I’d fallen for a complete love rat! With a broken heart, all I wanted to do was to leave Germany as soon as possible.

My best friend at the Goethe Institute was a Spanish girl named Maria. As our German course was over, she told me, “Come to Spain. You’ll love the people there!” I had no idea of the adventure about to unfold.

Spain captured my heart and soul – beginning with Spanish classes

Now I even speak Spanish with my dog!

I enrolled with a language teaching school in Valencia. Before I knew it, I was knee deep in verbs and foreign expressions. Learning Spanish was a big accident for me due to a love affair gone wrong in Germany, but it wasn’t long before I was swept up in the romance of the language and of the people themselves.

Learning the language was not without its frustrations!  I would mix with Spanish friends and concentrate like mad on what they were saying until I got the gist of it.  Then, if they asked me a question, I would wrack my brain trying to put the answer into the correct words.  By the time I was ready, the conversation would invariably have moved on – leaving me looking stupid and feeling pretty frustrated!  This happened time and time again, but this initial frustration was a great motivator for me to absorb and practice the language at every possible instant so I would stop feeling like a complete moron.

If you decide to take the plunge and learn Spanish, please don’t be put off by short periods of frustration. It’s perfectly normal. Just keep moving forward, day by day, and it will pay off. The main thing is persistence.

One of my favorite ways to really grasp and understand the language was to go to movies.  In Spain, I didn’t have the benefit of English subtitles, so I didn’t understand a great deal of the movies I saw at first.  But little by little I began to pick up the context and the words, and soon I was understanding 50%, then 75%, until I was able to follow most of the plot. This was thrilling and fun!

I can’t tell you the satisfaction I began to feel as I was able to actually participate in conversations with my Spanish friends. The frustration you feel when you learn a new language is experienced by EVERYBODY. It means you’re expanding your horizons and challenging your mind – which is a good thing. You just have to persevere and you will soon push past the awkward stage. It is so worth it.

Valencia was not a sophisticated place when I was there, but it was bursting with life, music and passion! It sounds like a cliche, but just about every second person I met danced Flamenco or played Flamenco guitar, and overwhelmingly, everyone I met was quick to laugh and smile. I learned to drink wine and eat tapas, and everywhere I turned I ran into new and exciting elements of the Spanish culture. Whenever I traveled on the bus or train, strangers would comfortably talk to me and I loved not feeling lonely or odd, being a foreigner. In fact, I felt quite special most of the time. I quickly fell in love with this amazing country and its language, with all its nuances and beauty.

Learning Spanish Audio and Spanish Language Software

Spanish language software did not exist, and learning Spanish audio courses meant using clumsy cassette tapes, yet I persevered with learning Spanish because by now I was deeply in love with the Spanish culture.  I was asked to teach English and soon became a qualified English teacher. I learned so much by teaching, and quickly discovered that what worked for my students was simple repetition.

There are many more language learning options now for students of language. If you have a DVD or an ipod to listen to – at home, in the car, on the train or anywhere you like – by simply listening and repeating words and phrases over and over, you will find that the language will soon come out of your mouth spontaneously without the need to think about it. Learning Spanish is really so much easier than it used to be.

After just over two years in Valencia I moved to Madrid, where thanks to my Spanish speaking skills, I quickly found a job as a bilingual Account Executive with a multinational advertising agency. My life there was glamorous and well paid, due to the many perks of advertising and the great people I met and worked with.

I ended up staying in Madrid, a city oozing culture and fine food and art and design, for nearly six years!

Learning Spanish Is the Best Thing You Can Do for Yourself

I returned to Australia to become an artist, but to this day, I miss Spain with all my heart. The best thing, however, is that I now have another language to enjoy. That gives me confidence. I love being able to communicate with people from Spain, Argentina, Peru, Mexico and all the other Spanish speaking countries. I love going to see a film in Spanish and not having to rely on subtitles. I love reading books written in the Spanish language, because Spanish is not a mean, thin, harsh language. It is voluptuous, generous, romantic, subtle, passionate and highly expressive. I fell in love with Spain and I fell in love with the language.

I would advise anyone who loves travel or who loves words and language to take advantage of the variety of classes that are on offer now, made so much easier by computers and ipods or mp3s. I have researched the courses available and I personally recommend learning Spanish using the finely tuned Spanish language software or DVDs offered by Rocket Spanish. They offer a FREE SIX DAY TRIAL so you can get a taste of the language before committing and I urge you to give it a try. (Just click on any of the Rocket Spanish links on this page for more info.) You can also shop around and compare courses, which is a good idea – but do give Rocket Spanish a look-in, as they are truly excellent.

Spanish is spoken by over 400 million people today – and you could be opening yourself up to a whole new exciting world of possibilities if you commit to learning this beautiful language like I did. I hope it will change your destiny, too…

(c) Margot Wiburd 2010

The most difficult thing about learning any new language is making the decision to start. Don’t let fear hold you back! Seize the day and broaden your horizons, job opportunities and appreciation of one of the world’s most spoken and most beautiful languages.

Learning Spanish audio is one of the fastest, most flexible and fun ways to learn Spanish at home – or on the move!  Imagine learning Spanish with the convenience of  listening to your ipod or mp3 anywhere, anytime…on the beach, walking the dog…the choice is yours.

It’s as easy as downloading Learn to Speak Spanish software from Rocket Spanish. (Visit their fantastic page by clicking on any of the links you see). Or, if you prefer the feel of a solid Spanish DVD in your hands, you can listen to the complete Rocket Spanish step-by-step DVD set on your DVD player or your laptop.

YES! I want to claim my free instant access to the Rocket Spanish 6 day Learn Spanish course ($27 value).

Your Name:
Your Email Address:
(This is a private and fully protected mailing list. You can unsubscribe at any time).

Some people learn the language best while they are driving or on the train.  In fact, this is a great way to fill in otherwise unproductive travel time.

Rocket Spanish know this, of course which is why they offer every possible option, making each option affordable and easily accessible. Best of all, you get the chance to try their famous 6 day course absolutely free. Click on this link now – and let the adventure begin!