• Why am I learning Spanish? Is it a need? Is it for pleasure?
• How am I going to use my Spanish? Will I speak it? Where? With whom? Will I write? Do I just need to read it?
• What is an realistic, achievable goal?
• How much time do I have (or want) to spend on learning Spanish? Do I have enough time? Is distance learning or online learning an option?
• What kind of a learner am I? How do I learn better? Can I efficiently learn on my own or with little guidance? Do I need structured lessons, with a tutor telling me what to do?
• Am I able to discover and design my learning path? Do I need to trust that to someone else? Can I negotiate it with my tutor?
• How do I work better in class? Do I take the initiative and like to speak? Does it help me to systematically work on drills and exercises? Do I remain focused on what matters when learning through ludic activities?
• What specific topics do I like? What vocabulary area do I need to prioritize?
• Is there anything else I should keep in mind when defining my learning strategy?

Hope it helps.

I am realizing more and more that native Spanish speakers use the verb SER to express location. At least among Argentinians.

Mi casa es en la calle 71.

That’s a sentence I hear a lot. For a Spanish teacher like me, that would be a huge mistake (actually, for anyone). I heard this from professionals and educated people too. But I obviously don’t correct a native speaker.

Every time I hear this, it makes me think of the language. Is this what we call the dynamism of the language? I don’t think so. I think this is related with poor Spanish teaching at school. And it looks like a small detail. They become extended and to some extent, a regionalism.

Spanish learners: there are many native speakers whose Spanish is far from perfect. Don’t let a mistake or your imperfect language skills obstruct your speaking skills. Believe me, you probably are a better speaker than what you think.