Other Fun Ways to Practice your Spanish
So you now think of yourself as a bit of a Spanish master, with the help of your secret weapon, Ensaya Spanish Learner (or maybe not a master just yet, but growing in confidence everyday). Let's get out there and put it to good use. The following websites contain some great ideas for connecting to the Spanish speaking world. This is where your hard work pays of. Take advantage of the new world that has just been made available to you.
Make a Pen Friend: My Language Exchange
A place to meet people who want to learn your language and teach you theirs. You can arrange to converse however you want- email, instant messenger, Skype or even in person. The site is set-up for many languages, but there are good opportunities for the Spanish/English combo.
This next suggestion maybe not be the ideal option for everybody, but you could practice your Spanish while working on a farm. The are a number of websites which connect willing workers with farm owners looking for helpers. The deal is, you work a few hours a day and in return you get free food and accommodation. If you were, to choose, to visit one of the many Spanish speaking countries, then this type of immersion could benefit your Spanish profoundly.
Join a Group: Meetup
This website connects you with people of similar interests. Create a free account, then simply search with the keyword “Spanish” and you will be presented with a list of groups committed to learning Spanish in your region. This is a good opportunity to meet with people of varying Spanish speaking abilities.
Short Video Clips: Spanish Proficiency Exercises | University of Texas at Austin
This website contains a lot of short videos of natives speakers from various countries answering specific questions. You have three choices when the clip is playing; Spanish transcript on, English translation transcript on or no transcript. Nice site, worth a look.
Podcasts: Notes in Spanish or Alicia: A mi aire
Podcasts are a great way to practice your Spanish when you are out and about; load then onto your phone or iPod and listen to them on the bus or in the car. Listed above is a sample of what's currently available.
Movies: List of Movies in Spanish
While you may not become a fluent speaker by simply watching movies in Spanish. It's a good way to pick up new words and improve your comprehension. Also, give yourself a confidence boost- compare how much you are understanding now, than what you did before. However don't be dishearten if you still can't understand anything without the subtitles. It takes time, but you will get it.
Have you seen more fun ways to practice your Spanish?
We are still developing this list, so if you had a great experience with any other fun ways to practice your Spanish, please let us know.