SPANISH HOMEWORK HELP
In my time as a tutor, I have noticed that the subject with the most online resources is math. There are countless websites, articles, and YouTube channels that break down different math topics to supplement what students are learning in school, to help them understand and therefore improve their grades. But what about other subjects — say, Spanish? Where can students seek Spanish homework help?
Well, look no further! Throughout my Spanish teaching experience, I have found several places for students to improve their Spanish skills. I’ve also developed some strategies for students to gain more Spanish vocabulary, which in turn develops their understanding of the language. So, if you want to become a better Spanish student, here are three surefire ways to do just that!
1. HEAR IT EVERYWHERE
Hearing Spanish in class is great, but if you really want to do well, you’ll need to do some extra work. Luckily, there are several ways to do this.
Switch the audio to Spanish. Pop in your favorite movie, or turn on your favorite show, but in Spanish! Doing this with a familiar movie or program can be helpful — you’ll already know the plot, so you won’t get too confused. At the same time, you’ll exposed to new Spanish vocabulary and grammatical structures.
This method is particularly successful with Disney movies. Because the intended viewers are children, the language is simple and the storylines are easy to follow. If you’re still a little lost, feel free to add subtitles. But make sure they’re in Spanish, so you’re getting even more exposure to the language!
Listen to Spanish music. Want a learning tool that’s fun as much as it is educational? Try some Spanish music! There are a few radio stations in the Chicago area that play music in Spanish; check out 90.5 FM, 93.5 FM, 103.1 FM, and 106.7 FM.
If you’re not a radio person, there are plenty of Spotify playlists that feature Hispanic artists. (One great option is Best Spanish Songs to Learn Spanish. You can also search the Charts tab for the Top 50 songs in any Spanish-speaking country.) Pandora can also create some radio stations that will suit your Spanish music needs.
Tune into a podcast. My personal favorite is Podcasts in Spanish. The recordings are short and very conversational—it’s almost like you’re overhearing real conversations between native Spanish speakers. Each episode also has a transcript so you can follow along, and it also has a worksheet that will test you on what you just heard. There are also different levels, so you can choose a recording that meets you where you are in proficiency.
Another solid option is Notes in Spanish. These episodes are recorded by Marina, a native speaker from Madrid, and her husband Ben, who is from England. The episodes are longer, but they provide an immersive experience for the listener. They cover a variety of topics, starting with the basics and building to more complex ideas.
Some of these practices may not directly help you with Spanish homework, but they still expose you to the language. Your vocabulary will expand, and you will gain practice processing the language through listening. Soon, this familiarity will translate to speaking the language!
2. USE SPANISH HOMEWORK HELP RESOURCES ONLINE
There are all sorts of Internet resources that can supplement your Spanish education. Conjuguemos comes highly recommended among teachers — the grammar and vocab lessons are both visual and aural, which provides variety for students.
123TeachMe also has Spanish educational games, but it mostly houses articles dedicated to specific grammar topics in Spanish. Most of these articles have quizzes as well, so you can test your knowledge as you go. If you find yourself confused after covering a particular concept in class, this site can clear up that confusion.
For more Spanish homework help, check out our in-site homework resource page.
3. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!
Make flashcards with your vocabulary words and quiz yourself. Find writing prompts and compose your answers in Spanish. Imitate the accents you hear on the podcasts mentioned previously.
If you know a native Spanish speaker, have conversations with them in Spanish. A language is not something contained to a classroom or textbook — the goal is communication in a real-life scenario. Do your best to create these scenarios! The more often you actually use your Spanish, the sooner you will master it.
So get out there and flex that Spanish muscle! Buena suerte. Good luck.
If you are a student in or near the St. Charles area and you want more Spanish help, sign up for tutoring. At Learning Ascent, our Spanish tutors will work with you to create a program that will improve your Spanish skills exponentially. Call us at (630) 587-2785 and schedule an appointment today. Also see our Homework Help Resources.
Practice, Practice, Practice. That’s what teachers and parents always tell students. Maybe there is something to the concept that practice helps students improve academic skills. Learning Ascent provides homework help often in the form of helping a student practice with supplemental worksheets, problems, projects. Learning Ascent also helps students learn how to create their own practice opportunities so they can build their own homework help methods.