by Lou Jones

Created on: November 16, 2007   Last Updated: February 09, 2008

Introduction

There are many ways to learn Spanish and many levels of skill, from bilingual to beginner. This is a quick rundown for Spanish language students and parents. Keep in mind, Bilingual is sometimes referred to as Advanced fluency, some terms are left out, proficient is sometimes used in place of fluent or advanced, and within levels, there are also levels. Some linguists and teachers even find levels of proficiency among bilingual speakers.

Bilingual

While exceptions exist, true multilingual proficiency (the ability to communicate in two or more languages with equal proficiency) is extremely difficult to achieve for most people after age twelve. For all second language acquisition, the earlier the student begins the better.

Bilingual/multilingual fluency is usually the result of regularly hearing and using two or more languages during the infant and toddler years. So the sooner children learn a second language, the more likely it is that the second language will become a marketable language skill, as opposed to a language skill that is not marketable, but does benefit their personal lives by expanding friendship possibilities and enriching travel.

Immersion during childhood is one way to give a child the opportunity to become bilingual. Frequent, extended stays in Spanish speaking countries, as long as daily interaction with Spanish speakers who do not use English, is a superb way to learn a language, and is useful to students of all ages.

If Spanish isn't part of the daily household interaction, and travel is impractical, Spanish classes are the next option. Unfortunately, most preschool and elementary school Spanish language programs fall short. Children do learn some Spanish, and even a little bit of Spanish, seemingly forgotten for years, can make that first high school Spanish class easier, but thirty minutes of Spanish, three times a week, won't put most children on the path to becoming bilingual.

An option with a high probability of success: Choose a preschool where teachers and students speak Spanish almost exclusively. Follow up with regular and lengthy practice (preferably with a native speaker) during elementary school. A caretaker with some level of proficiency increases the likelihood of success even more.

Fluency

A fluent Spanish speaker communicates and comprehends written and spoken Spanish effortlessly, or at least easily, in most situations. Vocabulary gaps are small enough that the speaker can pick up the meaning of unfamiliar words by

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