Maximize Your Free Time I- How to Learn Spanish for FREE

Learning a second language can be of great benefit to anyone and everyone. Whether for your job, your school, travel or just to enrich yourself personally, learning a new language is both enriching and potentially profitable, but can be challenging. Especially when learning independently, you must maintain a great deal of self-discipline. Which ever source of materials you elect to use, time management is the critical factor that will determine whether or not you will be successful when you venture to learn a new language.

Here are the steps to establishing a positive and effective learning plan.

Step One...Set Your Schedule

When learning at your own pace, it is essential to at the very least pencil in some times to devote to your pursuit of learning. For example, you could decide that you wish to use 3 hours a week to master your language skills. You could then look at your schedule and decide if you would prefer to work for a half hour a day, six days a week, or if you would rather spend Saturday afternoon or Monday evening studying in a 3 hour block-Both are equally good choices. The point is that you MUST set aside time.

Step Two...Find Your Resources

There are many sites on the internet that claim to offer free Spanish courses, and they do...Up to a point. Most give you about 12 ridiculously simple so-called "lessons," and then offer you more for a price. Massachusettes Institute of Technology (the world famous MIT) has a site that allows you to access semester-long courses with notes, assignments and connections to supplementary videos for FREE through the conversational and college Spanish IV level. Their Spanish I and II courses are even based around a telenovella (Spanish soap opera) that is absolutely addictive. All can be accessed through the MIT Open Course Ware program (ocw.mit.edu).

Local libraries are also useful, if you do not wish to use an interactive learning format online. Most libraries offer Spanish courses through the college level (though sometimes you have to request the higher courses from your city's main branch) on audio cd's, and these can be used both at home and in the car.

Also, a good Spanish/English dictionary is helpful. These are available online for free at a number of sites. You can google for a complete list. One of the easiest to use is spanishdict.com. They have a central box in which to enter a word, whether English or Spanish.

Step Three...Get Started!

Yes, it really is that simple. Once you have decided which source of materials is best for you and once you have set time in your schedule, you are on your way to learning a new language, a great way to maximize your time!