SpanishTeachingTools.com

Becoming A Better Spanish Teacher By Learning Chinese

admin — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 22:54:42 +0000

Just as I was thinking that something was lacking in typical language classroom teaching methods, I came across the website for Blaine Ray and his method of teaching. His method of teaching - Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling is a method of teaching that really gets students to speak Spanish. Rather than focus primarily on grammar, the TPRS method is a process of acquiring a second language much like we learned our first language - which is learning to speak, then learning about the rules of the language. From the moment that I found out about Blaine Ray and his programs, books, and seminars I was hooked. So it was really a no-brainer that I should attend the National TPRS conference just recently held in Minneapolis.

While all of the teachers there spent a majority of their time learning how to teach in the TPRS style, there was one really interesting twist of the seminar that really showed that their system was powerfully effective…

To prove that this method of teaching really works in the foreign language classroom, we were required to take a Fluency Fast class in a language that we do not teach and have never had any experience with. This process, while challenging, really showed me how difficult it is to attempt a new language, and how fast it really can be done using the natural learning methods of TPRS.

I decided to take Mandarin Chinese - one of the most difficult languages to learn. I wanted and needed to believe that teaching using the TPRS method would really get students comprehending and speaking the language. After only three days of intense Mandarin, I was rehearsing an 11 sentence story in Chinese with a partner and comprehending like I never thought I would be able to. It really was a great experience. I really feel inspired to put the methodology to the test in my own classroom this year.

For more information on Blaine Ray’s incredible TPRS method of teaching foreign language, or to glance at the products available for sale, visit: http://www.blaineraytprs.com/

For more information on taking a Fluency Fast class, visit http://www.fluencyfast.com/

I am in no way affiliated with Blaine Ray or Fluency Fast other than being a raving fan and student of their work. I don’t make a dime by recommending that you check out these resources and I look forward to maybe seeing at next year’s TPRS Conference in Dallas.

Spanish Vocabulary Lessons At Your Fingertips

admin — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 22:24:15 +0000

Almost everyone over the age of 5 right now seems to have a cell phone. What most people don’t realize is that, just like your DVD’s and many of your home electronics, you can switch the language mode of your cell phone and learn a great deal of Spanish vocabulary simply by using your phone in the Spanish language mode. Below are some examples of a few of the Spanish words that you can learn just by messing around with your mobile:

menú	menu
contactos	contacts
abrir	to open
cerrar	to close
llamar	to call
mi música	my music
llamadas recientes	recent calls
perdidas	missed
recibidas	received
marcadas	dialed
todas	all
mi cuenta	my account
herramientas	tools
mensajes	messages
nuevo mensaje	new message
borradores	erased/deleted
entrada	inbox
enviado	sent
opciones	options
historia	history
favoritos	favorites
salir	to exit/to leave
borrar	to erase
contestar	to answer

These are just a few of the words that you can pick up by using the various gadgets you’ve got around your house. While simply knowing these words will not give you a functional knowledge of how exactly to use them (conjugating verbs, using different tenses of the words etc.) it will increase your overall vocabulary. And once you’re started to master the basic syntax the Spanish language, the only thing that will really separate you from a much more fluent Spanish speaking will be the depth of their vocabulary.

National T.P.R.S. Conference

admin — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 23:06:32 +0000

Title: National T.P.R.S. Conference
Description: Vicky @ the National Total Physical Response Through Storytelling Conference
Start Date: 2008-07-21
End Date: 2008-07-25

Vicky will be skipping the National Conference on Differentiated Instruction in Las Vegas this year so that she can attend the National TPRS Conference. There she’ll be learning to implement many of the systems, technology, and training methodologies that are used by Fluency Fast. These revolutionary techniques for language instruction are ramping people up from “zero” to functional fluency in a few as four or five days. Stay tuned for daily updates live from the conference.

New Rocket Spanish Intro Video

admin — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 08:10:12 +0000

Get a look “under the hood” of the Rocket Spanish System:

This video will walk you through some of the key benefits of the Rocket Spanish system so that you can see if it’s right for you. You’ll also get a chance to meet Vicky and find out a little bit more about her extensive Spanish background.

Updates To Both of The Rocket Videos!

admin — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 08:01:03 +0000

We’ve just revamped the Rocket Spanish videos to resolve audio issue complaints that we received from some of our visitors. The audio should now be more “balanced” for both the Intro Video and our Full Product Review video.

Speaking of our Product Review Video: it is currently the ONLY real video review and walk-through of Rocket Spanish available online today! You can’t even get a video walk-through of the Rocket Spanish system - or even actual product photos - from the developers website.

We’ve also posted complete details of our special Bonus 12 Week Spanish Training program - you can get more information on our home page. All 12 Weeks of this exclusive training is only available through SpanishTeachingTools.com - and you’ll be receiving Spanish lessons directly from a Spanish teacher. You can get more information about our Chief Editor, Vicky Gallagher, on our About page.

Rocket Spanish Intro Video… Old Version

admin — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:39:42 +0000

Please Note - This Is One Of Our Old Videos - While the Video Content Is The Same, We Have Totally Updated Audio Segments In The New Videos

This is our Rocket Spanish intro video - as with all things currently on the site it needs some work. Two hands can only type so fast. More to come very soon.

Rocket Spanish Video Review - Old Version

admin — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:12:22 +0000

Please Note - This Is One Of Our Old Videos - While the Video Content Is The Same, We Have Totally Updated Audio Segments In The New Videos

We’ve finally finished the first draft of our Rocket Spanish review video. We’re still tweaking some issues with the audio and video compression. We’d love to hear your comments. We’re also, as you can see, busy putting on the finishing touches for the site. Once done with all of that, we’ll be posting the complete details of our exclusive 12 weeks of bonus training for Rocket Spanish customers.

Interested in Rocket Spanish - Check Out Their Complete Offer Details Here

Welcome To SpanishTeachingTools.com…

admin — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 02:45:08 +0000

Looking to learn Spanish? You’re in the right spot. We’ve just got our site up and running so you’ll have to give us a couple hours to work out our mess. We have a ton of really great content coming your way very soon including: unique articles to help you fast track your Spanish learning experience as well as a couple of video reviews of the popular Rocket Spanish training program. Check back very soon and good luck with your future with the Spanish language and Latin American culture.