I’m currently a sophomore, and I plan on taking AP Spanish next year. So far, my grades in Spanish have all been A’s, but I feel like I do not actually have a good grasp on the language. Before the next school year, I would like to be able to not only improve my grammar, but also speak fluently. Do any of you guys have suggestions on how I could improve my Spanish? Moreover, are there any helpful books/workbooks, movies/telenovelas, or websites that any of you would recommend? I would like to immerse myself in Spanish culture and enjoy it as well because it’s no fun simply learning a language solely for the sake of a class I am planning on taking.
How many years of spanish have you taken?
I have taken three years of Spanish. By the end of this year, I will have completed all of the non-AP Spanish classes.
From what I know, most schools require 4 and you can get by with 3 if you test in. Maybe taking a dc through your local cc will help you? A beginning spanish I in my local cc covers Spanish I, II, and III. It would help you review. AP Spanish is harder than a DC. Maybe invest in a prep book?
Based on the chart in the link, I think our school only requires 3, but I will have to confirm with my teacher first.
http://www.delnortenighthawks.com/ourpages/auto/2012/9/14/60127962/World%20Language%20pathways.pdf
Also, thanks for the recommendation. I’ll definitely look into my local cc. Do you have any prep book suggestions?
Find the Spanish radio station in your area - listening in the car can help a lot with comprehension.
I find it helps me to look up interviews with native speakers (Shakira, etc.) on Youtube. Also, listen to Spanish music - it can be a more fun way to learn. A lot of the Spanish students I know like to listen to music by Juanes or Shakira, but other Latin artists include Julieta Venegas, Calle 13, and Carlos Baute. It all depends on what you like.
The following is a list of short stories that are commonly read in higher-lever Spanish classes. These might help you to study, and can usually be found online:
Una Carta a Dios by Gregorio López
Un Dia de Estos by Gabriel García Márquez
El Arbol de Oro by Ana María Matute
Bernardino by Ana María Matute
El Salvamento by Ana María Matute
La Muñeca Menor by Rosario Ferré
Hope this helps! Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions.
Maybe a book for AP Spanish or to prepare for the SAT II in Spanish. Look into Barron’s books. Also check out the World Languages forum for AP Tests. Some people there might be able to offer you better advice. I am looking into taking AP Spanish as well, so my suggestions are not confirmed- but I think they will be useful.
If you want to get a good grasp on the language, watch movies/documentaries (anything you would normally watch in English or another language - I watch Nat Geo documentaries in Spanish, and I watched Goodbye Lenin today in Spanish), read the news, and listen to music. The artists mentioned above are pretty well-known across the Spanish-speaking world - I recommend Callejeros, El Cuarteto de Nos, La Vela Puerca…they tend to sing pretty clearly. If you like reggae, Dread Mar I (he’s Argentinian) is amazing.
I had a look at some of the short stories mentioned, and they were fun to read. Besides that, I’ll definitely have a look at some of the Barron books. Considering how much time I have today, I’ll probably watch a Nat Geo documentary in Spanish like you suggested. Thanks for all the advice!