Study Abroad Bloggers

How Can I Increase My Spanish Vocabulary?

- Spanish Students Offer Advice
via spanish.about.com
Question: Are there any recommendations that anyone has for building vocabulary? I've tried many things, some things work and others do not work so well. Usually if I hear the word or phrase spoken it sticks better than if something I read from a book and tried to memorize. I've heard that using a word 10 or 20 times will make it stick (some say 10 and others say 20). But it's not always easy work a word into a conversation and I don't always have the chance to speak to someone in Spanish. I read books, look up words if I can't tell the meaning by the context. I watch Spanish programs, mainly the news and soaps. I watch soaps to try to get the gist of the way people talk in a conversation.

Get Guidebooks & Maps Before You Study Abroad

It’s a great idea to get guidebooks before you study abroad. This way, you can familiarize yourself with your new city and country before your trip. It also gives you something to read on that long plane ride and during inevitable airport delays! The best guidebooks are a wealth of great information, including not only places to see, where to stay, etc… but also important cultural tips that can be indispensible for preventing embarrassing mistakes while studying abroad. 

Study Abroad Location: Costa Rica

If you are going abroad to study Spanish, Costa Rica should be high on your list of places to research. Costa Rica's incredible natural diversity is sure to offer something for everyone. From breathtaking beaches to volcanoes, cloudforests, to a huge array of flora and fauna, Costa Rica is not to be missed. With language schools all over the country, be sure to check out popular locations such as Alajuela, Coronado, Monteverde, and Flamingo Beach. For those looking to do more than just study Spanish, you can also volunteer, do a college semester or year abroad, or even apply for an internship in Costa Rica. 

Contest for Two Free Study Abroad Weeks in Berlin

ESL has launched a contest, with the grand prize being two free weeks of study abroad in Berlin! It's easy to enter:

Participate in the big competition launched by ESL, the specialist in language studies abroad, and win language study trips and other prizes that will enable you to travel the world!

Each week, guess the city shown in the photo and grab a maximum of points. Fabulous prizes await you!

Learn Spanish in Salamanca Spain

Salamanca, Spain, is a beautiful city to study Spanish and live in. Watch this video from a Spanish school in this elegant, charming city. Click for more videos of this and other Spanish schools in Spain.