This is intended to supplement the answer by J. Taylor.
If you can find an old-fashioned book that provides a succinct format, you could work your way through the whole book in about three months. I used such a book, which I bought at a second-hand bookstore. It was from the University of Chicago, and it was printed with thin paper during World War II. Each chapter presented a grammar concept with an explanation in Spanish, and about 20 new vocabulary words were introduced, and illustrated in a short dialogue and a short narrative text. The last thing in each chapter was a set of exercises. My book didn't have recordings but if you can get a book with accompanying recordings that would be even better. Good places to look are public libraries, second-hand bookstores, and "Friends of the Library" booksales.
It's helpful to study out loud. Speak slowly by prolonging your vowels. Look in a small mirror -- this will help you keep your vowels pure.
You can learn at least 20 vocabulary items per week if
(a) the items are connected somehow (such as in the textbook I described)
(b) you cover up the Spanish and try to produce the English and then vice versa; keep in mind that for something to be stored in your long term memory, it is helpful to put it in your short term memory about 7 times
(c) you find a mnemonic (memory aid) to help you with the vocabulary items you're having trouble memorizing; for example, I had trouble learning "sonrisa [smile]," and the mnemonic I came up with was to think of "sunrise," which I thought looked just enough like "sonrisa" to help me go from "smile" to "sunrise" to "sonrisa."
Somewhere around the midpoint you'll be ready to start composing your own sentences. This is helpful.
manpreet
Best Answer
2 years ago
Some years ago, I learned Spanish through about a high intermediate level. I've used the language occasionally in intervening years, but overall I've become a little rusty.
For career purposes, it would be beneficial to polish my Spanish skills, but apart from doing random exercises, I'm not sure the best way to approach this. I don't really have the time or means to be formally assessed.
What would be the best way to review the essentials in a short time to be able to use Spanish at about an intermediate level for practical purposes?
Thanks