The key to dominating any Spanish verb in any tense.
I’m going to reveal one of my teaching secrets…
I almost wanted to keep it to myself because I have never seen a Spanish course that teaches this way. It’s one of the keys (I have six others) to why I get perhaps more praise than any Spanish teacher anywhere.
Yet, anyone can teach this way, there is nothing difficult about it…all you need to do is turn the approach to verbs sideways.
Then, instead of being a barrier to communicating in Spanish, the verbs become easy to use. You’ll find that they’re not so mysterious after all.
Unfortunately, the way most people learn Spanish is more likely to lead to failure than success. Most people study verbs vertically, for example a typical approach takes 3 model verbs and lists them like this…
|
hablar |
comer |
vivir |
| yo hablo | yo como | yo vivo |
| tú hablas | tú comes | tú vives |
| usted habla | usted come | usted vive |
| él/ella habla | él/ella come | él/ella vive |
| nosotros hablamos | nosotros comemos | nosotros vivimos |
| ustedes hablan | ustedes comen | ustedes viven |
| ellos(as) hablan | ellos(as) comen | ellos(as) viven |
Yes, it’s a good reference, (except for the overuse of pronouns).
However, as a foundation to speaking Spanish in real situations, making friends, doing business or pursuing a romance…
Forget it…
Here’s what’s wrong…
If you memorize the verbs that way, vertically, you then have to mentally go through the chart before you can speak.
Imagine if you had to stop and think about theory before you spoke with a verb in English.
…………..…Imagine if……………………………………………………….. you had………………to stop and………………………………….think about a bunch of theory before……………………………………………you spoke in English
That’s how most people train themselves to speak Spanish.
Instead, in Bola de Nieve, I teach you to approach Spanish verbs horizontally.
What that means is you start by focusing on the 1st person verbs, which mostly end in the letter O…
hablo, tengo, como, vivo, puedo, necesito, alquilo, visito, invito, quiero, veo
Once you know this single piece of theory you know enough to practice Spanish in context, just like you will in the real world.
After a short time, if you want to say I live, you don’t have to think, you just say – vivo…you already have the pattern in your mind.
No vivo en Canada, vivo en los Estados Unidos.
If you want to say I eat, the same thing applies… it’s instant – como
No como mucho chile
If you want to say I speak, you instantly know I speak- hablo
En casa siempre hablo español con mis hijos
To say, I see, again… with just a little practice, your mind knows instantly, without thinking – veo
No veo a mis hijos.
Here is an example of the first easy step with an video lesson to show you what I mean, and here’s an action guide to get you started.
Here’s another audio example, this time the horizontal approach gets you using complex Spanish, reflexive verbs in the past, right away.
I hope you can see the uncommon sense in the horizontal approach to Spanish verbs…
It’s one of the most important things I can teach you about learning Spanish. It’s the key to dominating any Spanish verb in any tense and speaking with confidence, security and fluency.
Leave a comment and let me know what you think
Hi,
I had noticed this difference already, and i agree it is a vast improvement on what i have tried previously.
Bought into Shortcut to Spanish to get a taste of what you offered.
Now working my way through Synergy Spanish and loving it. I’m probably similar to a few people when the doubts creep in and start thinking, well i’m trying to learn Spanish, but will i actually be able to have a Real Spanish conversation with Real Spanish speakers!!
I really believe i am now on the way to achieving that goal.
John
It’s a very good idea, this is the first time I am trying to learn another language, is the skill down to memorising vocabulary?
This is first time since I join Ed that I try to learn, is there somewhere I go where I can find the list of your lessons abs links that will take me there?
Thank you
Adrian
This page has all my course:
https://synergyspanish.com/all-training/
Thank you Marcus for the teaching method. Very useful y interesting!
Me gustaria hablar español muy bien,
Thank you 😊, Marcus. Your teaching method is excellent!
Brilliant You have got my interest right away I live in the Canaries and am now ready to be taught properly.I can’t wait.
Paul Pimsleur, in “How to Learn a Foreign Language” said to learn your verb conjugations horizontally. Madrigal’s Magic Key to Spanish teaches a similar systematic approach, teaching you all the verbs one person and tense at a time.
hi Marcus,thanks for sending me the e-mail on Spanish verbs.it is absolutely brilliant.at the moment I am on your synergy Spanish course,but this makes verbs so much easier.i will order another course,when through this one.
I do appreciate the valuable information shared to assist with the learning of Spanish.
I look forward to greater assistance.
Thank you.
awesome! Thank you! Keep it coming!
Very useful and interesting.Easier to understand.Thankyou.
Hi, Senor Marcus. Thanks for all you have done for me and others. My problem, I think, is I
need mas practicar en espanol. I have tried to find someone (trato de encontrar a alguin), I believe)
but 98% of the Hispanics seem to be totally unable to comprehend my problem. I play your
lessons and speak aloud en spanish, but unless I actually use it, it vanishes from my mind to
some degree. I know I could become fluent in espanol if I could spend some time each day
(pasar tiempo cada dia) with someone who speaks Spanish. I get frustrated with it and
don’t work with it for days and weeks and there in lies the problem. I lose what I learned because
I don’t use it often enough. I formulate sentences but after a while, I begin to wonder if I’m
using the right verbs, etc. puedo hablar espanol bien No puedo hablar espanol muy bien.
Mi gustaria hablar espanol muy bien. Thanks, James Wingard
hablar
Simple and very effective.
Gracias, mi amigo.
I have just completed the exercises. I didn’t even need to check any of the answers. I’m amazed. None of these words are new to me, yet I would never have been able to recall them instantly until I started doing your course.
I have completed up to lesson 10 of your basic course. I want to finish all the lessons first, then I will definitely be signing up for your more advanced course. Hope to finish the lessons over the weekend. I can’t wait to move on to the next level
By the way I have been trying to speak Spanish for 25 years. I have lots of vocabulary but really struggle to converse because of worrying about the verb conjugations. I learnt the old fashioned way trying to learn verbs first.
Can’t wait to go on holiday in Mexico. Thank you so much.
Lizzie
Thank you so much…I’m starting to get it.
I “tinker about” with Spanish for several years now. I took years of classes and also studied Maria Madrigal ( my favorite)
Yet , when it comes to conversation I have to stop and formulate what I want to say. I am lacking spontaneity.
Any suggestions?
Two things; daily reading in Spanish and try our speak-to-learn system. This page has some good examples:
https://synergyspanish.com/k-i-s-s-spanish/
Hola Marcus
Thank you for such an easy explanation to the spanish verbs, I live in Ibiza and I am attending spanish classes and once they started trying to teach the verbs I got totally lost I was going to give the class up but doing your course is so enjoyable and I am understanding a lot more as your teaching method seems so simple and I now have the confidence to use it more. Thank you I am really enjoying doing your course.
I am terribly sorry but since I live in France it would be difficult for you to post these audios to me. However please keep on doing your good work. I go to Spanish classes every Tuesday at the United Nations and try to speak my Spanish but, unfortunately, only French seems to come and not Spanish……. please try and help me!
Thelma Haberstock
Marcus,
Your methods are refreshingly simple, which is the key to learning with enthusiasm.
Hola Marcus!
Phew! We are at conjugating verbs in my class and it made my head spin. Seriously felt i wasn’t going to hack it.
Reading your email has re-energised me.
Muchas gracias!!!!!!
Much better idea! Totally agree with you – verb tables are intimidating and give you a headache!
(Nice to have them there to look up correct endings, but no good on the spur of the moment!)
I have been trying to learn Spanish for two years now. I live in Spain and a local lady, an experienced teacher, has been trying to teach me. Being retired, my memory is not what it used to be and I have had a lot of difficulty remembering words.
However, using your method, I’m finding it much easier as I’m learning the language in context rather than a collection of words. I do like your approach, especially with the verbs. Also, I think this is more like babies learn to speak,
The only criticism I have is the sound level on some of the audios. I find I have to turn the sound up quite high to hear the lady’s voice.
I am enjoying your course and, finally, I am beginning to be able to communicate in Spanish.
Thank you.
Your Spanish explanations make learning the language so easy. As soon as I am able I am going to purchase your program.
Thank you.
Charmaine
I’m really enjoying this, Marcus. This approach to the verbs makes so much sense. I’m in Ecuador now, for a month. On the coast there is a LOT of slang so I’m having challenges understanding, but when I speak, mostly they understand what I need!
I am getting it slowly but surely. I will do better of course when I get your synergy course. I do much better if I see the Spanish as well as hear you and Elena. The other gentleman you use has a very clear and precise voice too. Thanks for making it a real possibility for me.
I find the method you present very beautiful, simple and useful.
very nice strategy
I have to listen 3 times but get there in the end
I’m convinced your method is worth a try, as I have been trying to learn to SPEAK Spanish since my high school years and I have yet to be confident doing it…partly b/c I have had no chance of practising speaking it…Do I have to buy your book/cd, or can I just learn from what you send me by email? Pls replyasap.
Yes, details of the CD and the book version are on this page:
https://synergyspanish.com/orderhomedelivery.html
thanks for your nice leasons.God bless you dear Marcus
Please ignore the first comment, I meant ‘A’ before a verb.
I am a bit confuse as to when to place the letter ‘a’ before a pronoun for example
“No veo A mis hijos.”
Thank you for these short-cuts. They recrudesce what is quiescent in me as far as my learning potential for the Spanish language.
Saludos mi Profesor!
Mr Marcus, My words are not good enough to say what I want to say to you and absolutely cannot express my since gratitude to you. I only say, I Salute you and you have it all.
Am Cornhill from Zambia living and learning Spanish in Paraguay. I have been in this country for two months and I only have one month of Spanish. I struggled with my Spanish teacher but with your course, I have made a steady progress in my Spanish. Am impressed with myself. By the way I just chanced you on Internet after a heavy frustration.
You are a living Saint.
Dios los bendiga, su familia y su trabajo.
This helped me enormously with the reflexive verbs.
sorry Marcos , no he corregido mi epistel pero espero la intencion
ciao
Willem
eras un amigo de verdad.
hace cerca 5 anos que me das leccionitos gratis.
Gracias por tuperceverancia.
Por ser un holandes hablar E. da muchas problemas, pero problemas son oportunidades.
Ejercir por vivir y inverso.
Por Ingleses es facil cambiar words por verbos, WE dont have that amount of latin words in our language, medieval dialects of Dutch and Englis have many words and constructions in common,
, (i like to complain ,sorry)Pero a los ajos,Problemas y cosas interesantes
pronunciacion, Hablar intencional y manifesto. Tener amigos paciencios quien hablan un castiliano
perfecto y depacio, ese es un miracolo de verdad, porque lengua es en bastante muchas veces un ametralladora por tener razon y escuchar no hay.
Mas cosas; LAS CHIFRAS y anotaciones de era como pronunciado por los servidores del radio,
. quando he fijurado que significa elresto del proclamacion es passado y perdido para mi mis sesos tritarados, pero ; hay que practicar
pero mi hijo me nesecita ,a la rua (fuera en galego. mi proxima problema y las eganos del mondo proxima vez,
hasta entoces
abrazo
I am so enjoying this course. It is taught in such a way that it makes Spanish much easier to learn and understand. Well done Marcus
Marcus, I listened to this lesson three times in succession and did not get bored. My only problem was that the few words I was not already familiar with were difficult because I could not see them on the audio version. Once I can see them I can remember them. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to study Espanol in this manner. I am really learning and practice often with several Spanish speakers with whom I live. They enjoy helping and encouraging me. I always brag to them about learning from your program and not some other commercial well-known course. thanks again.
Este muy fail para aperender
If I may say so Mr. Marcus,,,you are by far the best teacher I have ever known I have been to school to study Spanish,,and was in a class when I discovered your
Course on my note pad,,,,,,I learn so much more from you ,,I cancelled my Spanish course
To spend more time learning with you!,,,,!!!!!Thank you so much..I have told all my friends wishing to speak Spanish to go to your Course…..
Helene Coderre,, Gatineau,Qc..Canada
My subscription to your course here in Spain,foundered on the PayPal stage and until I get home on 26th Feb,I am not sure whether the order went through. Al,l the details were in place.I think your method is fantastic as I tried making a Welsh course on a lot of the same principals, finding that the course I was doing had two many irrelevant lists and tenses that I would not use.I never did learn Welsh!
I look forward to reordering if necessary and being able to recall with your amazing method
Avril Rigby.80 anos
Esto es un bueno para encender espanol a los estudiantes. Ensenaria a mi nina para aprender como usar los verbos un frases. Gracias
This approach is amazing compared to the vertical. I also like to learn by association. Many words in French are similar. My biggest problem is sounds especially if I do not talk to Spanish speakers.
it looks so easy to the usual methods of verb use tell me more
Love it
This seems to be a good approach to verb learning,
Hi,It is for me a double challenge ..my language is Flemish. I learned English, 4 year, but the most I learned with speaking.
I started with Spanish, but it’s difficult on the traditional way.
I need to learn Spanish, because we are going to live in Spain and I will work with dogs, also for Spanish people…
Regards
Getty
This approach seems so much easier with the verbs.
Your ways of teaching spanish is very effective.