You’re probably familiar with the idea of crafting a new personality when you speak a foreign language. This article stems from there.

First question: Do you do self-talk? Or does the thought of it make you cringe?

While we all have inner conversations, I think it’s a minority that has conversations out loud. I personally don’t engage in self conversation out loud unless I’m using a foreign language.

Maybe using the words self-talk and conversations is misleading. What I’m referring to is simply using your target language (in this case, Spanish) when you’re alone and not in an actual dialogue with someone else.

Self-talk can be a fantastic way to practice and improve your Spanish.

How? Well, the answer is… it’s up to you.

You can do self-talk when you’re working, when you’re watching a movie, when you’re running errands or deep cleaning your home. You don’t need a specific setting or elaborate plan.

And, full disclosure, the speaking out loud part is not mandatory. You can still do silent self talk.

What you’ll be missing is the opportunity to listen to how the words in your mind actually sound when you try to pronounce them, and how your sentences flow from start to finish. This is not something to pass by

Ideas to get started

If the idea of self-talk feels overwhelming, here are some simple ways to ease into it:

1. Describe Your Surroundings: Look around and name what you see in Spanish.
2. Narrate Your Actions: Talk through what you’re doing.
3. Set Daily Challenges: Choose a topic for the day and talk about it. For instance, you could talk about your plans, reflect on your mood or retell an actual conversation you had with someone.
4. Practice Phrases You Struggle With: If there’s a structure or vocabulary you find challenging, incorporate it into your self-talk.
5. Plan Conversations: Imagine how a conversation with someone might go. Pretend you’re first getting to know someone or that you’re ordering food at a restaurant, for example.

How to Stay Consistent

To make self-talk a habit, try these tips:

• Set a Time: Dedicate a few minutes each day to practicing self-talk. It could be during your morning routine or while you wind down in the evening.
• Mix It Up: Combine self-talk with other activities. For example, describe what’s happening in a TV show you’re watching or summarize the plot of a book you’re reading.

I hope this click for you, as it has for me!

Good luck and until next time.

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