CARLA: Spanish Grammar Strategies

I'm looking for a strategy that someone has used successfully to learn a specific grammar form. Moods Subjunctive Imperfect subjunctive Conditional Conditional perfect and pluperfect subjunctive Commands Pronouns Relative pronouns Simultaneous use of direct and indirect object pronouns Direct and indirect object pronouns in affirmative and negative tú commands Reflexive pronouns in present perfect constructions Tenses / Aspect Preterite Imperfect Preterite vs. imperfect Ser and estar Por vs. para Gender / Agreement Gender of nouns Gender and number agreement Other Demonstrative adjectives Lo + adjective Hacer and desde in time expressions Negative words Superlatives I'm looking for strategies that match my learning style and that can apply to various grammar forms. Auditory Rhymes Songs and chants Talking to native speakers Visual Color coding Decision maps Drawings / Mental images Note cards Playing with verbs Quasi-math formulas Quick grammar references Kinesthetic Physical behaviors Writing it over Memory aids Acronyms Initials as a vehicle for mnemonics Phrases as memory aids Phrases as vehicles for syntax Cognitive English sentences with Spanish syntax English sentences with Spanish words inserted Focusing on meaning Learning material as a chunk Learning grammar by explaining it Using archetypical sentences Using L1 to keep forms and functions straight Context-based Making associations Observing use in context Other Avoiding avoidance Combining perceptual modes What's the reason for using one strategy or another? Spanish grammar sites Glossary

Avoiding avoidance

You may find yourself avoiding certain Spanish language forms either because you don’t know them very well or because it taxes you to try to use them.

The problem is that it’s easy to get into the habit of only using forms you’re comfortable with. For example, a guitar player may get into the habit of using the same chords (e.g., C, F, G7) to play folk songs. While this approach “works,” the experience of guitar playing is enhanced by the addition of more chords. It’s the same way with language. While you can get by with less, with a bit of effort you can enrich your language repertoire, impressing your friends and yourself as well!

Hilary recognizes some students sell themselves short:

So, if you notice yourself avoiding a particular form, why not try the strategy of avoiding doing so? You will sound more sophisticated and advanced as a Spanish speaker!

Check the following strategies of students who have made the extra effort.

Using different verb conjugations instead of the present progressive

Indicating the possessive in different ways

Practicing a range of verb forms

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I'm looking for a strategy that someone has used successfully to learn a specific grammar form.

I'm looking for strategies that match my learning style and that can apply to various grammar forms.

Avoiding avoidance