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Douglas Bower's Articles in Skills

  • You Can Learn A Language Naturally
    In my newly released book, YOU CAN LEARN SPANISH or Any Language No Matter Your Age or Disposition, I discuss how most, if not all, second language courses in the Free World are taught: Grammar First. Not only is this method frighteningly boring, but I also explain why it will not—indeed cannot—give you what you want: A high degree of spoken fluency. I recall all too well walking into my first Spanish course at the University of Kansas. I was handed a huge textbook, a workboo...
  • If Someone Asked Me How To Learn A New Language
    If someone asked me what I would recommend as the most important preparation for expatriating to Mexico it would be, Learn Spanish. You would think this is obvious, right?

    I get many who write and ask what I recommend they do exactly in their language-learning quest. The first thing I tell them is to understand that unless they move to one of the uber-expensive resort towns or San Miguel de Allende, you will have to speak Spanish in the rest of the country. The rest of Mex...