Cómo Estudiar

Strategy Inventory for Learning Spanish

Answer the following questions to find out if you are an effective Spanish learner. Give yourself the following points:
            A            0
            B            1
            C            2
            D            3
            E            4

A score of 150 points or more indicates that you are an excellent learner of Spanish!

1. When learning new words, I try to create associations between new material and what I already know.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

2. I try to put new words in sentences so that I can remember them.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

3. I place new words in a group with other words that are similar in some way (for example, words dealing with clothing, or similar irregular verbs).
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

4. I associate the sound of a new word with the sound of a familiar word.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

5. I use rhyming to try to remember the new word.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

6. I try to remember the new word by making a clear mental image of it, or by drawing a picture.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

7. I visualize the spelling of the new word in my mind.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

8. I use a combination of sounds and pictures in my mind to try to remember the new word.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

9. I list all the other words I know that are related to the new word, and draw lines to show relationships.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

10. I remember where the new word is located on the page, or where I first saw or heard it.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

11. I use flashcards with the new word on one side and the definition or other information on the other.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

12. I act out the new word.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

13. When learning new material, I review often.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

14. I schedule my reviewing so that the review sessions are first close together in time, and gradually become more widely spread apart.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

15. I go back to refresh my memory of things I learned much earlier.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

16. I say or write new expressions repeatedly to practice them.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

17. I try to imitate the way native speakers talk.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

18. I read a story or dialogue several times until I can understand it.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

19. I make corrections in paragraphs that I write in order to improve them.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

20. I practice the new language sounds that I am learning.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

21. I try to use new expressions that I learn.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

22. I use familiar words in different combinations to make new sentences.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

23. I try to have conversations with people in Spanish.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

24. I watch TV shows or movies in Spanish.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

25. I attend church services in Spanish.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

26. I try to think in Spanish.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

27. I talk to my partner in Spanish when I am working in class.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

28. I attend out-of-class events where Spanish is spoken.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

29. I read books, magazines, or parts of newspapers for pleasure in Spanish.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

30. I write notes in Spanish.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

31. I skim reading passages first to get the main idea, and then go back and read more carefully.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

32. I look for specific details in what I hear and read.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

33. I use dictionaries to help me with new words.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

34. I prefer a Spanish dictionary with Spanish definitions.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

35. I take notes in Spanish is class.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

36. I write out summaries of material to help me study for quizzes and tests.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

37. I apply rules that I have learned to new situations.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

38. I find the meaning of a word by dividing it into two parts that I can understand.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

39. I look for similarities and contrasts between Spanish and English.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

40. I try to understand what I have heard or read without translating it word-for-word into English.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

41. I am cautious about transferring words or ideas directly form English to Spanish.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

42. I look for patterns in Spanish.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

43. When I don’t understand all of the words I read or hear, I guess the meaning of the sentence by suing other clues from the context or situation.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

44. I read without looking up every unfamiliar word.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

45. In a conversation, I anticipate what the other person is going to say based upon what has been said so far.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

46. If I am speaking and cannot think of the right expression, I use gestures, or try to get my point across in another way.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

47. I ask the person to tell me the word if I cannot think of it in a conversation.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

48. When I can’t think of a correct expression to write, I find a different way to express the idea.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

49. I direct conversations in Spanish to topics for which I know the words.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

50. When someone is speaking Spanish, I try to concentrate on what the person is saying, and put unrelated topics out of my mind.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

51. I decide in advance to pay attention to specific language aspects, for example, on the way native speakers pronounce certain sounds.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

52. I study and practice Spanish consistently, not just when I have a quiz or test.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

53. When I am studying, I find a quiet, comfortable place.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

54. I organize my notebook so that I can find information that I need.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

55. I think about my goals for learning Spanish, for example, how I might be able to use it in the log run, or how proficient I would like to be.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

56. I plan what I am going to accomplish each day or week.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

57. I take responsibility for finding opportunities to practice Spanish.
\           a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

58. I actively look for people with whom I can speak Spanish.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

59. I try to notice my mistakes and find out the reasons for them.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

60. I learn from my mistakes in using Spanish.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

61. I encourage myself to take risks in learning Spanish, such as guessing meanings or trying to speak, even though I might make some mistakes.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

62. If I do not understand something in Spanish, I ask the speaker to slow down, repeat, or clarify what was said.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

63. I ask other people to make sure that I have said something correctly.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

64. I work with other students to practice, review, or share information.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

65. I have a regular partner to study with.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

66. In a conversation in Spanish, I ask questions in order to be as involved as possible, and to show that I am interested.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always

67. I try to learn about the culture of places where Spanish is spoken.
            a. Never  
            b. Usually not
            c. Sometimes
            d. Usually
            e. Always or almost always