Learning Spanish

J

jhvid

Well-known member
Has anyone here had any experience learning Spanish from a book, cd, or podcasts? If so, which were the most helpful?

thanks,
John
 
check out studyspanish.com. i just got back from a trip to spain and i'm trying to keep my level at where it is now, instead of getting rusty all over again. tons of free exercises, and you can order the cds for $163, which also gives you access to all kinds of "premium" exercises, podcasts, etc. on the website.

i also have used the pimsleur cds. there are extended sets at levels 1 - 3, with 32 lessons in each set. i just got those from the library, so that's a free option if your library has them. i've done all of these, and they're ok. the "coffee break spanish" podcast on itunes is free also, worth a shot.

i think studyspanish.com may be your best bet though, as it's more interactive. i just ordered the cds last week and currently i'm dealing with some post office weirdness. tracking number shows the package as delivered but it never came to me. once i get that resolved and have a chance to do some of the cds and accompanying excercises on the site, i can let you know what i think if you're interested. just pm me.
 
I learned Spanish as an Adult and I found that a class is the best way. It's interactive and you are corrected.

Additional help is found by watching Spanish TV, even if you don't understand, you'll hear the words. The news in Spanish is really helpful. Spanish radio is helpful to listen to also.

CDs were helpful up to a point, some are good and some suck rocks.

A book is only useful IF you are taking a class and you use it to study when you are not in class.

Keep in mind that it takes a lot of hours of study, just to get to the beginner level. However once you reach that point, it's easier. I remember one time I asked in Spanish the difference between two words, the person answered in Spanish and I understood.

Also, once you know even a little, listening to Spanish TV & Radio helps even more. You refresh your memory and learn new words by the context of words you know.

Speaking to others in Spanish helps too, it is the hardest thing to get used to. Having co-workers or Spanish speaking friends helps.

Bob Diaz
 
Rosetta Stone has a good rep. And anything by Berlitz. Better yet, Let USLatin set you up down in Argentina for a few months. The chicks are incredible down there.
 
Rosetta Stone is great but not cheap. You really need Levels 1 & 2 which gets to be expensive. Any half-decent library should have CDs and DVDs and they aren't bad.

This is your lucky day... I'll teach you everything you really need to know right here, right now FREE:


Can I buy you a drink? Puedo le compro una bebida.

Dos cervezas por favor. Two Beers Please.

cuarto de baño. Bathroom. (very important in case you need to exit via a backdoor or window)

I want to make love to you my darling. Quiero hacer amor usted a mi querido.

We won't get arrested will we? no conseguiremos arrestados nosotros?

If she's into kinky stuff and you get into a tight spot:

Homey don't play that. Hogareño no juegue eso.

You're what? ¿Usted es lo que?

I don't want to meet your mother. No quiero encontrar a su madre.

How much for you to forget the whole thing? Cuánto para que usted olvide el asunto?

Which way to the airport? ¿Qué manera al aeropuerto?

Holy crap, I think I just wrote a script!!
 
Last edited:
flnstudios said:
Rosetta Stone is great but not cheap. You really need Levels 1 & 2 which gets to be expensive. Any half-decent library should have CDs and DVDs and they aren't bad.

This is your lucky day... I'll teach you everything you really need to know right here, right now FREE:


Can I buy you a drink? Puedo le compro una bebida.

Dos cervezas por favor. Two Beers Please.

cuarto de baño. Bathroom. (very important in case you need to exit via a backdoor or window)

I want to make love to you my darling. Quiero hacer amor usted a mi querido.

We won't get arrested will we? no conseguiremos arrestados nosotros?

If she's into kinky stuff and you get into a tight spot:

Homey don't play that. Hogareño no juegue eso.

You're what? ¿Usted es lo que?

I don't want to meet your mother. No quiero encontrar a su madre.

How much for you to forget the whole thing? Cuánto para que usted olvide el asunto?

Which way to the airport? ¿Qué manera al aeropuerto?

Holy crap, I think I just wrote a script!!
Click to expand...

I've starred in this movie a few times.
Great stuff.
 
Did you know its actually easier to learn (to speak) Mandarin than Spanish? Spanish is a lot more confusing because you compare everything to english, and while there are many similarities, there are even more differences and complete opposites. It's a miracle I learned chinese and spanish at the same time. Albeit growing up.

Best advice I can give you, IF you're serious about learning spanish, or any language, you have to surround yourself in that culture. Either spend lots of time in a spanish speaking country or date a native spanish speaker.

Si se puede!:thumbup:
 
Hazard said:
Best advice I can give you, IF you're serious about learning spanish, or any language, you have to surround yourself in that culture. Either spend lots of time in a spanish speaking country or date a native spanish speaker.
Click to expand...


I agree, you must immerse yourself in the culture and dating a native speaker really works, hence my Spanish lessons above.
 
Hahaha, thanks for the tips everybody. This is actually not for me; I took Spanish in college, passed, and now remember almost none. My brother, who is in the Navy and currently deployed on an aircraft carrier, wants to learn Spanish while he is away so that he will have more options in the law enforcement world when he finishes his committment. So, being out on a ship, he doesn't have access to classes but can use books and potentially cds and/or podcasts.

I know Rosetta is crazy expensive, but I'll check out the Berlitz stuff and see if I can't track down some podcasts. Thanks again everybody.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top