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Thread: Spanish Speakers....... ??

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    Veteran Member layka's Avatar
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    Default Spanish Speakers....... ??

    I'm currently at a begginers level in spanish. I can have a VERY basic convo, but I want to become fleunt. What program would you suggest? Also, what in past experiences ( even if not of your own) was a waste of time and money? Is Rocsetta Stone pretty good? I would love to just emerge myself in the culture by doing a trip aboard, but right now since my cat is on heart meds I don't want to take a trip away anytime soon. But if you took an abroad program, please give me the dirt. I would like to study that way in the future, But at the moment what suggestions do you have that will lead me to fluency?
    If you don't stand for something, you fall for ANYTHING.[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

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    Featured Member LilSweetVixen's Avatar
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    Default Re: Spanish Speakers....... ??

    I taught myself Spanish in three months and am now almost fluent. All I did was go to the library and use their books on tape. I recommend elanguageschool.net, the Pimsleur/Pimsleur Plus, the Video Passport Spanish, Muzzy I and II, and especially Just Listen N' Learn/Plus.

    "You have demonic genius" -Naomi Wolf
    "I very much resent it when people - maybe with good intentions or from a progressive point of view - keep telling me, 'It's their culture' ... It's like saying the culture of Massachusetts is burning witches." -Azar Nafisi


  3. #3
    TheSexKitten
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    Default Re: Spanish Speakers....... ??

    Never tried Rosetta Stone but it seems great!

    #1 thing I would recommend would be taking classes at your local community college.

    After you become stiltedly conversational and can understand a lot, you should go traveling sans shyness.

    I took spanish for about 4 1/2 years in school, and also attended a bilingual school in Tijuana where half of my classes were in Spanish, so that helped! But as far as the quickest way for YOU, college courses cram in a great deal of learning into a relatively small period of time.

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    Veteran Member layka's Avatar
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    Default Re: Spanish Speakers....... ??

    Quote Originally Posted by LilSweetVixen View Post
    I taught myself Spanish in three months and am now almost fluent. All I did was go to the library and use their books on tape. I recommend elanguageschool.net, the Pimsleur/Pimsleur Plus, the Video Passport Spanish, Muzzy I and II, and especially Just Listen N' Learn/Plus.
    , Girl, you took me back with the Muzzy! Lmao, that would be SO entertaining and helpful, thanks for reminding me.
    If you don't stand for something, you fall for ANYTHING.[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

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    Veteran Member layka's Avatar
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    Default Re: Spanish Speakers....... ??

    Quote Originally Posted by TheSexKitten View Post
    Never tried Rosetta Stone but it seems great!

    #1 thing I would recommend would be taking classes at your local community college.

    After you become stiltedly conversational and can understand a lot, you should go traveling sans shyness.

    I took spanish for about 4 1/2 years in school, and also attended a bilingual school in Tijuana where half of my classes were in Spanish, so that helped! But as far as the quickest way for YOU, college courses cram in a great deal of learning into a relatively small period of time.

    Cool, I will check the community colleges around my way. Hopefully the schedule won't be too rigid.
    If you don't stand for something, you fall for ANYTHING.[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

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    God/dess
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    Default Re: Spanish Speakers....... ??

    Take a trip and do one of the four or six week intensive programs. It's the best way. Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende and Cuernavaca all have a ton of classes and are very nice, friendly places to visit.

    My sister did one of these. You can get college credit for some of these programs, so if you're in school ask if they have one in particular that they use.

    http://www.ahaspeakspanish.com/spanish-classes.htm

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    Veteran Member layka's Avatar
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    Default Re: Spanish Speakers....... ??

    Quote Originally Posted by Susan Wayward View Post
    Take a trip and do one of the four or six week intensive programs. It's the best way. Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende and Cuernavaca all have a ton of classes and are very nice, friendly places to visit.

    My sister did one of these. You can get college credit for some of these programs, so if you're in school ask if they have one in particular that they use.

    http://www.ahaspeakspanish.com/spanish-classes.htm
    Wow, now that sounds like a plan! I would probably like to take these courses as a reward after I take cheaper training. This will give me something to look forward to.
    If you don't stand for something, you fall for ANYTHING.[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

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    Veteran Member layka's Avatar
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    Default Re: Spanish Speakers....... ??

    Oh yeah, does the spanish language have a social structure within their language? Kind of like the SAT vocabulary words that we use that can distinguish you in society? Not slang, but I just want to learn spanish in a way that when I speak to natives I won't sound too much like a stuffy text book?
    If you don't stand for something, you fall for ANYTHING.[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

  9. #9
    BrunetteGoddess
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    Default Re: Spanish Speakers....... ??

    Honestly, being immersed in Spanish settings are the best. When I was living in Germany, I read some "Learn German" books, but what really helped more and I learned better from was going to town, going to the supermarket, etc. because EVERYTHING was in German.

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    Veteran Member layka's Avatar
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    Default Re: Spanish Speakers....... ??

    Quote Originally Posted by CorsicaFire View Post
    Honestly, being immersed in Spanish settings are the best. When I was living in Germany, I read some "Learn German" books, but what really helped more and I learned better from was going to town, going to the supermarket, etc. because EVERYTHING was in German.
    Wow, that took alot of courage, and no doubt feuled by hunger I probably would learn the language real quick if it stopped me from ordering a sandwich. Come hell or high water momma got to eat, lol. hmmmm.... you have a good point. But I'm scurred.
    If you don't stand for something, you fall for ANYTHING.[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

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    Featured Member LilSweetVixen's Avatar
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    Default Re: Spanish Speakers....... ??

    you don't even have to leave the country. I got practice going to Chipotle. There are Hispanics everywhere.

    "You have demonic genius" -Naomi Wolf
    "I very much resent it when people - maybe with good intentions or from a progressive point of view - keep telling me, 'It's their culture' ... It's like saying the culture of Massachusetts is burning witches." -Azar Nafisi


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    Veteran Member Isolabella's Avatar
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    Default Re: Spanish Speakers....... ??

    Apprende en Nicaragua hace ocho años. Tambien, estudié a la universidad por un año solo. Mi Español es muy mal ahora. jaja

    When I was in Nicaragua, we only had one translator, so I had to learn. It was much easier being completely immersed in the culture. So, when I got back I hung out at this local family owned Guatemalan restaurant. They would only let me speak Spanish , which helped me brush up and learn how to speak in a more colloquial style. (informal) I continued this practice while I studied Spanish in college.

    Now certainly there is a difference between the dialects in Central and South Amercia and Spain. There are even variations within those regions. I was set on learning all of them and was going to going to attend an extended studies course in Spain, which would have taken me to Alicante, Cantebria and Salamanca. I have the info on it somewhere if you would like me to look it up. (I lost interest) Usually, your professor will recommend you after acing your 2nd year. There are also places which offer 8 wk or so intensive language courses like what SusanWayward mentioned or the Monterey Institute in CA.
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Time is a precious currency. Don't waste your own, or steal it from others. No matter how much you think they have, or how little value you give them. - Me http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=isolabella

  13. #13
    BrunetteGoddess
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    Default Re: Spanish Speakers....... ??

    Quote Originally Posted by layka View Post
    Wow, that took alot of courage, and no doubt feuled by hunger I probably would learn the language real quick if it stopped me from ordering a sandwich. Come hell or high water momma got to eat, lol. hmmmm.... you have a good point. But I'm scurred.
    Yes, hunger was a big push You'd better believe that when it gets overwhelming, you know I learned "Eins weiss bier danke" real quick (One wheat beer please!)

    I know it's scary, but if you want to be fluent, you need to just go out there with the natives. You can do all book learning, but it's not the same as going out and speaking it with others. Just like in my case with cars; I can read all the auto repair books I want, but the only thing that will build my skills is to get under that hood and do some work!

    Don't be scared Layka, it is a bit intimidating at first, but many times the natives will be happy to help you, and it makes them happy when you at least try to speak their language. They get kind of proud to be helping you sometimes

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    Featured Member lunchbox's Avatar
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    Default Re: Spanish Speakers....... ??

    I think Rosetta Stone is an overpriced waste. You will get more bang for your buck out of Learning Spanish Like Crazy products.

    The greatest Spanish book ever: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/084...d_i=0071417028

    The best advice for learning any language can be found here: http://how-to-learn-any-language.com/e/index.html

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    Default Re: Spanish Speakers....... ??

    Quote Originally Posted by TheSexKitten View Post

    #1 thing I would recommend would be taking classes at your local community college.
    See, I'm currently taking spanish in college and it is not helping much. If anything, they teach you more so the literal structure. Yea, knowing how to write spanish will be cool, but I want to be FLUENT! I want to be able to sit and have a conversation with someone..

    I made a post a while back about Rosetta STones..I think I'll try the advice of just getting programs from the library. Hell, at least then its free!







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  16. #16
    mermaidnz
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    Default Re: Spanish Speakers....... ??

    i done 4 1/2 years of spanish at school, but being stuck down in nz/aussie, where there is NO ONE speaking spanish, it was hard to keep in my memory.

    i just brought "spanish for dummies" and have been teaching it to my partner (who is not lingustic at ALL!!) hes doing really well with it, and im picking it back up easy as.

  17. #17
    TheSexKitten
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    Default Re: Spanish Speakers....... ??

    CK and Lady Jade have a good point. Though I have a very good accent and a wide vocabulary, I STILL have trouble speaking fluently! When I was at my bilingual school I probably benefited the most, but even then everyone babied me because they all knew how to speak English!

    Haha, the most Spanish speaking I did there was with my friend Seung-Hee who only knew Korean and Spansih. She even taught me a Korean song.

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    God/dess sxybrat07's Avatar
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    Default Re: Spanish Speakers....... ??

    I'm taking Spanish at the community college here, and I am learning alot. However, I have a teacher that REQUIRES that we speak in class, at least 70% of the time. Being forced to speak helps you to stop feeling dumb saying things you don't understand or pronounce right. Watch telemundo or any other Spanish TV in your offtime, or listen to Spanish radio. The more immersed you can make yourself, the better.
    I believe you Dottie and you have my support

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    Default Re: Spanish Speakers....... ??

    Quote Originally Posted by layka View Post
    Oh yeah, does the spanish language have a social structure within their language? Kind of like the SAT vocabulary words that we use that can distinguish you in society? Not slang, but I just want to learn spanish in a way that when I speak to natives I won't sound too much like a stuffy text book?
    I know exactly what you mean. I did great in my Spanish classes in school, but when I went to Spain with a group of my friends from school and tried speaking to locals, we got laughed at sometimes...lol. They were like we don't really speak like they teach you in school. Just like we have slang so do they, and it depends on where you are like the Americas vs. Spain vs. Mexico, etc.

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    Default Re: Spanish Speakers....... ??

    I wana go to cuba and do a spanish course, they do these progam/holidays where u stay with cuban host familes I think that would be cool.
    xoxo

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    Senior Member etru's Avatar
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    Default Re: Spanish Speakers....... ??

    Everyone above is correct. Full immersion when you get the chance. And yes, you do have to choose your dialect carefully. Even in Spain itself, there are differences in speech that dwarf the comparison of the speech of a Southern Belle and a girl from Brooklyn. I like Argentine. They sound like they are singing when they talk, which stands to reason since they are only one step removed for Italy – so you can pick up a good bit of Italian while you learn. Caribbean Spanish is pretty cool too.

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    Veteran Member Flaka's Avatar
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    Default Re: Spanish Speakers....... ??

    I learned from my ex stepfather's side of the family and also took it all 4 years of highschool. The classes helped a lot with vocab and conjugating (changing a verb for the right tense and person), but speaking with my family helped the most. When I met my boyfriend he couldn't speak any English since he just came from puerto Rico 2 years before I met him. Now he is fluent in English and i'm fluent in Spanish. People don't even know that wasn't my first language-they think i'm a native speaker!

    We speak mostly Spanish at home so that our daughter will learn. It helps to watch DVDs in English, then play them again in Spanish. Also watching the spanish channel helps, like the novelas and the news. You'll pick things up quickly.

    It is important to know which dialect you want to focus on. I have puerto rican and Dominican family, so I speak like them. Spanish from Spain is basically pointless, IMO because no one speaks like that here. Also, Mexican and guatemalan Spanish are close, and there may be a lot of them around you. As you learn you will start to hear their difference and pick up on it. A Colombian girl used to live with us when I still lived with my mom, and all of a sudden I started talking like them!

    It's very easy once you get your foot in the door! If you need any help or want to practice with someone PM me! I won't make you feel embarrassed or like an idiot, i've been there before!

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