Posted: 12/27/2005 8:19:43 AM EDT
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My Company has had a couple of operations in Mexico this year, and, they required Spanish language speakers. I made out ok on other assignments, but, It made me think. One of my goals of 06 is to become passable in Spanish. Any suggestions on how to learn? I can't go to school, becaeu I'm on the road 9-10 months out of the year, so, what alternitives do I have? Any good CPU programs? |
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My daughter just started taking Spanish via the internet. The best programs that I have found have all been Online College courses. This way you have the computer to prompt you while you are on the road but you also have a teacher available via phone or chat should you have a problem. The cost is well worth it, in my never to be humble opinion. |
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Use the Hugo Spanish in 3 months by Isabel Cisneros. Before I used that, I looked at several other books, and they were useless to me. They tell what words are and how to say phrases, but do not explain grammar. The book I mentioned is easy to follow and clearly explains grammar and everything. It is very concise and detailed. I also learned by translating things from English to Spanish and reading things in Spanish (Spanish news sites, etc). I also often watch movies with Spanish audio. |
Move to San Antonio haha... better yet, Laredo  This is something that helped me a lot when I needed to know the basics of Spanish for a college class, and it worked on me pretty well. I made my fiance talk with me in Spanish for a little bit each day. That kind of immersion was a lot of help. Whatever you do, though, keep it up. I've pretty much lost all of it since a year ago when I took the course. |
Watch the Spanish TV channels, WAIT on second thought that might not be a good idea as you will be paying too much attention to the hotties than the language.  BTW, if you need a text on Spanish slang, let me know. I have a rather large word doc that is full of slang from most Spanish speaking countries. Even has tip's on words NOT to say in certain countries. |
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I have been told that one free/possibly very good way to learn a bit (of any language) is to download songs in [the language] online, and then also look up the English translations of them online. For some people it's drastically easier to remember a song than just lists of words. And if nothing else, at least you will be able to audition on the Mexican version of Pop Idol.... ~ |
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My fiance doesn't speak a word of English. That has improved my Spanish speaking skills exponentially. The best way to learn is immersion. I had 4 years in high school 10 years prior to my trip and pretty much forgot all of it when I took my first trip to a Spanish speaking country. In that one week I had improved a lot. Then I bought some PC software, Rosetta stone is good for basics, the Learn to Speak series is better for grammar and more difficult concepts once you get the basics. But, neither will replace speaking Spanish with people who are native speakers, and don't have English as a backup. |
| There are very cheap Spanish schools all over Central and South America that include room and board with a local family. I've been meaning to attend one and have it be part of a vacation. Do a Google search. One of my friends went to Escuela de Espanol in Antigua, Guatemala and loved it. Their # is 011-502-9-323028 |
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The suggestion to watch spanish TV is not a bad idea. Watch the news programs though not the novellas. The news commentators will talk slowly enough and enunciate all the words and make it easier to understand than full speed conversations. Interactive DVDs are also helpful. |
+1 Rosetta Stone for the basics. Immersion in a Spanish speaking country for practice and perfection. |
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Link to Spanish language courses on E bay. You can just Google "Learn Spanish" & get a bunch of sites. Also, Sam's Club & Wal-Mart usually have CDs. |
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