Posted: 5/29/2007 7:11:13 AM EDT
| Has anyone here, taught themselves the spanish language? The reason I am asking is I am looking to learn spanish so I can understand what is being said around me. As for a little info, I am an engineer and have a analytical (aka math based) thought process. Does anyone have a suggestion for me as to the easiest form al be it tape, written book, etc to learning this so to be important language, that is condusive to an analytical mind. |
| I took a couple semesters at Univ. I learned the most by finding a topic that interested me, then studied it in Spainish. The tapes were not nearly as good as interacting with Spainish speakers. I bought some great instructor's books at the Univ. booksale. The Chicago Univ. dictionary/guide is also very helpful. I also bought a Berlitz pocket translator that was fun, but not accurate or real useful in action. |
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Yes and No. 25 years ago, I spent 5 weeks bumming through Mexico. I spent the entire time traveling ‘clase tres’ – third class. I wanted to see how the real Mexico was not hang out in a Acapulco hotel. I took a Spanish night class before leaving but the real learning was trying to survive by myself. Use it or lose it. I barely remember how to ask for a beer now. I think it is imperative to know some Spanish where I live if SHTF happens. We are going to buy Rosetta Stone this summer and teach the whole family. Way expensive but we have had several people say it is very good. It is backed by a 6-month money back guarantee, so if it is junk, I’ll send it back. |
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Go borrow an introductory set of Pimsleur CDs from your local library/college language labs. Pimsleur Spanish I or Pimsleur Spanish for Travelers would be a good start. See if that method works for you. It requires you to be interactive and concentrate, so it's probably okay to use in the car for long interstate drives, but it's not a good idea in city driving. I used Pimsleur to vastly improve a language I'm learning. Good stuff, and it can be used with no background in the language whatsoever. You can learn Spanish from books, too, but it is essential to your ability to use the language that you hear and speak the language without seeing it in print. Basically, you can learn a language solely by hearing and speaking it but you cannot learn a language solely by reading it. |
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I've taken several years of spanish and french. More french than spanish. Anyways I live here in CA, and my spanish is way better than french. I learned the most spanish by washing dishes with a guy who didn't know any english. He was actually from ecuador. When you spend 10 hours a day with someone, you start to learn the language. Now I live in a place where I have to use spanish to communicate with my neighbors. My reccomendations are: Watch one of your spanish channels on tv. Do some kind of audio course. You won't be writing spanish. I've never actually needed to write something in spanish. |
| I don't think that the spanish speakers are the enemy, it is their kids who are born here. They know english too. I do not support illegal immigration in any form. However, my experiences are that they are very greatful and nice to deal with. It is their kids (male machismo attitudes) that are assholes. |