Forums > Specific Focus > Learning Spanish

dolores57

Feb 5, 2006, 7:09 AM

Post #1 of 6 (7735 views)

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Spanish book/program help

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I need to start seriously boning up on my Spanish. I have taken alot of spanish and understand the basics and when I am in Mexico it all starts to come back and I get better with each passing day, but I need to keep it fresh as I will be moving down later this yr. I would prefer a program that does not concentrate so much on grammer but trys to teach you kind of like we learned english...you know what I mean? The only thing I have in my notes are Madrigals Magic Key Spanish and something called Rosetta Stone?? Anyone have any comments or knowledge of them or any other suggestions? thankyou d

jerezano

Feb 5, 2006, 8:02 AM

Post #2 of 6 (7728 views)

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Re: [dolores57] Spanish book/program help

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Hola dolores57,

Qué bueno que Ud. va a aprender en serio el español. Sugiero que Ud. empieze aquí en este forum preguntando en español. Nuestros compañeros tienen mucha experiencia y pueden ayudarle mucho. Tambien, siempre hay como profesor el Sr. Quevedo. La cosa importante es USAR el poquito español que ahora Ud. sabe. Con el uso se aprende más.

Los cursos de Rosetta Stone tienen muy buena reputación. No tengo experiencia. Los otros parecen como pasa tiempos.

Pasa Ud. por este forum leyendo todo de interés y va a encontrar ideas y preguntas. Luego, haga sus propias preguntas.

También pasa por favor por este forum buscando "search" palabras claves "Spanish courses" y debe recibir varias recomendaciones hecho por nuestros companeros. Cursos de on-line, de escuelas. Cursos gratis, cursos de pago. Todo.

Anything you do not understand here ASK.

Buena suerte. jerezano.

esperanza

Feb 5, 2006, 8:48 AM

Post #3 of 6 (7724 views)

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Re: [dolores57] Spanish book/program help

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Many people use and like the Pimsleur Spanish course on CDs. That course and the Rosetta Stone course are the two most highly recommended CD tools for learning Spanish.

When I taught Spanish to foreigner adults at Lake Chapala, I used the Spanish Now! books and thought that they were well organized and very useful.

I do not recommend the Madrigal book.

No matter what kind of learning materials you use, nothing works as well as constant practice. You might start by attaching a Post-It with the Spanish name of the object to everything in your house--la estufa, la lámpara, la cama, etc., and repeating those names aloud as you're busy about the house. Listen to your CD course, whichever you choose, and then listen to yourself as you practice repeating the words!

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

CCarol

Feb 5, 2006, 11:51 AM

Post #4 of 6 (7718 views)

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Re: [dolores57] Spanish book/program help

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Hi d,
I have used Complete Spanish by Transparent Language. You can do a search for it on Google and check it out online. It is a little too advanced for me so I'm currently using a different program for the basics but will go back to this one when I'm ready. It uses sound and correct pronunciation by having you speak after the instructor speaks and checking your voice tone, inflection, etc. It uses video clips of Spanish speakers which you can put yourself in their place to speak Spanish with the person. It is very sophisticated but easy to use.

I noticed your post about a laptop...this would be good to use on a laptop to learn on your own (of course nothing beats immersion!). You don't have speakers now, but your laptop will have them and you'll find yourself using them for any number of things, including Spanish lessons if you so choose.

Good luck,

Carol

dolores57

Feb 5, 2006, 6:28 PM

Post #5 of 6 (7704 views)

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Re: [jerezano] Spanish book/program help

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Thankyou to all for the input. Jerezano I am not yet brave enough to post in spanish but I was amazed to find out that I understood everything you said.That gives me a little hopefull feeling. I will screw up my courage and start posting soon in spanish...just gonna brush up a tad. d

quevedo

Feb 7, 2006, 1:51 PM

Post #6 of 6 (7676 views)

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Re: [dolores57] Amaze yourself

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Sorpréndase a sí misma. Escriba, aunque sea un poquito, en español.

Un saludo cordial,

Quevedo