Best way to learn Spanish?

[Ricardo]

Rex:

This site has the cheapest Pimsleur CDs I have seen. They claim to have a buy back program so they only cost you $62 per level. I have never bought anything from them though. Here is the link:

http://ultimatelanguagestore.com/spa...r_products?b=1

[Jook]

Advice por favor. Has anyone gotten through Pimsleur I & II? I finished Pimsleur I, 30 lessons. I wasn't able to carry on a conversation in COL but was able to get by with basic stuff. I'm wondering if it makes sense to buy Pimsleur II. List price is $345 [!!] though I suppose it can be gotten for cheaper. But is it worth it? Like, will I be able to carry on a conversation without overly straining and understand what's being said without going "mas despacio por favor" all the time? I also don't have as much time now as I did before when I got through Pimsleur I. [each lesson is 30 minutes and I found I had to listen 2 or 3 times to each one.]

[Cap'n Jib]

I had the same problem with Pimsleur. The information just didn’t stick. Don’t know the real reason but it appears that it was written with the linguistic approach in mind. For those who only have to hear something once, this is and excellent course.

The Rosetta Stone worked much better because it teaches the same as a child learns. The repetition in context as well as the recognition of situations is quite remarkable. I have stumbled with 5 languages and FOR ME the Rosetta Stone method has been the best.

Your reference to conservation difficulties I can certainly relate to. Don’t know of an easy way to get what is being said with out concentrating. I have also found that when I put things on autopilot, I miss a lot. Been here before in other languages, so I know that this too will pass.

When ever I get down at my perceived progress…or lack there of, I try to remember how long it took to learn English.

[Jook]

If I switch to Rosetta Stone, which level would you recommend I start with?

[Ciza29]

I have used many different approaches and products. I am on Pimsluer II(I didn't get Pimsluer I). I have completed 15 tapes or so. I also have Rosetta Stone I and II. I am still on Level I. I recommend you start there. I like that it introduces you to three of the more common verb tenses. All the rest just start with salto.

For instance. Va a saltar, esta saltando, ha saltado.

It is visual and helps you build vocabulary.

I have bought numerous books and my favorite is Madrigal's Magic Key to Spanish. I have learned alot. However, it helps with reading writing and comprehension, but not with conversation.

I know a lot of words and can speak in complete sentences and read in Spanish but when people start talking I only hear certain words and a lot of time and effort is spent translating one word while I miss many others and the meaning.

I also got platiquemos which is based on the foreign service and man is it involved. It suggest 8-10 hours per unit. There are 55 units.

I believe I am guilty of trying to listen to a 30 minute pimsluer tape and move to the next as fast as I can. I think it is important to completely learn the material on each lesson before you move on.

It takes time to learn spanish. Alot of time. I am going to get more spanish movies from LA and try to listen as best I can and watch more latin television. I do believe the best method to learn conversation is to speak to as many people in spanish as you can.

I have also thought about trying to master one situation at a time. Think about when someone says Buenos dias, como estas? I get that every time because I have heard it sufficiently. I don't even translate in my mind, it just comes out, estoy bien, gracias y tu?

Best of luck. Sorry there isn't a spanish pill.

[Jook]

The one thing I really don't like about Pimsleur is that there's no reading and writing skills taught.... unless that's in II. I tell ya, I'm a complete idiot when it comes to languages (and several other things). I've taken plenty of Spanish in HS and college not to mention Berlitz and having had a private tutor. I retained just enough to make using Pimsleur bothersome. I find myself trying to visualize the words when listening to Pimsleur and if I can't figure it out, I stop the lesson and look it up which goes against their methodology. I found Pimsleur really lacking in this regard even though they're strong proponents of learning in this manner. You're probably right in suggesting starting with lesson 1... Pimsleur I is all present tense up until the last few lessons.

[Ciza29]

Pimsluer never gets into reading or writing. Its method is to try to present words and phrases enough times they become instinctive and you can hear and reply without thinking.

I tend to use a multiple source approach. I have bought books from amazon which start out with simple stories and build to help your reading skills. I have bought flashcard technology to help with building vocabulary. I have bought grammar guides to help learn things correctly.

Learning the verb tenses(at least 5 or 6) is the most important part. As I have learned to read and write more, I have also been able to recognize more spoken words and what tense the verb is.

I have a long way to go and a lot of work, but I am now to the point where I am utterly amazed I got by on my other trips.

[Jim]

Being fluent in Spanish, I've never needed to speak English with a Latina. With my current Filipina GF, we talk only English since I speak no Tagalog.

I far prefer to be the one speaking the foreign language as far as communication goes. My GF communicates effectively in English but I am certain she doesn't understand everything and I have no idea what is and isn't being understood.

I still recommend a language class or several. All of these programs are far easier to sell than they are to use effectively. People are individuals, they need to ask questions, receive targeted explanations when they make a particular error.

I taught ESL at a community college for several years and pretty soon, I knew ever mistake that was likely to be made, had drills to target the one skill that was being butchered. There is absolutely no substitute for a qualified instructor.

[LastLion]

Rosetta and Pilsnuer is what I use, but to make it stick you got to use it. I discovered that the last 8 months even though i had a once a week spanish class didn't improve much, after my last trip to Medellin a week ago, i got to use it than it seams to stick.. Rosetta is difficult for me because you got to sit in front of a computer!

Actually here is my recommendation, do everything you can, if you can afford both Rosetta and pilsneur buy them. If you see a mexican, talk to them, if you can take a class, take it. Just do all that you can the mix will help, but there is nothing better than an immersion class, I have done 2 in the last year. One in mex and one in cali. YOu will grow in leaps and bounds!

[Kelley71]

This is not a Pimsleur Commercial


I do not know about Spanish but I finished Portuguese III with Pimsleur. Do not expect to be able to carry on a descent conversation until you complete all 90 lessons. I also have a private tutor through Berlitz I go to on Mon & Wed. expensive though, 340 per month.

Pimsleur is Good! I purchased all mine from Amazon for around 130 bucks. I sold them all on ebay for about that mais ou menos within 3 days of listing. You have to finish the entire course series to be good. I can handle any Portuguese situation. You can rip them to IPOD and listen while at the gym or in the car.



Also Try the Foreign Service Institute.

http://fsi-language-courses.com/

They have many language courses for free! Yes FREE. Look at the link. They may look ancient but they WORK!!! This is how the US still trains diplomats.


I just started Spanish I, am on lesson 6. I am flying through them at record pace. I just do not want to confuse the two.


Hope it helps....


Mk