Thread: The language

At the risk of sounded stupid, has anyone tried using the Rosetta Stone sytem to help learning Spanish (or other languages for that matter) ?

If so, any good? or perhaps another method to get started.

Hi, nope I have not tried it. I have heard of folks who have, it works for some but not for others. I have on my MP3 Coffe Break Spanish and listen to it and use a few websites. I will PM you the links if you want. It is difficult for me as I do not work, live in a smal urb with many spanish 2nd/3rd homes and see virtually nobody all day I do my best to keep at it.

I did try free classes given at my husbands work not much use ( the teacher had no structure to class nor any consistency in her explainations )

Thanks Val, the links would be great.

live in a smal urb with many spanish 2nd/3rd homes and see virtually nobody all day

Now that sounds good to me.

Originally Posted by Virago

Thanks Val, the links would be great.



Now that sounds good to me.

will do and yes it has its advantages all gated properties ( a few for sale/rent) and most have swimming pools and space

We can walk to 3 different villages plenty of choice in supermarkets bars and caminos for my bike runs and dog walks.

Learning the language ( I am getting there ) I think the problem is people looking for an easy way to learn Spanish. Sorry! There isn't one. No one is going to learn a language by trying to make sense of English and Spanish syntax / grammar / useage by putting aside an hour or so each week.
Kids don't learn it that way. They learn it by total immersion. Be patient with yourself. Learn a few words a day. Essentially, watch Spanish TV but listen carefully; follow the plot: especially news and natural history programmes. Listen carefully to every word; it'll help with pronunciation too. To help you there's footage and very often sub-titles.
Let your curiousity work for you. If you think: 'I wonder what that is in Spanish?' (pavement, a football, a skirt etc) look it up and add it to your day's tally. Read (again with a dictionary to hand) children's books. Always listen, listen, listen. It will get your mind used to 'the feel of it.' Essential: Repetition. Use your new words and expressions constantly. Hold imaginary conversations in Spanish. Oh I could go on - sorry.

Re Coffee Break Spanish from Radio Lingua website or iTunes, I also listen to the podcasts and their follow on podcast - Showtime Spanish and think they are very good. Another to consider is News in Slow Spanish which is weekly world news but read slowly
On their website you can read the transcript whilst you listen to the news and there are also lots of exercises etc and you can even record you own words to check pronunciation. All free, well as long as you have an internet connection! So watch spanish tv, euronews if you have a sky box you can set the language to be spanish as well in settings, and talk to any/everyone in spanish, even if it is just your cat/dog!

hahaha I am mad enough without going round talking to myself lol I do talk to the dog though !

Seriously some good info there and also if you can get an intercambio ( no not that kind) I have a spanish lady, my age who is learning english, we meet up and chat. She is lovley, gives you an insight onto the culture and normal language used which is what I need. For me it is poco a poco muy despacio.

Every little helps though! We are just not in spain enough at the moment, only 1 week at a time and then only about 6 weeks a year. I can understand bits and did manage to get my haircut, as I wanted

Originally Posted by Marysafc

Every little helps though! We are just not in spain enough at the moment, only 1 week at a time and then only about 6 weeks a year. I can understand bits and did manage to get my haircut, as I wanted

Thats a great feeling isn't it ? I recently found a hairdresser after 5 years and many disasters here.