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So one thing I have always promised myself is that I would learn Spanish. I took a few classes in high school but nothing really serious. Has one used Rosetta Stone or took classes somewhere with success? I know some now but I want to be able to hold a decent conversation.
I remember my semester of 7th grade Spanish (mostly because the teacher was HOT), and picked up a bit more in the 36 years since. My wife has used Rosetta Stone to relearn French, and it took about 8 weeks for her to be conversationally fluent to the point that she could talk more comfortably on the phone to her friend in Corsica in French rather than English.
I definitely remember the class as our teacher was the Eagles Hockey Cheerleaders dance coach. It was fun seeing her in class then watching her dance at the hockey games. Of course Rosetta Stone comes to mind but that could be from the commercials they used to always play. Seems it can be had for $100-$150 if you look hard enough.Quote:
Originally Posted by TFOGGER
Why?
Make 'em speak English to you!
'MURICA
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I don't speak Spanish much in the US, but it's very handy in the Caribbean and Central America.
My wife learned Italian pretty well using Rosetta Stone.
Rosetta Stone for sure. That $150 price only gets you the first level disc though, I think.
Well you do live in Greeley... Should be some free lessons around there.
Lessons 1-5 looks like. Just searching on Craigslist.Quote:
Originally Posted by Irving
So you only have a problem with people who speak Spanish but not with those who speak any other foreign language?Quote:
Originally Posted by davsel
Rumor has it that you can find the language packs on those evil file sharing sites. I cannot confirm this however, as I never have visited one...
Cerveza = Beer
comida = food
beso = kiss
Really, what else do you need to know?
I don't have a problem with people who ALSO speak Spanish, I have a problem with being forced to learn Spanish lest I be called "racist." I have a friend that did not get hired at a restaurant because she did not speak Spanish. I decided to learn Afrikaans just for the hell of it, though there is no Rosetta Stone for that and lessons are not easy to find.Quote:
Originally Posted by cysoto
I took 6 years of Spanish in middle/high school. It's all still in my brain somewhere. If I'm in a Spanish speaking environment, it usually comes back to me pretty quick. At least enough to convey my thoughts.
Rosetta Stone seems to be the big language learner these days. Unless you want to enroll in High School again. :D You could actually probably find classes at the local community college if you prefer hands on versus online.
In my travels abroad, I've found these phrases handy:Quote:
Originally Posted by Robb
Where is the bathroom?
There is no hot water.
When do you suppose the train will really leave?
Enough. Get away from me.
No, I didn't touch her.
Would you mind cuffing me in front?
Things like that...
Baño = bathroomQuote:
Originally Posted by Robb
caliente = hot (for you single fellas out there)
¿dónde está el burro mostrar? = Where is the donkey show? (Use at your own risk) [LOL]
¿dónde está la biblioteca? = Where is the library?
Tu casa es muy bueno = you have a very nice house
And of course, for those border crossing situations:
No tengo armas de fuego para delcare = I have no firearms to declare [Jail]
coño = [Censor]
No.Quote:
Originally Posted by cysoto
Try again.
http://i3.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/...51/444/428.jpg
Order a beer: Quiero mas cerveza fria, por favor!
Find the bathroom: Donde esta el bano?
Start a fight : Tu madre es una puta grande y gordo!
I was just at Barnes and Noble, I thought I saw they had the rosetta stone packs on sale for $99.
NVM i think it was a different brand
Livemocha it's free and interactive.
El aprendizaje de una segunda lengua es grande, proporcionándole lo usa. En English Learning a second language is great, providing you use it.
the little i know helps when ordering food, asking directions, and understanding the guy on the left would rather knife you here, than around the corner.
Learning Lakota Souix, has been a challenge. Them folks use descriptions in their structure like the japanese... How's your family? The creator has blessed us this fine day with dry shoes and full bellies.
Does it bother me that if i were to relocate i would be expected to understand their language, of course. However i find it never hurts to have an extra ace in your hand, or a gun ;)
THIS RIGHT HERE!Quote:
Originally Posted by Great-Kazoo
I can testify to the truth in this- I think it was around 5th grade I took a semester long class before school to learn Russian... and that was it. Today? I can speak all of maybe 6 words in Russian. Hell, I still use them from time to time, but 1 year in Afghanistan taught me a little bit of Dari, and I know more words in that language than I do in Ruskie.
If you do Rosetta stone dont skimp. Get all the lessons
I have some software if you want to borrow it
My wife is my 'terp.
I usually start out with "Tell them I said......" Or "What did they say?"
The College Hill Library in Westminster (by Front Range Community College) has almost ALL the Rosetta Stone language CD sets.
If I remember correctly, there are 2 Spanish CD sets (sort of Beg/Int and Int/Adv).
http://www.ci.westminster.co.us/Libr...sandHours.aspx
These are SO popular there is a lengthy waiting list.
Maybe your library has some or can get an inter-library loan?
For learning vocabulary, look for flashcard apps for your pad or phone.
Some have word lists broken into categories...others let you build your own...others have audio features as well.
http://spanish.about.com/
If you want more than just speaking, this site is pretty nice.
They have grammar lessons and quizzes.
They have live people grading your answers and offering feedback.
It is free as well.
(info is about 1-2 years old, but from first hand experience).
+2.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ronin13
Four years of German in HS, in Germany 2 years after. When I was there, I could only understand kids and seniors, as everyone else spoke so fast and with a thick dialect/accent (which of course a American teacher could never convey).
I remember about 5 words now!
Livemocha looks like a good start.
I learned 2 foreign languages in HS, because I needed 3 years of foreign languages for undergrad requirement. I was Junior when I first took foreign language, so I took Japanese and Spanish.
I think Japanese was easier, but I really liked speaking Spanish. I really got my Spanish polished after moving to LA.
I prefer learning Spanish from South American (Argentina or Chile) or Spaniard. I like their accent better than other Central American Spanish accent.
I have a weird skill set I can tell where they are from by their dialect and/or accent.
2nd Hardest one so far was One guy was from some small town, and had some what similar to Mississippi accent. I told em, "Are you from west Alabama?" He was really shocked, because he said most of Alabaman thinks he is from MS. [LOL]
Hardest one was Spanish speaker. One of the mechanic was speaking Spanish, and I asked him if he is from Cuba. He was really surprised. However, he said he is from PR, but even PR people thinks he is from Cuba from his thick accent. :)
I can guess they are from Czech Republic or Slovenia from them speaking English.
"Particular Set of Skill"
http://youtu.be/wcjY-VN8_l4
Check out http://Lingohut.com it's free and own by some really nice local people!
There is always Colorado Free University http://www.freeu.com/spanish/. I have not taken classes there myself , so cannot vouch for them. I do attend some of the "meetup" groups whenever I have time. Very useful. http://spanish.meetup.com/cities/us/co/denver/
In my experience, there are two syles of learning a foreign
language: some people can just absorb it (Rosetta stone style), other have to sit down and study it (traditional classroom style).
I'm the second type. Rosetta Stone was a waste of time and money for me. I have to study how things work (verb congugation, etc) first before I start trying to speak it.
Probably need 1st and 2nd for proper foreign language. I've seen some people who can speak Spanish well, but they know nothing about expository, lit, etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by pookawa
True, I could never get into Marquez's writing, just struggled with it too much. But thought La Reina del Sur was great. I'm way too rusty to get more than basic conversation anymore (present, future, past tense (s), and maybe mangle conditional)
Free: www.duolingo.com
I have a Google translator app. It will do.