I need opinions of Spanish courses

[tmember]

I'm interested in learning Spanish and have done my homework on the Net researching courses that might be helpful. Because a few of them seem of equal value I came to this forum to hopefully get some opinions on the different courses other members are using.

But one rule here gave me pause. It says, "Do not post advertisements or do any self-promotion of any product, service, website or affiliate link. Legitimate discussions of notable language-learning products and services are encouraged."

I've read a lot of posts to search out opinions on Spanish courses but find the mention of them by name by the various posters here are removed for some reason, which pretty much guts the purpose of their posts, and the information I need most. It looks like there are only two courses that are allowed to be mentioned here, and they happen to be two that I've already ruled out (Pimsleur and Rosetta Stone).

Are we not allowed to get guidance here from others about the various Spanish courses members have used and found helpful? So far, because the names of other Spanish courses have been removed, the only advice I see left is to listen to the radio and watch TV. That's obvious and not too helpful. I'd really like to know what courses others have used and like and have found helpful. I sure hope that's possible.

[Rusty]

My opinion:

Very few members have used courses other than the two you have ruled out, and they came here to augment their learning. They aren't looking for another course.

I believe the best advice has already been given - read books, translate them back into your native tongue, watch movies, listen to TV and radio programs, and befriend native speakers. The last is, in my opinion, the very best option because you get the opportunity to speak the language.

Speaking as a moderator:

If links have been removed from posts, it is because the links were mostly promotional in nature. This is not allowed, and that is the only reason for censure. Legitimate discussions of Spanish courses are allowed. Legitimate links to helpful sites (not necessarily Spanish courses) and learning materials (including books, movies, etc.) are allowed. You, yourself, may not post ANY links until sufficient time has passed.

This topic, however interesting it may be, attracts many spammers. Spamming our forums is not tolerated, so some of the replies you receive will be edited or removed.

[CrOtALiTo]

The better learning in the language is the practice.
Inclusive here you can learn the language together between the forum users, because normally the users goes to resources found in the internet and sometimes they aren't understanding for the beginner.

[hermit]

Right - If you know the basics, and have a good textbook/study guide,
and a comprehensive dictionary (I have used Cassel's for years, but there are other good ones, too.) the only thing lacking is to post your questions here; you'll be pleased, I'm sure, with the resources available on this site.

[CrOtALiTo]

Originally Posted by hermit

Right - If you know the basics, and have a good textbook/study guide,
and a comprehensive dictionary (I have used Cassel's for years, but there are other good ones, too.) the only thing lacking is to post your questions here; you'll be pleased, I'm sure, with the resources available on this site.

Yes exactly, I said the same, he needs post more here in the forums, everything your doubts above the language or questions that you have.

[tmember]

Thanks for all your responses. I'm really interested in getting right into conversational Spanish. There are two programs I'm trying to decide between and am wondering which one is the best overall program. One is Visual Link Spanish and the other is Rocket Spanish. Both of them get good reviews, but Visual Link seems to be a little more conversational oriented. Does anyone here have an opinion as to which one you think is the overall best or most comprensive program of these two?

[Here4good]

Originally Posted by tmember

I'm interested in learning Spanish and have done my homework on the Net researching courses that might be helpful. Because a few of them seem of equal value I came to this forum to hopefully get some opinions on the different courses other members are using.

But one rule here gave me pause. It says, "Do not post advertisements or do any self-promotion of any product, service, website or affiliate link. Legitimate discussions of notable language-learning products and services are encouraged."

I've read a lot of posts to search out opinions on Spanish courses but find the mention of them by name by the various posters here are removed for some reason, which pretty much guts the purpose of their posts, and the information I need most. It looks like there are only two courses that are allowed to be mentioned here, and they happen to be two that I've already ruled out (Pimsleur and Rosetta Stone).

Are we not allowed to get guidance here from others about the various Spanish courses members have used and found helpful? So far, because the names of other Spanish courses have been removed, the only advice I see left is to listen to the radio and watch TV. That's obvious and not too helpful. I'd really like to know what courses others have used and like and have found helpful. I sure hope that's possible.

Here are some links to free stuff on the internet that you might find interesting...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/spanish/

http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/...r-1860929.html

http://www.practicespanishonline.com/

[María José]

Originally Posted by Here4good

Here are some links to free stuff on the internet that you might find interesting...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/spanish/

http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/...r-1860929.html

http://www.practicespanishonline.com/

I know the Bbc one and I think it's quite good.

[CrOtALiTo]

Originally Posted by tmember

Thanks for all your responses. I'm really interested in getting right into conversational Spanish. There are two programs I'm trying to decide between and am wondering which one is the best overall program. One is Visual Link Spanish and the other is Rocket Spanish. Both of them get good reviews, but Visual Link seems to be a little more conversational oriented. Does anyone here have an opinion as to which one you think is the overall best or most comprensive program of these two?

Good if you are interesting in the learning of the language, as you say, then you should to start for read a lot of books with the language that you need to learn, so I believe that your knowledge will be more consistent in the sense that you will be able to understand a conversation in Spanish, and I feel that also you would consider a teacher Spanish in your routine daily.

Good luck with your learning beginner

[tmember]

Has anyone here had actual experience with Rocket Spanish or Visual Link Spanish?

[Villa]

Originally Posted by tmember

I'm interested in learning Spanish and have done my homework on the Net researching courses that might be helpful. Because a few of them seem of equal value I came to this forum to hopefully get some opinions on the different courses other members are using.

Hola tmember. I teach both Spanish and Italian at night to adults. Maybe there is no one course or book that is the best but I'm using this book right now in both Spanish and Italian. It comes with 4 CDs. Es bueno. Me gusta.

Complete Spanish: The Basics (PKG) - Living Language - Random House

Learn Spanish in 4 Simple Steps. With Living Language Complete Spanish: The Basics, you'll start by learning words, and then you'll progress to phrases.

[secret]

I don't know if my post goes against TC's on this site but there are a couple of good websites around, if you google 'learn spanish' the first few websites are really good and most importantly free.

If you are a complete beginner, then I suggest doing a college course, not only are you submersed with others of your same level, but you are motivated to get good grades at the end of it.

I personally started with GCSE (UK qualification) then AS ,then A2. whilst I was doing my GCSE I listened to an audio course by a gentleman called Michel Thomas (I must have listened to that course over 20 at least) it is very good because you can hear 2 students being questioned on everything that Michel Thomas teaches them. I won't post any links but you shouldn't have any problem finding his courses online.

My advice would be:

Start at the very beginning and work your way from there. Don't run before you can walk, if you do you will be very disappointed when you hit the roadblock ahead. Enjoy learning, study a subject that you enjoy and you will find that you will learn alot,faster. Lastly, don't get bogged down in the GRAMMAR (yes its important) but also very overpowering, combine your studies with games and quizzes. Take each step as it comes.

I personally believe everyone should study another language, the twists and turn you take and the ups and downs are priceless and the feeling you get when you achieve the level you set at the beginning wow! keep on raising the bar and before you know it your conversing in another language.

Buena suerte

[poli]

No es fácil al principio, pero saber otro idioma es saber otra ruta para llegar al destino y nuevos destinos. Saber otros caminos enriquece la mente.

[CrOtALiTo]

Have you tried to learn with the TV shows spoken in Spanish?

[tmember]

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Villa, thanks for that good tip! I went to Amazon to check out the inside of that book and it looks very good. And thanks to all the rest of you, I'm taking all your advice and appreciate the time and effort you put in to answer me!


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[wafflestomp]

I tried Rocket Spanish, and I really didn't like it. I'm not gonna lie, it was because it was boring, dull, and uninteresting, and also, it seemed to me that it went too fast, and didn't review things. Their program is very cheap, if you want to try it for yourself, but I wouldn't waste the money.

I bought Rosetta Stone a month or so ago, and I've been loving it. I finished the first unit and I'm on the second now, and I love how much it goes back so you actually learn the thing it's talking about. For example, I noticed that when I was on Unit 4 ( out of 4 units on the first disk ) I was sent back to review for their automatic "recall" function, and I had forgotten how to say "these", and it reminded me there with the line "Estos son mis padres" and now I feel like I actually learned it. I would definitely try Rosetta if you are seriously interested in learning.

The reason I used Rosetta instead of sticking with Rocket Spanish may seem stupid, but in the long run, it does actually make a big difference, if the program loses your interest after 10 minutes, then you're not going to learn anything. That's on top of how it didn't review things for you.

[tmember]

wafflestomp, You're the first real person (on the whole Net....) that I've found for a personal review of 'Rocket Spanish'. After trying their sample lesson, I rejected it because I don't like the idea of having the Spanish conversation shown above the translation in English. They should be side-by-side, so you're not constantly having to find the right English translation somewhere in the conversation below that relates to the Spanish conversation above.

I like the way that Visual Link Spanish teaches short phrases on a chart, with the subject/s on the left, the verb/s in the middle, and the direct object/s on the right. Each word has the English translation right beside it. After I practiced one of their sample lessons, I could literally visualize the whole chart in my mind. I think that'll make learning the words so much easier than having to go search for the English translation.

Anyhow, I appreciate your overview of Rocket Spanish, and I might go with Rosetta Stone if it weren't so expensive.

[wafflestomp]

Originally Posted by tmember

wafflestomp, You're the first real person (on the whole Net....) that I've found for a personal review of 'Rocket Spanish'. After trying their sample lesson, I rejected it because I don't like the idea of having the Spanish conversation shown above the translation in English. They should be side-by-side, so you're not constantly having to find the right English translation somewhere in the conversation below that relates to the Spanish conversation above.

I like the way that Visual Link Spanish teaches short phrases on a chart, with the subject/s on the left, the verb/s in the middle, and the direct object/s on the right. Each word has the English translation right beside it. After I practiced one of their sample lessons, I could literally visualize the whole chart in my mind. I think that'll make learning the words so much easier than having to go search for the English translation.

Anyhow, I appreciate your overview of Rocket Spanish, and I might go with Rosetta Stone if it weren't so expensive.

You can try to take advantage of it when they have a deal, a lot of times they have 15 percent off and free shipping, which is when I order my lessons from them.
The problem I had with Rocket Spanish was that English translations were in it. I really like the way Rosetta Stone does it without translations, and you just having to naturally choose the correct things and figure it out, just like you are learning it as a child. It actually works. If there's a word you just don't understand, or a sentence that doesn't make sense to you, ask on this site, or look it up on the internet. That's what I've done.

[tmember]

secret, thanks for the encouragement! And the good advice!