When did you start?

[too young]

I was just wondering when you guys started to seriously learn spanish. I've been trying for a few years on and off and it feels like I have gotten no where. The dictionary helps with worksheets but the worksheets don't seem to help me learn the language. It feels like there is an easier way to learn this language that wasn't let in on. So i was wondering when did you start to take it serious and what method worked best.

[Zach]

I've just started getting "serious" a week or so ago, it's just been very, very casual for the past several months. My goal is to someday get up to learning 1-2 new languages per year..

[shruti]

Freshman year of high school, so 2003. I really like taking actual classes so I can understand the grammar and such, but I could actually probably manage just as well with just the textbooks and working through them on my own.

[Tomisimo]

I started in 1995/96- somewhere in there. But since I really enjoy it, it hasn't been a burden or struggle for me. I think that's the most important thing, your attitude toward it. It takes quite a while and a lot of effort to become fluent, but for me it has been quite a bit of fun.

[Zach]

Originally Posted by Tomisimo

I started in 1995/96- somewhere in there. But since I really enjoy it, it hasn't been a burden or struggle for me. I think that's the most important thing, your attitude toward it. It takes quite a while and a lot of effort to become fluent, but for me it has been quite a bit of fun.

Agreed, it's a lot of fun for me too.

[Tomisimo]

Originally Posted by Zach

Agreed, it's a lot of fun for me too.

Yep. My most recent piece of fun has been making the mobile version of Tomisimo to use from my cellphone.

[HAOLE BOY]

I find the problem isn't learning key phrases, etc. but understanding a native speaker. So you may find that your Spanish language channels, e.g. telemundo, azteca tv, univision, etc. will help in comprehension. Also put on CC3 which is closed captioning in English (where available). This will also help. A huge help to me is reading Spanish language newspapers (also available online). I have learned a lot of vocabulary that way. I also have friends who are native speakers and we help each other out.