How to learn?

[Nix]

whats the best way for me to learn spanish. I need to learn it fast.

[Zach]

I don't think it's possible to learn it "fast", and different people learn better different ways (reading it, hearing it, seeing it, etc.). For me, listening to CD's like Pimsleur and Michel Thomas is the working well for me. I bought 1000 flash cards for $10 at Barnes and Noble.

I think the fastest way to learn any language is to completely immerse yourself in it, like going to a foreign country. If you can't do that, then be around the language as much as possible, ie hanging out at these forums, watching the news in Spanish, listening to Spanish radio, reading Spanish articles, etc.

[Tomisimo]

I've found that the best way to speed up learning is to be motivated, put lots of time into it and make it part of your daily life. Zach's got some good advice, you should read is Spanish, listen to the radio/watch TV in Spanish, get Spanish language CDs, got to a Mexican restaurant to practice, the list could go on and on, but the bottom line is, if you *truely* want to learn, you will.

I never used Pimsleur CDs or the likes, but that works for many people. Another interesting note is get a publication (in Spanish of course) about your favorite topic. If you're really into Janitorial work, get a publication (print, internet or otherwise) and read up on your niche in Spanish.

And like Zach says, immerse yourself in the language. Go someplace where they speak only Spanish and you'll be surprised at how fast you will learn, as long as you really want to and put some effort into it.

[Neophyte]

zach, could you tell me more about the pimsler cds? I've seen them online but I want to know if they're really usfull if they're worth the $$.

[Nix]

I don't think it's possible to learn it "fast", and different people learn better different ways (reading it, hearing it, seeing it, etc.). For me, listening to CD's like Pimsleur and Michel Thomas is the working well for me. I bought 1000 flash cards for $10 at Barnes and Noble.

I think the fastest way to learn any language is to completely immerse yourself in it, like going to a foreign country. If you can't do that, then be around the language as much as possible, ie hanging out at these forums, watching the news in Spanish, listening to Spanish radio, reading Spanish articles, etc.
Thanks for the good advice. I guess I need to study, it wont come easy without studying. Do you listen to music in spanish?

[Zach]

Do you listen to music in spanish?


Yup. Shakira, for one ;D

[EnglishStudent]

Hi Nix

I´m looking for somebody help me to improve my English, would you?

I could help you with your Spanish, I´m a Spanish Speaker

[Zach]

¿usted necesita ayuda con inglés?

[EnglishStudent]

To Zach: Yes, I´m looking for somebody to improve my English, specially listening and speaking. I could help that person with Spanish. I think messenger could help us. Are you interested? If yes, please, send to me a message to: stdnt_english@yahoo.com

[Nix]

Yup. Shakira, for one ;D
Me too, Shakira, Manu Chau, Mano Negra, el Tri just to name a few. :P

[Adelaa]

How to learn a froeign language? I want to know the answer. Recently I have been searching some information about learning foreign language and I have found some language learning related sites, cursos aleman alemania , etudier a l'etranger une ecole de langue , curso de idioma . I deem that these are useful for me to learning foreign language. If someone else has other recommendations or suggestions, please let me know. Any help would be much appreciated!

[Tomisimo]

Well, if you´re interested, I can give you lots of sites that can help you learn Spanish :)

[samantha]

i think that a way to learn any language is to surround yourself with others that speak that language and that will sorta force you to learn it and you might catch a few new phrases at a time, even if it might take awhile it's worth it.

[nenniurou]

A second language must be more useful in nowadays. I have only learnt English as my second language and I also want to learn some other one. These are the sites I have found to use in my learning.

[xiaowein]

The local language for a foreign student is most important. And the vernacular is the first step to learn for a foreign student. I can taste your temper before you enter a foreign language school and now I’m a foreign student in Spain. There are some sites I can recommend to you, English language schools and Sprachaufenthalt , you can check them to find some foreign language to learn not only for entering foreign school but also for your interest.

[poli]

Learning something as big as a language cannot be done quickly, but basics can be learned easily. You will need to memorize common nouns,
and that is fairly easy for English because many Spanish nouns are similar yo those in English. Then you will need to memorize various verbs at least in the present tense. Important verbs like to be able to, to be, to look for,
to want. etc ... From those basic verbs and nouns you can begin chipping away at the rest of the language. You need patience and somebody or thing to interact with. A good dictionary like Tomísimo is a great help.
Pronunciation can be learned easily for some people. Obtaining song lyrics
and listening or singing along with the singer is helpful provided the singer
pronounces in a conventional manner (Luis Miguel por ejemplo)

Be persistant. It pays off.

[sina]

Learning something as big as a language cannot be done quickly, but basics can be learned easily. You will need to memorize common nouns,
and that is fairly easy for English because many Spanish nouns are similar yo those in English. Then you will need to memorize various verbs at least in the present tense. Important verbs like to be able to, to be, to look for,
to want. etc ... From those basic verbs and nouns you can begin chipping away at the rest of the language. You need patience and somebody or thing to interact with. A good dictionary like Tomísimo is a great help.
Pronunciation can be learned easily for some people. Obtaining song lyrics
and listening or singing along with the singer is helpful provided the singer
pronounces in a conventional manner (Luis Miguel por ejemplo)

Be persistant. It pays off.
Great advice, man, couldn't have said it better :)

[bleitzow]

Hey Nix!

I am currently using the Rosetta Stone software package. To get levels 1, 2 and 3 is $500, but I paid for a 6-month online subscription for only $160. The cost difference is there are no materials with the subscription. I take lots of notes, and have created my own ways of testing myself. I created a spreadsheet as I learn the words and I also created my own flashcards.

I have been using it since September. I am currently on level 3. It has been a tremendous help to me, and well worth the money.

The software is complete submersion. There is no English at all. They show you a photo and then tell you in Spanish what it means. You see it, hear it, and say it. The software comes with a headset so that you can practice saying the words and it will tell you if you are saying them correctly.

There are times when the picture is not completely clear as to what they´re showing, and that´s when I come here. Everyone here has been tremendous at clearing things up for me.

Between the two, I have greatly improved my vocabulary, have retained things better, and have actually had two dreams in Spanish. I´ve never done that before.

Good luck!

[Iris]

Great idea. Sounds most interesting.

[poli]

La motivación con el ayudo de alguien que alienta ayuda. Sin motivación,
todas la Rosettas y los mejores maestros no valen un bledo.

Poli