I want to learn how to speak spanish, and need some resources. I tried a program called tell me more but it's not so good. Can anyone suggest a good program (that they've had firsthand experience with) or a good free series of online lessons?

Not sure, but maybe this topic will help. For what it's worth.

Rosetta Stone. It's true.

I'm also learning Spanish this summer, Dan. Or at least I'm trying to. What I'd recommend is rather than learning words or grammar via long lists is to instead read books and newspapers in Spanish, and translate them. It's integral to not just to know the rules, but to know when something "doesn't sound right."

 

For example, "The people was mean." That's incorrect, and you know that it's not correct not just because you know the rules of the English language, but because when you hear it it doesn't sound right. Kind of like a bad note on an instrument, it should stick out.

 

That's exactly how you should learn a language. So, I'd recommend reading books (and newspapers) that are fairly simple, but not easy. Books with several different types of grammar (not just in the present tense) so that you can hear it and recognize when something is wrong. Read the book, stop at every word you don't know, look it up, write it down with its meaning, and move on. When you've gotten through a full sentence with a literal translation, translate it to what it means (not just literally). This takes me like an hour per page right now, but it will get quicker.

 

I think this is the best way to learn a language. It's how I learned most of my higher leveled diction, and the more advanced grammar of English.

Not sure how well you can learn a language if you're not in a country with a large population of native speakers, so that you'd have someone to practice it on. Like America. :razz:

Now why in the hell would an Aussie want to speak Spanish? :P

 

Is it for Toy Story 3? XD

Not sure how well you can learn a language if you're not in a country with a large population of native speakers, so that you'd have someone to practice it on. Like America. :razz:

still would be good to learn spanish no matter who you are or where you're from. if you knew spanish, and along with english, you could communicate with 1/3 of the world. i know that because the spanish department at my university is always saying it.

 

anyways, if you wanna learn spanish take some classes, at a community college or university. that's the best way imo, i've never tried rosetta stone or any of those online things plus i heard they were expensive

SharedTalk.com, 501 Spanish Verbs book, Spanish-English Dictionary

 

'Nuff said

Well, I like the suggestion to get your hands on some spanish books/newspapers. You'll definitely need a good translation disctionary. You also need to make sure you have some type of listening education aswell, though. You could probably learn a great deal if you managed to find some Spanish children's shows or something.

 

Or if you have the money, use Rosetta Stone. It honestly works. Usually when you learn a language, you end up thinking of the language in terms of your original language. For example when you hear "Feliz cumpleanos!" your mind tends to think "Okay...that means Happy Birthday!" But to truly learn a language you need to get rid of that step. You need to learn the language the same way you learned English, by learning the word that goes with the meaning. Rosetta stone is good at bridging that gap. So when you hear "Hola" your brain shouldn't say "This translates to Hello" it should say "I was just greeted and shout greet in return"

Well I don't particularly want to learn spanish, I just want to learn another common language. Preferably not too difficult of a language. Is there one that fits that description better than spanish?

 

I'll try and chase down some ebooks/newspapers

 

quote name='Lenticular_J' date='15 June 2010 - 10:55 PM' timestamp='1276606546' post='4338887']

Rosetta Stone. It's true.

 

I heard it's much better marketing than product but I might give it a closer look

Well I guess any romance language if your already know English. English is after all, half romance.

I'd go with French/Spanish.

Well I don't particularly want to learn spanish, I just want to learn another common language. Preferably not too difficult of a language. Is there one that fits that description better than spanish?

 

I'll try and chase down some ebooks/newspapers

 

quote name='Lenticular_J' date='15 June 2010 - 10:55 PM' timestamp='1276606546' post='4338887']

Rosetta Stone. It's true.

if you want to learn the most common language than learn mandrin, its the most widely spoken and just about all the countries in asia speak it fluently

it isn't easy learning any second language, every method of learning another language has its pros and cons but you just have to stick with it and make the effort to learn it

IMO best way to learn a language is to visit the country for a while... next best is to take an actual class in your native country, then stuff like Rosetta Stone. I found Spanish easy after finding the patterns in verb conjugation, for example -o, -as, -a, -amos, -ais, -an along with concordance. Hope you can roll R's otherwise pronunciation isn't as fun.. and I can't.

I learned/practiced/spoke/vutever Spanish excellently simply from taking it in high school, the problem with that is it ejects from your brain after a while.

if you want to learn the most common language than learn mandrin, its the most widely spoken and just about all the countries in asia speak it fluently

it isn't easy learning any second language, every method of learning another language has its pros and cons but you just have to stick with it and make the effort to learn it

 

lolwat? only chinese people speak mandarin. only reason why its most widely spoken is because there's over a billion chinese people

 

that said, mandarin isnt a bad language to learn once china takes over the US when they start seeking for their $$$

Go to Mexico/Spain or a spanish country for a year.

Could be worth investing in a decent textbook and dicitonary for reference. Don't get "Plazas" Though, it's my textbook and it's a little disappointing to be honest. I've struggled a bit picking up Spanish, due to a lack of practice and application, but I had two friends doing it too, so if you can convince a friend to learn with you, it will make it much more fun.

Go to Mexico/Spain or a spanish country for a year.

Oh dear god, just be careful. Even I, a fluent spanish speaker make mistakes with subjuntives and respectful tone.

 

*Get's hit over head*

"You did not just address me as 'tu' now did you??"

*oh shi- gets smacked once more*

"I meant 'ust' yeah 'ust'"

 

Especially when commanding someone. I out of habit end with -te which is same respect and I forget to end verbs with -se which is older/respectful.

Big ass difference between "Sientate" (sit) and "Sientase" (sit), the difference being a smack to the head. :ohnoes:

Wait for jagex to release spanish worlds, and then play on them.

Wait for jagex to release spanish worlds, and then play on them.

I know it's going to awkward Spanish. There's like 5 types of Spanish.

Go to Mexico/Spain or a spanish country for a year.

Oh dear god, just be careful. Even I, a fluent spanish speaker make mistakes with subjuntives and respectful tone.

 

*Get's hit over head*

"You did not just address me as 'tu' now did you??"

*oh shi- gets smacked once more*

"I meant 'ust' yeah 'ust'"

 

Especially when commanding someone. I out of habit end with -te which is same respect and I forget to end verbs with -se which is older/respectful.

Big ass difference between "Sientate" (sit) and "Sientase" (sit), the difference being a smack to the head. :ohnoes:

I keep thinking your signature is two young boys.

Go to Mexico/Spain or a spanish country for a year.

Oh dear god, just be careful. Even I, a fluent spanish speaker make mistakes with subjuntives and respectful tone.

 

*Get's hit over head*

"You did not just address me as 'tu' now did you??"

*oh shi- gets smacked once more*

"I meant 'ust' yeah 'ust'"

 

Especially when commanding someone. I out of habit end with -te which is same respect and I forget to end verbs with -se which is older/respectful.

Big ass difference between "Sientate" (sit) and "Sientase" (sit), the difference being a smack to the head. :ohnoes:

I keep thinking your signature is two young boys.

Wait, so his signature isn't two men cuddling?

Play the game it's the same person who must become one to be a whole!

So hes playing with himself?