Fastest way to learn spanish?

Published

Has anyone self taught themselves another language? If so, how and what program did you use? I kind of know spanish from being around the culture and school but I cannot say I am fluent. That is a problem in this town- we are 20 miles from Mexico and I heard it was really hard to get a job here if you do not speak spanish, & I believe it with the experiences that I've had. I am trying Rosetta stone but even though I get the problems right does not mean I remember exactly what I just did. Any ideas? I know it will help my Career.

i dont think you answered the op's question nor did you give the rest of us insight to how we can go about learning it

I clearly said at the beginning that I think the best way to do it is a combo of structured/ classroom learning and immersion. Get a foundation for the language and then immerse yourself in it to get a more real feel for it. As far as "fastest" goes, each person is going to learn at different rates, especially if this is the first time you've learned another language vs. already having learned a foreign language as an adult and now trying to learn more. You need to look at what learning styles work best for you. I answered the question and gave examples of why certain things- like online/ CD courses- don't work for me and what has worked for me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

this seems really helpful...have you used this before? Does it have pronouciations?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SDU, Tele.
this seems really helpful...have you used this before? Does it have pronouciations?

I have never used it because spanish is my first language..... Buuuut I looked it up and it appears to have very limited pronunciation... Just stuff telling you that double L sounds like the English Y and other letters that are unique in Spanish.... Very basic.... I think it should be used paired with a conversation podcast or other software program. Hearing Spanish is verrrrry important, especially for English speakers who can't seem to roll those R's! Nothing cuter than someone speaking Spanish with an American accent though :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SDU, Tele.

Btw you can have a good preview of those books on amazon. The made incredibly easy one is great but not for starters..... Maybe I should make YouTube videos for medical Spanish! Lol

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My husband teaches a few foreign languages, and I myself am bilingual, and can get the basics in a couple of other languages (amazingly enough, all learned after the age of 10. I must be a miracle!).

Here's how I learn a new language, and practice my old stuff:

There are plenty of free, on line tutorials. If you have iTunes, it's easiest to find these. I would recommend "Coffee Break Spanish" for your listening and verbal practice. It is Castilian Spanish, not what they speak in Latin America, but the differences are minimal for a beginner, and anyone from Latin America would understand what you were saying.

There are many online Spanish learning websites. Here's a couple of good ones: Learn Spanish - Free Online Spanish Video Lessons is free. Learn Spanish » SpanishPod has a free trial, and then a monthly fee. I think both of these are good, but the Spanishpod really is very good, with many levels.

Here are some medical spanish websites, where you can gain new vocabulary: Medical Spanish - Phrases, Terms, Dialogues, Anatomy, all online and Medical Spanish and http://www.multilingualcenter.com/medical/free_med_lessons_02.htm

You should also check out your public library for learning materials. Public libraries typically have several different formats for language learning: CDs, DVDs, computer programs, books, they may even be able to recommend some online sites. Our library carries some of the Rosetta Stones, for example. Lots of expensive programs that you can try before you buy, or simply borrow and use rather than investing a lot of money.

Watch Spanish TV or movies. My husband shows children's movies in his lower level classes. Honestly, teletubbies is some of the best! They repeat everything four times, one for each tubby. Children's shows are repetitive and have a smaller vocabulary, allowing you to understand more of the content. For his upper level classes, he'll show a well known movie, but in the target language. If you have some movies you've seen so often, you know them by heart, you can get them in Spanish (with Spanish subtitles is best) and learn the language in that manner. My husband uses the Harry Potter movies in class, as so many kids have seen those over and over.

Youtube is a great resource. Look of episodes of your favorite tv shows (Scrubs, the Office, etc) in Spanish.

Finally, you have to practice. Use your Spanish whenever you can. At home, at work, at the grocery store.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
My husband teaches a few foreign languages, and I myself am bilingual, and can get the basics in a couple of other languages (amazingly enough, all learned after the age of 10. I must be a miracle!).

Here's how I learn a new language, and practice my old stuff:

There are plenty of free, on line tutorials. If you have iTunes, it's easiest to find these. I would recommend "Coffee Break Spanish" for your listening and verbal practice. It is Castilian Spanish, not what they speak in Latin America, but the differences are minimal for a beginner, and anyone from Latin America would understand what you were saying.

There are many online Spanish learning websites. Here's a couple of good ones: Learn Spanish - Free Online Spanish Video Lessons is free. Learn Spanish » SpanishPod has a free trial, and then a monthly fee. I think both of these are good, but the Spanishpod really is very good, with many levels.

Here are some medical spanish websites, where you can gain new vocabulary: Medical Spanish - Phrases, Terms, Dialogues, Anatomy, all online and Medical Spanish and http://www.multilingualcenter.com/medical/free_med_lessons_02.htm

You should also check out your public library for learning materials. Public libraries typically have several different formats for language learning: CDs, DVDs, computer programs, books, they may even be able to recommend some online sites. Our library carries some of the Rosetta Stones, for example. Lots of expensive programs that you can try before you buy, or simply borrow and use rather than investing a lot of money.

Watch Spanish TV or movies. My husband shows children's movies in his lower level classes. Honestly, teletubbies is some of the best! They repeat everything four times, one for each tubby. Children's shows are repetitive and have a smaller vocabulary, allowing you to understand more of the content. For his upper level classes, he'll show a well known movie, but in the target language. If you have some movies you've seen so often, you know them by heart, you can get them in Spanish (with Spanish subtitles is best) and learn the language in that manner. My husband uses the Harry Potter movies in class, as so many kids have seen those over and over.

Youtube is a great resource. Look of episodes of your favorite tv shows (Scrubs, the Office, etc) in Spanish.

Finally, you have to practice. Use your Spanish whenever you can. At home, at work, at the grocery store.

i checked the first one out it is great thanks soooooooooooooo much:yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I have never used it because spanish is my first language..... Buuuut I looked it up and it appears to have very limited pronunciation... Just stuff telling you that double L sounds like the English Y and other letters that are unique in Spanish.... Very basic.... I think it should be used paired with a conversation podcast or other software program. Hearing Spanish is verrrrry important, especially for English speakers who can't seem to roll those R's! Nothing cuter than someone speaking Spanish with an American accent though :)

You might also mention that Spanish is a phonetic language. Learning the rules of pronunciation allows you to look at any word and instantly know how to pronounce it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion