how to learn another language?

I also used Pimselur I rented them from an online site. I forget the name of it (recordedbooks or something similar), but if you google you can prob find a place to rent audiobooks. I rented lesson 1, returned it and rented 2 etc etc. This was over 10 years ago. Then I went to Central America for 3 months through spanishabroad dot com. If you can go for a few weeks I'd recommend the private Spanish For Medical proffesional classes. I learned more in 2 weeks there than in years of school here. Maybe if you have some vacation time you could do it. Even a week or two would be a big help, trust me!

Best of luck!

Thank you all so much for your suggestions. I did pick up some Cd's from the library, but there is no workbook with it. So i feel a little lost.

I really just don't know where to begin.

I think I really need to find a spanish speaking friend!

I audited a Spanish 101 class at a local college last year. It really helped me with reading and pronunciation, the basics of number, dates, times, and important cultural things. I speak very basic "baby" Spanish. However, I can read and understand a lot. One thing that helps me is watching Latino TV. Yeah, the soaps are bad, really bad, but I can understand some of what they say. The talent shows are a little easier for me. The other thing I do is whenever I'm out and about I try to read Spanish signs. Then i read the sign in English and see how much I got right. I'm getting better and better at it.

Here's a tip that I used when I lived in Miami: Make, notecards with words or phrases that you use frequently. One phrase per card. Have someone translate it into spanish. Under the phrase, write the words phonetically so you can sound them out. The questions and phrases should only require yes or no answers. Its actualy a great ice breaker. Spanish-speaking people in general are quite honored when someone makes an attempt to speak their language. They will try to help you and not speak so fast. Believe me, they'll know you're a learner. In fact, a lot of times when I used my cards we would all break up laughing, i was so bad. Usually the patient decided that maybe they did speak more English than they thought.

I am very far from being able to carry on a meaningful conversation in Spanish. I don't think i will be truly bilingual until I enter an immersion program. They have some in Central America and a few in the U.S. I just don't have 8-10 weeks to be away from home. Good luck to you.

Vinster, thanks for sharing your study plan.

Now I am inspired to dust off my Portuguese text and study guide

and press on with learning.:cookies::teapot:

Learning from a book won't be as helpful. Yes it's a starting point, but you really need to immerse yourself in the language. As many of the posters above have mentioned, watching the Spanish channels is always a great starting point. Grocery stores usually have free Spanish newspapers, and most of them have the news converted in English. Local junior colleges offer language classes, so you should see if they offer a "professional-setting" type of class, where Spanish is used with the intent of needing it for your professional field. (It won't be the basic Spanish 101, 102, 103, etc. You should check the local junior college's course catalog for this.)

Well at work I try to have them speak to me in their language instead of english so that I could get an understanding of it. When I just dont understand they translate it plus they teach me how to pronounce the words correctly. I think it works well.. at least for me it does

"Unlike what I was hearing everyone else speak. Make a long story short, learn formal Spanish. Learn it very well. Then learn Mexican."

Ummmmm..... Seriously? "Mexican". OK.:uhoh21:

I took this as the poster referring to the Mexican dialect.

Oh, sorry about that. Yes, what I meant to say is "Chicano" .

I took this as the poster referring to the Mexican dialect.

Oh! So the poster meant Nahualt. Sure, I get it now....

I have been hired as a Hospice Case Manager and I live in South Florida. Majority of people here speak Spanish and Creole.

I really want to be able to communicate with my patients. Obviously, I can only speak English.

So.... I really want to learn Spanish. So I went to the library but the materials are so overused and I wonder how else I can get help.

I am looking for suggestions! A tutor perhaps? I don't have a lot of money, considering I'm a new grad too and paying off loans.

I would love to try Rosetta Stone but OMG it's soo expensive.

Thanks, Lisa

Go to audible.com and get their free trial. The first free book you can choose, could be the learning Spanish books. Also, keep checking with your library AND you can also ask them about interlibrary loans--where they can order the materials from another library and have it sent to them, for you to check out.

Finally, Pimsleur usually has great deals where you can order intro Spanish for something like $10 but they will try to sell you the more advanced stuff after a bit...Maybe you'll want it after you get done with the intro stuff!

Make a long story short, learn formal Spanish. Learn it very well. Then learn Mexican. Good luck

Why? South Florida is not known for its mexican population. There are so many slang dialects of spanish, that learning one specific one thats not even prominent to the OPs area wouldnt make sense.

Go to a library, read a dictionary. Then use it with your patients. They can guide you. Remember that if you don't speak it, you'll lose it. Practice makes perfect!

I would LOVE to learn Spanish, but I wish it was something I got to do in/on my own time..not because all these people come to the USA and don't even make an effort to speak English. People can tell me that's not our declared language...ALL THEY WAY..but at the end of the day, the declaration is in English, the traffic signs are in English, schools teach in English...give me a break. I'm irritated that I have to scurry around and learn Spanish because everyone coming to this country expects us to bend over backward and learn their language. I know people who have been here for damn near 20 years and they can BARELY speak English! I'm sorry, but that's totally pathetic and unacceptable. I will tell you that I have Rosetta Stone..it's extremely expensive and helps you get the basics down..but even then, you need to be immersed in it. Good Luck.