Needing to learn a language- Spanish most likely

Dr_O

Dr_O

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Hi All

Keen to learn another language to a competent level although it's fair to say I've probably not mastered English yet either:D

Despite travelling a lot I can embarrassingly only speak English although I do know some Latin. Most of the places I go to though don't have any Romans kicking about so it's not that useful. Language was not compulsory when I was at school although not convinced they could not teach it properly anyway- from what I saw the ones that did choose a language couldn't hold a conversation in it and were completely trumped by those who were at private school and were fluent at the same stage- you have to pay for quality I suppose, just like lenses.

Anyway, quite keen to learn Spanish as I'm often there and more people speak Spanish than French- although French is a particularly nice language to hear spoken (well).

Save living in the country, what's the best ways to learn? I have in the past tried a few methods but perhaps didn't throw myself into it. I think the main thing is the interaction but perhaps now with the internet there is more access to Spanish news etc which may help?

Also debating whether I should learn Latin Spanish or European Spanish- more because I like the way it doesn't sound like you have lisp but perhaps I'm splitting hairs there:p

I see I can get myself on a holiday Spanish course that lasts 8 weeks but nothing more offered whereas French has beginner, intermediate, advanced giving me the impression that the Spanish one is a bit mickey mouse. It's inexpensive though so worth a shot if space I guess.
 
In my opinion a classroom environment would be best. However I strongly recommend the Michel Thomas audio course. Being of Hungarian extraction his pronunciation is not that authentic, but in terms of teaching the structure of the language and how it works I found it invaluable. One other thing to note is, he teaches Latin American Spanish and not Spanish Spanish, so verb conjugation is slightly different (there is no vosotros in LA Spanish) and some vocab is different.
Also there are some EXCELLENT podcasts out there that are brilliant at improving your Spanish. Two in particular stand out. Those by RadioLingua (Coffee Break Spanish and Showtime Spanish) that cover various levels from beginner to advanced. The Notes in Spanish podcasts by husband and wife Ben (English) and Marina (Española) are great. Again, they start at beginner's level and advance from there.
So, as you don't live there, I'd go for the combination of a classroom based course, and home study using Michel Thomas and podcasts. Every free moment you get, listen to a podcast.
There is no Spanish language TV in the UK anymore since TVE International stopped broadcasting, but streaming a Spanish News Radio station in the background (once you have picked up some basics) will also help you pick up the rhythm and flow of the language.
And once you've attained a level, you won't even notice the lisp!
Buena suerte!
 
I think there are still some Spanish language TV channels on Astra 19.2E, which is easy enough to pick-up in the UK with a budget dish and box kit. Most of the mainstream Spanish channels are encrypted, but there's a couple of Spanish regional channels that I can see on online listings, and I can see a Cuban international channel on-screen (currently broadcasting some Cuban jazz). Russia Today also broadcast a Spanish language channel, although I'm notsure how authentic your accent would be learning from them (based on some of the thickly accented presenters on the English language channel).

Lyngsat has channel listing and is usually kept up-to-date - Link

(as an added bonus, a dish pointing at 19.2E gets you coverage of all the F1 races free-to-air, as long as you don't mind German commentary - or you put Radio 5 on alongside)
 
Oh that reminds me, Sky Arts are showing the excellent period drama Gran Hotel. Version original with English subtitles.
 
Thanks Guys, will take a look at the suggestions and book myself up on course. Hopefully I can revisit the thread in a few months being able to string some sentences together:) - in Spanish I might add:p
 
I'm learning Italian at evening classes. Being taught by an Italian person helps a lot, especially with things like sentence construction where direct translation doesn't make sense, common phrases and so on, as well as with pronunciation, particularly stuff that's not obvious like which syllable to stress in a word.
 
I used to go out with a Spanish girl (she made a mean tortilla), and she used to offer language tuition in her home to make extra money. It might be worth having a search around locally to see if there are any tutors advertising their services.
 
robbino said:
I signed up recently to https://www.duolingo.com/ to start to learn french again, it's good fun and free, they also do Spanish, Italian, German and Portuguese.
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Thanks- I have that on my phone. Used it last year before I went out to Spain but think I only did a few of the lessons and it was about a week before I went- not the best planning. Just tried it again and I appear to have forgotten my password- doh!
 
Thanks again all- have found and contacted someone on gumtree after Nick's suggestion so will see what happens there. Getting the accent and inflections are the key I agree and I think having someone who is native teach will help iron out those issues and also areas where a literal translation doesn't seem to work.
 
Dr_O said:
Getting the accent and inflections are the key
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I don't agree with this. When I was at school learning French and German, too much emphasis was put on getting the accent right. It's not as important as getting the words right!

When you hear a French person speaking English, it's usually with a very strong and obvious French accent but you can still understand perfectly.

I didn't learn much French at school but taught myself a fair amount about ten years ago. For me, the most difficult bit is listening to the replies I get.

However, I have had many conversations in France where I spoke French and the French person I was talking to replied in English. Very strange but it actually works quite well!


Steve.
 
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My wife is half Spanish (Spanish mum and English dad), She's tried to teach me but I'm useless at languages. When she gets mad she starts shouting at me in Spanish and I just have to laugh because I know it winds her up with not being able to understand her lol. I'm keen to learn though, slowly but surely :rolleyes:

I think she has gotten to the point with me where she's teaching me the wrong stuff just for a laugh. I can see myself asking someone on our next holiday to Spain where the nearest hookers are, or something along those lines.
 
Steve Smith said:
I don't agree with this. When I was at school learning French and German, too much emphasis was put on getting the accent right. It's not as important as getting the words right!

When you hear a French person speaking English, it's usually with a very strong and obvious French accent but you can still understand perfectly.

I didn't learn much French at school but taught myself a fair amount about ten years ago. For me, the most difficult bit is listening to the replies I get.

However, I have had many conversations in France where I spoke French and the French person I was talking to replied in English. Very strange but it actually works quite well!


Steve.
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He's somewhat right with regards to Spanish and inflection. Hablo and habló are both from the verb hablar. One is first person present tense, the other third person pretérito (I speak versus he/she/it spoke). The difference is on where you put the emphasis, and will apply to all verbs ending "ar". There are a few exceptions of course!
 
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