Do you have any tips for learning a new language?

Sign up at your local community college. I took three quarters of Italian at mine a few years ago and learned so much. Then you can continue with tapes. But it really helps to understand how all the grammer works and how to compose sentences.

If you have never had ANY formal language classes, do take a low level class to understand proper conjugation. It will make a world of difference if you decide to continue to learn the language. Which I would highly recommend. Jumping in with Rosetta stone/CD's is not the answer. Also, there are few Spanish video classes on PBS which are very good because you can actually watch the person articulate and there are subtitles.

Bon courage.

You need to take a course of conversational Spanish. This course should consist of talking only - supplemented by CDs - no books until you've been talking at lest 6 or 8 weeks. Then the written Spanish should always be 6 or 8 weeks behind the oral.

And remember that an English speaker has a major advantage in learning a romance language - since the Norman conquest there was a strong romantic overlay on the basic Germanic language. that's why we have words with their bases in both languages. For instances flowers (flores - Spanish) or blooms (blumen - German). And don;t worry about grammar. Just get the basic conversation memorized - as little kids do in English - and the basic grammar will "sound right" automatically.

If you free your mind of the fear of sounding silly - you will, just don;t worry about it - you will find that the meaning of a lot of words is just intuitive. And after a couple of classes you will find it really sticks with you. I helped my brother with Spanish (30 years ago) and can still recite entire sections of the lessons with no effort.

Other people who went to school at the same time may remember "Hola Isabel! Como estas?"

I agree that the best way to start is with the basics. Get a good foundation in the grammar and then you can build a vocabulary and become more proficient.

I started with two semesters of basic Italian in adult ed classes at NYU, then continued in a variety of language schools and became quite fluent.

Thanks for the suggestions.
I did take a few lessons at night school 35 years ago... and I do remember words that I learned then... but sounds like a course now would be a good idea.

~ I know where you are going ~
~ I know where you are going ~


We learned the good ole Immersion way plus a teacher who came to our home and we are still learning.. pitifully slow but we manage everyday life in Castellano so there are still some brain cells left after all !

Find a Spanish class and go once a week, then see if you can go to some sort of Spanish/English group ... sorry, do they do that in Canada ? ( an expat sort of thing?) anyway- it helps if you can practice with other people.. so just taking lessons is good but lacks what you will need.
Learning phrases is good but here, the pronunciation is so different from the Spanish we were taught in the States..

Easy,

Read the dictionary and memorise the words.

When your forehead starts bleeding, it is time for a break.

Then learn how to string the words together...And when your face gets cramps, keep going....

Seriously listen, read. speak.

A lot, it takes effort and you won't absorb it through your skin.

I can highly recomend Assimil.

Hi Kodi,

Rosetta Stone.

I will write your name in the sand next week, promise. Hershey's and BayouGal's too. HOTS too. We are going to what I call Kodi's beach!

I know just a bit of Spainish, can ask for the ladies/wash/rest/room with ease. I worked with a Spainish speaking population for years but I have no one to speak Spainish with now.

Miss you,

Karin

kodi,
have you looked into your community college or community center?
perhaps there is a high school spanish teacher willing to give you lessons in basic spanish.

i am not a linguist either and any attempt at speaking the very basic spanish or french is laughable.
today, i started my first class in beginner french and i have to tell you what a difference it makes to have a live instructor v/s one of the language learning sites.
i am slowly learning the gargling and the nasal sound which i never before got from a c.d.

have fun learning!

Hi,

Ok Spanish.

Karin

Yep, Rosetta Stone. I've tried a hundred different methods and that one works. Good luck and have fun!

You do need to hear the words said correctly the first time, this is why reading them first is not that great. You give them your own pronunciation and it never seems to be right .. in Castellano.

Scarlett, I can't wait!! It seems so far away.

Karin, Please DO write my name in the sand... and have a great time. I love it there.

I am going to look into classes.
My hairdresser is Mexican... I'll have to pop in to see her more often. And I realize the Spanish will be a bit different, but it will still help ... I hope.

My experience is that trying to acquire a language solo, in isolation, is really, really hard. I found classroom/language-lab learning painful, but when I was lucky enough to be in an immersion program (on the Foreign Service Institute model), it made all the difference.

You have to have someone to talk with in the language, and you have to be talking about things and situations that will actually come up. The FSI model used to start you by asking you to script (with others) a conversation in English that included material you felt you needed to know, and then you got the translation for it in the new language (say, Spanish), which you repeated until the pronunciation was right. Then you and your partner(s) would play with the phrases you'd learned and make up new situations.

I always augmented the conversational stuff later with the grammar (so I understood why/how words changed, word order, etc.) and maybe added vocabulary.

But the basic thing is having someone - a native speaker is best -- to give and take with.

kodi, rent some Argentine movies.. you will hear the language and read the words.. it helps with pronunciation .. all that lisping always throws me off. . although I am learning.. to lisp ..

Thank you all agin.. great ideas....What a great idea to rent some Argentine movies.
Oh no Scarlett, I'll have to learn the lisping thing too. Even harder.

Study and learn Latin first. Everything after that is a piece of cake and makes sense.

Learning vocabulary in a vacuum is pretty much a waste of time. You need to understand syntax. If you don't understand it in English, you'll never get it in a foreign language.

And yes, there's a ton of memorization involved, and that's a good thing. Memory is a muscle you have to exercise regularly or it goes slack.

I agree that listening to radio and watching TV in a foreign language speeds up the process. Even if you just have it on in the background, it "seeps in."

Put the Spanish closed captioning on when you watch a DVD movie or on your TV.

Also, yes, you need a good basic knowledge of grammar. I've seen people really struggle in Spanish classes because they never learned things like subject verb agreement, adjectives and articles, masculine/ feminine, etc.
While you can still communicate pretty well in English without this knowledge, you'll find it makes a bigger difference in most other languages.

You could label all the nouns in your home, like they do for kids learning a new language in school.

Along with an Audio CD, I've found that a book such as Spanish in 10 minutes a day is helpful. Anything that gives you writing and reading experience. The 10 minutes a day books have flash cards and little stickers that you attach to household items like; forks, plates, doors etc.

Also there is a CD at my library called Acting with an Accent. It's been useful in brushing up on my Deutsch (believe me, it needs a lot of brushing up- full sweep more like it).

It might be pretty easy to find someone to practice with, depending upon where you live. Practica.
Have fun rolling your r's.

I'm a fellow language learner. I've always struggled. I tried listening to language CD's in my sleep. I put 5 cd's in my player and listen to them in my sleep. After 6 months, I am fluent in 3 languages.

Fricka, I wondered about that learning in your sleep method. SO it worked for you? Or did you do lots of other studying as well?

I really am language challenged. But I'll try to exercise the old brain. I was actually surprised at how much I remembered from 35 years ago ( not that I knew that much)... but learning more seems to be very difficult.

Just follow the Three Ps..Practice,Practice,Practice..

Is the only way to learn a foreign language..

Also keep writing the same word over and over, it will improve your spelling of the word, also is good for your memory..
Of course, as St.Cirq said on her previous post, is much easier if you learn Latin first, which is not an Easy Language also...

Otherwise just remembers the three Ps..

Buona Fortuna..

I speak several languages, started from childhood and I was immersed in it and it came easy to me but others like yourself, it is very difficult..learn the basics, subliminal CD's work great, watch Spanish TV and tell your brain that you are going to be speaking Spanish!

Remember that a smile is universal and people will appreciate your attempt to speak Spanish, even if you mangle it. It's okay if they use Spanish in return, you don't have to understand every word the first time. They'll slow down, use simpler terms and try to help you understand. My experiences have been that if you're willing to try to speak their language, people will be very patient with your attempts. I suggest taking a small phrase book or a page with short translations so that if you do forget something, you don't panic as you have the crutch if you need it.

For actually learning the language to begin with, work with someone, take a class or get a CD first so that you learn the right pronunciation. There's nothing worse than trying to unlearn something. Put labels or post it notes on things so you just get used to associating that word/name with the item. Figure out if it's easier for you to speak Spanish or to write it. I could kind of write and read in Spanish, but I couldn't speak it easily or understand it at all. If it's easier for you to read it, take a note pad and ask the person you're speaking to to write part of their answer.

I have been learning for years to speak Spanish. I am not fluent, but have become comfortable and can get by for the needs of a tourist.

In answer to your question, I learned how to say *in Spanish*... "I'm sorry I only speak very little Spanish, do you speak English?"

As far as practice, I have taken 5 different classes at different times (community college, extension courses aimed at travelers, and 101 in a language school). I watch Univision TV in Spanish. I listen to tapes in my car.

But most important I travel to Mexico and put it to use! Also when traveling I try to read the newspaper in Spanish, I carry both a phrase book and dictionary to look things up & a 3x5" spiral notebook to write down new words I learn.

I also know how to say "What do you call, or how do you say, that in Spanish" so I can point at something and a local person will help me learn a new word. And "escribe por favor", asking someone to write down the new word for me.

I am pretty sure frika is kidding you about learning 3 languages while asleep!!

LSky,

True story--In college and my first year out I worked for the original publishers (and the original author of the first in the series--German) of the 10 Minutes a Day series when they first came out. I always get a kick when I see them in stores, and once I saw them in a movie. It makes me smile to remember coordinating their production, shipping out books ten at a time, etc. But, I should have actually studied the books a bit!

Also realize that it is a much more reasonable and attainable goal to learn lots of vocabulary words you can toss around, even if you cannot hold a conversation with someone (which is MUCH more advanced and difficult imho).

Handy words and phrases like:

hello
good morning
my name is
what's your name?
nice to meet you
good afternoon
please
thank you
excuse me
i'm sorry
just looking
how much?
i don't understand
i understand
one week
one day
tomorrow
what time?

learning numbers (for cost and time)
learning names of days of the week
being able to read "open" and "closed" signs

Too bad it's not russian

Do everything in Spanish. Go to a public library, take books for children - yes, those with large letters and lots of pictures. Going shopping? Make your shopping list in Spanish. Can you get any Spanish-language tourist booklets? Maybe off the Internet? Read those.

The best way to learn is with a buddy. Maybe you can take a class - are there free classes, do you have city colleges like we have in the US? You can meet your buddy for a cup of coffee, or call, or write - in Spanish!

If at all possible, just immerse yourself in it.

(And seriously, If you need practice or help, you know how to reach me. We can habla espanol.)

Better yet, just bring me along as your interpreter? I'll wait to hear from you.

BTW. I'll only charge half the price of a bi-lingual waterboard boy!

I'm a serial non-completer of language courses, but my advice is to work on getting the pronunciation right from the beginning. I once took a beginner's Spanish course and the teacher, a Spaniard, pounded this into the class remorselessly. She had a petty thick accent, and put this down to poor English teaching at the outset, a problem she'd never been able to remedy.

Now, I can't do much more than ask the time in Spanish, but FWIW I recall that some Spanish consonants require close attention. Th eone that springs to mind is the letter "p", which is sounded with a softer "plosion" (expulsion of air through the lips), making it sound close to an English "b". That's the sort of detail we had pounded into us and I think it's worth putting in the effort up front to get it right.

Please don't take this as a criticism, but to me and I think most other English-speakers one peculiarity of American speech is the pronunciation of "o" as (to my ears) "ah". Thus, "loss" in American sounds to me like "lahss". You may need to work on the purer Spanish "o" sound or you'll end up confusing "los" with "las".

My own Achilles' heel is rolling my r's.

As to pronunciation, one must keep in mind that there is NOT just ONE.
There are variations among the regions of Spain and throughout Spanish-speaking America.
For example: One major phonological difference between Castilian and Latin American dialects is the presence of a voiceless dental fricative (/θ/ as in English thing) in the former.
(Bar-se-lona vs Bar-the-lona= Barcelona)

Neil, twirling RRRRs is easy.

and yes, Steelers, Andalusian's have lisps! It drives my little Castellano-self loca.

A good free site with lessons is
www.bbc.co.uk/languages/spanish

zelphia --- easy for you, deefecult for me!

Re Spanish dialects, I think I recall being told that in pars of Latin America (where accorddong to Dan Quayle they speak Latin) the double 'L' is pronounced as a soft "zh" rather than "y" - verdad?

As for dialects in general - the "standard" version taught to foreigners is usually the language as she is spoke in a culturally dominant part of the country - in Italy the Tuscan dialect, in Spain Castilian, in Britain south-east English and so forth. I can see that if you were to do most of your travelling in Latin America it would be advisable to be aware of the difference (as well as boning up on your Latin declensions and conjugations, of course).

The good things about the Romance languages is that French, Italian, Spanish etc. grammar follow a similar pattern. Spanish and Italian are appealing because their pronunciations are so phonetically straightforward. Unlike English, if you hear a word clearly you should be able to spell it. The Spaniards do seem to speak very quickly to my ear, though.

"if I do speak Spanish to someone, there is the fear that they will speak Spanish right back to me.. then what will I do???"

- kodi, you've hit the nail on the head. That's always been my worry. In China I tried out a few words = big mistake. As lousy as my efforts were nothing could then persuade my audience that I wasn't fluent in the language. I made that mistake with a young lady in Beijing, who then strolled alongside me for a good five minutes chattering happily in Mandarin, despite my repeated protests of "tĭng bù dōng" (literally, "here, not understand!" Which she probably didn't understand....

A little knowledge is indeed a dangerous thing.

Hi Kodi: My husband had been trying for 25 years to learn Spanish. He doesn't have the "language gift" so he has to study twice as hard. I had such great luck personally with Pimsleur French that I got him the Pimsleur Spanish cd's from the library to try. After his first lesson he was psyched! He listens to each lesson over and over while exercising until he masters it before moving on to the next lesson. He liked it so well that I bought him a complete set. He still listens to it every day. And he's progressing nicely.

My nephew did Rosetta Stone and was very happy with himself on his Italian honeymoon. He felt he learned quite a bit.

Another suggestion: When I began learning Italian I borrowed all of the audio and videos on learning the language from the libraries around where I lived and worked. I listened to my favorites over and over for weeks. One was a good one called, "How to pronounce Italian correctly." Every time I'd get in the car I'd pop in a tape. It was beneficial for me to go to the local college for a night class. It was Italian For Travelers and lasted for 6 lessons once a week.

Buena suerte!

Neil. At least let me help you with your pronounciation, my little deefecult one!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvpikUEIaLI

That lesson was for free.

Yes, do it when you are young.

gruezi (old, and struggling)

Gruezi, I missed the boat my a mile !!

Suze, I agree, If I just learn words, I'll be happy. I'm not sure I could ever carry on a real conversation...I'm happy to announce that I do know most of the words on your list!!

Neil.... I would have died!! HOw brave of you to try Mandarin.
I'm Canadian, so I don't think I say lahss... I'm more accused of saying 'aboot' instead of about. But if you ask me, I don't have a Canadian accent!!!! haha... I've been told by a whole bus load of people that I certainly DO.

Pilates, I'm like your husband.... so I'll keep plugging away. I have CD's on in the car. But I think I have to see the word written to really try to learn it.

Thanks everyone.. I appreciate all the great tips.

I found the Pimsleur CDs very helpful. Their method works for me and since it almost entirely auditory, you can do them if you have a driving commute. Each lesson is abut a 1/2 hour long and builds on the previous one. I was able to do one driving to work and review it on the way home, and after a month had a usable conversational vocabularly for my trip to Italy. A plus is that the method concentrates on proper pronunciation. A bigger plus is that the CDs were available at our local library.

kodi, Then I say you're off to a good start! The most important thing is being willing to speak up. Early on I knew some phrases but was too shy. Now I'll spout out anything, maybe with a "si correcto?" behind it and the person will let me know if I said it right, or if not they usually simply repeat the word or phrase how it should be said.

You've had a lot of good advice, much of which I can second.

I've been Spanish classes for quite some time, but I don't study very much, so it's going slowly. I've taken community college classes, which I like because I have learned the grammar and a good deal of vocabulary. My experience has been that I could put together Spanish sentences right from the beginning, which is pretty rewarding for a beginner.

As to tips, make some little flash cards and take them wherever you go. When you have to wait at a stoplight or in a bank line, whip out your cards and practice your vocab.

I have also purchased tapes or CD's which I've listened to when driving longer distances. I don't do this in stop-and-go traffic when I really have to pay attention, but in freeway driving.

We all have different modes of learning. I've discovered that I learn vocabulary best by writing the definition down over and over, interspersed with the English word. There is no substitute for memorizing and for practice when learning a foreign language. I've also found grammar exercises helpful.

A total immersion school or experience is always best, but that's not possible for most people. I learned much of my German at a total immersion school at Portland State U, which was especially satisfying because one learns content as well as language.

Oh, I forgot something important. I have a Mexican man who helps me with my yardwork in the summer. He doesn't speak much English, so we almost always speak Spanish. His Spanish is very clear, so he's easy to understand.

This has been especially helpful because I'm not afraid to make mistakes when I speak with him. I'm very comfortable with him, and I know he's not going to laugh at me if I make mistakes. He's sort of on my side, as I am on his when he tries to speak English.