Learn Spanish - Page 2

Just to add to Tracey's comment about listening to podcasts. Try watching the Spanish 24 hour news channel or the local Murcia 7 News channel. Just having it on while you are pottering around the house somehow helps your brain to tune into the rhythm of the language. When I was learning Spanish back in the 1980's, whenever I was at home, I'd have my TV on and didn't understand a word at first but then little by little, my brain would catch a word or a phrase and I would go and look it up. My very best helper for learning to speak Spanish correctly, was the big Collins Spanish-English / English-Spanish dictionary, that gave examples of how to use the words and the verbs in sentences. Once you have looked up the word in the English to Spanish part of the dictionary, go to the Spanish to English part and see how that word is used in Spanish. Brilliant book! Get a verb book. It is impossible to learn to speak Spanish without using verbs, however much you think that you can. And just practice, practice, practice! When I was learning, there was no internet or even many language schools around. I spent hours every day, reading my Spanish books and my dictionary and listening to the TV. Bit of saddo you might think -  but I learned to speak Spanish - so it was worth it!

Try Coffee Break Spanish by radiolingua.com. 

It's conversational so you'll pick up words, phrases,  pronunciation, word stressing etc very quickly. The latter are key and are the difference between being understood or not. Its free, 15 to 20 minute podcasts and you can download pdfs too. 

Hope this helps x

I watch a lot of films,and have started watching a few Spanish films with subtitles, haven't picked up much yet, and seems a lot of the time they are speaking so fast its even harder.

I will keep trying,might take me ages,but I won't give up.

Thanks, will have a look.

try Rachel Benson,

Being back and forward regularly to Murcia for years and have picked up a very small bit but you have hit the nail on the head....it is all about training your ear. You can learn book Spanish but Murcia is a very heavy accent and aural learning is important.

Go to www.jamesspanishschool.com  You can watch free demo lessons there.  James Bretherton was born in Bristol but came here with his parents at age 4, he had a diet of British comedy on TV as a kid and it shows. A lot of us from Los Alcázares have learnt from him, his teaching methods are really good.

He has a 50 lesson core online course, which is what Tracey is referring to then you follow that with 50 spoken Spanish practice lessons, all on streaming video, ear training, learning to understand Spanish speakers (not South American) with a mix of regional accents and ages,, with progress tests and lots of learning aids. 

On the way by, you learn a lot of important cultural stuff, that really helps you on a day to day basis.

You will see on Facebook his students can't say enough good things about him and his courses. www.facebook.com/jamesspanishchool

I use Duolingo. Best do a bit each day and can now order food and other stuff, but being 70 years old my brain has stopped being a sponge on new things. But I enjoy it and it’s free to yse

I think it is just hard to learn a new language! Especially at my age! (60+). I wish I had learnt Spanish when I was at school. I have good days when I think I have finally cracked it and then I have days when I think how stupid can I be!?

As for different methods, keep trying, some suit better than others, it's personal. We have a friend who does Duolingo and is doing really well. I just couldn't get into it. My other half does Busuu and enjoys it, I'm not too sure about it myself. Spanish with Paul works really well for me.

Dont give up though. Its important to know a little, especially if you need your car fixing or you need to speak to the doctor or chemist!

Personally I find writing Spanish easier than speaking it too. Find what suits you. Good luck.

Trish

Gerry,

Don't give up it takes time to learn many things. 

I don't know your age but as we get older things are harder to pick up and understand, Mags has given some good advice about listening and watching  channel 7 on the tv it gives lots of information about the area also the news.

As Mags said she learned the language in the 80s so maybe we are talking about 30 years ago when she herself would have been much younger with a more agile mind.

Just try and keep at it there are many in your situation, and I do not know why the adverse comment about ordering a beer was posted when you were asking for help.