Spanish Lessons - Rosetta Stone?

[wedge95]

After my 1st trip to the DR, I have discovered that, while not necessary, being able to speak Spanish would certainly be helpful. Anyone try the Rosetta Stone? Thanks...

[QueGuapo]

After my 1st trip to the DR, I have discovered that, while not necessary, being able to speak Spanish would certainly be helpful. Anyone try the Rosetta Stone? Thanks...

Over the years I have learned many languages, in my opinion the best method is many methods combined together.
Rosetta Stone helps, but I would add a good book with grammar and some exercises and, obviously, speaking with native people.

[tarrantino]

I have done a search of the best systems. The Rosetta Stone is expensive and not that good. I use the Living Language System. It is great for learning the language in situations where you will probably use it. You can get it on Amazon. I also use some easy reading books. The book Spanish Verb Tenses by Dorothy Richmond is also a good place to start. Don't waste your money on the RS.

[mrblackluv]

I did not like Rosetta Stone...
However..I also did not pay for it...so my perspective is a lil different..
(I didn't have to like it..no investment made)

I prefer Pimsleur (didnt pay for that either..).

Here's a link to some free spanish downloads..
It's old, but many of the links are still good.

http://studyespanol.blogspot.com/

[Hunter]

I use Rosetta Stone. I like it in that you just plug away at in a lesson at a time. It is all about pictures to the way you learn it. no roteness.

I did a bunch of Rosetta before going to MDE in September. Got to MDE and I sure wasnt speaking sentences Its very difficult this Spanish thing.

Best adivice I read is you have to do it EVERY DAY for a half hour to hour.

I am taking an adult ed class now. Its pretty easy and I think the Rosetta has helped me and am ahead of my classmates. Only 3 of us but the other 2 are way worse than me.

You have to interact with live people to really learn it. Just talking to a computer can only get you so far.

There are bunch of threads on this. Apos started a good one.

[Seville]

Try "Spanish" by Michelle Thomas. All audio. I like it better than Pimsluer.

[el toro]

I'm currently on level 4 or 5 now. There used to be only 3 levels so at one time that was considered to be enough to make you proficient. After 2 useless years of Spanish in school and a little I picked up while in sales jobs I had a friend download it for me two years ago after my first trip to DR. When I came back the second trip I was on level 2 and felt really comfortable speaking it. Rosetta Stone imo is great for your vocabulary, tenses, and sentence structure. The only downside for me is that I speak it way better than I understand it. Combined with actual practice with native speakers I think it can do wonders. By itself it will help you speak it well. It's proper Spanish so sometimes when I learn a word that seems too technical I'll ask a native speaker a better way to say something. I don't buy music, movies, or software, but for someone that can afford to pay for it, I'd say it's worth it.

[mrblackluv]

Try "Spanish" by Michelle Thomas. All audio. I like it better than Pimsluer.

What do you like better?

FYI it's available for download at the link I put up..

[Nakom]

I bought a Rosetta Stone from that guy in Sosua who sells them for 500rd - did not work.

[gdogg]

Tons of good (and free) stuff in this section:

http://news.insearchofchicas.org/for...play.php?f=323

I'm not sure if the Michel Thomas stuff is still in there. Apos sent me the entire set years ago...really good material.

[Mr Hillbilly]

This is best one I have found --and I have alot-- no bullshit just the important monger-dating related things
http://www.learnspanishgetlaid.com/buy.php

[vagrant11]

Learning another language as an adult is very difficult, especially if you are unilingual.
After about the age of six the language center in our brains starts to go dormant.
That being said, some people are just plain and simple more linguistic than others.
It's not a sign of intelligence or anything like that, it's just the way it is, everybody learns differently and what works for one person may not work for another.
You just have to find what works for you.
Making things even harder is that the Spanish on the Caribbean islands is more difficult to understand, not as clear and much more "rapid fire" than say in Colombia or Mexico.
I have lived in 4 different Spanish speaking countries and it always takes me a while to "adjust my ear" when i visit the DR or Cuba.

[whynotme]

Learning another language as an adult is very difficult, especially if you are unilingual.

After about the age of six the language center in our brains starts to go dormant.
That being said, some people are just plain and simple more linguistic than others.
It's not a sign of intelligence or anything like that, it's just the way it is, everybody learns differently and what works for one person may not work for another.
You just have to find what works for you.
Making things even harder is that the Spanish on the Caribbean islands is more difficult to understand, not as clear and much more "rapid fire" than say in Colombia or Mexico.
I have lived in 4 different Spanish speaking countries and it always takes me a while to "adjust my ear" when i visit the DR or Cuba.

mine definately did

when i took music and french in high school i failed both.....two years in a row

. they said they went hand in hand and if i couldn't do one i couldn't do the other and so far they are right as i am totally useless at deciphering music and languages

[funseeker]

18 years ago I went to a local college to get the basics down.
Then it was pure listening and picking shit up slow.

My mom is from Spain so I always heard spanish growing up..
So maybe was a little easier for me.

But the key is to practice speaking it...
it is so awesome to be able to speak and understand once you get the hang of it..
As hard as it is to learn for adults it can be done.

[jacknback]

I did not like Rosetta Stone...
However..I also did not pay for it...so my perspective is a lil different..
(I didn't have to like it..no investment made)

I prefer Pimsleur (didnt pay for that either..).

Here's a link to some free spanish downloads..
It's old, but many of the links are still good.

http://studyespanol.blogspot.com/

Looked at a couple and was prompted to download an XVID player.
Anyone had any experience with this player??

[gdogg]

18 years ago I went to a local college to get the basics down.
Then it was pure listening and picking shit up slow.

My mom is from Spain so I always heard spanish growing up..
So maybe was a little easier for me.

That's what was key. You had a foundation, even if you didn't know it.

[givengo440]

I have actually had Pins., currently using rosetta stone, and have some other program. I like RS, and b/c Pins. was just audio I always felt I needed more. But talking to someone is the best method.

[Corrado]

Rosetta Stone is OK, so is Pimslur , but there is no substitute for qualified professional instruction if you want to develop fluency in the long run.

[mrblackluv]

Looked at a couple and was prompted to download an XVID player.
Anyone had any experience with this player??

If you don't have a xvid player, I would recommend VLC.
It plays damn near everything.
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

[MegasAv]

Rosetta Stone is OK, so is Pimslur , but there is no substitute for qualified professional instruction if you want to develop fluency in the long run.

Agreed constant repetition and exposure to the language consistently is the only way. I work with many Mexican people and practice on a daily basis, although the way Spanish is spoken in Dr is somewhat different than how Mexicans speak it.