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...
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...
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.
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/
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.
Try "Spanish" by Michelle Thomas. All audio. I like it better than Pimsluer.
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.
I bought a Rosetta Stone from that guy in Sosua who sells them for 500rd - did not work.
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.
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
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
you only live once, but if you live it right once is enough
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.
A Manwhore and Proud
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.
I'm back... Heading Back To Green #TurnUpTime
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.
Lecciones de la vida:
Si le das la mano te cojen el brazo entero
Mas jala tiene un pelo de toto, que una junta de bueyes
El día que la mierda tenga algún valor, los pobres nacerán sin culo
Si la vida te da la espalda... Tócale el culo
Amore de lejos, amor de pendejos
If you don't have a xvid player, I would recommend VLC.
It plays damn near everything.
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/
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