Best way to learn Spanish language: Share your experiences...

[josh]

I have been reading various posting including the latest from BigStew that knowing Spanish language is so critical to the whole process. I personally have been reading & listening to "Teach Yourself Spanish" by Juan Kattan-Ibarra. I am debating whether to buy Rosetta Stone and other learning materials. I also have TVLatina package which I am trying to watch even though I don't understand most of it Also, I am also not sure whether I need to take any private lessons. BTW, does any of the agencies in Colombia offer crash course on site?

Also, if you didn't have necessary Spanish skills during your earlier trips, how did you manage? What are some of the things we need to keep in mind when finding good translators there? Do we need to carry any "must have books" to manage etc.

Would like to know your experiences ...
 
-Josh

[atomik]

I used the Pimsuler Spanish series to gain an introductory knowledge.  There are 30 CDs in each bundle and I worked through all 90 in about 6 months.  After listening and repeating as instructed, I was able to participate in a basic conversation with spanish speaking people in the Dominican Republic.  After another 6 trips to the DR and Colombia, I am not fluent, but I can get around OK.

I think an immersion program is the best bet if you can afford the time away from your home and job.

[Jeff S]

Hang out with Mexicans. You pick it up quickly, but it isn't the most universal version of Latin American Spanish, I theenk.

[utopiacowboy]

For about a year my wife and I would always take a Spanish-English dictionary with us and over time we used it less and less. Now I have no idea where the dictionary is. Before I first met her we had been corresponding and chatting on the web exclusively in Spanish so my written Spanish was sufficient for communication. It took a while for the oral communication to get to the same point. Even now in a group setting I usually  pay the most attention to her because I can understand everything she says but other people not as well. Listening to Spanish language radio and television helps as well.

[bundy_138]

I took Spanish classes in high school and college.  Forgot most of it over the years.  2 months before my first trip to Cali, I took a beginners course at my local community college.  Brushed up on the very basics, had my tourist book, and just jumped right in.  First few days "in country" were hard, but by day 7 I was pretty damn good.  After my 4th trip to Colombia, I have a great understanding of the language but I still have trouble speaking.  I manage to talk to my novia an hour a night and she speaks little English.  Total immersion is the key.  If you are forced to do it, your brain takes over automatically.

Bundy

[Brainiac]

I studied spanish at a community college and I also tutored ESL students.  As a result, I had lots of mexican friends with whom I went dancing, to parties and just became their friend.  So while I was studying spanish, I had the opportunity for near-immersion in this country with my ESL friends. 

Some people will recommend Pimsleur, others Rosetta Stone.  You can find them used on eBay or Craig's List and save some money. 

If your girl friend works, why not take classes during the day while in Colombia?  Nothing beats immersion for rapid learning, and if you can combine that with a good foundation of the grammar, you're set.

And if you don't know how to salsa, consider taking classes in Colombia as well.  That's a whole other language that she'll LOVE to speak with you!

[Patrick]

I used self-directed learning at first.  Books, tapes, etc. but in the end I took 15 units of Spanish at night through a local junior college.  I learned far more in the classes than I ever did on my own.  Listening to tapes helps a lot with pronunciation and understanding, but make sure the speakers are not from Spain.  Latin-American Spanish is significantly different.

[michaelb]

Patrick's right....a few good, formal, college level classes will get you further faster than all the tapes/CD's you can pay for. Getting the fundamentals of grammar, spelling, masculine, feminine, verb endings, tenses etc. and all that 'confusing' stuff explained so that you understand if from the start is a huge advantage. Yeah, yeah, the tape people may learn their first 10 phrases and can 'actually say something' sooner than you, but most of them never get past the first 20 phrases, while the person who put in a little more effort at first will have a solid foundation.