Two questions

[Kit]

Folks,

This topic might be discussed here a few times but anyway: what method of spanish learning did you find the most useful to brush up your verbal skills?

Also I would like to know if anyone sent any flowers/gifts to Cali. If so what online services did you use.

Thanx.

[Hiker]

... in response to Two questions, posted by Kit on Nov 19, 2002

[This message has been edited by Hiker]

Go to the following link and then click on "send roses" at the top of the screen.  I have used them a few times and the longest it took her to receive the roses was the following day.  Great service.

http://www.cali-bedandbreakfast.com/

 I have also used the service at Latin Women Connection with good results.

As far as learning Spanish, I would guess nothing compares with a real interactive class for most people.  For me though I did better with the Pimsleur course.  I was quite impressed with it.  My fishing partner is Mexican and I learned a lot from him, but it did not benifit me because I can't get her to talk about fishing.

[Onephd]

... in response to Two questions, posted by Kit on Nov 19, 2002


Try Gloria at latin destinations. She has an agency and I believe that she will deliver flowers to women that do not belong to her agency as well.  

[Throw]

... in response to Two questions, posted by Kit on Nov 19, 2002

I also had some background with spanish from high school.  But nothing to write home about. What I choose to do because of me schedule was hire a tutor for $40 for two hours 1-2 times a week.  I bought the study book she recommended and as we went through it I would make flash cards with the core words and phrases that I felt I needed to know.  English on one side spanish on the other.  When she wasn't around I would just hit those cards. 2 minutes here 5 there.  Then as my trips became more frequent to  Colombia I would pick up more and more.  I would take the cards with me to Cali and with my pocket translater I picked up the language real fast.  Eventually you won't need either.  This also worked for a friend of mine who did the same exact thing.  It works and it is on your time.  I found the tutor in my local newspaper.  As for sending gifts and things, I can't help you...

[Aaron]

... in response to Two questions, posted by Kit on Nov 19, 2002

I took two classes in high school. Did terrible, and didn't think I would remember anything from those classes.

Then, I took one class at a university when I worked on my Bachelors degree. Didn't do much better because I wasn't interested in Spanish at that time.

Then, I meet Latin people, and travelled to Cartagena, Colombia in 1998. After meeting friends and travelling the first time in 1998, I became really interested with learning Spanish.

So, I spent most of my free time with my friends who are native Spanish speakers. I travelled more. And I decided to take one more class at my current university. I took an intro class, and I discovered that from my experiences I was able to learn the material easy, and could independently learn more advanced things.

However, it is difficult to continue to study now because I have other responsibilities.

I'm thinking about taking more Spanish classes as a hobby.

I suggest trying the local community college in your area to audit a course. You can take a course in the evenings. It shouldn't be that expensive.

If you do well, you'll come out way ahead.

Aaron