Need help to learn spanish

[Lesley D]

Aerobaticman,


Thank you for adding your comment I agree with you regarding Europe. I have yet to go to Spain but I have spoken Spanish in Germany and Switzerland out of necessity. Needless to mention other places where Spanish is spoken.


-Lesley D-

Originally Posted by aerobaticman

Yoyager,

I can't speak for all the countries, but I live here in Switzerland. I've used my limited Spanish in Switzerland, Germany, and Sweden when my fluent English/German fails me. It surprised the heck out of me that so many people speak and understand it here.

[atienoor]

Try Community Service Alliance. They really did sort me out after i gave up on other schools.

Their website is www.communityservicealliance.org

The teacher is called Violeta Wu

Good luck

[Voyager]

Originally Posted by Lesley D

Voyager,

No, I was not joking. Spanish is the official language of at least 20 countries and it is a useful language of business other than English in my opinion. If you disagree that's quite alright.


-Lesley D-

20 countries? I wonder how many of those countries are in South America?

Naturally you can find the odd person in Europe who speak Spanish, just like I have come across people in Greece, Spain, Turkey and even Chile who speak Swedish! (=my native language)

I just thought you overdid it a bit when you wrote that Spanish is "...the best language to learn for international and social purposes. " The best langugae still is English, at least in my opinion.

But when I go to my next business meeting in Jeddah, I will try some Spanish to test your theory... (I am just kidding!)

Anyway, you grant me the right to my opinion and I end by quoting Voltaire: "Sir, I do not agree with you, but I would give my life for your right to express your opinion!"

[Lesley D]

Voyager,

I am not sure what your intent is here but I refuse to list all the official speaking countries in the world but I will give you a hint they are not only in South America. Have you forgotten Central America? (Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama and Costa Rica), add those to the South American countries, Mexico and Spain. These are all official Spanish speaking countries.


-Lesley D-

PD. And no I did not over do it. I consider this general knowledge. Just to ensure that this part of discussion is over there are: 9 Spanish speaking countries in South America, 6 in Central America, 3 in the Caribbean, Mexico and Spain (twenty in total). The few others I will leave up to you to research if you are curious.

Originally Posted by Voyager

20 countries? I wonder how many of those countries are in South America?

Naturally you can find the odd person in Europe who speak Spanish, just like I have come across people in Greece, Spain, Turkey and even Chile who speak Swedish! (=my native language)

I just thought you overdid it a bit when you wrote that Spanish is "...the best language to learn for international and social purposes. " The best langugae still is English, at least in my opinion.

But when I go to my next business meeting in Jeddah, I will try some Spanish to test your theory... (I am just kidding!)

Anyway, you grant me the right to my opinion and I end by quoting Voltaire: "Sir, I do not agree with you, but I would give my life for your right to express your opinion!"

[duhtree]

Memorize the primary twenty verbs in present tense. Learn several hundred words ( many of which are the same as english except with an accent. Speak like a child. Most people will help you. And yes. Spanish is amazingly phonetic. As it is written so is it spoken. Don't be concerned with past present future. Your ear will improve and you will suddenly " see " the correct structure. And study formal language, too. Or join the C.I.A. They will teach you in under 6 weeks.
John

[Victor Laszlo]

Originally Posted by Voyager

20 countries? I wonder how many of those countries are in South America?

Naturally you can find the odd person in Europe who speak Spanish, just like I have come across people in Greece, Spain, Turkey and even Chile who speak Swedish! (=my native language)

I just thought you overdid it a bit when you wrote that Spanish is "...the best language to learn for international and social purposes. " The best langugae still is English, at least in my opinion.

But when I go to my next business meeting in Jeddah, I will try some Spanish to test your theory... (I am just kidding!)

Anyway, you grant me the right to my opinion and I end by quoting Voltaire: "Sir, I do not agree with you, but I would give my life for your right to express your opinion!"

Originally Posted by Lesley D

Voyager,

I am not sure what your intent is here but I refuse to list all the official speaking countries in the world but I will give you a hint they are not only in South America. Have you forgotten Central America? (Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama and Costa Rica), add those to the South American countries, Mexico and Spain. These are all official Spanish speaking countries.


-Lesley D-

PD. And no I did not over do it. I consider this general knowledge. Just to ensure that this part of discussion is over there are: 9 Spanish speaking countries in South America, 6 in Central America, 3 in the Caribbean, Mexico and Spain (twenty in total). The few others I will leave up to you to research if you are curious.

You're both beginning to make me miss el gringo 762.

[twincactus]

Can you list the 20 verbs here or send me a PM? I would be interested and I think your approach is helpful. Others may want to know as well. I have a Dominican wife, but (un)fortunately she speaks very good English.

Thanks,

-Tim

[twincactus]

I intended to quote duhtree's post.

-Tim

[Pib]

Originally Posted by twincactus

I have a Dominican wife, but (un)fortunately she speaks very good English.

My husband's complaint exactly. We've never spent more than 5 minutes speaking Spanish, after which I lose my patience and resort to English. English is not his mother's tongue either, but his is better than mine, if anything.

I suggest that, like my husband, you get yourself a tutor, and read a lot. If you already speak more than one language learning another one will be easier.

[Criss Colon]

I might add,"Total Imersion"! Including, "Right Brain/Left Brain"! Speak it,read it,write it,listen to it(Especially "Good" Spanish,like CNN en Espanol.Listen to Music.Probably the best "Tool" to help you is to "Speak" even though you are nervous/scared/embarassed you will sound "Stupid"! There is no room for your ego, when learning to communicate in a 2nd.language!