thanks i have also snagged the links for the languages… i already had the basic spaish links which is really good and free.. for me the latter bit is important as i and the kids need to learn the language cheapest way possible.. and free is good!
Notes in Spanish (http://www.notesinspanish.com/) has just brought out a set of audio files and notes called “The Real Spanish Phrasebook” which is full of great everday expressions. No substitute for learning grammar but great for making you sound more convincing. You do have to pay for it, but I think it’s worth it (I have no personal financial interest in this, b.t.w.!). You can get lots of free stuff at the same site if you decide to be a buitre, or a rata or something.
http://www.notesinspanish.com/ is very good place to download and listen , i have do this but with my work i end up rewright software and listening to radio all the time so has not hepped me ,
jurdy
There is no one method fits all for learning languages the easy way.
In my case it was talking to locals and reading books in the language with just a dictionary.
I think it’s more natural to learn by talking and reading since I think this is how we all learn our first language.
Going to classes is probably the hardest way I would say.
My advice is:
Make friends who only speak Spanish. Or force yourself to try to converse with people who only speak Spanish.
Watch movies in Spanish with english subtitles at first (this is an easy way).
Read books that are in Spanish. Start with simple texts but make sure you pick subjects you like!
Listen to Spanish music. You might not learn much with music but you’re tuning your ears to the sounds.
Hi,
I think it is valuable to watch the Spanish TV, start with the programmes for children. Then continue with Spanish soap operas, they have a simple normal everyday language.
When you are familiar with that try to get a video with some of the “Torrente” movies (3 so far) with Santiago Segura. The best one is “Torrente, el brazo tonto de la ley”. This movies is filled with all the ugly world and bad behaviours you might need to know.
Get a rooftop analogue arial (If you don’t already have one) and tune into Spanish TV - Watching when you know the context ie Game shows/Quiz shows, children’s programmes, sports commentary and news reports are all (I find) very useful when learning.
That is assuming that you are already living in Spain of course. If not, watching films with Spanish subtitles is great for improving reading and comprehension.
I tried this and it’s very effective, I also bought some dvds and even a game in Spanish and once you get used to it you pick up more and more of the language.
Great exercise for people who know a little Spanish and wish to improve it.
I just found this plug-in that allows you to watch TVE 24, along with regional TV channels from Extremadura and Aragon, through your computer anywhere. It’s mostly news and documentaries, but it’s a great help in learning the language. I try to catch a few minutes two or three times a day - which just tops-up the Spanish circuits in my head when I’m not in the country. Incidentally, there is also a Catalan channel as well as other languages, and lots of radio stations, many of them in Spanish. http://www.octoshape.com/play/play.asp
Ive only been here 3 months, I did have a spanish teacher in the uk but she was teaching me valencian i think….luckily it was only for a week. anyway I agree that talking to people is the best route when I learned german I was getting strait Fs then I lived with a german family for 2 weeks came back and got C’s! So i am slowl picking up the laungage, problem is im job hunting and staying for free with an english person until i find said work, so spanish isnt going as well as id like. I do also try to watch tv as much as possible but again my flatmate dislikes it. I hope to improve greatly once I have my own place and maybe work along side spaniards, even if i dislike the work, to me i want a bad job first to get a grip of the laungage then try and use my qualifications for better work. I also do think the spanish are very good with expats learning, Ive seen for myself in the UK so many people try so hard to talk and learn just to be shunned or beaten up, I have yet to find somone who once they relize im trying, sit with me for a good few minutes with tips and sayings.
that was my original plan, but I was offered work with a family member, who for multiple reasons couldn’t have me anymore, I wasent to bothered as I was only really learning the work and it was purley english people at work. instead of going back and learning very slowly ( i always learn wuicker from conversation not tv or books) i decided to stay and find work. (although thats proving hard as i need to insure my bike and ive lost my licence :( ill fix it all though because its so worth it.
First post here, have been reading through this thread and agree with alot of it. I have only been here two weeks but I have been trying hard and find that I am picking it up quick and can have the most basic of conversations( a little more fluid with a few beers). I purposely avoided english speaking tourist areas and I have learned out of neccesity aswell as desire. However, I am now near the end of my honeymoon period in spain and if i want to stay here(and i do) then I need to find work now.
My dilema is, I?m not yet confident in my knowledge of the language to find work in spanish, and my most obvious options are to work somewhere tourist orientated, this would put me in a situation which is too easy not to speak spanish.
I would like to live somewhere only spanish is spoken, but what options do I have.
Any advice anyone can offer on good places to be and possibilities for work would be greatly appreciated. I?m twenty two, eperienced barman and chef, with a TEFL cert.
I?m in the south near Almer?a now and really don?t know where to go next!
Ive been out here for 3 months (as I said) and did work temporialy for an office out here for about a month and a half, now Im awaiting my bike documents and other bike things to be resolved, which does make the search for work harder, I have worked in the uk at McDonald’s for 6 months and spent a short time working for Systematic computer company, my Spanish is no where near fluent but with facial expressions and the Spanish I do know I can hold a conversation. My problem now is where to look for work and what sort of work, most bars want experienced people, and Fast food restaurants would probably want you to be fluent in spanish.
im 19 I have a BETEC IT Practitioner qualification from college, 2 Bs in English laungage and litriture , 2 Cs in science 1 C in graphics and a C in German as well as a C in Geography. I have a full C.V written out displaying previous work hobbies and skills as well as qualifications.
So any ideas or help on work areas or types with that info? It would be very helpful as im living with a friend and not paying rent as hes helping me out but I do need to move out soon and find work, luckily my family will fund for a small apartment near to my place of work.transport could take a while as there is alot of issues with my moped.
ANY ideas would be so so helpful as this is the quickest way for me to learn the language, and if im successful i can assist my family moving here for there retirement.(cold UK is affecting some of peoples health)
hi jimmythenoob, why not ease yourself in by working in Gibraltar - I think there are opportunities there for people with IT skills, meantime work in Gibraltar in English and live in Spain and do ur best to learn spanish - mind you the salary and opportunities you get in Gib will be much better than in that part of Spain.
