I wanna learn Spanish, any ideas on best software?

[carly denise pt deux]

Rosetta Stone is too pricey for me, any other ideas?
Thanks
Carly

[SeattleGirl]

1. I'm using Instant Immersion Spanish Deluxe v2.0

It's not as expensive as Rosetta Stone, and is pretty good. I picked it up at Costco.

[carly denise pt deux]

2. thanks! I was just looking at that software on best buy

Carly

[Lethe]

3. download it for free on a torrent

:)

[carly denise pt deux]

8. thanks!

Carly

[LaurenG]

4. I don't know about the software but start watching spanish language TV

programs. The soaps can be really entertaining.

[carly denise pt deux]

9. I tried to watch a spanish soap opera one evening

They speak so fast it is hard to even understand one word LOL
Carly

[Xipe Totec]

18. Of course it does

don't worry about understanding the words; that comes later.

Just immerse yourself in the sounds.

Remember, 70% of all communication is body language and tone of voice.

You just need to immerse yourself on Spanish on a regular basis.

Let the neural network reprogram itself and don't give it any conscious thought.

[KurtNYC]

5. find some music you like with spanish lyrics

add it to your iPod. Many people have started learning english by listening to american music. This is the same idea. The next step would be to find the lyrics online and print them out. Then figure out what they are saying and bingo you have a beachhead in spanish. You will be livin' la vida loca in no time.

Santana's Supernatural album has every other song in spanish.

It beats repeating "donde esta la biblioteca?"

[carly denise pt deux]

10. I have one song from Supernatural- smooth

lets see....I can kinda translate that.......where is the.....what is a biblioteca?? LOL
Carly

[deadparrot]

6. Do you have any previous experience?

If not, I'd really suggest taking a class (for credit or continuing education) at a local community college. So often, you need an actual professor/teacher with you at the beginning to teach the basics, to get a feel for the sound and accents of the language.

A lot of the software out there now is designed for travel, so if you're looking for more generalized stuff, I'd recommend going to a book fair and buying a Spanish textbook and/or some simple Spanish books (even children's stuff). Once you have a handle on grammar and vocab, turn on the Spanish audio of your favorite DVDs (with English subtitles) to understand sentence structure, rhythms, pronunciation, etc.

And learn vocab. Lots of vocab. Flash cards are a big help in this.

[carly denise pt deux]

11. Thanks....a class would be good....

my kids both took spanish in high school, one learned quite a bit while the other cannot speak at all. As for experience, I grew up in the desert southwest, and picked up bits here and there....unfortunately, I know more slang words than words I need to know :(

Carly

[XemaSab]

15. Harry Potter y la Piedra Filosifal

was good for vocabulary. :)

[Taverner]

7. If you can afford it, go to a Spanish speaking country and stay with a family

Many of the language schools down there will arrange this. And the dollar still has value in Latin America. Costa Rica, Guatemala, Ecuador, Venezuela (yes, they do not hate us) and Mexico are all good places to do this.

And in 6 months, you can be fluent. Just don't speak English. It works.

[carly denise pt deux]

12. That would be so awesome!

I have always wanted to go to Costa Rica, heard it's beautiful there, as is Venezuela, Chile, Argentina. Maybe if I learn Spanish fluently, I will take a trip to one of those beautiful countries.
Carly

[Taverner]

13. Do both at the same time :)

Best way to learn a language is to just speak it.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

14. Don't use software--take a class

You need to practice speaking with other people.

Better yet, once you've learned a bit, start speaking Spanish to local Latinos and watching Spanish TV. Even if you don't understand everything, you'll work on your all-important listening skills.

[Perseid]

16. I got me a spanish speaking woman

from arizona.

just lucky, I guess

[AlCzervik]

17. one to avoid is Pimsleur, terrible. I bought the set for Mandarin chinese and it

was useless, i finally ended up buying Rosetta stone which is much better but expensive. I'm looking for a classes to take.

[LSdemocrat]

19. Consider supplementing the software with free podcasts

Coffee Break Spanish is quite good if you're not in a rush: http://www.radiolingua.com/cbs/home.html (also available on iTunes)