Learning spanish?

[G]

I've got a vague plan to go riding around Spain for a couple of weeks in October.

Had thought previously that it could be worth trying to learn a bit of spanish; just out of politeness, if nothing else.

I shall consider evening classes or similar if there's anything appropriate nearby; I'm more likely to actually *do* stuff if sat in a class.

However, if there's not; any suggestions?
I was pretty terrible at (non-english) 'Languages' at school, partly lack of ability and partly lack of effort.
I tend to have a bad habit of not getting around to doing stuff out of books or similar, if I have to get off my arse and do it, but, 'never know... this might be a first .

So books, websites, on-line courses etc. Ideally free if we're talking self-motivated stuff, so I'm not losing out if I don't (though books are of course available free at libraries etc.)

[iooi]

Given that you are going in October, evening classes are not going to be much use as most would start in Sept when the school year starts.

So its either online, book or tape/cd.

Unless you can find a nice Spanish lass to teach you
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[G]

[WildGoose]

I would very much like to learn Spanish or Portugese. Have looked vaguely into it several times, and there is a lot of chaff out there in terms of courses you can buy, audio + book type variety, also some are massively expensive, usually the ones that claim to be a revolutionary system of learning.

I sucked at languages at school, but much like everyone else mostly down to a lack of effort due to having hideous languages forced upon us. My german teacher used to shout all the fucking time, and it did nothing to adjust the stereotype of the german language being very abrasive.

If you find out anything promising, i'd be interested.
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[Phoenix]

Can't you ask Susi for some basic lessons, could use msn video chat or something and pretend you're in a class and she's your teacher

Given that you're going in October, you're probably best off just looking at a website that gives Spanish phrases, or buying a phrase book rather than actually trying to learn the language. Most language software, the best ones anyway start with the very basics, like words, building sentances etc rather than teaching you essential phrases etc

I was good at French at GCSE and can remember the basics, but I'm just not interested in learning it properly despite the fact I reckon I could have it nailed fairly quickly, instead I want to learn German, no idea why, I don't really like Germans, maybe it's a hidden desire to be able to massively insult them fluently when the need arises, wheras these days it'd actually make more sense to learn Polish, if only so you know what they're saying when they natter away in their groups.

I downloaded Rosetta Stone which is supposed to be the best out there, I spent 10mins with it and remember everything, it was the real basics like I say, no good for learning useful things quickly, it's if you want to learn the language from scratch.

[Flip]

[The Original Muzza]

If you're just after the basics, a book will give you all that in no time.
As for general patter, probably sounds silly, but watch a DVD that you enjoy with Spanish subtitles on, or Spanish audio with English subtitles.
I done Spanish at school (every second class done one of Spanish OR French), yet I can speak French better than all of my friends who studied it for 4 years, all through trying to understand French through music, film and once, I read a French bike forum as nowhere else had specific info.

If all else fails, you obviously don't have an affinity for learning languages, so carry a phrase book and speak loudly whilst pointing.
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[Paivi]

Check out the BBC website. A lot of the language schools use their courses.
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[G]

Cheers, had looked at the BBC site before, but not got to the useful bit it seems.
Think I'll start there and see how it goes .

[map]

If you have heard of such a thing as torrents then doing a search on thepiratebay for Audio ticked and the word Spanish will find you some audio book stuff. Click on SE column header after the search (sorts by this).

Failing that drop me a PM.

There's a rather good but very very boring audio (IIRC Michel Thomas - about 7 CDs) of a Spanish course that apparently you don't have to write anything down. Although with all of this a good memory (what was this thread about ) and repetition helps.


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[G]

Torrents I'm quite aware of; a way to obtain legal copyright free items which the author doesn't have the capability to distribute themselves, yes?

An audio book probably makes sense as I could use it at the gym, maybe on the way to work too. Though people might give me (even more) funny looks if I start saying random disjointed Spanish phrases .

[D O G]

Me and the missus are learning Italian at the moment, out of a book called 'Teach Yourself Italian'. It is the 3rd one we've tried, and by far the best, with lots of examples and practice. You can get an audio CD with it too, but we have it from the library at the moment so just the book.

Should be fairly easy to learn - if you put in 3-4 hours a week you will come on very quickly. Unfortunately we only manage about 2-3.

[G]

That's one of my problems and why an evening class might be better - as I'll actually get around to doing it, as it's a set thing to do which you can't really 'put off' every week!

[Clanger]

I usually travel around with a small notebook and a pen, and before I go to a new country I will usually look online, or nip to the library and write down a few phrases, find out how to say certain things (I have allergies, so it's imperative I know how to ask for food without certain stuff in it).

If you write down the word how it's spelt, and then write it down phonetically, it will help you remember it, and identify it if you see it written down.

Smiling and being polite, and using gestures / body language will also get you miles.

I often draw pictures of things and show this to the person I am trying to communicate with, this often will cause a laugh, but is a fab ice breaker, and the recipricant will often be more willing to go the extra mile with you.
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[chris-red]

Watch reruns of faulty towers and learn it off Manuel.
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[Black Knight]

I did a course once - well i went 3 times and sacked it off. Never was much good as school and although it was being run at a university i found it incredibbly tedious.

Learnt more buying one of those audio book/tape things and hearing the pronounciation of the words. more than enough to get you through the basics, booking rooms, ordering food etc.
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[superstacker]

To start you off I would suggest:

Michel Thomas Spanish

Pimsleur Spanish

Should be able to get these from any of the torrent sites, they deal with speaking only, but they are arguably the best on the market. And if you torrent them they are free.

[superstacker]

Double post

[instigator]

Michel Thomas for sure.

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

What's wrong with shouting louder, slower and gesticulating more?

[Stoo]

Another vote for Michel Thomas,

I learned more from 3 hours of his CDs than 12 weeks of class lessons (12x1.5hrs)

[sagalout]

And another vote here for Michel Thomas. I've done the French and Spanish 8 hour courses and they are an awesome introduction. I learned more french in 8 hours than I did in 2 years worth of classroom lessons.

Not sure I'd agree about the boring comment above either - I quite like they guy, and he certainly had an interesting life:

https://www.guardian.co.uk/news/2005/jan/19/guardianobituaries.obituaries
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[G]

Anyone know of any 'course notes' for the Michael Thomas course?
I know he says none are needed etc, however I suspect I'm less linguistically gifted than some.
Probably didn't help that I was a bit tired/stressed/driving at the time.
Got about half to two thirds through the first CD before it started to 'lose' me.

[superstacker]

Although he says you don't need to go take notes, you may find it usefull. That said I am doing the Russian version..

In reality you'll have to listen to each CD a few times for it to really sink in. I couldnt really do it while driving, other people can.

If you have time, i'd very much recommend the Spanish version of Pimsleur, there should be three levels for spanish.

Torrenting is your friend