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I’m doing Duolingo plus stuff like watching every Spanish or Latin American film on Netflix and listening to Spanish pop songs and translating the lyrics. I’m also making a list of specific Camino things I might want or need to say, and will put them on flash cards.
I got by on the Frances last year but I met a lot of Spanish peregrinos who didn’t speak any English or French so I think a bit of Spanish on my next Camino will make more connections possible.
I've been using duolingo for some years and mainly find it very useful and has got me to a level where I get complemented by Spanish people and can hold simple (if slow) conversations. Recently though I think it has become more focused to Mexican Spanish rather than Spanish Spanish. Just certain words that are not in common usage in Spain. Wondering if anyone else has any views on this?
In preparation for my Camino Portugues next year I am trying to learn some basic Portugues and brush upon my very rusty Spanish. I have found some Meet Up groups for both languages where people meet and practice conversation together, that I will be attending after the holidays. I have also been watching spanish TV, with the subtitles on in spanish to help me get a better ear.
I used Duo lingo everyday for about 12 months before our first Camino and do brush up lessons several times each week. I can read quite a bit now and understand quite a bit, but apparently my pronunciation is pretty bad. It would be good to have someone to talk to who can correct your spoken words.Hi all.. I want to start learning some basic Spanish before I head off next May. I'm thinking of trying either Duolingo or Babbel !!!
Any thoughts on these or another online options.
I would say languages were never a strong topic in school so looking for something easy and fun!!!
Thanks in advance..
If you can afford it, I recommend finding a private tutor for the quickest progress in the shortest time.Hi all.. I want to start learning some basic Spanish before I head off next May. I'm thinking of trying either Duolingo or Babbel !!!
Any thoughts on these or another online options.
I would say languages were never a strong topic in school so looking for something easy and fun!!!
Thanks in advance..
I’ve been using Duolingo and am enjoying it! I too will be doing my Camino next May. Buen Camino!Hi all.. I want to start learning some basic Spanish before I head off next May. I'm thinking of trying either Duolingo or Babbel !!!
Any thoughts on these or another online options.
I would say languages were never a strong topic in school so looking for something easy and fun!!!
Thanks in advance..
Hi all.. I want to start learning some basic Spanish before I head off next May. I'm thinking of trying either Duolingo or Babbel !!!
Any thoughts on these or another online options.
I would say languages were never a strong topic in school so looking for something easy and fun!!!
Thanks in advance..
Also if you are taking a smart phone Google Translate is most helpful. You can ask what words mean and the video will translate the written word. Apologies to the purists who advocate leaving the smart phone at home.Hi all.. I want to start learning some basic Spanish before I head off next May. I'm thinking of trying either Duolingo or Babbel !!!
Any thoughts on these or another online options.
I would say languages were never a strong topic in school so looking for something easy and fun!!!
Thanks in advance..
I use Duolingo just about every Day. I find it is very good.Hi all.. I want to start learning some basic Spanish before I head off next May. I'm thinking of trying either Duolingo or Babbel !!!
Any thoughts on these or another online options.
I would say languages were never a strong topic in school so looking for something easy and fun!!!
Thanks in advance..
I find it less of a problem,speaking Spanish, than understanding what is being said to you, this is especially true on the Frances, where you travel through the Basque country, rural Castilla León and Galicia, all with very distinctive versions of Spanish, mixed with a liberal sprinkling of local words.
I find it less of a problem,speaking Spanish, than understanding what is being said to you, this is especially true on the Frances, where you travel through the Basque country, rural Castilla León and Galicia, all with very distinctive versions of Spanish, mixed with a liberal sprinkling of local words.
And it's fun to laugh at the early 90s fashion.My Spanish teacher recommended a series of show in Spanish called “Destinos”. You can find it on “learner.org”. It’s old but well built, especially for people learning the language. It’s good for vocabulary and getting used to hear Spanish.
Also consider the podcast “Coffee Break Spanish”. It is a language professor and augments Duolingo and Rosetta Stone.Hi all.. I want to start learning some basic Spanish before I head off next May. I'm thinking of trying either Duolingo or Babbel !!!
Any thoughts on these or another online options.
I would say languages were never a strong topic in school so looking for something easy and fun!!!
Thanks in advance..
I've tried to watch this show a number of times over the years but it drives me nuts. I find it so boring. It seems like half the time nothing at all is being said. I did like the similar program for learning French.My Spanish teacher recommended a series of show in Spanish called “Destinos”. You can find it on “learner.org”. It’s old but well built, especially for people learning the language. It’s good for vocabulary and getting used to hear Spanish.
Have used Duolingo and found it very good and a self teaching book and cd my kids got me for Christmas. Best lessons though were listening and learning on the caminoHi all.. I want to start learning some basic Spanish before I head off next May. I'm thinking of trying either Duolingo or Babbel !!!
Any thoughts on these or another online options.
I would say languages were never a strong topic in school so looking for something easy and fun!!!
Thanks in advance..
Hi all.. I want to start learning some basic Spanish before I head off next May. I'm thinking of trying either Duolingo or Babbel !!!
Any thoughts on these or another online options.
I would say languages were never a strong topic in school so looking for something easy and fun!!!
Thanks in advance..
The Unlimited Spanish podcast that I mentioned above is done by a Spaniard.Be aware that there are a few differences in the Spanish spoken in Spain and that in Latin America. Briefly: https://blog.esl-languages.com/blog...erences-latin-american-spanish-spanish-spain/
Duolingo is a good option for what the OP has asked for (to learn some basics).
But if I can add my two cents while I'm here, I would seriously doubt that anyone could attain fluency or even a decent intermediate level using Duolingo as their sole or primary form of study. Firstly, at a certain point you need to start speaking in the language - a lot - to get to where you're trying to get to. Secondly, Duolingo is mostly based on translation from your native language to your target one and vice versa, and anyone who has learned a language to a high level will tell you that the magic starts precisely when you stop translating.
For the input side of Spanish learning, the Notes in Spanish podcasts are great. There are three levels (Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced) and the audio is free, with worksheets available to purchase.
Understanding the local people is always difficult in any language because they speak much faster than in classroom.
The Spanish on the Frances in Castilla León is the closest to the normative one, because it was born in the Burgos/La Rioja area.
Finding a local Basque speaker in Navarra is very difficult (I didn´t find anyone). and they speak a good Spanish but with some accent.
The people in Galicia speak a quite good Spanish but with accent. Most of them also speak Galician which is a different language.
Spaniards are amused by my Spanish. They compliment me on the fact that I speak it pretty well, but they find it really amusing that I'm American, but speak with a Mexican accent. Coincidentally (??) I'm at the Atlanta airport right now, waiting to fly to Merida, Mexico (not Spain, alas). Feliz Navidad you all.I don’t worry about this too much. I’m a native French speaker and I also speak Dutch and English, and in every one of those languages there are some occasional word variations in the different countries that share them. It’s never a problem. Think of US English vs UK English...
I’m thinking that if I unwittingly use the occasional “Mexican Spanish” word when in Spain, it is very likely that the people I’m speaking to will know exactly what I mean, as that’s my experience with French/Dutch/English.
That is why one of the first phrases I learned was "habla mas despacio por favor..." I continue to use Duolingo with affect daily. It has become part of my daily ritual.
It actually works. I can then apologize in Spanish for my poor Spanish and try to continue with the conversation. That way, the Spanish person can see that I am trying and, hopefully, try to help me communicate better. That is how IMHO one learns... Just dive in.
Of course, living in South Florida the opportunity exists daily for me to exchange pleasantries and make light conversation with employees where I shop or service providers. Everything helps. Usually, when the realize I can speak Spanish...they are off to the races... Then I have to say "Whoa caballero (or caballera)...habla mas despacio por favor..." It usually works.
Hope this helps.
Please follow up by saying whether it is generally okay to use the informal. Maybe if you are in the gray hair age? I'm used to (like other employees) calling CEOs of Fortune 500 companies by their first names. Oh, yeah, once I greeted an officer with a "Hi Admiral" (though I was in civilian clothes.)This phrase with Caballero is: " Caballero hable mas despacio por favor" because is formal (Usted treatment).
Hi all.. I want to start learning some basic Spanish before I head off next May.
I've tried to watch this show a number of times over the years but it drives me nuts. I find it so boring. It seems like half the time nothing at all is being said. I did like the similar program for learning French.
A phrase including 'Caballero' is necessarily formal in Spanish. But you can say only 'Habla despacio por favor' that is informal but is ok.Please follow up by saying whether it is generally okay to use the informal. Maybe if you are in the gray hair age? I'm used to (like other employees) calling CEOs of Fortune 500 companies by their first names. Oh, yeah, once I greeted an officer with a "Hi Admiral" (though I was in civilian clothes.)
I have found the ed2go courses (https://www.ed2go.com/search?term=spanish) to be really good. Try the Speed Spanish level 1. It's online, fairly short, & inexpensive & I found ALL the spanish to be really practical & useful. The course instructor has a great sense of humour & the material is well organized. Although the focus is on Latin American Spanish, I found it just fine for surviving on the Camino.Hi all.. I want to start learning some basic Spanish before I head off next May. I'm thinking of trying either Duolingo or Babbel !!!
Any thoughts on these or another online options.
Probably even easier would be a simple "más despacio por favor"A phrase including 'Caballero' is necessarily formal in Spanish. But you can say only 'Habla despacio por favor' that is informal but is ok.
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