My Spanish is poor.

[jpflavin1]

I have been trying to learn Spanish with Rosetta stone and honestly have not been too successful. Are there 15 to 20 key sentences that I should/could focus on to make communication easier?

Joe Flavin

 

[sillydoll]

Here is a pilgrim specific list of English/Spanish words and phrases we use at our workshops.

 

[jpflavin1]

Thanks.

This is exactly the type of stuff I was looking for. Just to make sure I opened it correctly there are two pages.
Do you run specific workshops for Pilgrims? What other topics do you cover?

Joe

 

[sillydoll]

Most confraternities around the world run practical workshops on an annual basis. The American Gathering is this month, the CSJ of UK had theirs a few weeks ago, the CSJ of SA have them in Cape Town, George, Durban and Johannesburg in March each year.
We cover how to get to your start and home again, what to pack (demo of male and female back pack) what to budget, accommodation, etiquett on the camino etc.
Here are a couple of extra handout papers that we gave at our workshop in Durban.

 

[JohnT]

Brilliant help thanks very much

Buen Camino

JohnT

 

[jpflavin1]

Sil:

This information has been great. In particular the Spanish and etiquette. I am leaving Chicago on March 22nd, starting on my Camino from SJPdP on MARCH 25th. My only real concerns have been weather and Language. You helped me fill in one of those gaps.

Thank you
Joe

 

[Dzyduck87]

I found some of the etiquette really helpful and some of it obviously bitter and biased. I snore when I'm exhausted, I sure as heck am not going to drink less wine. Lol

 

[Stellere]

Rosetta Stone is bad. Honestly. Unless you have years to learn, and you're just using it as a supplement anyway, it won't help you speak a language.

Look for the Pimsleur CDs in your local library. I think they're very useful (if terribly overpriced - hence the library suggestion.)

You can also google "Coffee Break Spanish" for a fun and easy free Spanish podcast that teaches basic travel phrases.

Have fun!

 

[CaminoKris2013]

Rosetta Stone is bad. Honestly. Unless you have years to learn, and you're just using it as a supplement anyway, it won't help you speak a language.

Look for the Pimsleur CDs in your local library. I think they're very useful (if terribly overpriced - hence the library suggestion.)

You can also google "Coffee Break Spanish" for a fun and easy free Spanish podcast that teaches basic travel phrases.

Have fun!

I love pimsleur! I only did the first 30 lessons, but find that my comprehension has increased significantly.


Sent from my iPhone using Camino de Santiago Forum

 

[ivar]

Have a look at
https://www.duolingo.com/

I am trying to learn some French and this makes it fun.

Ivar

 

[november_moon]

Check out the Jiffy Phrasebook:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0887299504/?tag=casaivar02-20

I have one for German that I use when traveling in German-speaking countries because my German is pretty bad I find it immensely helpful because it is organized by situation - at the restaurant, at the pharmacy, at the hotel, etc. It has vocabulary as well as phrases and sentences to use. So, I just open it to the section that I need and go from there. It really helps me make the most of the miniscule amount of German that I do know. I am sure it will be the same for Spanish.

 

[Felipe]

Here is a pilgrim specific list of English/Spanish words and phrases we use at our workshops.

A couple of friendly corrections to this good document:

Is the refuge donativo? ¿Está el refugio donativo?
Better: ¿El refugio es de donativo? (“to be” is translated with two differents verbs “ser” and “estar”, it is a bit tricky).

Where is the toilet? ¿dónde está el baño?
In Spain, toilet is “servicio”. “Baño” is for shower. This may vary in different countries.

I congratulate you for your interest in Spanish. I know firsthand how it feels being in a country where you don't master the language...last year I went to the jakobsweg, and I am sure I did a lot of alternatively funny or embarrasing mistakes with my German. But everybody was patient and kind to me.

 

[november_moon]

When traveling in Spain, I usually have some fun exchanges due to the differences between Mexican Spanish and Spanish Spanish. Banos vs Servicios being one of them The differences result in some smiles and chuckles, and occasionally some confusion, but it gets worked out. Like Felipe says, most people cut you a lot of slack for your efforts. You just have to be willing to try and willing to laugh at your own mistakes.

 

[ChristineW67]

I have been trying to learn Spanish with Rosetta stone and honestly have not been too successful. Are there 15 to 20 key sentences that I should/could focus on to make communication easier?

Joe Flavin

Hi Joe,

I too struggle with Rosetta Stone. For me, its just boring. I switched to the Pimsleur Approach and like it much better. I use the mp3 edition on my iphone, so I practice on the go when I'm driving or walking. I also like it because you can get a free lesson to try and you can purchase a few lessons at a time to see if you can stick with it. This is way less risky than purchasing an expensive program. I'm on my 3rd month of consistent use and my Spanish is really improving. Before, I could order a beer, ask for directions to the bathroom, and muddle through a few other survival needs. I'm walking in mid-June, and I hope to be able to hold small conversations and make purchases without asking for the price to be written down. Numbers are hard for me to remember for some reason.

Good luck,
Christine

 

[newfydog]

Go to Verbal Planet or Myngle and get set up with one on one lessons on video skype. it is far more useful than any book or tape, just dive in with a teacher and start talking.