Learnng a foreign langauge

[notorious]

I am seeking input on what would be the best way to learn a foreign language, in my case Spanish.

I listen to the radio all day while working, and I figure I might as well make that time productive in another way.

I would also love an interactive app or entire program that will work over an Ipad, computer, etc.

In addition, I plan to attend local classes for direct interaction.


Any input is welcome. Gracias.

[scho63]

Originally Posted by TLO

I wonder what a private tutor would cost these days?

I think in MANY larger areas and certainly in 99% of cities, you can find a private Spanish teacher for $15-$20 an hour.

[notorious]

Originally Posted by TLO

My fear on dropping that kind of money is that I'll use it for 2 weeks, get bored of it, then never use it again.

I am fortunate to own my own businesses. I can use my time however I need within reason.

[scho63]

Originally Posted by TLO

Also- how long did it take you to get a solid grasp on the language?

It took me TWO WEEKS just to get the four tones correct; flat tone, rising tone, diphthong, and drop tone. ( ba - ) ( ba / ) ( ba\/ ) ( ba\ )

They mean four differen things; the number 8, pulling out a root, father, target

I needed a tape recorder to finally realize I was doing it wrong.

The teacher was from Taiwan and she was very good and patient. I took lessons through the language institute in Red Bank NJ and then I took additional lessons in San Francisco with a private tutor that was a retired teacher of Chinese.

My break through came when I pictured my voice traveling down the highway and the tone would reflect the change in the level of the road. It was a weird way I was finally able to breakthrough and get it but it worked.

I took 4 years and was pretty damn good. I read, write and speak it at a level 4-5 of 10.

Originally Posted by PunkinDrublic

I'm in Shenzhen, China taking a sabbatical for a year and teaching English. Chiefsplanet, totally comes in uncensored btw. I started taking Mandarin lessons recently. It's frustrating as hell trying to learn.

TRY THIS:
"My break through came when I pictured my voice traveling down the highway and the tone would reflect the change in the level of the road. It was a weird way I was finally able to breakthrough and get it but it worked."

Originally Posted by Eureka

My girlfriend speaks Cantonese and she is trying to teach me a few things. That is one tough language to learn. One slight off pronunciation and it means something totally different. Good luck!

If you learn Cantonese you are one smart SOB!

Mandarin is very hard but Cantonese is like trying to speak Martian, it is so ****ing hard with 8 tones compared to 4 in Mandarin! Some of the tones are only throat sounds like trying to pronounce the name Ng. Also Cantonese have a habit of end all their sentences when speaking with a rising pitch.

Lot's of luck with that!

[Line Judge]

I am enclosing a link to a website where you can download the complete Spanish course by the United States State department. It is used for their diplomats et. al. to learn foreign languages. It is free. It has hundreds of hours of oral lessons and drills in mp3 format. It also has the books that go with it in pdf format. I use another link for French and it is excellent. It makes you learn to talk fast because the time after the instructor speaks until you answer is short.
The way I use it is to burn the mp3 files on a DVD (or several CDs if DVDs will not work for you). I play it in my car and practice while I drive. I read the written lesson first so that I know what they are talking about.
There is nothing better. You can thank Line Judge when it works for you. Cut and paste this because I do not trust planet's underline system.
https://fsi-languages.yojik.eu/langu...ish-basic.html

[notorious]

Dude, you are awesome!

[TLO]

Originally Posted by Line Judge

I am enclosing a link to a website where you can download the complete Spanish course by the United States State department. It is used for their diplomats et. al. to learn foreign languages. It is free. It has hundreds of hours of oral lessons and drills in mp3 format. It also has the books that go with it in pdf format. I use another link for French and it is excellent. It makes you learn to talk fast because the time after the instructor speaks until you answer is short.
The way I use it is to burn the mp3 files on a DVD (or several CDs if DVDs will not work for you). I play it in my car and practice while I drive. I read the written lesson first so that I know what they are talking about.
There is nothing better. You can thank Line Judge when it works for you. Cut and paste this because I do not trust planet's underline system.
https://fsi-languages.yojik.eu/langu...ish-basic.html

Wow. Thank you so much for this!

[scho63]

Originally Posted by Line Judge

I am enclosing a link to a website where you can download the complete Spanish course by the United States State department.

Most important question: Do they teach you all the curse words?

[11Chiefs]

Originally Posted by Line Judge

I am enclosing a link to a website where you can download the complete Spanish course by the United States State department. It is used for their diplomats et. al. to learn foreign languages. It is free. It has hundreds of hours of oral lessons and drills in mp3 format. It also has the books that go with it in pdf format. I use another link for French and it is excellent. It makes you learn to talk fast because the time after the instructor speaks until you answer is short.
The way I use it is to burn the mp3 files on a DVD (or several CDs if DVDs will not work for you). I play it in my car and practice while I drive. I read the written lesson first so that I know what they are talking about.
There is nothing better. You can thank Line Judge when it works for you. Cut and paste this because I do not trust planet's underline system.
https://fsi-languages.yojik.eu/langu...ish-basic.html

This is a treasure trove. I went to the home page and there are additional language studies from other government agencies. THANKS!