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Message
Learning a language for a trip
Posted on 12/23/22 at 9:59 am
Posted on 12/23/22 at 9:59 am
I have a wedding to go to in Mexico next fall. I can only speak a little spanish that I learned in high school and from working on construction sites or in public schools with a large immigrant population. I’d like to be more or less fluent by the time I go on this trip.
What are the best ways posters have used to learn a language before a trip? I’ve tried duolingo, but the free version was very frustrating.
What are the best ways posters have used to learn a language before a trip? I’ve tried duolingo, but the free version was very frustrating.
This post was edited on 12/23/22 at 10:01 am
Posted on 12/23/22 at 10:16 am to kingbob
I haven't had luck with duolingo or rosetta stone either.
what has worked for me is to turn on a spanish-language radio station or even something like telemundo on tv to get used to hearing the language.
for reading, get your hands on tabloids or simple publications written in spanish. those are usually written with a simple vocabulary and syntax. another option is to look for foreign-language nudie mags, which makes learning the language more appealing!
what has worked for me is to turn on a spanish-language radio station or even something like telemundo on tv to get used to hearing the language.
for reading, get your hands on tabloids or simple publications written in spanish. those are usually written with a simple vocabulary and syntax. another option is to look for foreign-language nudie mags, which makes learning the language more appealing!
Posted on 12/23/22 at 10:20 am to kingbob
I used duolingo and was able to learn how read French but never could speak it. Needed someone I could talk with and hear it plus practice saying it myself rather than repeating phrases.
Posted on 12/23/22 at 10:23 am to Bunsbert Montcroff
quote:
another option is to look for foreign-language nudie mags, which makes learning the language more appealing!
¡Solo lo leo por los artículos, lo juro!
Posted on 12/23/22 at 10:25 am to Falco
Yeah, I can already mostly read Spanish, but outside of a few phrases, I struggle to speak it or understand others speaking it.
Posted on 12/23/22 at 10:37 am to kingbob
quote:
¡Solo lo leo por los artículos, lo juro!
I spent a summer in Germany for a foreign-language class and we bought out the newsstands of the German-langauge Playboy. And we did, in fact, read the articles! Das Bild, a German tabloid was another favorite.
Posted on 12/23/22 at 11:00 am to kingbob
What about Babbel? I've never used it, but it gets promoted as a fast learning app. Radio ad talks about using and saying phrases to help you out.
Posted on 12/23/22 at 1:11 pm to GeauxGoose
Certainly not free which I hate they advertise it that way.
Posted on 12/23/22 at 1:13 pm to kingbob
My recommendations are varied from person to person, but generally, I like Duolingo for early phase, especially for someone starting from absolute 0 knowledge. It gives you a good base and simple enough understanding of grammar and syntax to enable personal learning by reading in later phases. Middle phase to me is listening/reading practice along with a big, difficult, structured vocab memorization plan. I like podcasts like “coffee break Spanish/German/French/etc” to practice listening, and for vocab memorization I recommend a spaced-repitition learning app like Anki (they basically hacked the brain and present you with vocab flash cards in a specific order/frequency to promote the best attainment of words). Late phase is speaking and more reading. This can be hard depending on the language because there may not be local speakers; you will have an easier time with Spanish than others of course. Good reading materials can be things like books you already know the gist of but that still will be fun and capture your attention (translated versions of Harry Potter are a learning tool for many).
Hope this helps
Hope this helps
Posted on 12/23/22 at 3:35 pm to kingbob
Besides Rosetta stone, Duolingo or Babbel, watch YouTube Videos.
This girl does great tutorials.
Link
At least develop some "go to phrases" to get you started. Write them down, or use some type of Notes app. I use Evernote to save my various "go to phrases" for the various countries I've been to. Nothing like being able to order rakia in Serbian to someone on a cruise that's from there at the bar. Their faces! You da man thereafter.
Nothing beats practicing. There are online tutors you can hire to talk to online. Check out Italki!
Seriously, if you want to learn you have to practice. And it's ok to drop some coin on some of these apps or sites if it's something you want to do. Free stuff only gets you so far.
This girl does great tutorials.
Link
At least develop some "go to phrases" to get you started. Write them down, or use some type of Notes app. I use Evernote to save my various "go to phrases" for the various countries I've been to. Nothing like being able to order rakia in Serbian to someone on a cruise that's from there at the bar. Their faces! You da man thereafter.
Nothing beats practicing. There are online tutors you can hire to talk to online. Check out Italki!
Seriously, if you want to learn you have to practice. And it's ok to drop some coin on some of these apps or sites if it's something you want to do. Free stuff only gets you so far.
This post was edited on 12/23/22 at 3:38 pm
Posted on 12/23/22 at 3:47 pm to Nole Man
I’m willing to spend a little money, I just want to make sure before I do that I’m putting that money into something highly likely to work for me.
Posted on 12/24/22 at 6:22 am to kingbob
I used to travel to Mexico a good deal about 30 - 40 years ago. Almost every person who lives in Mexico can speak English. If you attempt to speak Spanish to them, they will speak English to you. I would struggle for a bit, then ask in Spanish if they spoke English.
I would always stumble through speaking Spanish and we would all get a good laugh. With the tiny bit of Spanish I knew, I got everything I wanted. The only time I had a problem was when we drove into the remote areas where some people still only spoke Mayan. Then we were screwed.
I would always stumble through speaking Spanish and we would all get a good laugh. With the tiny bit of Spanish I knew, I got everything I wanted. The only time I had a problem was when we drove into the remote areas where some people still only spoke Mayan. Then we were screwed.
Posted on 12/24/22 at 9:45 am to kingbob
Our housekeeper who speaks very little English has a translation app on her phone. She speaks into in Spanish and we get an English translation on the screen. (and visa versa)
Posted on 12/24/22 at 12:30 pm to kingbob
Get a Language app
Learn the basics….. i speak only the basics French German Spanish and have no problem
In the Country side it is a little harder as they do not speak English, this is where the Translator comes in handy
6 Continents
42 Countries
38 States
Posted on 12/24/22 at 3:20 pm to namvet6566
Yeah, my cousin’s fiancé is from a rural town in the countryside, so I’m not expecting there to be hardly anyone there that speaks English. I feel like I really need to know how to speak the language
This post was edited on 12/24/22 at 3:20 pm
Posted on 12/26/22 at 12:51 pm to kingbob
I used pimsleur cds from the library to learn the pronunciation, syllabic emphasis, and tonality/rhythm of languages. And that was very helpful.
As for learning tools, I still prefer assimil. Audio cds and book to work through reading and hearing and linking the two.
You'll still think in English and have to convert to the new language. But picking up an ear for what they are saying and practicing active pronunciation are the biggest hurdles.
As for learning tools, I still prefer assimil. Audio cds and book to work through reading and hearing and linking the two.
You'll still think in English and have to convert to the new language. But picking up an ear for what they are saying and practicing active pronunciation are the biggest hurdles.
Posted on 12/26/22 at 2:44 pm to kingbob
Preply.com is helpful. You pick a tutor, each has a different price (affordable, $10-15/hour for the language I was learning) and FaceTime with an instructor. If you don’t like that instructor, you can always pick up with another. They all have reviews. I did really well with Duolingo, but as others have mentioned it’s difficult to speak it this way. I would def recommend Duolingo as adjunct; it’s free and helps with vocabulary.
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