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I’ve been using Duolingo but am fed up of learning about Apples, and it doesn’t seem to be lending itself to tourist specific food ordering protocols. 🙂
Whats recommended?
[URL= https://www.youtube.com/user/learnspanishvideos ]Spanish With Paul [/URL]
2h/wk with a private tutor if you're serious. Then look for an intercambio (single or group) to practice with, and read - a lot. Learning how to ask for something in a shop isn't much use without listening comprehension - conversation is not usually one way and ime it was the hardest part. I skipped the tutor part but then I moved to the country and joined a Saturday chaingang etc. It took me about 4 years before I felt like I really had a handle on it.
Memrise?
Yo queiro una manzana!
If you haven’t got past the apples on Duolingo, you’ve not really left first base. Stick at it and see how far you can keep it going. Once you’ve got to 50% ‘fluent’ you might want to expand into other methods.
Alternately, try Pimsleurs. I use it for Ukrainian, and it is superb. And that’s coming from someone who has used a lot of different programs.
easyjet/ryanair app. Get yourself a flight to spain regularly..
"Beginner's Spanish: Food and Drink" sounds like the sort of thing you're after. 6 hours, free from the OU.
I’ve been using Coffee Break French just to get some French into my head for summer holidays. But more for listening so I can understand something when it’s spoken back to me. It’s quite good for a freebie. I see they do a Spanish version too. Look it up on your podcast app.
Thanks Johnners and DD. I'm a bit lighthearted in my post, but we're quite taken with Menorca and I'd quite like to politely address the locals. Plus I have Spanish friends in the UK and would like to be a more involved in the bars/restaurants we frequent.
You might want to get on it sooner rather than later - IIRC from CBF, season 1 was mainly words and phrases - and it didn’t get into the bones of things till season 2 - but I haven’t tried the Spanish version.
coffee break spanish is decent, aye.
The Language Transfer website is well worth a look, they’ve produced a range of free language courses including one for Spanish, which you can download.
Its similar to the Michel Thomas but uses their ‘Thinking Method’ – I really enjoyed their approach and it made more sense to me than any other language lesson/resource I’ve tried in the past.
http://www.languagetransfer.org/complete-spanish
May sound obvious but i find if u correct yoir spanish friends in a v polite way then they will reciprocate. Normally day to day if you make a mistake no one says anything. Also, i find whatsapp helps, just keep trying.
In my case 3 non-English speaking Spanish girlfriends soon sorted my language out. Last one has stuck around for 20 years or so, so there is a risk to this approach. YMMV.
so there is a risk to this approach
I suspect my wife would agree.
Move in to a farmhouse with an old Spanish couple who don't speak a word of English and you'll soon pick up the lingo. And as a bonus, work with the old farmer a bit and you will learn how to say rude words in a convincing local accent with gusto. 🙂