what do you guys think is the best way for a spanish class to work with a non speaker

[captainofship1]

I started going to a spanish class. I have the classes for five days. It's a very small group. We started of going into verb -noun agreements the first day. I was wondering if anyone thought that was much to quick for a non speaker. I can write my thoughts out at times, and also speak to those who speak a little english (and try to get by with spanish taxi drivers etc)

I am just wondering how people think you should learn spanish, especially when a person has tremendous difficulty listening or speaking. The whole class is spoken in spanish, and I have trouble even explaining what I don't understand. I would say I don't understand over 90 % of what is said or written on the board (and that includes words that were used in previous lessons.

I recognize most people should have spanish classes for a much longer period of time. I guess my question is, does anyone think that spanish schools should start from a the absolute basics when a learner has a limited amount of time? The lady sometimes tells me the words in englush, but ends up getting upset that I am trying to remember the words meaning in english.

I didnt spell check this post, so there may be some glaring grammatical errors.

 

[Chuck T]

captain, I have tried classes in both german and spanish and now I use a CD learning program for spanish and find it much more comprehensive and that combined with being around spanish speaking people works beat for me.

 

[captainofship1]

Ok thanks. There's nothing wrong with being challenged. I just feel awkward trying to tell the lady I don't have a clue what she's saying or writing and she in turn gets upset I'm not remembering things in spanish. I think I'm in the wrong boat (The class should be a multi-week or multi month program especially for beginners)

Maybe Ill look into your cd method. i also have learned through communicating with spanish speakers, but my abilities are situation and not well rounded. For instance I can describe myself and order a taxi, but I don't know how to say pretty much any number past 5.

 

[Anastacio]

I defo think you need classes of some description. I picked up just by ear and have massive problems reading and writing in Spanish, but I can carry out a conversation using quite a bit of street slang, but I do suffer when it comes to formal speak. I'd have preferred to have gone to classes, but it is a bit late now, so many bad habits it would be like learning a new language, and i can't be bothered. My new method will be learning as my daughter learns from scratch over 4 or 5 years.

You need time to absorb though, don't over do it or it is pointless, you need time to go into the real world and test out what you have picked up

I also hear CD is the way to go.

 

[MaineGirl]

Here is a comprehensive list of free learning sites. I can vouch for them! My favorite is learning through music, Zambombazo, the site is so amazing. It's at the end of the list.

https://sites.google.com/site/maineworldlanguages/

 

[sharkstooth777]

That's a good website MaineGirl. I have numerous programs and literature, but it never hurts to have more resources to choose from. Thanks Don

 

[jrjrth]

First a disclosure statement
~Not selling it, nor do I work for them~lol

Rosetto Stone is the Best CD for learning spanish IMO.....repetativeness always worked well for me....it is expensive and they do have knock offs of it, but I overall think its the best....

Being around spanish speaking people helps tremedously, however you do pick up the slang before the proper language that way.

 

[Chuck T]

captain, your easy out is find another girl friend. lol

 

[pularvik]

I am doing rosetta stone level one now and the hardest thing is not to think in English then translate to Spanish. The software is arranged such that you just do Spanish. Pictures help you to recognize what the object is or is doing and you learn to say the spanish to describe it. It is the 'Latin American" version but I recognize that when I get to Cabrera in October they will no doubt not understand me. Still, I will have the basic vocabulary and grammar and am hoping that I can progress from there.

 

[MaineGirl]

That's a good website MaineGirl. I have numerous programs and literature, but it never hurts to have more resources to choose from. Thanks Don

Thank you, I made it myself. The sites were curated by my research cohort, of which I was the team lead. A lot of amazing stuff out there. We aligned them to the Maine learning results but they are good for anyone, anywhere, wanting to learn.

 

[Chuck T]

Thank you, I made it myself. The sites were curated by my research cohort, of which I was the team lead. A lot of amazing stuff out there. We aligned them to the Maine learning results but they are good for anyone, anywhere, wanting to learn.

I gotta check that out tomorrow, sounds like good stuff