What's the best way to learn Spanish?

[karlhenning]

They're probably good for generally taking in info;  but for actual acquisition, and conversational use, there's no substitute for real-time practice.

[springrite]

Having lived in Los Angeles where Spanish is the unofficial official language, I do know some Spansish. But it is rusty. I am planning to learn some Spanish now so that Kimi can have a third language when she grows up. (Chinese and English will both be like her mother tongue, so Spanish will be the "foreign" language). My big advantage is having a young couple as neighbor who are both Chinese-Spanish translator. I chose Spanish mostly because I have them around. Otherwise it will probably be something else. Language is not an academic subject. It is a tool for communication. The only way to learn it is to use it.

[mn dave]

Maybe I'll move to AZ. 

[karlhenning]

Maybe I'll move to AZ. 

Senator McCain will take your call now, Dave.

[Diletante]

By the way, Dave, what is the main reason you would like to learn Spanish?

[mn dave]

By the way, Dave, what is the main reason you would like to learn Spanish?

After English, it's probably the most important language to know in the US, I'm thinking.

[ezodisy]

After English, it's probably the most important language to know in the US, I'm thinking.

You won't be saying that when they hand out your Chinese passport in three years time

[springrite]

After English, it's probably the most important language to know in the US, I'm thinking.

Exactly. But instead of "I will use it once I have learnt it", it should be "I will learn it by using it". Use it BEFORE you have mastered it.

I'd give Pedro a ride to his Seven Eleven shift and talk to him on the way. That beats the tape.

[mn dave]

The people who clean our building speak Spanish.

[karlhenning]

Exactly. But instead of "I will use it once I have learnt it", it should be "I will learn it by using it". Use it BEFORE you have mastered it.

Use is the path to mastery.

[mn dave]

okey-dokey. not sure how I'm gong to do that...

[Herman]

I am planning to learn some Spanish now so that Kimi can have a third language when she grows up. (Chinese and English will both be like her mother tongue, so Spanish will be the "foreign" language).

Don't be silly.

[mozartsneighbor]

My first languages are English and Portuguese. Since moving to Austria 1 year ago I have been working hard at that question of how best to learn a language (in this case German, in which I am approaching fluency now).
So my advice based on 1 year of being forced to learn a language fast:

-- the brain learns a lot of the language's structures, grammar, and sounds often through unconscious processes: so, listen to Spanish soap operas, radio, podcasts, etc. often even if you only get a small portion. Even if you feel you aren't learning anything your brain is actually doing work.

-- as others have said, practice often. To do that there a couple more options that haven't been mentioned yet: get a language exchange partner, either through internet or near where you live, who wants help learning english and offers his/her own help in spanish. The way this works is the two people will meet once or twice a week and 1 hour they will speak spanish and the other hour they will speak english. This is quite popular here in Europe. Maybe look on Craigslist or similar websites.

-- there's also another option: spanish conversation groups. I know in Washington DC, where I lived and where I attended a French conversation group, there were quite a few of these. Basically, many of the people who go are native speakers who want to connect with other native speakers, but there will also be a fair amount of people learning the language, who will be at different levels. You can practice with those near your level or above and also get some help from some of the nicer native speakers.

Hope this helps!

[DFO]

Cásense con una latina.

[mn dave]

Cásense con una latina.

Too late!

[mn dave]

My first languages are English and Portuguese. Since moving to Austria 1 year ago I have been working hard at that question of how best to learn a language (in this case German, in which I am approaching fluency now).
So my advice based on 1 year of being forced to learn a language fast:

-- the brain learns a lot of the language's structures, grammar, and sounds often through unconscious processes: so, listen to Spanish soap operas, radio, podcasts, etc. often even if you only get a small portion. Even if you feel you aren't learning anything your brain is actually doing work.

-- as others have said, practice often. To do that there a couple more options that haven't been mentioned yet: get a language exchange partner, either through internet or near where you live, that wants help learning english and offers his/her own help in spanish. The way this works is the two people will meet once or twice a week and 1 hour they will speak english and the other hour they will speak english. This is quite popular here in Europe. Maybe look on Craigslist or similar websites.

-- there's also another option: spanish conversation groups. I know in Washington DC, where I lived and where I attended a French conversation group, there were quite a few of these. Basically, many of the people who go are native speakers who want to connect with other native speakers, but there will also be a fair amount of people learning the language, who will be at different levels. You can practice with those near your level or above and also get some help from some of the nicer native speakers.

Hope this helps!

Thanks.

[XB-70 Valkyrie]

As someone who has studied both German and Spanish I can tell you that Spanish is about 1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000X easier than German. 

[DFO]

Maybe, if you only want to speak it, but to learn the rules of grammar and orthography
cant take you years. To write correctly in spanish is very difficult. Only the irregular verbs
can made you mad.

[mn dave]

Maybe, if you only want to speak it, but to learn the rules of grammar and orthography
cant take you years. To write correctly in spanish is very difficult. Only the irregular verbs
can made you mad.

It can't be more difficult than German! Can it? 

[karlhenning]

It can't be more difficult than German! Can it? 

Zere are NO irregular Cherman Ferps!