learning new language

[Miranda]

Does anyone have any experience with the Rosetta Stone products for learning a new language?

http://www.borders.com/online/store/...sku=1603916709

In my xmas cyber email coupons, I have one for their system. I'm considering investing in some tools to help achieve the goal of learning a second language (spanish).

I don't really have a die hard reason or need to do it. Other than I have always wanted to, and I think being bi-lingual would be a great life skill. Though, I do have some latino students in my classes at the gym, and acquaints, that I would really love to be able to communicate with better.

Any other thoughts on how to achieve this goal would be much appreciated.

TYIA
Miranda

[badgercat]

I don't have any experience with Rosetta Stone, but http://www.spanishdict.com/ is a nice resource. They have video lessons (which can also be downloaded as podcasts through iTunes and watched that way), flash card vocab drills, forums, etc. I took my first Spanish class of my life this semester and the video lessons really helped solidify the grammar concepts and stuff. And it's all free.

[shootingstar]

Have you checked out at a large local public library branch to see if they have any audio/video learning materials on Spanish? Of course, not all libraries will have this.

the fact that you are considering Rosetta STone for self-teaching, means that evening or part-time Spanish course doesn't fit your schedule? Really do think at some point (maybe after using some freebie audio/video learning aids) to enroll in a course for face-to-face classroom / group learning.

Language learning is a living thing..in the beginning it begs to be experienced directly with other people when one is learning a new language..and another culture "behind' the language in its words.

Or maybe you might discover you have a natural gift for learning another language more quickly than others. Hard to know unless you place yourself face-to-face.

Before I got tested for my French language fluency (or more notably, largely lack of), I signed out and used some audiovisual, reading materials from public library. Very helpful. It had been over 25 years since I used much of any French. But the learning aids refreshed my memory that I passed the basic reading comprehension test (really, that's primary school level), but flunked the written test. It was a 3-hr. test.

[Miranda]

...but http://www.spanishdict.com/ is a nice resource. They have video lessons (which can also be downloaded as podcasts through iTunes and watched that way), flash card vocab drills, forums, etc. And it's all free.

Thx for that link. I added it to my favorites bar. Free is good, yea.

Have you checked out at a large local public library branch to see if they have any audio/video learning materials on Spanish?
...that evening or part-time Spanish course doesn't fit your schedule?

Appreciate that help. Have not been to the library yet. On my list. As well as what might fit into my schedule for a course, and cost etc. I know what you mean about the language in use too. Next time I see one of my gym aquaints that's latino & very fluent in English as well, I am going to ask what she suggests. Maybe she could help with giving me some spanish speaking time when I see her to work out.

[Biciclista]

learning language, really learning it is a huge commitment. Rosetta stone is definitely something that can help you on your way. good luck.

[shootingstar]

I know what you mean about the language in use too. Next time I see one of my gym aquaints that's latino & very fluent in English as well, I am going to ask what she suggests. Maybe she could help with giving me some spanish speaking time when I see her to work out.

She would probably be pleased to help, to at least converse at length. It would be more fun for reinforcing whatever you learn from learning aids. Are there any Spanish language tv or radio shows/stations that you might already have?

For highly motivated, folks to retain their language or feel more comfortable, at least here in Canada, there are 24-hr./ 7 day dedicated tv channel and radio station for news and all shows in French.

I learned not only French as required by any Canadian child, I learned English starting from kindergarten. Even though I was born and raised in Canada. And I was a child..when the brain is more absorptive. It was hard enough since language is totally different from Chinese.

[malkin]

Rosetta Stone is decent pedagogy.

There's no magic to learning language; it's something that humans do.

You need exposure to the language; "comprehensible input" is a nice googleable term

When you learned your first language, you had a caregiver who talked to you as you learned what was what. If you had that again in another language, you could gain proficiency, but that level of input is hard to fit into a normal life.

[shootingstar]

Rosetta Stone is decent pedagogy.

There's no magic to learning language; it's something that humans do.

You need exposure to the language; "comprehensible input" is a nice googleable term

When you learned your first language, you had a caregiver who talked to you as you learned what was what. If you had that again in another language, you could gain proficiency, but that level of input is hard to fit into a normal life.

Yes, how much a child absorbs from caregiver(s). Just amazing how a child under 4, can juggle 2 verbal languages. Brain is an open, fast-growing miracle at that time in life.

Later, some people do seem to have a natural gift to learn a 2nd or 3rd language more easily than other people.