Getting to grips with the language

suecatt

New Member
There seems to be an awful of options as to how to learn the language as regards cds, books etc. Can anyone recommend a particular product?

We have been researching a move to Ibiza for the last few years but now things look like they are going to happen and we want to really get down to learning the language.
 
i think michel thomas is one of the best starting points. no books, no homework, etc, etc. just listening and speaking confidence that should give you a good base.

wish i'd done that when i was starting.
 
How much do you know about the Spanish one ? A friend used the French Michael Thomas and to be perfectly frank the guy has a strong accent and is definitely not a native French speaker, even if grammer and vocab are correct... Not really what you want to be copying.

Is it the same on the Spanish version ? I am interested in learning and don't want to have that problem !!
 
How much do you know about the Spanish one ? A friend used the French Michael Thomas and to be perfectly frank the guy has a strong accent and is definitely not a native French speaker, even if grammer and vocab are correct... Not really what you want to be copying.

Is it the same on the Spanish version ? I am interested in learning and don't want to have that problem !!

i'd say that having listened to the beginner cds (looking back not as a beginner), his pronunciation is fine but it his explanation of it which is most important. e.g. about where to stress, the slight difference in similar sounds, etc, etc

i did 4 years of evening classes before somebody told me some of the key points on pronunciation.
 
I have learned both French and Spanish using Michel Thomas. He is very good and his system of learning is excellent. However he isn't a miracle worker. Once you have the basics you need to get out and speak to people in their own language its the only way to improve your grammar and vocabulary. I found that the biggest problem here is that compared to the mainland and S. Americas the accents are very strong and the locals are impatient; so that if you don't get it the first time they start speaking to you in English - one of the disadvantages of living in a tourist resort :)

Having said all that; a learning method that is right for one person may not be right for another. The only way to know for sure is to explore the options; take lessons, buy the CDs, until you find what is right for you.
 
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