BellaOnline Forums Education Spanish Language Muzzy?

Angeles - what do you think of Muzzy (the BBC language series for children)? I think Rosetta Stone is probably too advanced for children. We have several "coversational" classes offered locally; but, they're problematic as the version of Spanish is more Tex-Mex instead of true Spanish.

Our language teachers here are Latino based also. Even Spanishpod.com emphasizes the Latino pronounciations.

Pronunciations aren't an issue. It's the idiomatic nature of the language instruction that's problematic. If my children are going to learn to speak another language, my goal is for them to pick up at least proper syntax/grammar as opposed to slang.

I think you need to learn both: to speak and be corrected as you go along - just as we did when we were learning English. How often did Mom or Dad or teacher correct us when we used improper grammar? We need to just use it.

�Hola Lynn!

Well, to tell you the truth, this is the first time I hear about Muzzy! But yes, I think you're right about Rosetta Stone.

About those conversational classes, we should first understand what's "true Spanish"... aha! A lot of people think true Spanish is the language spoken here, in Spain. Spanish language was born here, in Spain. In fact, I live in Castilla y Le�n, the "region" that gave its name (Castellano) to what we call Spanish.

But, from my point of view, the Spanish language spoken in Mexico or Argentina is as "Spanish" and as good as the one spoken in Spain. There are variations in vocabulary, expressions or accent (pronunciation). But the real thing is that I can have a conversation with someone fron any Spanish speaking country and we'll understand each other.

When you said those classes are "problematic", is that because the Spanish from the Spanish course they have used is different from the one used in the conversational classes?

I think the first step is making them understand and learn Spanish grammar and syntax. And, from that point, after having a solid knowledge, you can practice and learn there are variations, slang...

Because, in real life, they may be involved in a conversation where somebody will use colloquial expressions, slang or vocabulary they were not taugh by a teacher, in a grammar class.

So, both things are important, but I'd put some order: first, grammar, then, go and learn how people talk "in the street".

Most of my online students who come to me with a medium / advanced knowledge of Spanish grammar just what to jump to their next step: practice! conversation! So, about your children... Why not to keep on having those conversational classes? But.. at the same time, be careful to make them first undestand what's right or wrong from a gramatical point of view.

For example, it's soooo common the colloquial "-ao" ending in past participles, when, from a correct point of view, they must end in "-ado"! (He hablao / He hablado)

I agree with you, Angie.

Both are important, but maybe the problem, is that when you study a language (grammar, etc...) you are taugh some concrete expressions from a concrete country or region, but when you put that in practice... It doesn't work! Why Angeles says "coche" when the word "carro" is so common in America?? (for example) :-)

En mi clase, la professora no usa carro. Usa Coche per dijo carro esta utiliza mucho. La professora es de Colombia.

�Oh, bien! �Ves? Asi que "coche" tambi�n se utiliza en Colombia. (�Yo no lo sab�a!)

(Oh good! You see? So "coche" is also a word used in Colombia. (I didn't know that!)) :-)

By the way, here we have another -small- difference: I typed "�Ves?", using the informal 2nd persona singular (t�), but in some countries, they would have said: "�Ve?" using the formal form (usted).

But... I have to say, when I talk with people from other Spanish speaking countries, they may use vocabulary I had never heard before. So I just ask them about that word I didn't undestand. And those would be the only "problems" I may have (we may have) in Spanish communication.