Hi!

I just saw this site, AWESOME!

For someone that did Spanish in High School (now 52, so you know I have forgotten ALOT/lol) - what would you recommend as far as "understanding" Spanich conversations?

I can figure out quite a bit as alot of Spanish words look like English, but when they get to talking, other than senor, I am lost.

Thanks!

Hi, Angela!

Thanks! And... maybe the best way to understand Spanish is listening! If you have the chance, listen to Spanish soap-operas, or Spanish music, films, etc...

Grammar is very, very important, yes. But you can learn a lot and, when ready to have your first conversation in Spanish, you won't probably understand much!

So my recommendation is listening as much as possible. And, there are some free sources on the net where you can listen and read at the same time. Similar to You-tube videos with subtitles in Spanish.

Anyway, if any reader knows more about this, feel free to post it here!

Best, Angela, and, by the way, good work with your site!

Speaking Spanish can also give you a lot more opportunities if you travel to a Spanish speaking country. Having goals and motivation are vital, and now you need the right method to fulfill their desire to learn Spanish quickly. Even with the goals and motivation. There are two notable Spanish courses available online, which are effective and come at a price. These courses offer good quality tutorials and innovative learning methods.

�Hola, Angela!

Yes, I know what you mean. We can learn the grammar, but when you have to put into practice... �Ay!

I wrote an article about free online resources where you could find a partner to practice. Here's the link:
Find Online Spanish Language Partners!

Hope it helps!

Thanks Angeles

You're welcome! Or... �De nada!

Hola Angeles. My parish is 50% Hispanic. You would think I would have many opportunities to speak Spanish. Other than Hola, Com� �sta, y muy bi�n I don't know how to continue

I can't seem to get the accent right. My latin friends mostly just laugh when I try to say something in Spanish.

�Hola Angie!! �C�mo est�s?

Well, that's logical! :-) But don't worry. I guess it is just a question of time. Anyway, I heard that in some communities English speakers offer themselves to teach English to Spanish speakers. Maybe you could find someone needing some help with his/her English!

And, apart from saying "hello" or "how are you", try to start a short conversation, something like "What a sunny day! (�Qu� d�a m�s soleado"), or just asking "What time is it?" )�Qu� hora es, por favor?)

Maybe short questions or comments about the weather, or whatever you have in mind could help.

Anyway, any comments about this, and how to start some conversation, from someone who had already this situation will be welcome!

We'll waiting for your experiences!!

Hi, lovely_rita!

How are you?

When you say "to get the accent right", are you talking about pronunciation? Or maybe it�s because your Spanish sounds to much "English"?

Hey Angeles:

How do you get those "accent" marks and other Spanish characters in your posts?

And you probably stated this, but excuse me for asking - late to this forum and too lazy to go back and read stuff/lol - did you learn Spanish as a "first" or "second" language?

Thanks,

Hi, Angela,

All these accents �, �,... and these �! and �?, I can type them as I am using a Spanish keyboard.

If you are using an English one and want to type them, here's some info:
How to Type Spanish Keyboard Symbols

(Please, let us know if it worked for you.)

And, about your last question, don't worry, no problem. I can tell you I was born and live in Spain, so I'm a Spanish native language or... Native Spanish language?? LOL :-)

(I'm always joking about this, as from the point of view of a Spanish speaker, it is somehow difficult to understand how to place those words in the correct place!)

I started studying English when I was 14, on my own, as at that time, the only language taught at school was French.

Ah! If I had this wonderful internet to study English when a was a student!!
So, my first language is Spanish.

�Hasta pronto!

Yes, I have my little cheat sheet next to the keyboard. It works great!

Thanks AnneE & Welcome to the forum, I see you are NEW

Hi Angeles, thanks for the feedback and I am so impressed with your English. I did BOTH Spanish & French in high school (now 52) and wished I had paid attention Yes, I aced both finals, but really did not care to learn. I remember my French teacher and her showing us the importance of "tongue" placement. She was good and really old. Wish I could remember her name.

Hmmm, "cheat sheet" Angie Hey, whatever it takes... By the way, if you don't mind me asking - is Angie short for Angela? Reason for asking - I have some folks that call me Angie

Hey! My boss, at the office, also calls me "Angie"!! But he's Spanish! It could also be, somehow, the short form for "�ngeles"!

Yes, that's really interesting!

Here in Spain, we have "Pepe" for "Jos�" (Joseph), or "Fina" for "Josefina" (Josephine).

The funniest thing about my name (my complete name is "Mar�a de los �ngeles") is that it has a lot of variations: Mar�a, Mari, Mari�ngeles, Angelines, �ngeles, Mari�n... So you can choose! LOL

That's maybe because it is a very long name. The reason for that "Mar�a" is that I was born during the dictatorial period, with Francisco Franco as the dictator during those years. And it was a -let's call it "oblitation"- to name a girl using always "Mar�a", and then, any name. For example: Mar�a de la Encarnaci�n, Mar�a del Carmen, Mar�a del Mar, etc...

Nowadays, it is different. You can name your daughter without that "Mar�a", it is totally optional. :-)

Hi Angeles, thanks for the awesome information I have always been fascinated with how the Spanish do their names...

Same happens to me, talking about how names -proper names- are used in English speaking countries.

And something people in Spain do not understand... first: Why women "loose" their name when they get married?

And second: Why people in English speaking countries- or, at least, in US and UK, do only have one name. I mean, my complete name is Mar�a de los �ngeles Fern�ndez Ram�rez (Fernandez is my father's name and Ramirez my mother's name).

As you can see, every country/culture has their own peculiarities but, from my point of view, that's what make us all interesting!

Wow! Really interesting! So, you can "keep" both!

Thanks for the info!

It's all about immersion. Immerse yourself in an environment where you are surrounded by Spanish speakers. You will likely suffer the first six months to a year, but after that you'll be a natural.