Sleeper, I came to the US not speaking the language well at all. Total immersion! Worked great. LOL

But, if you ask those that met me, they will attest, that I even now, after 41 years, I still have an accent. :)

Moni

I've had no experience with this (yet), but my library offers access to MangoLanguages.com, and I've heard good things about it.

I've noticed the Rosetta Stone reviews on Amazon aren't very good.

Moni, I know that's the best way to learn but not an option. (I want to learn German, by the way). Maybe total immersion will work after I retire and can go that route.

Alisande, great idea. I'll check and see what the local library offers. I also saw the reviews for Rosetta on Amazon and also noticed how expensive is.

Some one asked the same question 2 months ago on the Home Decorating forum - I posted the link below.

There were several suggestions that you might find interesting - including an app for a smart phone, online courses from a university, and several posters recommended Duolingo.

Hope it helps,
Maire

Here is a link that might be useful: Decorating forum - off topic

My stepson bought Rosetta Stone to learn Spanish, when he was in h.s. - we paid $600 for the set, but he used them very little - he learned by spending time with a book and flash cards.

Thanks, Maire Cate, for the link. Some great info. I think I will give duolingo a try and check ebay.

Back in the spring I mentioned to my visiting FIL that I wanted to learn spanish. He sent me this from amazon for xmas-Living Language Spanish, Complete Edition: Beginner through advanced course, including 3 coursebooks, 9 audio CDs, and free online learning Audiobook CD ��" Unabridged. Its not expensive and I can use the CD's in the car while running errands. The books have worksheets. Maybe you can find something like that.

When I worked at a university library I borrowed a Spanish language instruction CD to listen to in the car during my commute. It asked me to repeat words and phrases, but I would be concentrating on my driving (a good thing!), and losing track of what they were saying.

So instead of repeating the words, I'd be saying, "What? I have no idea what you're talking about." And the CD would say (in heavily-accented English), "Excellent! You are doing very well!!" This made me laugh, so the CD was good for something, at least. ;-)

The public libraries in my area have shelf after shelf of language learning materials including audio materials and workbooks. You can pick and choose which "system" you like best or try several.

I've lived abroad and I'm capable in several languages. I've been exposed to many different theories and approaches along the way. While immersion can be the most rapid approach, my experience would suggest that what will make the biggest difference is YOU. Just like learning to play a musical instrument, you need to spend the time and fight through the frustration until it starts to make sense. There's simply no substitute for time and perseverance.

It's very do-able and the rewards are immeasurable. Good luck.

Small update: I just got off the phone with my library. We were discussing another matter, but I thought I'd ask about Mango. I said, "Has anyone given you feedback on it?" The librarian said lots of people, and then gave as an example a woman who did the entire German program prior to her visit to Germany. She came back thrilled with her experience, and said the time she put into Mango was well worth it.

Just a thought if Duolingo doesn't work out--although Maire's link intrigued me too!

I ran across this one last night. Haven't looked into it yet. A couple of years ago I found a really good one on line for free but for the life of me can't remember the name of it. It even had the pronunciation available. Search for free language learning and lots show up.

Here is a link that might be useful: language

Thanks, everyone. Here's what I've done. I downloaded duolingo and worked with that. I haven't contacted my library yet (they have weird hours, but should be open today so I will stop in and see what they have). I also bought Lisa's suggestion of Living Language on Amazon. It was only 36.00, much more reasonable than Pimsleur or Rosetta. Thanks, Snidely (love the name-reminds me of my favorite cartoon villian, Snidely Whiplash) for the encouragement to stick with it. Thanks for the laugh, Alisande.

German is challenging. My experience was that reaching a level of competency after starting from scratch was harder than with other languages. On the other hand in my case, it was the second foreign language I'd studied and that gave me a running start.

The biggest difference from English and romance languages? Three noun genders instead of two or none, different word order (the verb can be the last word of a sentence), and case declensions (doesn't exist in English). Take it with a sense of humor, I've spent a lot of time in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, and the locals will give you nothing less than big virtual bear hugs, and usually lots more, when you speak their language.

I did three Duolingo lessons online. Is a download any different? I enjoyed the lessons, and did well, although I wonder about retention. I'm thinking maybe I should repeat them. Several times.

I have three friends who speak Spanish, so that should help. Right now, the only topics I can converse with them about are eating apples and drinking water. But it's a start. :-)

Susana,

Bebo agua cuando como las manzanas, pero yo prefiero el vino.

Es verdad?
ÿEstá de acuerdo?

maria (aka Maire)

My Spanish is beyond rusty so I had to double check....

LOL

Si, Maria--es verdad!

Sorry it took me so long to find your message, Mamacita Maria. I came looked for this thread to add a link to a post Love_mkitchen made in response to Sleeperblues' request. Here it is.

Here is a link that might be useful: Language-learning post

I had this in a different folder and just now found it. I don't remember using it.

Here is a link that might be useful: another one