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Learning Espanol


skintsaint
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Doing a month in Saaaf America at the start of next year so currently doing a 10 week crash course in Spanish.

 

Want to learn more inbetween my lessons so anyone have any tips or websites that can help me out?

 

Cant seem to find anything decent unless I pay money...and im already paying for private lessons so dont want to spend the extra $$$$!

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Debated getting one myself before. Any on here rate them?

 

I don't particularly rate any of Spanish home study courses and, believe me, I have bought and tried them all. They're probably good if you have the time and motivation to study in isolation and without interacting with others but, speaking only for me, they were pretty much all a waste of money. I would have been better spending the money on a good phrasebook and lessons.

 

I spent several months in Latin America and pretty much started with virtually no knowledge of Spanish, but found it fairly easy to pick up with just a pocket phrasebook and a bit of confidence/willingness to talk all the time to people in Spanish, make mistakes and learn from them. There is simply no substitute for language immersion first and actual lessons or interaction with Spanish speakers second.

 

To the OP: a 10 week crash course will more than adequately prepare you for SA. I would perhaps consider attending some sort of Spanish speaking groups, if you can find one. Otherwise I'd chill out - the real learning starts when you get there.

 

You'll have a great time though - I love SA - my favourite continent. Do not miss: Inca Trail, San Pedro De Atacama to Uyuni, via Salar De Uyuni, Torres Del Paine, Lake Titicaca (Bolivian side and Isla Del Sol is best), Iguassu Falls, Colombia and Rio De Janeiro (I must admit I didn't bother with Portuguese, other than obrigado).

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farken hell beckenham..you have travelled...

 

how have you fit it in over the years..?

 

Basically taking a few periods of extended leave every 5 years or so and using every single day of my annual leave to travel (so no odd days off or that kind of thing or beach holidays in Europe). Some might say I am obsessed with travel, and they wouldn't be far wrong, e.g. driving to Mongolia next year with a mate via Iran and loads of the 'Stans. I get very itchy feet and love to travel. You must have travelled a fair bit as well?

 

@OP: I missed off Easter Island btw which, if you're going from Oz, you might be able to fly to on the way to Santiago, probably via Papeete. Well worth going out of your way for, if you have the time.

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Basically taking a few periods of extended leave every 5 years or so and using every single day of my annual leave to travel (so no odd days off or that kind of thing or beach holidays in Europe). Some might say I am obsessed with travel, and they wouldn't be far wrong, e.g. driving to Mongolia next year with a mate via Iran and loads of the 'Stans. I get very itchy feet and love to travel. You must have travelled a fair bit as well?

 

@OP: I missed off Easter Island btw which, if you're going from Oz, you might be able to fly to on the way to Santiago, probably via Papeete. Well worth going out of your way for, if you have the time.

 

yes..but that has all been with work..so when there cant be too adventurous really..

 

never been across the atlantic on ant level...well, lever got to land any way..

 

the only thing I did with my travels (with work) that was semi-adventurous was took a train jouney from Panjim (near Goa) up to Mumbai and a bus back (which was an experience)....but that was over a 4 day period

 

 

a mate of mine spent 3 weeks in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia..and loved every min of it..

 

does it cost a lot to travel like you have..?

 

favourite place I have been to is either singapore, diego garcia or (oddly) bergen

 

worst place - Seychelles (did NOT live up to the hype in any way)

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To the OP: a 10 week crash course will more than adequately prepare you for SA. I would perhaps consider attending some sort of Spanish speaking groups, if you can find one. Otherwise I'd chill out - the real learning starts when you get there.

 

You'll have a great time though - I love SA - my favourite continent. Do not miss: Inca Trail, San Pedro De Atacama to Uyuni, via Salar De Uyuni, Torres Del Paine, Lake Titicaca (Bolivian side and Isla Del Sol is best), Iguassu Falls, Colombia and Rio De Janeiro (I must admit I didn't bother with Portuguese, other than obrigado).

 

Cheers, Off to Mexico, Peru, Brazil & Argentina and plan to see some of those places you mention. Its part of a world trip and plan to do SA again in 2 years time properly and see places we miss out this time round.

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@TDD: Vietnam and Cambodia are ace, loved and highly recommend both of them.

 

The flights are easily the biggest expense (unless you go somewhere like North Korea, which is very expensive to get into as well as your flights) and I spend a small fortune on those each year. Unavoidable though really if you've only got 5 weeks leave spread throughout the year.

 

Otherwise pretty cheap generally, depending where you go of course. I've stayed in expensive hotels and stuff but in all honesty I prefer just rocking up in a town and picking somewhere with a bit more character and usually inexpensive. Outside Europe and the US, most costs (food, booze, buses, trains etc...) are normally dirt cheap.

 

Also: Seychelles is my idea of a holiday hell, although I'm sure it's looks nice.

Edited by Rattlehead
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Cheers, Off to Mexico, Peru, Brazil & Argentina and plan to see some of those places you mention. Its part of a world trip and plan to do SA again in 2 years time properly and see places we miss out this time round.

 

Depending on where in Mexico you are, I'd also recommend checking out Guatemala.

 

I am jealous.

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@TDD: Vietnam and Cambodia are ace, loved and highly recommend both of them.

 

The flights are easily the biggest expense (unless you go somewhere like North Korea, which is very expensive to get into as well as your flights) and I spend a small fortune on those each year. Unavoidable though really if you've only got 5 weeks leave spread throughout the year.

 

Otherwise pretty cheap generally, depending where you go of course. I've stayed in expensive hotels and stuff but in all honesty I prefer just rocking up in a town and picking somewhere with a bit more character and usually inexpensive. Outside Europe and the US, most costs (food, booze, buses, trains etc...) are normally dirt cheap.

 

Also: Seychelles is my idea of a holiday hell, although I'm sure it's looks nice.

 

I have always wanted to go to China...but not allowed...if I did (and know people who have) and got caught would mean no job...:(

 

as for the Seychelles...went there in 2003...it was our operational stand-off after throwing in cruise missiles into Iraq...was there for 2 weeks and it was a dive (for the hype)

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