Part-time Spanish classes

Submitted by fyl on 2 October, 2006 - 08:29.

Most Spanish classes here seem to be of the intensive variety. That is, 20 or more classroom hours per week. I understand the need and appeal for people who just have a few weeks here and need to learn but, what about the rest of us?

My Spanish is far from perfect and I would like to improve it. But, I have a "day job" and can't take 20 hours a week of classes even if that appealed to me. I learn Spanish by reading, writing and talking but some "formal time" would be of benefit.

This could be 1 or 2 hours a couple of days a week, a half day on the weekend or pretty much any other combination.

When I get a chance I will ask a couple of the schools in Estelí if it might be of interest to them. If you know people at other schools, asking could be a help to others.

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Learning spanish...

Submitted by princesstaty on 3 October, 2006 - 10:53.

I've heard from some people that learning spanish is more difficult to foreigns than it is english learning for latin people, perhaps is because we use more slangs to refer to things? and also 'cause, as our spanish grammar says, we are adopting more and more english words to call things instead of in spanish, so english people don't get to know what that word is in spanish...just commenting to it.

I believe that one of the things that helps foreigns on learning quick spanish is thinking in spanish, get surrounded by latins or/and spanish speakers, yeah the music also helps..get a dictionary or translator with u all the time,among others. :-D I hope it helps someone. I remember when I was a kid I used to make up words and I always said I was speaking english hehehe I guess I liked english som much as such young age already..anyways!

Take care!

TaTy

Interesting school

Submitted by fyl on 2 October, 2006 - 17:34.

In doing some looking I found a school in Estelí that wasn't on the How To page. It's added and the URL of the school's page is http://sacuanjoche.site.voila.fr/ The .fr was strange to start with but I send them email. Just got a response but not from the instructor.

She doesn't speak English and, I don't expect she speaks French either. The classes are the typical 20-hour intensive with other activities. But, the twist is that you live in her house. Cost is in-line with other "intensive plus room and board" schools ($150/week) but, for total immersion, this could be pretty serious.

Think in Spanish

Submitted by chhealey on 2 October, 2006 - 11:54.

The help I found with the immersion classes was that your spanglish was corrected as you conversed with the instructor. I can get by on my Spanish but I've been told it's bad. (grammatically) I never cared as long as I was understood. Just two weeks of the 20 hour/ week classes helped alot. I found it helps to get to the point that you are thinking in Spanish and not translating in your head as the words exit your mouth. The classes are usually $140/week. $35 goes to accommedations, $30 to the instructor and $75 to the school. I'm sure you can get some private lessons from a teacher at one of the schools and it would be better for them to do it as a side job than through the school. PM me and I can give you a name and number of someone in Esteli. Or I can bring her by I'll be in Esteli next week!

Learning or improving your Spanish

Submitted by henry_nicaragua on 2 October, 2006 - 10:38.

I find you comment very useful for people who operate language schools in Nicaragua.

I will be visiting the school next week, and tell them about your comment. Have you had experiencie with language school in Granada? I have found that at this one in particular, Ave Nicaraguita women seem to be open to this kind of suggestion, so they can do a better job. I found out that they can accomodate classes, like one hour per day, everyday or so, and then, for obsesive learners they have like 30 hours per week -oh God, that´s a lot!.

I learned English

Submitted by dodgese on 2 October, 2006 - 10:36.

watching cartoons... Transformers, G.I. Joe, You can't do that on television, Go-bots, MTV. The best thing would be to immerse yourself in Spanish as much as possible to learn local dialect quirks. Al agua pato!

Let me clarify

Submitted by fyl on 2 October, 2006 - 10:46.

My work is in English but, otherwise, I am immersed. That is, my wife speaks a few hundred words of English and one friend a bit more but, other than that it is Spanish or I don't communicate.

Ana (my wife) suggested long ago that I do some formal classes. I think it makes sense. If anything, it could be more like a chance to have someone tell me what it is I need to work on. I expect many native English speakers that live here could use that sort of help.

Learning Spanish

Submitted by Willow on 2 October, 2006 - 21:13.

Have you heard of Roseatta Stone? I tried a "cheap' computer program...learned a bit but it was slow and awkward. I am inclined now to go ahead and purchase a different program. more "hearing". And just pretend I am in "class' daily. Back when (way back..) I learned German, French,Italian and bit of Arabic...enough to function,travel and coverse...I was young...much was done through just sttting around (feeling very left out !) ...listening to "songs"...reading poerty....and surviving alone in the international community. Today...everyone speaks some English it seems...makes me lazy ! My school was international....and that helped...but...the best was...learning to sing and tell jokes...that seemed to be the best way. I am game to try again...as I hate not being able to babble and chatter. Will let you kow how Rosseta Stone program works..I can read...understand alot..but the words and concepts get caught between my brain and tongue..it is awful !!!!Playing with kids seems to help me the best. My best times were multilinigual converstations...people laughing and translating from language to language...just plain fun. Willow

Michele Thomas

Submitted by fyl on 3 October, 2006 - 08:33.

I highly recommend the Michele Thomas classes. I ignored them for a long time because they sounded like marketing hype because they sounded too good. Ok, so he was just an amazing guy who figured it out.

For many years (40+, I believe) you could only go to his very expensive classes. He resisted doing CDs or cassettes. More information in the HowTo at http://www.nicaliving.com/node/47

Immersion and classes

Submitted by zenpilgrim on 2 October, 2006 - 10:54.

I tried classes here in the states but with little to no latino population around me, it just doesn't stick. I can count and ask for the bathroom. My plan when we move is to take classes and immerse myself in places so it's either speak Spanish or be silent.

one wise older man

Submitted by toms on 2 October, 2006 - 09:05.

I met in Costa Rica who spoke well 4 different lang.

gave me this advise..

READ a local news paper everyday there are not many words that are conteniuely repeated day in and day out...

Also I used to watch the 3 stooges in spanish that was helpful too!

Lyin' Farmer John Wayne

Newspaper works

Submitted by Former NL Member on 2 October, 2006 - 09:27.

If you're into Spanish music, translating your favorite Spanish songs is also a good way.