Learning Spanish

[ComicBookDude]

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I'm an incoming pre sophomore stats majors who is fluent in two languages (Polish and English). I would love to, however, become very good at Spanish in two years when I apply to med school (I live in Chicago - very large Polish and Hispanic population). However, I need help from you guys. My school's intro to Spanish class is full, so I'm stuck with the following:

1. Self teach myself (with the help of a few natives I know) introductory Spanish and hope to place into part II for the spring semester.

2. Take into to Spanish it a community college nearby DURING the school year (which would bring me to a cum total of 22 cr hours). This however means I have to take it Sunday mornings from 9am-1pm (note there's a 30 minute commute involved). This option would guarantee me placement into the next level of Spanish.

Any suggestions?

 

[Dianyla]

Go for the structured learning option. It will keep you on task and you can claim credit hours. Also, consider the fact that many native speakers of any language don't speak properly. 🙂

 

[CTtarheel]

you need to take some classes to get all the grammar rules, etc, but the only way to get fluent is if you really put yourself in a position where you are totally imersed in it for a reasonable amount of time. My advice . . . take some spanish at the CC, then take some time to study abroad in a spanish speaking country, or spend a summer with a service organization in one.

 

[notdeadyet]

I'm with Dianyla on this one. Self-teaching a language, with the right tools and discipline can work great, but it would gear you towards verbal communication. Unfortunately, most academic programs are very written and syntax oriented.

Try to stay on task with a class, then be sure to force yourself to speak it. Friends tend to make the worst practice partners. Depending on where you live, many groups have language swaps where you practice your Spanish for an hour with someone, they practice their English.

The only way to reinforce the Spanish in any way that you'll hold on to is to spend time living in a Spanish-speaking country. This is pretty easy to line up. See if you can spend a few months of a summer (or at least a few weeks of a winter break) in Mexico or Central America. You can easily arrange a volunteer position that will force you to sink-or-swim with your Spanish and the time you spend down there often works out cheaper than had you stayed home.

Powodzenia! (lived near Katowice for a year)

 

[Wackie]

My advice . . . take some spanish at the CC, then take some time to study abroad in a spanish speaking country, or spend a summer with a service organization in one.

If you can't study abroad...
Take a conversational class (you're wanting to speak it, right?). Then, watch all the Spanish soap oprahs you can.

 

[OwnageMobile]

I must say my experence with Spanish and Mandarin have taught me that my "self studying" is not as effective as a class. You may be different, but 22 hours is a lot. I audited a class and still fell like I got less out of it.

 

[SeventhSon]

i highly recommend Dozier and Iguana as a Spanish grammar book. Other than that, practice LISTENING and SPEAKING as this is what you will want to be good at if you are using spanish as a physician. Best advice I think: novelas.

 

[FlipFlops33]

I agree with emersing yourself in a place where a lot of people speak Spanish. I studied Spanish all through high school and part of college with little to show for it.

For the past two years, I have worked at a community health center where over half the patients are Spanish speaking only. I had no idea how much Spanish I was capable of speaking...I am definitely not fluent, but can see patients on my own and often translate for providers.

I mean, you will not be writing your progress notes in Spanish...

 

[riceman04]

I'm an incoming pre sophomore stats majors who is fluent in two languages (Polish and English). I would love to, however, become very good at Spanish in two years when I apply to med school (I live in Chicago - very large Polish and Hispanic population). However, I need help from you guys. My school's intro to Spanish class is full, so I'm stuck with the following:

1. Self teach myself (with the help of a few natives I know) introductory Spanish and hope to place into part II for the spring semester.

2. Take into to Spanish it a community college nearby DURING the school year (which would bring me to a cum total of 22 cr hours). This however means I have to take it Sunday mornings from 9am-1pm (note there's a 30 minute commute involved). This option would guarantee me placement into the next level of Spanish.

Any suggestions?

Si quieres, empezamos ahora!!!

You can teach yourself intro spanish very easily...without the help of natives...get some tapes or get the intro book. Ask the prof for some extra practice materials.

buena suerte!

 

[notdeadyet]

If you do decide to go the self-taught route, the best software I've come across is Rosetta Stone. The best language tape series is Pimsleur. Good luck.

 

[ParvatiP]

I vote for the community college...but are you sure you can't get into a class at your school? Sometimes professors will let a few extra students into a class, even if it's full. I've been unable to register for courses (including a Spanish course) but still ended up able to take the class. You should check this out first before signing up for the CC course.

 

[Dr. Pepper]

If you do decide to go the self-taught route, the best software I've come across is Rosetta Stone. The best language tape series is Pimsleur. Good luck.

I've also heard of Rosetta Stone.

Just curious, what is so special about it?

To the OP, I think you should either self-study for now or wait until you have a lighter load. Learning spanish is not an urgent matter...you have some time. But make sure to reinforce your education by either listening to spanish tv.

 

[ComicBookDude]

I have a second question. Just how helpful are extra languages? Is it a BIG factor, or is it one of those extra small boosts?

 

[Vox Animo]

wait till next semester, don't overload yourself.

Sunday morning free= booze recovery.

Getting up on sundays will wear your out for the rest of the week.

 

[notdeadyet]

Just curious, what is so special about it?

The Rosetta Stone uses a great interface and essentially works off of the flash card principle. There are different ways to run the app (read the word, hear the word, etc.) and you see four pictures. You select the one that you think is correct. Or you see an image and have to decide what to say and choose from options you can read, hear, etc.

The FSI uses it (not that that's a great ringing endorsement) and it's becoming one of the more respected apps. I used to review CALL software (comp assisted language learning) and this was the best I found by far.

Expensive though. I think it retails for about $300/language, but I think they have student rates. It's software best borrowed.