Writer's Block: Parlez-vous francais?

[stormkeeper_lovedoris]

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About 11-12 years ago I studied Russian. I did it all on my own via tapes and books. Never attained anything near full fluency but I learned "enough to get by". I really enjoyed it.

Then about 2 years ago I started studying Spanish since my in-laws are Mexican. I think I plateaued just as I did with Russian. I know enough to get by and not much else. I learned via audio CDs that I listen to when I drive. I'm in kind of a bind because I reached the end of the series of audio CDs and I don't know where to go from here, as I don't have the time for lessons.

Comments

[denisia.livejournal.com]

I might have mentioned this before but if not...if you can find Spanish language music you'd like listening to, it can really help. Even Les Mis or Phantom in Spanish. You already know the story so you won't stress about wondering what's going on, and it can help you get your head around the words and word patterns.

Ditto for movies you know, dubbed into Spanish. Or watching Spanish "Sesame Street" or kid's shows that are meant to teach vocabulary.

When I was learning French, those two things really helped me. They had "Animaniacs" in French on one of the TV stations at Aunt Evil's house and I taped as many episodes as I could. And there was a French soap opera for young adults and a few other cartoons I tried to follow.

[razycrandomgirl.livejournal.com]

Why don't you ask your wife to use it in the house?

Also I agree with denisia. Radio stations, television shows, even if it's just on in the background. Spanish flash cards used as labels?

[megan-moonlight.livejournal.com]

Russian is fun when you're not forced to learn it XD I took basic Russian along with advanced English on my school-leaving exams, and it was fun, I think XD

I might start to learn a little bit of German and I was thinking about SPanish, but it seems hard...

[sevarem.livejournal.com]

Well, does Doris speak Spanish fluently? The best way to improve is to be able to practice with a native/near native speaker. Think of the possibilities! Bedtime cuddling... in Spanish. Talking about X-Men... in Spanish. Fun fun!