I studied Spanish in high school and college, and I even spent a semester abroad in Spain. At that point, I was very proficient at reading, writing, and speaking it. Sadly, in the 8 years since graduation, I feel as though I have forgotten everything.
I am looking to get into a field where knowing Spanish would be very helpful, and I am trying to figure out the best way to both relearn what I knew (and possible go beyond that).
Obviously for speaking, I will need to get out there and practice, but before that, should I just pick up my old textbooks and get going? Or, is there a better way?
posted by aka_anon
on May 15, 2013 -
14 answers
Hello,
I'd like some info on how to create a Chinese menmonic guide to make it easier to learn vocab.
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posted by Musashi Daryl
on Feb 4, 2013 -
7 answers
Hi everyone,
I am a 24 y/o English native about to start a PhD in London. During the next 3 years, I would very much like to begin learning French alongside my doctoral studies, and I am interested in finding out the most effective and efficient way of going about this.
Realistically I will probably be able and willing to dedicate between one and two hours a day to studying French. I am interested in learning to both speak and write the language in equal measure.
Any advice is much appreciated.
posted by FuckingAwesome
on Nov 23, 2012 -
13 answers
I have spoken english fluently since I was a child but I know many people that would like to learn or are trying to learn how to speak english. In my opinion the best method is full on immersion in an english speaking country. What would be the best country or place for this to happen?
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posted by mikeanegus
on Jun 8, 2012 -
17 answers
I'm looking for recommendations for books related to the philosophy of education, especially those related to multicultural approaches to education or foreign language instruction.
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posted by one little who
on Aug 4, 2011 -
12 answers
What is the most reasonable way to try and autodidact your way into reading French well and speaking it passably?
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posted by jsturgill
on Jul 9, 2011 -
5 answers
I have a Japanese friend whom I occasionaly write e-mails in japanese. I used to study Japanese at the University but as I didn't practice for a long time I almost forgot it. Sometimes I don't know how to write something in Japanese and internet Dictionaries doesn't help. So the question is if anyone know good internet communities or forums where I can get help with translating some bits into Japanese? Thanks!
posted by Svulya
on Jun 16, 2011 -
7 answers
Given 4 months of free time, how can an advanced English learner take the biggest step toward full fluency?
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posted by mshrike
on Apr 18, 2011 -
11 answers
Tell me about the most well-written, engaging, and creative language-learning books and websites. For any language.
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posted by theodolite
on Nov 18, 2010 -
12 answers
I am a volunteer for an organization building a nonprofit university in Angola. I am tasked with finding funding for English as a Second Language education--all students who do not speak English will take year long intensive course in English. I'm looking for whatever help I can get in finding funds.
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posted by wires
on Nov 4, 2010 -
10 answers
Looking for info on how to download (and somehow transfer to an iPhone) a French-Canadian cooking show. I swear it's to help me learn!
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posted by Kitteh
on Sep 12, 2010 -
8 answers
I am looking to help a friend who has just started learning German and am looking for the hive mind for inspired suggestions.
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posted by numberstation
on Mar 8, 2010 -
11 answers
Name some intensive language courses that take place in universities!
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posted by djgh
on Jan 19, 2010 -
21 answers
Does anyone know what books or resources, paid for or otherwise, would be suitable for teaching a 10 year old intermediate level English?
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posted by mooreeasyvibe
on Aug 17, 2009 -
6 answers
Recommendations for foreign language evening classes in Chicago?
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posted by C^3
on May 20, 2009 -
3 answers
Thanks to a love affair with Dora the Explorer, my six-year-old daughter is fascinated by Spanish. She's too old for Dora now and has moved onto Strawberry Shortcake, but not a day goes by without her demanding to know how to say various things in Spanish.
My husband and I are happy to help with this, and will look up translations on our phones, but her questions are rapidly surpassing my intro-level Spanish skills. I'd like to find some child-oriented websites that will help her learn Spanish.
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posted by meghanmiller
on Dec 9, 2008 -
11 answers
This spring I will be finished with my second Master's degree. I've been at my current job for almost three years and while I enjoy it immensely, I am wondering about other opportunities that having two graduate degrees might open up for me. Am hoping to obtain answers especially from individuals who have multiple degrees and have gone into somewhat different career paths.
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posted by msposner
on Nov 11, 2008 -
3 answers
LanguageFilter: Having a little bit of a few languages under my belt, I'd like to add more/get better at the ones I know.
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posted by ikahime
on Sep 17, 2008 -
6 answers
After a long period of soul-searching (and trying many different jobs), I've decided on a career path in language learning.
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posted by mammary16
on Jun 12, 2008 -
3 answers
On a recent trip to Kenya, we visited a school who is in need of simple French language instruction booklets for elementary-age children.
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posted by vanoakenfold
on May 23, 2008 -
3 answers
How do you say " I got hit (in the head) by....(something)" I have to do an oral presentation in spanish but Im not sure how to say I was....i got hit? Im telling a story of when i got hit in the head with a swing...i have to use imperfect and preterite tense....any ideas
posted by madmamasmith
on Mar 1, 2008 -
10 answers
I'd like to teach myself some various languages. Help me find some resources for Spanish and Japanese.
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posted by santojulieta
on Dec 19, 2007 -
21 answers
I'm looking for popular books, novels, magazines, comic books...in European French (not Canadian French). I'd also like to be able to easily order/purchase them from home (preferably from places like Amazon.com).
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posted by iamkimiam
on Dec 4, 2007 -
8 answers
I would like to develop a visual dictionary, web-based, which would allow me to visually parse words the reader is looking at, much like balloons over the word in question.
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posted by steppe
on Nov 7, 2007 -
1 answer
JapaneseLanguageFilter: I am looking for good practice reading materials that are a happy medium.
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posted by ikahime
on Jun 10, 2007 -
9 answers
My wife and I want to spend about 6 months in France learning French intensively. Where should we go to study?
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posted by rongorongo
on May 24, 2007 -
4 answers
What are some recommendations for Japanese language schools, especially for conversation, in Tokyo?
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posted by Ookseer
on Aug 23, 2006 -
2 answers
I'm thinking about trying to get into tutoring, particularly English tutoring. I've worked with ESL students via the internet before, but that has been on a mutual basis: I've helped them improve their English while they helped me improve my German. What steps would I need to take to get started in my area? Do I need any particular qualifications? Should I go to the schools, or perhaps to the University in town? How does one get started in tutoring as a part-time job?
posted by JoshTeeters
on Jul 31, 2006 -
4 answers
How do I teach 10 or so Indonesian academics and postgraduate students how to "ace" their US Embassy visa interviews and "prep" for life in the US? Personal experiences with the US immigration process? What are some interview strategies you can pass on to my students?
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posted by mdonley
on Jun 2, 2006 -
2 answers
My wife and I have been looking for a daycare centre for our one year old daughter, as my wife is returning to work shortly.
French daycare w/ english speaking parents question follows...
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posted by jikel_morten
on Oct 7, 2005 -
15 answers
If I wanted my baby to learn a second language from a family member who speaks it natively, how many hours per week minimum would they need to spend together? I know the more the better, but I am trying to figure out if four or five hours a week will do the trick if we are extremely consistent and do this for many years.
posted by limitedpie
on Jan 20, 2005 -
12 answers
After recently getting the opera and pop-era bug and finding that I can sound half-decent singing it, I really want to learn Italian so I don't have to phonetically remember the lyrcis of the likes of "O sole mio". Any resources to help me do this cheap (on the Web preferably)? $100 or less?
posted by madman
on Nov 9, 2004 -
9 answers
What are the most valuable foreign language skills to possess in the next decade(s)? Arabic? Chineese? Spanish? Does it depend solely on your chosen field? My question comes from a government and law perspective, but I'd be interested in all opinions. [more inside]
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posted by trivirgata
on Sep 5, 2004 -
16 answers
What's the best way to learn French without taking a class?
posted by adrober
on Feb 29, 2004 -
16 answers
Has anyone around here used
Rosetta Stone software for learning foreign languages? Did it work well for you?
posted by Prospero
on Feb 24, 2004 -
7 answers
Raising a bilingual child. I'd be grateful to hear advice, experiences or recommended resources for raising a child in a dual-language home. [more inside]
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posted by Ljubljana
on Feb 2, 2004 -
16 answers
Have any native English speakers here had to learn a foreign language (especially Spanish) for work, etc. in a relatively short amount of time? How did you do it? Any recommendations for books/classes/training programs? [more inside]
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posted by AstroGuy
on Dec 20, 2003 -
27 answers
Everyone seems to agree that William Butler Yeats said something along the lines of
"Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire." If Google's any guide, it's become a staple of education-based speeches. But nothing I've found yet confirms it as Yeats.
This page has apparently not been able to find a source, but then that seems to be the norm there for some reason. Most suspiciously, it's not in Bartlett's 16th Edition. Can anyone either say where this is from (whether Yeats or not) or point to something that debunks it?
posted by soyjoy
on Dec 19, 2003 -
6 answers
