Learning to speak spanish?

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lllmeg

One of the best things that you can do before visiting any country is to learn as much as you can about its history, culture and... of course, language. Just being able to speak a few phrases will help!

These are some of my favorite resources for learning about Mexico:

Lonely Planet's "World Food Mexico" which not only discusses the various cuisines of Mexico but includes helpful food-related vocabulary as well as pictures.

Lonely Planet's guide, "Mexico." This is one of the few updated guides that includes ALL of Mexico and NOT just the big tourist areas. It's a guide with attitude and opinion, so you may not agree with everything they write, but it is a good place to start.

Interlink Books, "A Traveller's History of Mexico," by Kenneth Pearce. I've read about five LONG histories of Mexico and this is my favorite. It REALLY helps to have a basic handle on Mexican history... it will help to explain even the mundane things about Mexico such as "I wonder why they have a street named "6 de Octubre?"

For learning Spanish:

Nothing beats the program "Rosetta Stone," in my opinion. You can utilize it in so many ways. Not cheap, but if you intend to make repeated trips, well worth the investment.

"The Rough Guide Phrasesbook: Mexican Spanish." I keep this in my purse at all times. It is my favorite phrasebook and even includes a special section called "Menu Reader: Food." The one book I would not leave home without.

The "Practice Makes Perfect" series of workbooks on Spanish are superb. My husband and I each have a set of these and continue to work on our Spanish this way. Answers are in the back, so you don't have to wonder if you're actually learning the RIGHT way to say/write things!

Longterm, the Larousse Standard "Diccionario" in English/Spanish Espanol/Ingles is my favorite. This is my reference when writing in Spanish or when trying to decipher an elegantly written letter or newspaper opinion piece!

Naturally, you probably won't, can't or shouldn't read and utilize all of these resources. But, in our time here in Mexico, these are the ones we have found most useful. As you explore resources, you may find others that fit your particular needs better... but at least you have a place to start!

just_clicked!

go to www.studyspanish.com or www.quia.com. these are some great sites to help with the learning of spanish.

Rachell

Maybe here can help you

andrea m

well i have been to a web site called spanicity.com go there if you have speakers or built in ones from your computer. at that web site there is an audio to pronounce a letter or number ext. that is a very helpful site. good luck and have fun in mexico.to learn about mexico's history you need to go to google or some other research site and type in HISTORY OF what ever your location will be

Juan

http://www.mansionspanish.com/

Jorge M

This is a very complete fact sheet of Mexico. Read it and you'll have some ideas of what you are going to visit.

And please! Mexico's much more than illegals and Taco Bell.

montoya162001

how come u dont take some class that will teach u spanish or just get a mexican friend that is willing to teach u spanish.

sparks_mex

Sorry honey ... no quick fix for learning a language. Take some classes and then just do the best you can when you get to Mexico

Chencha

Well, isn't 'Tommy W' a grumpy monkey?!

I'm an English language teacher, currently living in Mexico. I have to say, to my very great disappointment that Spanish has eluded me even more than Russian did last year.
I can understand a fair bit of what I hear, but I just can't grasp speaking it. I accept that most of the problem is my Kiwi accent preventling anyone here understanding me.

Take classes! Buy a Pimsleur course! I've just bought a Spanish course from here .. marcus@how-to-speak.com

For history, culture, food etc. you can try reading the Lonely Planet Guide.
The history is fascinating, the culture is beautiful & gentle & VERY CATHOLIC, the food is yummy..as long as your belly can handle oodles of maize & chilli. I love the chilli but the maize gives me grief.
Oh, and the beef is as tough as old boots!
But you can buy these amazing chickens cooked over live coals..all smokey & delicious!
The best shrimp coctails I've ever had, & for next to nothing.
The fish is delicious!
Those last 2 are big statements coming from a Kiwi!

I love the place! Get here as soon as you can!!

tommy w

Do what THEY do, go to their country and demand they speak your language.

What to learn more about their culture? Go to LA. Its mostly Mexican now.

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