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How much Spanish do you speak?
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Author:  El Ciego [ Tue Feb 19, 2008 12:56 am ]
Post subject:  How much Spanish do you speak?
The majority sentiment seems to be that speaking Spanish adds to one's enjoyment of mongering and travel in C.R.

I'm curious. Where do you think you stand as far as Spanish proficiency goes? If you reply, please describe how you learned to speak the Spanish that you know, whether by Pimsleur, formal classes, travel experience...or if Spanish is your native language.

Can you tell I'm suffering from cabin fever? It's unbelievably cold up here...currently zero and dropping...we're looking at overnight lows around -10 to -15. :mad:

So.... how's your Spanish? :?:
Author:  El Ciego [ Tue Feb 19, 2008 1:01 am ]
Post subject: 
I would choose option #3, I am conversational but can get lost if speaking with a large group of native speakers, or if I'm speaking with someone who is talking very rapidly.

I learned Spanish through a combination of high school, a couple trimesters in college and through life experience and travel. I am woefully ignorant of how to write Spanish. :( I intend to improve my grammar and vocabulary through additional formal study, but I don't do too badly. :D
Author:  El Silencioso [ Tue Feb 19, 2008 1:11 am ]
Post subject: 
El Ciego wrote:
I would choose option #3, I am conversational but can get lost if speaking with a large group of native speakers, or if I'm speaking with someone who is talking very rapidly.

I learned Spanish through a combination of high school, a couple trimesters in college and through life experience and travel. I am woefully ignorant of how to write Spanish. :( I intend to improve my grammar and vocabulary through additional formal study, but I don't do too badly. :D



El C

I chose option # 3

I would consider myself at the same point in my spanish skills as you. I do find myself saying quite often..mas despacio mi amor when the rapid fire starts.. :lol: :lol: ,

I had a year of spanish in high school and kept up the practice a little throughout my life. Since experiencing Costa Rica for the first time in January, 2005 I have practiced (not enough as I should) with Pimselur and Rosetta Stone as well as a week of lessons at CRLA.

My improved spanish skills hve absolutely enhanced my experiences both mongering and talking with locals..Now I just neded to work on the grammer.
Author:  MrLasVegas [ Tue Feb 19, 2008 3:36 am ]
Post subject: 
I consider myself somewhere between 3 and 4. A language school in CR assessed my espanol at around 80%. Not bad considering I only had a few weeks of classes in CR and picked up most of it from TJ bargirls. I also do the Speed Spanish cds from time to time for a review. Spanish classes are very cheap in CR, and you can practice on a favorita later.
Author:  Counte Dante [ Tue Feb 19, 2008 3:48 am ]
Post subject: 
I'm about a 3 heading towards 4. I've never taken lessons. I started with pimsleur and after finishing that I use a bunch of other tools. My biggest help has been talking with chicas and other locals. As a side note: I' m looking to take the ACTFL proficency test for Spanish soon, just to get a better idea of where I am and for fun.

P.S. I have been thinking about putting up the EXACT same poll for a while. Thanks El Ciego.
Author:  Partyanimal1984 [ Tue Feb 19, 2008 8:36 am ]
Post subject: 
I can speak it just well enough to get myself into trouble. 8)

The strange thing is that I can read and write Spanish better than some of the chicas I have encountered. :( In fact, I can usually tell when a chica has written something vs a monger; because of all the spelling errors.
Author:  Tom Swift [ Tue Feb 19, 2008 9:08 am ]
Post subject:  The Challenge of Spanish
Guys,

It's been my experience that spanish proficiency is a two pronged issue. I have enough grammar and vocabulary to make myself understood in most instances; the real challenge is comprehension of native speakers' speech.

I studied German for 2 years, and can tell you that, contrary to popular belief, Spanish is more difficult than German (IMHO).

Latinos speak faster than Europeans, and have more of a tendency to slur the ends of their words. If I watch a German war movie, then a Spanish telenova, I can comprehend the German better, not because I know more German, but because the Germans articulate their words better.

I use Rosetta Stone, and am considering buying Rocket Spanish; and try to devote 4 or 5 hours a week to improvingmy Spanish, but I am convinced that the only way most people will truly become fluent is to speak the language regularly with a fluent Spanish speaker.

Just my 2 Cents worth.

CdrTom
Author:  Gringo Malo [ Tue Feb 19, 2008 10:52 am ]
Post subject: 
I would probably have been diagnosed as dislexic when I was young...if they knew what it was back then. I have learned my spanish a word; a sentence at a time. Formal classes would probably do me no good.
Author:  Dapanz1 [ Tue Feb 19, 2008 1:33 pm ]
Post subject: 
Well, I chose #3. I can convey virtually any idea verbally but sometimes have difficulty comprehending. Particularly if it is rapid fire. If there were a 3.5 that would be me. Pretty fluent verbally but a bit slow on the comprehension side.

dapanz1
Author:  GetRhythm [ Tue Feb 19, 2008 2:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Challenge of Spanish
Cdrtom wrote:
Guys,

It's been my experience that spanish proficiency is a two pronged issue. I have enough grammar and vocabulary to make myself understood in most instances; the real challenge is comprehension of native speakers' speech.

I studied German for 2 years, and can tell you that, contrary to popular belief, Spanish is more difficult than German (IMHO).

Latinos speak faster than Europeans, and have more of a tendency to slur the ends of their words. If I watch a German war movie, then a Spanish telenova, I can comprehend the German better, not because I know more German, but because the Germans articulate their words better.


I concur. Comprehension is definitely the real challenge. And it's amazing how few working girls take that into account and instinctively try to modify their speech so we can understand them better (one of the reasons former ZB'er Leidy has always been a favorita - she excels at that).

Whereas before I would have considered myself a solid "3" on the scale, my Spanish has suffered as I've dedicated myself to learning Portuguese. Now all the way through Pimsleur Level 3, my spoken Portuguese has practically pulled even or even surpassed my Spanish - though I'm still much better with written Spanish, having gone through some grammer workbooks.

But following the next venture to Rio in April, I'll be diving back into the Spanish to prep for Medellin in May, where I'm really going to need it...
Author:  Firedude [ Tue Feb 19, 2008 2:07 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'm probably between options 1 and 2. Maybe a bit closer to 2. I've been traveling to CR for the past 10 years so some has rubbed off on me. I never really studied it while in school or college. I bought the Rosetta Stone CD's recently and they seem to be working fairly well.

Firedude
Author:  Phoenix Rising [ Tue Feb 19, 2008 2:46 pm ]
Post subject: 
I knew about five words in Spanish when I first walked into the Hotel Del Rey in May 2006. Now consider myself a solid "3" I learned what I know by trial and error (mostly error) with latinos in south Fla and Costa Rica. I've bought a few books, attempted to take a local beginner's course (got cancelled) but listening to an amigovia that doesn't shut the Phuck up is the main way I've picked it up. Also found that watching English language TV with Spanish sub titles was helpful. Funny, I met some guy from Chile the other day and spoke to him in Spanish. He thought I was from Costa Rica! Guess I picked up that accent as well. Probably a good thing. I always find it amusing when I hear BangBang57 speak Spanish in his deep southern Arkansas drawl. :lol:


Like Crdtom and GetRhythm mention, comprehension of spoken Spanish is the most difficult. They speak fast, slur their speech, and the nuances of the Nica, Salvadoran, Colombian and other accents all make it even harder. Also its impossible to know all the slang, the expressions, the "bromas" of their culture unless you are living here full time. It amazes me how many ex-pats live here though and get by on very basic language skills. Guess you need the desire to learn and to spend the time and mental energy to do it as well. I actually have a ball practicing and refining my skills and I'm really enthusiastic about it. Every trip I find an important piece of the puzzle. For example, this trip I think I finally figured out the distinction between "PARA" and "POR" Really, for me it's been fun. And learning the expressions is a hoot. Here's one new one..."Cuelo de su abuela!" Literally, "Ass of your grandmother"...used when you want to tell someone to Phuck themselves...

Y POR SUPUESTO!....Can't overstate the importance of learning the language when dealng with the girls. By speaking their language you can express more clearly what kind of person you are, which will put them at ease. You can make em laugh, you can make em feel more that your "one of them" and the quality of the session, pricing and relationship :shock: will be likely be much higher.

PHX
Author:  NFlorida [ Tue Feb 19, 2008 3:55 pm ]
Post subject: 
i consider myself fluent as long as they don't talk fast! :lol:


i like learning spanish like crazy 1 and 2 http://www.learningspanishlikecrazy.com ... ex_Jaz.php

http://www.learningspanishlikecrazy2.com/
Author:  Fuzebox [ Tue Feb 19, 2008 4:02 pm ]
Post subject: 
I have to say that coming to a country like Costa Rica with no spanish takes balls (or ignorance of how the country works lol)

I did it, and it was a really bad decision, I wish I had spent a few months studying the basics before I got here :(
Author:  Rainman3 [ Tue Feb 19, 2008 4:05 pm ]
Post subject: 
Im from the deep south so for me English is still a challange. Served in the army after college and picked up a little German. During college I took Latin, might have helped a little.
I drive alot so I try to put in some time with Pimsleur each week. I to know enough Spanish now to just be dangerous. I really started studying hard last April in preparation for my first trip to Colombia. I do OK with the Paisas when they slow it down but "Dios Mio" the Costenos in BAQ and Cartagena are very hard for me to comprehend.
Also I try to watch a bit of Spanish TV. This really seems to help! It has always amazed me that some guys here complain about less than GFE performance from some girls without ever making a serious attempt to learn Spanish. Now that I have a serious Paisa novia my Espanol is rapidly improving.
Being able to communicate makes things so much better with the chicas!
Rainman3
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