[Role Modlin]

I just found out that Geo will be taking Spanish beginning this semester.



I guess Dad will have to sit down with him and learn along.

[ICallHimTurtle]

Originally Posted by Role Modlin

I don't know how to make the little upside-down question mark...sorry.

Semi-off topic: The keyboard on my phone has the upside down question mark. Oh boy, do I use it, too.

[mtlmouth]

Originally Posted by ICallHimTurtle

Semi-off topic: The keyboard on my phone has the upside down question mark. Oh boy, do I use it, too.

I suppose I might as well post the useful alt codes for Spanish, while we're talking about it.
Hold down alt and type in these codes on your number pad/ten-key for accented characters:

Alt + 160 = á
Alt + 130 = é
Alt + 161 = í
Alt + 162 = ó
Alt + 163 = ú
Alt + 164 = ñ
Alt + 168 = ¿
Alt + 173 = ¡

... or copy and paste them as you encounter them in the wild.

[ICallHimTurtle]

Post #18 bookmarked, tháñk yóú.

[Role Modlin]

Originally Posted by mtlmouth

I suppose I might as well post the useful alt codes for Spanish, while we're talking about it.
Hold down alt and type in these codes on your number pad/ten-key for accented characters:

Alt + 160 = á
Alt + 130 = é
Alt + 161 = í
Alt + 162 = ó
Alt + 163 = ú
Alt + 164 = ñ
Alt + 168 = ¿
Alt + 173 = ¡

... or copy and paste them as you encounter them in the wild.

¡EXCELLENTE!

[darfaz]

Lots of great information has already been said, but considering my occupation, I thought I should make mention of some things. The real key to acquiring a language (first language, second language, ...) is input. Input is listening and reading. It is especially important when the input is able to be understood by the receiver (i.e. comprehensible). The suggestions for books you are familiar with, music you know, and church services are fantastic exercises for acquiring a second language because the input will be comprehensible. Blaine Ray readers are pretty good (Blaine Ray Workshops, Inc. ) because the texts are comprehensible for even the most inexperienced readers. I would certainly look at a grammar book or spanish grammar websites like studyspanish.com in order to advance more quickly. The key, again, is input - reading and listening. It is how we acquire our first language and how we acquire a second language.

Just an aside I wanted to mention that, as a high school Spanish teacher, people always say things like "I didn't learn anything in Spanish in high school" or "I took x years and I don't know any Spanish." Again (and I know I'm being repetitive here), it was because you didn't get enough input from those courses. Think about it. How much acutal Spanish was spoken in that class? Usually it isn't much. Lots of worksheets, writing, paper mache piñatas, etc. Probably not enough input.

[Role Modlin]

I actually registered on studyspanish.com and have been doing the free exercises and lessons.

The premium course is actually affordable and I've been considering it. It's much cheaper than taking it at the local community college.

FWIW...the Hillsong United and Petra spanish-language albums have been great...because I already know the songs and I can make some of the connections. I have been tuning in to the local spanish-language radio station but the on-air folks speak so fast that I can barely catch anything they are saying.

[Role Modlin]

I checked one of the Spanish Bibles out of our church library and downloaded the audio NT from Faith Comes By Hearing. I've been listening and following along. I've also been writing out what I read and hear. I also found another online site with FREE lessons and testing...so I joined it.

[ICallHimTurtle]

Do you feel like you can maintain small talk in Spanish yet? That's always neat, even if it's a forced conversation.

Something that helps too is making yourself think in Spanish. It's hard to rethink a thought obviously, but describe your response to a situation even with just one word in your mind.

[Role Modlin]

Originally Posted by ICallHimTurtle

Do you feel like you can maintain small talk in Spanish yet? That's always neat, even if it's a forced conversation.

Something that helps too is making yourself think in Spanish. It's hard to rethink a thought obviously, but describe your response to a situation even with just one word in your mind.

Today...during the Youth Service...they were doing two Hillsong United songs. Two of the songs on my Spanish-language albums.

I remembered enough that I was able to sing along in Spanish.