Do you use spanishdict often?

Question

How much do you use it? Do you think its helpful?

Answer 1

I do more and more, along with Michel Thomas' audio Spanish course, which is what got me into the language after many failed attempts... with some basic things explained in the extremely well way he does, I now "get it" enough that I can now just soak up all the extra resources on this site in a way my brain couldn't take in before. I've realised that if you're struggling, try playing around with how you're learning, don't just try harder to force it in; that will just get you frustrated.

Now I'm just engrossed, I'm writing my own software and lessons to experiment with grouping words in different ways occording to different patterns within them to see how that effects my ability to learn them, and that was triggered by using this site.

Here's what I noticed. I was struggling to take in all the words required to score well in the interactive flash bits (recognise/listen/recall). It says at the end the mistakes you've made, so you know which you need to put more effort into learning, but memorising chunks of vocabulary can be difficult, so I tried a different tact: restart every time I made a mistake. This means learning only one word at a time, and having to hold it in memory for longer and longer periods of time as each time you go through the quiz, as you have more questions to answer before you get back to it and type it back in. This makes your brain have to slowly move it out of your (smaller) working memory, and into your (larger) long term memory, which is where you want it when you're learning a language.

(sorry to ramble, am highly interested in the mechanisms of memory; being able to study it AND learn Spanish at the same time has got me quite excited so in short, yes I've found the site most useful! Although my client who's waiting for me to finish his software might disagree!)

• I've also thought the same way about learning new words. I'm a VB programmer and have been thinking about making some sort of game that uses this tactic. - jason4 Sep 10, 2009

Answer 2

I am a Spanish speaking person and worked as "corrector de estilo", I think it is "proof reader" (please anyone correct me if I am wrong), in my country Colombia. I have worked in the US as interpreter and translator. I have found a lot of people in this site (through this forum in particular), that have very deep knowledge of Spanish, eventhough I know they are not hispanics. I love helping people learning Spanish with their questions and, at the same time, I have learned a lot of things I did not know. I love this site and, according to my possibilities, I will be ready to help anyone that want to learn Spanish

• Muchas gracias, Ricardo, te tomamos la palabra :) - Heidita Sep 10, 2009

Answer 3

I find this website of immense value. I studied Spanish in college 40 years ago and forgot just about everything. The other day I was curious about a word, discovered this website and am now working my way through the lessons. It's actually fun, and (now at the end of the second stage), I think I'm about back to where I was. I'm looking forward to lessons three and four.

Answer 4

I am taking the Rosetta Stone Spanish for Latin America. I found this site a few days later and am now taking the lessons on here. I think I am benefiting greatly from it. I spend about 3 to 5 hours a day studying and while I am at work I try to use it often. This is a great site.

Answer 5

I use it almost every day. I wish I had never wasted my money on one of the most expensive language learning programs on the market which shall remain nameless. This site is better than levels 1, 2 & 3 of that program and probably more.

I guess this site is paid for by advertising. Otherwise I don't know how they do it for free but I hope they keep it up because it is awesome.

Answer 6

I use spanishdict all the time... even when i dont have homework.

Answer 7

Yes, but before I pose a question, I try to research the answer. Often enough I learn things from questions I did not even know I had...or might someday have....but ones which someone else has asked! That is of great value to me.

Answer 8

I find this site very helpful. I believe this is a lot better than Rosetta Stone because it has more interactions with the words. I took spanish for a few years, and am now doing this.

Answer 9

I have spent so much money on books and programs, only to be disappointed. I stumbled upon this site one day when I was searching for a Spanish Dictionary. I was shocked that everything was absolutemente gratis. If I put all of my books and c.d.'s together, I don't think they would have as much information as is available on this site.

Answer 10

I use this site all the time. I use it regularly for work, but sometimes just to learn more about the language and to confirm my translations of things.

I don't know where I would be without this site.

• Muy amable Nathan :) - Heidita Sep 10, 2009

Answer 11

This is a great site and I use it daily. I use Rosetta Stone as well and both resources are very helpful.

Answer 12

I think this is an excellent site. I only discovered it in July this year but have already found the site helpful in a number of ways..I think I will be a frequent visitor. I have been learning Spanish in evening classes for 12 years, I am not a natural linguist,but enjoy the challenge. The flashcards allow one to revise or learn words in spare moments. I find the lessons particularly good and Paralee's cheerful & enthusiastic teaching style is infectious even for an old curmudgeon like myself !

• "curmudgeon!" I love that word! - --Mariana-- Sep 10, 2009
• I first encountered it when reading "The Wind in the Willows" - pintor Sep 10, 2009

Answer 13

I'm new but I am using it daily right now.

Answer 14

I too use the site daily. The material is excellent, coupled together with lots of people wanting to help - at all levels. Keep clicking those adverts!

• Haha...I click them too! - --Mariana-- Sep 10, 2009

Answer 15

I've been using this site almost everyday for a year, depending on how much free time I have at work. I like learning spanish because its something that's a challege. Math, programming and engineering have allways been rather easy for me, and now i've found something to kick my brains butt everyday..