Are learning SpanishDict lessons enough?

Question

Are learning SpanishDict lessons enough? or is there anything that we have to do after finishing these lessons?

• Please use proper spelling, grammar and punctuation. It is difficult trying to figure out your question. - Nicole-B Oct 12, 2009
• english isnt my native tongue so sorry about my question :( - orcus Oct 13, 2009
• My apologies. You are amazing then!!! - Nicole-B Oct 13, 2009

Answer 1

The lessons were designed to cover the equivalent of four years of high school Spanish or two to three years of college Spanish. But unfortunately, I could only cover grammar and vocabulary. I couldn't give you reading assignments, projects, essays, presentations in front of the class, etc. The only way all of the information in the lessons will be useful to you is if you are continually using it each day.

Even after three years of Spanish, when I went to Spain I felt like I knew nothing. It wasn't until I was throw into a situation where I had to speak to survive/get around that it all came back and all of the sudden I could speak relatively well. Everyone understood what I was saying even if it came out funny and I used the wrong words some times.

So take what you learned in these lessons and find people to practice with. Take a nice long trip somewhere that actually speaks Spanish. That's your real final exam.

• I agree totally. It is amazing how well equipped we feel getting on the plane and how completely lost we feel once we step back off the plane!!!! - Nicole-B Oct 13, 2009
• Yes, speaking is a completely different skill altogther. You don't realize how hard it is until you actually have to do it. - BellaMargari Oct 13, 2009
• Wow! that's pretty cool to see Paralee in here posting. I'm going the total immersion route myself and it's improved my listening skills quite a bit. - jeezzle Oct 13, 2009
• I am so impressed with this website and Paralee, I really am learning so much. I have been out of school for quite some time, and now I am in college. I am taking spanish and wow, iit can be tough - This program is getting me through, Thank You! - gelajoyce Oct 13, 2009
• Yes, the website is very helpful - Fidalguinho Dec 23, 2009
View 6 more commments >>

Answer 2

You have to learn to listen whenthepeopletalklikethis and the music is blasting in the background and four or five people are talking at the same time. That only comes with time.

• Great answer Chris - Izanoni1 Oct 12, 2009
• Very true. That can't be taught here, as awesome as the site is. - Nicole-B Oct 12, 2009
• Thanks, Iza. ;-) - ChamacoMalo Oct 12, 2009
• I am glad you emphasized time, too many people want to learn a language in a hurry - BellaMargari Oct 13, 2009

Answer 3

If I understand your question correctly, you are asking if you will be able to speak Spanish after completing these lessons or if more work will be required.

After taking these lessons, you will have an excellent foundation and will be able to speak in full and complete sentences. However, as with any language, we continue to learn and improve for the rest of our lives.

I'm glad to see that you have started and hope you will continue to learn Spanish.

Answer 4

I've been speaking English for 13 years and I have a desire to learn Spanish.It would mean more to me than learning French.I think this web site would be a perfect way to learn Spanish.But I have a lot to learn!

Answer 5

Are these are enough to learn all Spanish or is there anything that we have to do after finishing these lessons?

No matter what lesson you take nor how long you study, you will never know all Spanish (nor, for that matter anyone else [even if his native language is Spanish]). It is possible that is some prehistoric time when there were only a few dozen words/grunts, that it was possible for someone to know all of a language. However, with any modern language (given the diversity of speakers), the best you can hope for is to be able to express whatever you want to say and to understand whatever is said to you.

Do you seriously expect that some set of standard lessons will prepare you to understand a discussion of a heart bypass surgery performed by a group of physicians (would you understand it in your native language?) or of some physicists discussing the nature of "dark matter"?

If you complete all of the lessons here (and have a, reasonable) understanding of what is being taught, I suspect that you could reasonably classify yourself as "intermediate" (I haven't, myself, looked at all the lessons, so that assessment may be a bit optimistic/pessimistic). If you've completed all the lessons and you usual reaction to the questions has been has been "Well of course ..." / "Duh ...", you may very well qualify as "advanced". (terms such as intermediate/advanced are always approximate).

Answer 6

I've been speaking English for about 45 years and I still learn new words, subtleties of expression, and details about grammar from time to time. I'd imagine the same is true of Spanish. I've finished the lessons, but I'm still learning a lot more everyday and hope to continue doing so for quite some time.

Answer 7

I was wondering this too - I know I need to speak, have experiences listening IRL, practice in other ways continually and find ways to apply what i learn in the videos, etc. My question is more specifically: as far as what you can get in this way, could there be a "Spanish 5" added?

• True especially with Vocabulary even in your native tongue there is always something to learn. - BellaMargari Oct 13, 2009

Answer 8

Do you seriously expect that some set of standard lessons will prepare you to understand a discussion of a heart bypass surgery performed by a group of physicians (would you understand it in your native language?) or of some physicists discussing the nature of "dark matter"?

I would imagine technical discussions like theoretical physics or math would be among the easiest to follow in Spanish if you were conversant with the subject in English.

Answer 9

I am on Spanish 4.3 right now, so I'm almost done. I would LOVE to SEE a Spanish 5 (and maybe 6 on here next with even more advanced vocabulary or something! This site's value has been immeasurable to me and I'm thankful for it.

Answer 10

I like this site because it is a great way to learn Spanish, but no one around me actually speaks or understands Spanish so I can't practice. I like learning Spanish and I am afraid if I don't practice Spanish that I will forget it.

Answer 11

I believe that, until you have the chance to practice speaking the language, you could keep learning by listening to television in Spanish, Spanish songs, reading in Spanish, etc. thus, making sure that you don't lose what you have learned and probably keep learning as well.