Is it possible to learn Spanish by myself and ever go to level intermediate or advanced?

Question

I am just thinking...Is this possible?Cause..when you are begginer you can do many things by yourself, but later it is getting harder and harder? Have you such experience -"Never going to Spanish classes and speak fluently Spanish"?

• Please oay attention to the category!!!! - Heidita Oct 20, 2009
• Heidita - please "pay" attention when typing. ;) (sorry - I could't help it) - Behemoth Oct 20, 2009

Answer 1

Totally possible. I can't find the site right now, but the US government estimates 575 hours to learn Spanish. It is a level 1 (easy) language just like English. Japanese and Mandarin Chinese are level 3 + languages that take 2200 hours to learn. I am learning 3 languages right now without taking classes, and I intend to up that to 5 starting in January. Once you learn one more language, your brain will start being attuned to taking in languages. You need to get excited about some Spanish music and TV shows and make a bunch of Spanish friends, then use this site and go through all the lessons... then try some others (Michelle Thomas, Pimsleur, etc...). Audiolessons are best but remember to avoid Rosetta like the plague as it is complete BS. Oh yeah, the pod sites tend to be good. Spanishpod.com, Chinesepod.com etc... Carry physical flashcards with you everywhere, as well as using downloaded cards on the computer. If you need some assistance with good music and movies and tvshows let me know. It's not all telenovelas, there's a bunch of other good stuff.

• NIce post jeezzle - Izanoni1 Oct 20, 2009

Answer 2

I think its possible, as long as you believe it so. A positive atttitude is essential. I think, totally immersing yourself in a language, and becoming a child again is a good technique. Try watching Spanish children cartoons or playing video games in Spanish - it works and hopefully you'll have fun doing it. Along with that, try finding Spanish penpals (do a language exchange), or listening to Spanish music, and also, there are a lot of free internet sites that offer Spanish lessons. Apart from that, nothing beats real experience, such as going to a Spanish speaking country. I went to Spain for a month and my level of understanding increased a lot (from understanding nothing to understanding some words and sentences).

Answer 3

I am learnigh since February. Started from nothing and learned only by myself. Now I am intermediate, I understand most part of the films, news etc. I only don't have a possibility to speak Spanish often, but it's not so terrible

Answer 4

It's possible. I never went to English classes. But I think Spanish is a bit harder, and you are not so invaded as us with English.

Answer 5

Great question and good answers too. I am very interested in those shows/movie suggestions. Do tell!

• When I was in Spain, on daytime tv they liked to play an old cartoon called ´La Abeja Maya´ or Maya the Bee in English. It is also translated in english, but you can find a spanish copy on the internet, or youtube. - sunandstars Oct 20, 2009
• Oh and I´ve heard people using copies of their dvds and putting spanish subtitles or audio instead of english. And other people watch spanish news (a good website that my boyfriend goes on is elmundo.es) - sunandstars Oct 20, 2009