Best way to understand spanish?????

Question

Hola a todas!!! I have just taken on some advice and started to watch a movie with the language selected to spanish and the spanish subtitles on. I have watched only the first 10 mins about 6 times now. I can't understand what they are saying. I can understand a few words but not many. They speak too fast for me and I cant recognise the words. To add to this, the words that they say in spanish doesnt exactly correspond with the subtitles. Most of the subtitles are the same but some are not. Am I jumping the gun into something that is still to advanced for me to do or should I be doing this when I can at least have a fluent conversation. I dont want to name the movie because I dont know whether I am allowed to.

Answer 1

I find it easier to understand music in Spanish than it is to understand movies and television shows. Try printing out the lyrics to Spanish songs, and then listen to the songs while you have the lyrics and see if you can recognize words.

• Using music is great, you can choose the tempo you're comfortable with and the words of many Spanish songs are available in both languages. Check your library if they have music. - aloshek Nov 14, 2009
• I meant to say "available on line in both languages" - aloshek Nov 14, 2009
• Ok i will try that. Thanks. - mike123587 Nov 14, 2009

Answer 2

Hi Mike,

Maybe it's too soon for you to watch a regular movie and try to glean from it. I highly recommend the Destinos series Destinos It's free and there are about 50 episodes of 30 minutes each. (Watch for the popups which contain the window with the movie. It's a little confusing the way it works, but it does work and you can view it full screen also)

It starts out with very basic Spanish that increases in difficulty. They speak slowly and clearly. I think that makes more sense than watching a regular movie as a beginner.

¡Buenas suerte!

• But thats the thing.... I am not a total beginner. I have done spanish for about 1 year now!!! - mike123587 Nov 14, 2009
• I still think you will like it and it will help you. - Goyo Nov 14, 2009
• A year probably is not very long if one is not in the country where the language is spoken...Or? - Janice Nov 14, 2009
• Goyo. I had a look at the Destinos and it looks quiet good. I will watch a few tonight I think. Thankyou for that!! - mike123587 Nov 14, 2009
• Sorry i spelt "quite" incorrect. - mike123587 Nov 14, 2009
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Answer 3

Hey Mike,

Sorry to hear you are having such a frustrating time. Watching a movie with subtitles is a very good suggestion. It just might not be for you, or maybe you need to slow it down a little.

I have found LoMas TV to be helpful. There are tons of videos to choose from. All come with subtitles in English. But the best part is that you can slow the speed down in order to follow along. You can also click on each word for the definition. It is not as good as this site in overall learning, but for listening, I would highly recommend it.

Don't worry about mentioning names here. I wondered that at first, but everyone freely shares anything here that is helpful for the learning process. That is what makes the site so great. The goal seems to be learning first and not competition. You should also try Goyo's suggestion.

Just a note...don't expect subtitles to match up word for word. I'm sure the translation is probably accurate. It is just that the word order for Spanish sentences is different than that of an English sentence.

I really hope you find something that clicks. I know you are working hard. Keep up the good work.

Nicole

• Thanks nicole!! Somehow from your responses to me i feel you have a lot of faith in me!! - mike123587 Nov 14, 2009
• I do Mike, I do! - Nicole-B Nov 15, 2009
• The movie is the series of "the Sopranos". It was the only one I could find with the spanish language option. I find that they mumble a lot as well as speak too fast! - mike123587 Nov 15, 2009
• Well being part of Italian family, I think that is funny that you are watching "The Sopranos" in Spanish. I think it is just too much for an Aussie. jeje - Nicole-B Nov 15, 2009
• Heheheh! Yeah I can see where you are coming from!!!! Remember I am your resident aussie here, so you have to go easy on me!!!! - mike123587 Nov 15, 2009

Answer 4

You might try downloading Audacity....an audio editing program. Then you can put something you want to hear into its format and play it passage by passage, ear to the speaker until you can finally make out what is said (I write it down). I also keep the written word in another room...I would have to get up to get it, but it is there "just in case". (Note: I purchase CD's such as from the Lola Lago, Detective series, which come with the written text..which I absoluteley only turn to if I cannot make out what was said after a hundred tries and using my imagination!!)

Also try this site: A compilation of brief video clips in which native speakers of Spanish from various locations throughout Latin America and Spain demonstrate various language tasks.

Now I have a confession to make: although I have come quite far in understanding and usually don't even have to translate in my head what I hear, I still cannot speak a word!! so now I am starting to study/learn the grammar. To speak I am sure I will have to go somewhere where "se habla español".

ps, I started with Destinos!!!!!!! It is wonderful. I wish there were a follow-on.

• Lola Lago...hmmm...sounds interesting. - webdunce Nov 15, 2009
• Oh yes, I am watching Destinos It is easy to understand. - BellaMargari Nov 15, 2009

Answer 5

Thank you all for your encouragement. I need it sometimes. And as I always say," I will be fluent in this language one day, even if it takes me 50 years".

Answer 6

I agree with yashonda. I would like to suggest also that you choose singers that pronounce the words clearly in their songs. Of course slow songs will be easier to start with. If I may suggest a few, "Con Los Brazos En Cruz" and "Sa'lvame" by Anahi. What I love about Anahi is that she not only has an increbible voice but a very clear voice. "Con Los Años Que Mi Quedan" by Gloria Estefan is very good too. Everyday I use the DVD "RBD Live In Rio de Janero" it is a great video and has very good word for word subtitles in Spanish, English and Portugese. Using songs makes learning more fun and the music and beat helps aid your memory.

Answer 7

Another interesting way to learn to "hear" Spanish is to make flash cards on this site. You can enter phrases and sentences and then practice by going under "flashcard" and by going to the "listen" section of the flash cards. If the phrases or sentences are too long you won't be able to see the whole thing on the "recognize" section but who cares if you only really want listening practice. Just don't mark your flash cards to be shared or others might get frustrated when they try to use them. It's a good way to begin to recognize common phrases being spoken, I think.

Here´s a link text

to one of mine (sorry, they're mushy things to say) but it's just so you can determine if it might work for you.

• Wow, those are really really mushy! - Goyo Nov 14, 2009
• Me has hecho sonrojar ... ¿qué puedo decir? soy un romántico. - aloshek Nov 14, 2009
• These are the answers everyone is looking for outside of ser vs.estar Aloshek - nizhoni1 Nov 14, 2009
• referring to your mush flashcards. - nizhoni1 Nov 14, 2009
• Oh my goodness. Each hour that passes with you seems like a second.....:) - jeezzle Nov 15, 2009
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Answer 8

I understand your frustation Mike. I am from Colombia and lived there more than 50 years. Let me tell you. Sometimes I watch movies in Spanish and I got lost often. You know that most actors and actresses don't care much for vocalizing and make sure everybody understands whatever they are saying, they talk fast and use a lot of slang. In Spanish movies it also depends on wether is a Spaniard, a Colombian, an Argentinian or a Mexican movie; we all talk Spanish but in a different way.

It is going to take a while. Do not discourage and have fun.

Answer 9

Miré los primeros dos episodiso de Destinos y disfruté completamente de ellos.¡Muy bien hecho y una excelente recomendacíion! Gracias, Goyo.

Answer 10

Better than watching movies.... watch the news. Newscasters have excellent diction and usually have clean breaks in words.

• I try to do that with my boyfriends station, but the newscasters speak very fast! - aloshek Nov 15, 2009
• Yes!!!!! Very fast!!!! - mike123587 Nov 15, 2009