Questioning my progress
I have a question about my progress, since I have no way to grade myself. I have gone through the 1st and part way thought the 2nd level of Rosetta Stone, and I still have a hard time remember how to pronounce a lot of these Spanish words, and cannot put together a sentence on my own. I am I on track or should I give it up? I feel a little frustrated.
11 Answers
I have no way to grade myself
Sure you do!
Try translating your question that you just asked in English into Spanish! Not only might you find that you really have learned a few things, but you will learn even more as the good folks here point out corrections (if any!). No one will expect a Cervantes novel, but who knows where it will lead!
Take your time. You've heard that even the longest journey begins with one step. Take it a step at a time doing a word at time. For now. As you grow, you will find that it is easier to translate an idea or a thought into Spanish (even thinking in Spanish) rather than doing a word for word thing. But baby steps..
A little shove, if I may: Tengo una pregunta sobre ...
What can it hurt? If it doesn't work, I'll make sure any signup fees you paid to be here are refunded. 
I have found it very helpful to use more than one source for learning. Sometimes hearing or reading something from several different points of view helps you to understand a concept better. I have used this method to teach music successfully.
For example, you might be learning about the verbs "ser and estar" with Rosetta Stone. You are starting to understand, but still have a few questions. By supplementing your learning with a grammar book that explains these two verbs and then maybe watching the video on this site that discusses the topic, you will have more of a complete picture. Some information will be repetitive, which is always helpful. Some information will fill in the gaps that might be missing from Rosetta Stone.
Everyone is different. A lesson which might help you might leave me totally confused and vice versa. Also, when learning any topic, repetition and review is always key. I think it is a rare person who will be able to understand all of the concepts after viewing or reading them once.
Hang in there....and don't give up. We will be here to cheer you on! 
Welcome to the SpanishDict forum Benton 
I cannot tell whether or not you should give up Rosetta Stone but you are likely to benefit from doing these two things:
- Continue learning with SpanishDict Community and benefit from all the Free Services here including the excellent teaching through video link by our online teacher Paralee Whitmire the free chatroom, the Online forum here
and
2 Look for an online direct teaching site which offers 1:1 /individual teaching with native teachers all you need is Skype connection and then you can start. You can often choose your teacher from those adverstised on such sites These kind of services are charged If you look carefully at SpanishDict and you will see one advertised here 
Hi, Benton.
You're doing great! Keep at it...it takes time and practice to learning anything new and worthwhile.
I couldn't agree more with Marianne!! The process of learning a language is a difficult one. Do not give up!! It sounds like you are on the right path and being on the Spanish Dict site is a great addition to learn!! Soak up as much and use as much as you can to learn a great language!!
HI Benton! I also purchased the Rosetta Stone 1 and 2, and let me tell you, I was really disappointed. I don't think it's a good language learning program. That's just my opinion, others may have a different one. I want to encourage you to not give up, stay here on SD and try to make time every day to read the answers in the forum, and really try to do the "Word of the Day" (La palabra del dia) game, etc. Over time you will find it helps you greatly!! Oh, and don't forget the flashcards!!! Keep in mind learning a foreign language is not an overnight deal. Also, if you can, watch either Telemundo or Univision on tv, the news is the best (I think) because they print some highlights of what they are talking about on the screen, and it's easier to read it than to understand what they are saying. So, it acts as a bridge to help you to understand what they are saying.
I hope this helps you, and please don't just use Rosetta Stone to learn, it's just not enough.
Buena suerte!
From what I have observed with language learning, ability to read comes first, writing intelligibly would come next and actively speaking with or without an accent comes at the end. In reality it is a confluent process, each part overlapping and adding to the next.
There is a skype meeting on Saturdays for beginners with Heidita. It is a fun meeting where everyone gets a chance to talk and there is suggested preparations. She was willing to work with me even though I am a dog with all the accompanying impediments.Look for the thread and give it a shot.Thinks really start to come together when you have to speak.I attended once and felt I learned even in that short event.
Skype is a way to connect with people and talk to them by computer.. You can either do it by writing like in the chat room or actually calling and speaking with a person or groups of people. The best part is that it is free. You will have an ID that you give to Heidita, and she will add you into the chats. All you need to buy is headset. It is great practice.link textHere is a time zone maplink text
Hi Benton, learning a language is definitely not easy to track and like so many have said you are probably progressing without really noticing it yourself. One day you may feel like you have made absolutely no progress and the next you will be surprised to see that you really do have a lot of knowledge. The secret is just to keep on and review, review, review is always good. You are lucky because you have so many different ways to learn - the computer is an amazing resource. Even using the 'Free Rice' site that someone recently posted again, for awhile will add on the vocabulary and it is something that you can just relax and have fun with. Don't worry, you A R E progressing!!!!
I think everyone feels that way once and a while. There are times I can't put a sentence together. I just do flashcards or review old lessons. Try the lessons here and maybe get a tutor. I think after a while things will stick with you. It takes a long time to learn a language-- Don't give up!
Tengo una pregunta sobre
I know that "tengo" means to have, and
the conjugated form of "tener" in the I form is “yo”: “tengo"
I know “una” is an, the feminine form of the indefinite article
I have no idea what pregunta sobre means; but I'll go to the translator and try; and then ask some questions and get some feedback.
For me it is the will; the heart, to keep going because it is important not just for me but friends. I wish to communicate with them; so I remind myself it's not just about me but my love for them.
I, too, wish you well in this struggle!! Your own goal will be worth the effort!! Hang in there!
