Why do all Spanish teaching programs do this?
I want to learn spanish, but instead of teaching me to speak it, they all teach it to show it. Heres an Example "He is waiting for the train." "The lady is washing her hands."
I want real talk, with me saying it, and then answers. Example "Why are you so late, I have been waiting here like a fool for you?" "It's not my fault I tried to call you, but you never answer your phone."
Can anyone relate to what I'm saying? I have been practicing spanish off and on for years, but when it comes to real conversations I have no clue, unless I want to eat or use the bathroom or catch a train for pete's sake.
8 Answers
The usual constructions used to practice grammar are OK as long as you use them to communicate, which you can't do simply by using a grammar book. Most exercises where you translate from your language into the target language are only useful (if anything) when you start, but after that they are a waste of time, because even if you practice this long enough to be able to talk non stop, you are going to sound extremely artificial and foreigner, and many of your expressions will not even be acceptable or understandable.
The kind of conversational Spanish you want to learn can only be learnt by listening (or reading colloquial transcriptions) natives for some time, repeating and imitating them with the original intonation and inflection until you feel comfortable using them, and as you start incorporating more and more expressions and sentences, trying to use them yourself to talk. You need to get a lot of native Spanish (and not do a lot of useless literal translation into Spanish) before you can speak naturally. Watch movies, read comics, get more input!
Learning a language can be frustrating, especially if you're trying to teach yourself. I maintain that software and web sites are good for practice, but should not be used by themselves. If you want to learn how to hold conversations you have to hold conversations. Talking to a live teacher is a good way to do that. Have you tried taking classes at a community college, or something similar?
What have you been practicing for years samfisher? If you want real life talking, then you have to go immerse yourself in real life. I've tried many different teaching methods and courses, and n o n e of them are the same as real life. Even though I'm South Georgia WhiteBread Irish, my home, social life, church life, music, television, movies, reading, everything has become a Spanish immersion experience. In my Hispanic church, they have told me that I have become a Latino, which is kinda funny.
How bad do you want it? You're not going to get it from any web site, text book or Spanish Course. You can make it happen, but you've really got to change move into the culture of the language. I've only met one gringo that can speak Spanish above my level, but he's 20 years younger and had 10 years head start. I've got two years and 3 months of self-teaching, and I mean really, really hard work, but I am so happy I have made it to this point. I have a long ways to go, but I've finally reached the point where I can converse with just about anyone in Spanish and that's a huge milestone for me.
You have to talk with Spanish speakers. Every time you do that, you get immediate feedback and response. You know immediately if you are speaking gibberish or if you are nailing the Spanish. Something is happening in your brain when you converse with people and you don't forget what's being stored away during these lessons.
Yes, I can relate to what you're saying 
This has been the most frustrating thing I've ever gone through in my entire life (not the hardest, just the most frustrating). But, I'm amazed at the payoff, the satisfaction of communicating in another language. Sorry for using too many words.
um, I'm not supposed to say this, but whilst others laugh at Rosetta Stone, I did go through 5 levels of Latin American Spanish, and I can speak and understand the language. I don't know what went wrong. Best regards and best of luck.
I find it very helpful to watch movies either in Spanish, or with Spanish sub-titles. One can learn some very useful, everyday phrases/vocabulary in this manner. As others do, I imagine, I write these in a note-book as I watch the movie.
I learned a lovely new word last night: Cosquillas (f. pl.): tickles "Me haces cosquillas": That tickles/you're tickling me
¡Buena suerte!
Another option is to find someone who speaks Spanish - preferably a native speaker - and ask for help. You'd be surprised how willing people are to let you practice on them. There was a grandmother of a friend visiting in my community from the Dominican Republic who spoke only Spanish and who was endlessly patient in letting me talk to her. I learned a lot that way!
Sounds like are doing Rosetta. Not all courses are like that.
Try Pimsleur. It has in my opinion more real life situations. Just my opinion.
Try to read teaching books, there is so much information!!!
