How well will I speak Spanish when I am done with lesson 4?

Question

I understand that is a rather subjective question. However, a broader context may help. I have several Spanish speaking friends who love to help me learn. I also have access to several other resources like Rocket Spanish, Tell Me More, and numerous free WEB based programs like SpanishDict. But I find myself intrigued by SpanishDict. For a free program, you all seem to get it right. Anyway, if I focus on SpanishDict lessons and resources alone, can I become fluent proficient in the language?
Thanks for your time

Answer 1

The fact is, if you learn the 60 lessons well, you'll understand the mechanics of it. But it won't be second nature for you.

That requires practice, with all sorts of written and spoken Spanish, liboros, noticias, revistas, peliculas, etc, over and over and over and over. And it requires you constantly adding to your vocabulary.

The 60 lessons allows you to have the framework to do that practice.

Thanks Goyo. That is kind of what I expected. I have lost my fear of trying to speak to a Spanish speaker. - Gopher88, Feb 6, 2011

Answer 2

It will give you a good base. Practice with your friends as much as possible and find whatever media you can. My Salvadorean friends give me lots of tips and you might try listening to Cumbia, Bachata, and Salsa. Those music types have more proper Spanish than Reggaeton.

I understand you need to know about 500 words to be somewhat converstaional in a language. Of course they have to be the most frequently used words...make a stack of flashcards with the word and a sentance. Immersion, private study, and SpanishDict should help you have conversations at a relaxed pace about most topics.

Rocket Spanish has a list of the 140 most used words (according to them). I am in the process of memorizing them first. After that...? - Gopher88, Feb 6, 2011

After that, work on the most common Spanish verbs. There are 3 lists of them that I borrow from Lazarus and put into my flashcards set. They are on my profile. - Goyo, Feb 7, 2011

Answer 3

The 60 free lessons here are an excellent foundation for learning Spanish. However, they will not teach you the vocabulary that you need for speaking. For that you have to take your own initiative, through Flashcards, through participation in the Forum, by reading the reference materials etc.

But then you need to hear alot of Spanish spoken...on TV, radio, music etc or through people around you. Then you have to practice speaking it alot, in many different situations. At that point it's all about trial and error, and having people willing to fix your Spanish to help you gain proficiency.

There aren't any shortcuts. Listen, study, practice, learn.

Good luck. Hope to see you around.

60 lessons x 20 words = about 1200 words. Not enough. - Goyo, Feb 6, 2011

Somewhere I read that if you learn 2000 of the most used Spanish words, you will have a pretty good foundation and be able to communicate well. I have know idea if this is correct or not. - Gopher88, Feb 6, 2011

It all depends on if you have learned words that pertain to your individual life. If you're not a young student anymore, your vocab. needs are specialized. - Echoline, Feb 6, 2011

Answer 4

That is easy to see, come to one of our skype voice chats and you will be able to see how you speak and how much people have learnt

Answer 5

I agree with the people who are saying that you need to study and also practice. Just studying won't enable you to speak and understand speech. However, just trying to learn by conversing won't do it either. Some study is required as well. Keep working and trying. Be consistent in your studies, and practice listening and speaking whenever you can. Find ways to learn that are fun for YOU. Everyone is different. If you don't enjoy it you won't keep it up. Good luck!

You are right. Consistency will be key. I cannot learn Spanish with one cram session a week. I need to study daily. - Gopher88, Feb 7, 2011

Answer 6

I've finished the lessons and in the forums. I can read some simply sentences and catch a few words of spoken Spanish. I can also make up a simple sentence. Of course how well you do could be better or worse.

How long did it take you to get through all the lessons? - Gopher88, Feb 6, 2011

It's recommended to study each one for about a week. I think I took about a year. - Goyo, Feb 7, 2011

Answer 7

Cada persona aprende en forma diferente. Lo que puedo decirte es que ya has dado el paso más importante: haz comenzado a estudiar otro idioma. Me complace que sea el español. Te doy la más cordial bienvenida y te deseo mucha suerte.

No entiendo español. :) - Gopher88, Feb 6, 2011

Basically, he said: Each person learns differently, but I can tell you that you have already taken the most important step: you have started to study another language. I am happy that it was Spanish (that you chose to study). I extend to you a most.... - Izanoni1, Feb 7, 2011

heartfelt welcome and whish you lots of luck. - Izanoni1, Feb 7, 2011

Answer 8

Hi there Gopher. I am also a Rocket Spanish student. We seem to be at about the same level here at SpanishDict and I am at level 2.4 at Rocket Spanish. I signed up for the Feb 12 Skype Chat that margaret suggested and have jumped ahead to lesson 1.15. I am also working on several sets of cards that Sandy has created for the Skype session. It is pretty slow going as I only recognize about 20% of the words on the cards. I don't know how much talking I will be doing at the chat, but I think it will be good for me. Since I joined SD I have been spending a lot more time on my Spanish.

Ron, I have stopped listening to the mp3's However, I find the printed material to be very useful. I have just started using the computer program that came with. It seems useful. - Gopher88, Feb 6, 2011

I think the audio portion is very important to develop the correct way to pronounce the words. I copied the mp3 lessons to my mp3 player in my phone and listen to them while I am exercising at the gym. - Ron_Austin, Feb 6, 2011

The audio was great but I am surrounded by Spanish speakers at work who love to help me with my pronunciation. As I haven't listened in awhile, I may pick them up again. - Gopher88, Feb 7, 2011

Answer 9

Why not join the next Skype Chat? You will be able to judge yourself!! (And it's fun!!!)

I love Skype. - Gopher88, Feb 6, 2011

Answer 10

The simple answer is no. You will have some great basics, but speaking well and communicating and understanding will be your next challenge

Watch as much as Spanish language TV or films as posible and then chat on skype in the forum organised here, or in person, or even better, go to a Spanish speaking country as often as possible. Unless you have no other options, best not to chat with other Spanish language students because you´ll only pick up their bad habits. Yes, it´s useful and you can share ideas and things learned, but nothing beats talking to a local.

One thing, you will often have to relearn things. The basic grammar here is great and the lessons are well structured and well worth coming back to if you have a problem or need a refresher course. Although my lessons with Spanish teachers were invaluable, few spoke much English and couldn´t explain the finer points when I was puzzled. Just try getting someone to explain the imperfect subjunctive only in Spanish when most people aren´t even sure how it´s used in English.

Another good point is Spanish changes in each country, often the differences are small like different words for the same thing. Grifo in Peru is a filling station and not a tap. They use caño instead. In Ecuador un esfero is a pen and in Peru and most other Latin countries it is lapicera and in Spain bolígrafo, but accents can throw you, too. Often in some regions, "ll" is more like a "j" sound. So una llama has a sound like jama. Or try talking to someone with a strong Santiago accent for the first time and you´ll think you´ve learnt another language. Also if you´ve learned Spanish in Latin America, then you´ll need to relearn vosotros in Spain or being called vos in Buenos Aires might throw you at first.

If you want to be really fluent, with only a slight gringo accent, there are several years ahead of you and you can always return to this website when you´re unsure of something. It´s a fantastic tool for beginners or experts. If you just want to communicate on holidays, these lessons are also a great start.

Thanks for the great tips. Thanks for the help and support. - Gopher88, Feb 7, 2011

By the way, it's a good idea to watch films on dvd in spanish with subtitles in spanish that way you can watch and listen to words - Encalada, Feb 7, 2011

Answer 11

Thanks everyone for the tips and warm welcome! It seems that the concensus is:

1. The lessons will give a good framework.
2. The lessons are not sufficient on their own to learn Spanish proficiently.
3. Use various other tools (especially video's and T.V)
4. Practice consistently.
5. Often use other SpanisDict tools like flashcards, forums etc.
6. Have fun!

Is that about it?

Peace my friends.

It really depends on your progress. The teacher cannot go on the next topic if you didn't get the last one. And your progress will depend on how much you really want to learn. I had several Spanish lessons in the past but I was too lazy to actually go - josannesalvaleon, Jan 20, 2016