What is the best way to start learning spanish?

Question

Hello, I am currently in high school and I am taking Spanish II soon. I have used the Duolingo app a bit but I haven't stuck to it because it was a bit confusing. I have learned the alphabet, vowels and what the accents do. I would like to know where should i start?

Bosquederoble has given you an excellent answer. Please tell us you gender and levels in English (I assume "fluent") and Spanish (Beginner seems right). We are always here to help you but will not do your work for you! We'd love to watch your progress.! - Jubilado, Oct 31, 2015

Answer 1

Welcome to the forum. It is always helpful to us if you fill out your profile.

My suggestions:

Learn some basic words- things in your house, numbers, days of the week, words you use all the time etc. It is hard to write sentences if you have to look up each word every time you want to practice writing.

And learn a few basic greetings. That will be expected in you class

The video lessons at this site actually do explain things, and provide some of the basics, progressing to more advanced topics:

http://www.spanishdict.com/learn/courses

If you like written material StudySpanish is good as well for short summaries of the key things:

http://www.studyspanish.com/tutorial.htm

I think both of those work well in combination.

:) - ian-hill, Oct 30, 2015

Wonderful, Bosque, gracias. ♥ - Daniela2041, Oct 31, 2015

Answer 2

Welcome to the forum. Have you had any lessons yet or are you teaching yourself?

It is a good idea to make an effort at an early stage with pronunciation. Spanish is logical. You will also need to learn about accents though the good news is that accents are only used to change the normal rules as to stress.

Listen to Spanish/ telenovelas/ radio/ music. It will get you used to the rythym of the language.

As soon as you understand how Spanish sounds say things out loud. Read those notes. Read anything you can out loud.

I am a fan of Mi Vida Loca an interactive video on the BBC site. I also like the podcasts from Notes in Spanish. However, if you are based in Canada or the USA you may find it more useful to listen to material from Mexico or South America. Search the site for ideas.

If you are in an area with native Spanish speakers find someone you can talk to.

Try and learn phrases - eg if you are labeling items at home try and learn my comfortable bed/ my new phone. Note some connecting words as you will want to make sentences.

This site seems to cover some basics

Cliff's notes

Answer 3

Welcome. There are few ways to start and I also use few programs and on you tube I like, visual link Spanish, culture valley Spanish. Then there are few apps you can use to. I as well use duolingo. I use memrise too, memrise is very good and it got 3 stages, beginners, intermediate and advanced.

Hello, I know your a native English speaker but you threw me with "memrise" then I realized it was a brand name, but it should be capitalized. Thanks! - Jubilado, Oct 31, 2015

Hi and no I am not a native english speaker. I am a swedish guy. I dont really think a capital M would of been such a diference it means the same thing. - Tacosalsa, Oct 31, 2015

Answer 4

Spanish alphabet would be a good way to start.

El abedecedario tiene muchas formas desde que estudié hace 55 años. Rae dice que ll y rr no más existen, ve es uve y i griega es ye. - Jubilado, Oct 31, 2015