Where to start?
When I first joined SD, I joined for attention from other members, and was not serious about learning the language, but I now would like to learn . I have no experience with the language whatsoever, and SD's articles confuse me. The thing is I don't have any clue as to where to start, does anyone have any suggestions?
5 Answers
I would start with the free lessons here that SD provides. Here is the link.
That will get you started. We have so many learning resources here as well as native Spanish speakers and teachers that can offer suggestions and help you too.
Hi coyote, I have seen you on the daily threads. Try to start posting something easy and with a well known structure.
You know you will get corrections there, so that is a good start too.
I am so excited to hear that you have the desire to learn Spanish, Lone_coyote.
I just have some advice for anyone that is starting to learn Spanish:
Make it interactive!
You'll make learning more fun and effective. So when you learn new terms, for instance, don't leave it in a book or a video. Go out to a store and look and even pick up the items you're learning and say it in Spanish.
So go to Home Depot, for instance, and pick up a hammer and say "martillo." (And while you're at Home Depot check out all the signage in English and Spanish. Look, touch, and say the terms in Spanish. Go window shopping and look at a pretty dress and say "vestido." Hug a Smurf and say "pitufo (Smurf)" and "abrazo (hug)." Go to the grocery store and pick up some chicken and say "pollo."
I did this recently with a British English term that I learned from Billygoat. When I was at Aldi and grabbed a shopping cart I said "trolley." It's high time that we in the United States started talking British English. 
I definitely agree with the folks here that the lessons by Paralee are excellent. It touches on everything (and more) that you need for a good start.
If you like workbooks I highly recommend the "Practice Makes Perfect" series. They are excellent, dovetail well with the lessons here and are very affordable.
And be sure that you start listening to spoken Spanish. Use subtitles, first in English, then, when you learn more, you can switch to Spanish subtitles. Watch Spanish language news on TV. The pictures will help you a lot.
And if you run into something that you don't understand, put it on the Forum and ask us about it. No doubt other folks are wondering the same thing.
Congratulations on taking your first steps into learning Spanish. It is a wonderful journey, very much worth the hard work and occasional frustration.
Hello!
Here are 2 recommended links from this page related to grammar & language guide.
Hope this helps.
Regards!
