I have been doing everything in my power to avoid buying Rosetta Stone. It isn’t because I doubt it’s capabilities, in fact I am certain it is an amazing product. I just can’t bring myself to put down all that money. But, I am determined to learn Spanish.
I started with the Pimsleur Method, CD’s that I would listen to in the car on the way to and from work, because I could get the discs for free at the library. I felt more prepared than expected when I went to Central America last December, but I still had more lessons to go. However, a few months ago I borrowed the last set of discs that the library offered and now I am in limbo. Which leads me to another reason why I have held off purchasing Rosetta Stone – I have no idea where to start or which lessons I actually need.
So I have been on a hunt for new resources…
A recent tweet by Let’s Get Spanish grabbed my attention. They seem to have a lot of tools and lessons you can purchase. I decided to begin with the free 6 day Rocket Language course to find out how useful it would be. I have sort of begun listening to the daily emails I signed up for, but at the end of the day, I really need to be sitting in my car for this. I have trained myself to learn Spanish while driving to work because I just can’t imagine adding another “project” into my evenings after work. I try, but there is only so much I can handle. So as far as the success of the lessons, let’s just say I will have a better idea after I download the MP3′s onto a disc – a process I have already begun.
This week I stumbled upon another option. Back at my Girlfriend Guide to Gaming Party I mentioned interest in the My Spanish Coach game to practice the skills I have already picked up and also hopefully learn some more.
Last night, to my surprise, I came home to a package with a little note inside. Justine at Brand About Town heard of my interest in the game and then took it upon herself to send it to me! I still can’t get over how excited I am about this! It was seriously unexpected and incredibly thoughtful.
The game is similar to many of the other Nintendo DSi games in that you go through levels to unlock higher ones. Here, I needed to master specific words by playing an array of games to unlock new games and new words to master.
While I flew through the first few games, and even though I am a bit more advanced (at least for the levels that I have completed), I must admit, I did learn new words. Also, I had fun. My favorite game is the Word Search, which is something that I have always loved since being introduced to it in second grade. Coincidentally, I passed into the second grade level last night before I finally decided to put the game down and go to bed, but I know that there is more for me to learn as I continue to pass through each level.
I am sure at some point I will buckle down and buy Rosetta Stone if I am really serious about mastering the language. But until then I do have one more resource that recently became available to me. My friend Sue, who I visited last year, is finally home from El Salvador after having lived there for the past 3-4 years! I am beyond thrilled about this.
And who knows, maybe she will miss speaking Spanish all the time and one day, I will be able to fill that gap.
How fun! That’s so cool that Nintendo has language classes. I, too, have been wanting to become fluent in Spanish (I took 5 years in high school/college), worked in Spain, then went back to a Spanish university in NYC–but it’s just not the same if you aren’t speaking it regularly. Now I’m even more bummed I was gone for all my friends’ Nintendo parties last summer!
Justine rocks. For serious.
I might need to get this, as we’re going to Costa Rica in November…
haha, I LOVE word searches too! but I can’t imagine doing them in Spanish. Good for you for attempting to learn more of the language. I’m still relying on my high school grade Spanish skills. Unfortunately, my college courses in Spanish were a huge JOKE.
I’d love to learn Italian, but I agree, Rosetta Stone is super pricey. Maybe I’ll check out these other methods.
I would love to learn Spanish! I tried to get into learning on the commute to work but it just never really happened. I would like to learn like 12 other languages too, like Swahili!
Que fantastico! The game sounds like a lot of fun. I’m back to taking classes, but I also download free podcasts and listen to them in the car to and from work (like you). I think the best way to learn though is finding Spanish speaking friends to practice with. Buena suerte amiga.