Best CD spanish course for commuting?
 

Hola!

I find myself on a long commute recently and the books on tape as well as satellite radio are getting old!

I'd like to learn some basic Spanish. What CD course would you recommend? There were some language learning discussions on OT here before but none were specific for the commuter, where you can't have a book out or speak into your computer ...

Gracias!

Jorge

Hello,
several choices at Barnes and Noble
varias opciones en Barnes and Noble :)

I haven't tried the Spanish version, but Pimsleur is an audio only course, and seems to generally be in top 2 of the most common "what's the best course" lists. Usually Pimsleur and Rosetta are mentioned as the top 2. Rosetta is a computer based thing, so wouldn't really work. Pimsleur is essentially all audio that you get by listening and repeating what you hear.

The Pimsleur course comes in 30 minute "lessons" that start slow and build on the last lesson. So at 30 minutes, they may be a great length for a commute.

I put some lessons on my ipod once to listen to in the car. I found that I couldn't pay enough attention while driving to really get the most out of them.

No help for your original question, but I'm sure you (if not your wife/GF) will be a big fan of Spanish-speaking television shows and magazines. Yowza!

Don't know about courses as I have never needed them ;) but please feel free to ask me any questions about vocabulary, grammar or whatever.

Mucha suerte aprendiendo español!!!

Paco, what is the proper usage of "por" and "para" ? That one always gets me unless I memorize the phrase.

This thread might be a nice new online tutorial!

More or less "por" would be "by" or "because" and "para" would be "for", but as you already know it is more complicated than that. Generally speaking, "por" implies a cause and "para" implies an intention.

"Para" is easier and more straightforward:

- Esto es PARA ti -> This is FOR you (I want them to be yours = intention)
- Lleva las manzanas PARA comer -> Take the apples TO eat [them] (FOR them to be eaten, I want you to take them so you can eat them = intention)
- Jugamos PARA ganar -> We play TO win (FOR us to win the game)

"Por" is more complicated. The basic usage means causation:

- Ha pasado POR tu culpa -> It was your fault (It happened BECAUSE of your fault = cause)
- Los abuelos vienen POR Navidad -> The grandparents come FOR Christmas (when it is Christmas)

"Por" is very often used in the phrases "por qué" (why) or "porque" (because)

- ¿POR QUÉ viniste? Vine PORQUE quise -> WHY did you come? I came BECAUSE I wanted to [come]
- Hace sol PORQUE es verano -> It is sunny BECAUSE it is summer

Also "por" is used to indicate multiplication:

- Tres POR cuatro, doce -> Three TIMES four [equals] twelve

Also "por" means "in case"

- Lleva el paraguas POR si llueve -> Take the umbrella IN CASE it rains

I had to think this over, but I hope it clears things somewhat. Try these examples:

- I drink to forget -> Bebo ____ olvidar
- I came to see a friend -> Vine ____ ver a un amigo
- It is for you because you won it -> Es ____ ti _____ tu lo ganaste
- I am dying for you -> Es ____ ti que yo me muero (it is because of you that I die)
- For whom the bells toll? -> ¿____ quien doblan las campanas? Hemingway!!!
- I'll change my 911 for your Mustang -> Te cambio el 911 ____ tu Mustang

SmileWavySmileWavySmileWavy

Thanks guys, I will go for the Pimsleur then! Glad the Rosetta Stone is a no-go, I'd have a hard time buying their stuff after being tortured by their radio-commercials.

I should really brush up on my French instead, but that's pretty much useless in SoCal and the American Southwest. A bit of Spanish will be much more useful!

G

If you listen to Spanish language radio and TV, it helps to get cadence of the lingo, but yo may sound like a radio announcer if you are not careful. It should be pretty easy for you with French already, helped me anyway.