Learning Spanish

[admin]

Do you need to? Of course you do - tips/tricks/schools/tutors and your personal experiences

[joshmulholland]

By now you've figured out that the Spanish b doesn't really sound
like "b as in boy." And having someone model "perro" for you again is
not getting you any closer to pronouncing that maddening erre.

Too often, we think of language as an intellectual study, to be mastered
using books and grammar tables and rules. In reality, it's more like
dance - something you produce physically, in real time, and usually in
collaboration with a partner. When it comes to pronunciation, the book
approach can be especially frustrating.

I can help. Twelve years ago I was just like you, a Gringo with a basic
vocabulary and an erre that sounded like I was choking on a live
frog. These days, I have a hard time convincing Gto locals that I don't
have a Mexican parent.

Spanish phonemes (a fancy word for "language sounds," if you haven't
read that chapter yet) are NOT the same as English ones. You have to
learn new to move your mouth in new ways.

Learning a new language is like changing from ballet to salsa: you have to learn the new moves. I will show you how to produce these sounds, using simple techniques that help you understand what to DO.

Let me emphasize this point: I am not going to show you a phonetic
chart. I am not going to load you up with terminology ("the Spanish b
is a voiced bilabial fricative"). I will show you what to DO. Think
Mr. Miyagi in the original Karate Kid.

I have a Master's degree in education, and a Bachelor's in Spanish and
English. I've been a language instructor for 15 years, and have spent
ten years living and working in Mexico.

Oh, and if you'd like, we can also demystify the subjunctive while we're
at it.

[The Duck]

Welcome Josh!
...and who can resist a Mulholland? CHINATOWN what a flick