Mexico

[NAFTA.couple]

Does anyone have any advice for learning Spanish? It's been a struggle for me. I found one course online and it was sooo boring I couldn't motivate myself to do it. I'm looking at a Rosetta Stone course now. Does anyone know of this course? How has everyone learned Spanish??

Rosetta is good. From when I learned English, I have good memories of a Berlitz course that was around the house, so maybe their Spanish courses are good too?
Now, for free, you can just join this: www-dot-spanishdict-dot-com. It seems really good and I've actually listened to entire lessons; it deals with useful everyday stuff, unlike others.

Buen aprendizaje!

 

[edgarsitow]

Rosetta is good. From when I learned English, I have good memories of a Berlitz course that was around the house, so maybe their Spanish courses are good too?
Now, for free, you can just join this: www-dot-spanishdict-dot-com. It seems really good and I've actually listened to entire lessons; it deals with useful everyday stuff, unlike others.

Buen aprendizaje!

lol I work for Berlitz Our material is good, however it's intended to be used with a tutor/teacher, not by itself.

 

[Nessa]

I have heard Rosetta stone is really good! Haven´t tried it though...

I have taken many spanish classes for my undergrad but I can tell you that nothing compares to just coming to mexico and forcing myself into situations where I have no choice but to speak spanish! I took like 5 years worth of spanish in Canada and then came to mexico for 6 weeks and I swear I learned so much more in those 6 weeks than I ever did from any classes! And when I came to mexico for my postgrad I was really nervous because my spanish wasn´t that great but if you just put yourself in those situations, you are forced to learn really quickly!

I think that is really the best way to learn! I know it can be hard and maybe you will say something that makes no sense and people will look at you weirdly...but that´s ok! You just have to really force yourself and not be shy about it.

 

[KJG]

I have heard Rosetta stone is really good! Haven´t tried it though...

I have taken many spanish classes for my undergrad but I can tell you that nothing compares to just coming to mexico and forcing myself into situations where I have no choice but to speak spanish! I took like 5 years worth of spanish in Canada and then came to mexico for 6 weeks and I swear I learned so much more in those 6 weeks than I ever did from any classes! And when I came to mexico for my postgrad I was really nervous because my spanish wasn´t that great but if you just put yourself in those situations, you are forced to learn really quickly!

I think that is really the best way to learn! I know it can be hard and maybe you will say something that makes no sense and people will look at you weirdly...but that´s ok! You just have to really force yourself and not be shy about it.

I totally agree Nessa.....wish I had the time and money to spend two months in Cuba with my husband and his family because for sure I would come back fairly fluent!!! All the mechanics are in place....I just need to start them!!! LOL

 

[NAFTA.couple]

lol I work for Berlitz Our material is good, however it's intended to be used with a tutor/teacher, not by itself.

Maybe they've changed them then. What we had was self-paced, a long time ago. Also, it can't be stressed enough: patience is the main ingredient. After that, there is no magic bullet -- just do your best and try to lose the fear.

 

[KJG]

Maybe they've changed them then. What we had was self-paced, a long time ago. Also, it can't e stressed enough: patience is the main ingredient. After that, there is no magic bullet -- just do your best and try to lose the fear.

NAFTA.couple.....you hit the nail on the head ......LOSE THE FEAR...I have to admit that is my biggest stumbling block...and I am working on it...and slowly my fear is leaving me.....but yikes......it is hard!!!

 

[TSauretBaxter]

I have heard Rosetta stone is really good! Haven´t tried it though...

I have taken many spanish classes for my undergrad but I can tell you that nothing compares to just coming to mexico and forcing myself into situations where I have no choice but to speak spanish! I took like 5 years worth of spanish in Canada and then came to mexico for 6 weeks and I swear I learned so much more in those 6 weeks than I ever did from any classes! And when I came to mexico for my postgrad I was really nervous because my spanish wasn´t that great but if you just put yourself in those situations, you are forced to learn really quickly!

I think that is really the best way to learn! I know it can be hard and maybe you will say something that makes no sense and people will look at you weirdly...but that´s ok! You just have to really force yourself and not be shy about it.

Yeah, I'm defintely very shy about it. But I have to get over it. I rely on my husband when I am in Mexico, even though he tries to push me to speak Spanish. The Destinos videos and practices are actually quite good. Much more interesting than "Listen and Repeat"

What did you go to Mexico to study?

 

[Nessa]

Yeah, I'm defintely very shy about it. But I have to get over it. I rely on my husband when I am in Mexico, even though he tries to push me to speak Spanish. The Destinos videos and practices are actually quite good. Much more interesting than "Listen and Repeat"

What did you go to Mexico to study?

Latin American Studies

I was really shy about it too! Still am sometimes! But just start with small things...maybe if you go out to a restaurant order for everybody, or ask for things yourself in Spanish. It helps if you have friends that don´t speak english at all...I found that if I knew that someone spoke English then I would get lazy and just say words in English instead of trying to figure it out! But if they don´t speak any English, then you have no choice! ;D

 

[TSauretBaxter]

Latin American Studies

I was really shy about it too! Still am sometimes! But just start with small things...maybe if you go out to a restaurant order for everybody, or ask for things yourself in Spanish. It helps if you have friends that don´t speak english at all...I found that if I knew that someone spoke English then I would get lazy and just say words in English instead of trying to figure it out! But if they don´t speak any English, then you have no choice! ;D

Cool, what do you want to do with your studies when you come back to Canada?

How did you learn to roll your rrrr's??

 

[Nessa]

Cool, what do you want to do with your studies when you come back to Canada?

How did you learn to roll your rrrr's??

Ohh I don´t know I guess I will wait and see what comes up! Maybe some government job...maybe even in CIC or something lol!

The rrrrrr´s...yeah I have yet to master that skill! I think I am getting better at it...but I tend to roll my rrrr´s the french way which is like at the back of the throat, and the spanish way is more in the front. So people get confused about my weird accent hahah

 

[birney00]

re do my medical

yo envie mi apllicacion en Marzo del anio pasado, y en Enero de este anio me pidieron que aplicara para el ARC. en esta semana recibi esto:



Please note that medical results are now the only thing pending before your file can be finalized.

You are being granted 30 days to provide us with proof that you have undergone new medical examinations.


que tanto falta para que termine mi proceso?

 

[OhCanadiana]

Re: re do my medical

yo envie mi apllicacion en Marzo del anio pasado, y en Enero de este anio me pidieron que aplicara para el ARC. en esta semana recibi esto:



Please note that medical results are now the only thing pending before your file can be finalized.

You are being granted 30 days to provide us with proof that you have undergone new medical examinations.


que tanto falta para que termine mi proceso?

Te están solicitando que hagas un exámen médico otra vez dado que ya caducó el que les entregaste (caducan después de un año). Dado que dicen que es lo único que falta, vete preparando para tener buenas noticas próximamente. El examen médico tarda como 3 semanas una vez que los reciban en la oficina regional en ser procesado y después de eso, sólo es cuestión de que emitan la visa.

¡Felicidades!

P.D. ¿Cuándo hiciste tu primer exámen médico? Si fue hace menos de 15 meses, posiblemente puedas solicitar una extensión en lugar de tener que hacerlos nuevamente gracias a una nueva regla.

°°°°

They are asking you to do another medical exam since the prior one expired (they expire after one year). Given that they say the medical results are the only thing missing, prepare yourself for good news soon. Medical exams take about 3 weeks to be processed once they receive them at the Regional Medical Office and after that it's just a matter of the visa being issued.

Congratulations!

PS. When did you do your first medical exam? If it was less than 15 months ago, you may be able to request an extension given a recent Bulletin.

 

[mc1234]

Has anyone flown in Mexico before from one city to another? Whats the most economical and best airline you have flown with? I have look at volaris and a few others, so far volaris seems to be the best one. Advice?

 

[OhCanadiana]

How did you learn to roll your rrrr's??

Take a look at http://www.uiowa.edu/~acadtech/phonetics/spanish/frameset.html. Pick purple "lugar." Then select "coronal" under the options that will pop up. The left 'r' is the singular, the r on the right is 'rr.' It will show you how to place your tongue and you can hear a few examples if you click play under the photo of the person.

Also, practice makes perfect. Try ferrocaril, for example. Over and over and at some point magically it will come together

 

[OhCanadiana]

Yeah, I'm defintely very shy about it. But I have to get over it. I rely on my husband when I am in Mexico, even though he tries to push me to speak Spanish. The Destinos videos and practices are actually quite good. Much more interesting than "Listen and Repeat"

I'm glad you're liking Destinos. I know it sounds ridiculous to use a soap opera but don't argue with success. And, it's definitely much more interesting than 'pen,' 'pen on book,' etc.

Once you're ready to 'push' yourself, you may want to consider reaching out to one of the resettlement programs in your area (e.g., many YMCAs are affiliated with them) and offer to help out some new immigrants. I met some recent refugees from Latin America at the pool the other day who were trying very hard to learn English and their way around and probably would have appreciated someone who was willing to be friendly in exchange for Spanish. It's a quite lonely start when you drop everything and run for your life...