I am moving to Madrid next year and my Spanish is nearly non-existent. I never took it in school (French & Latin), but I think I am at the false beginner level because I grew up around it and know some things.
So, my question is, what is a good beginner's book? I want to learn grammar and proper sentence structure, not just--�Donde esta el ba�o?, because I want to live in Madrid for years.
(I've also been working with a CD-ROM called Visual Link Spanish. I'm halfway through it and I can make complete sentences (like: Me gustar�a usar la computadora porque quiero mandar un e-mail.) some of which is useful, but I don't know why I'm putting each word in its place.)
What I really want is a college level course, but I'm living in Tokyo now so it's not an option.
Anitra
Posts: 14 | Location: Tokyo, Japan (San Antonio, Texas) | Registered: 17 September 2003
I did like you did - just kind of moved to Spain knowing "0" Spanish. Since you already know and are learning how to form a basic sentence, I strongly recommend 501 Spanish verbs. I have bought dozens of Spanish language books and that book is the one that contributed most to my fluency. It teaches conjugation (and since you know French, you won't be a complete stranger to Spanish conjugation) and how to use the many verb tenses that exist in Spanish. It also has a very good section in the back of the book gives you a multitude of examples of verb usage.
This is the book I recommend to everyone!
Good luck y nos. vemos en Madrid.
y desde el club de los humildes rescatar aquellos besos que he tirado sin amar
Thanks for the info! I have a dusty copy of 501 French Verbs in my parents house--I remember how useful it was. But I'm also looking for a book with grammar help & explanations...
Posts: 14 | Location: Tokyo, Japan (San Antonio, Texas) | Registered: 17 September 2003
O.K. - Got ya! The Verb book has a good section in back regarding grammar but it cannot be considered a grammar book. I have found found basic grammar books to be the same in quality but they all lack very very GOOD instruction in Pronouns. For my money, I would go the 501 Verbs and the following:
SPANISH PRONOUNS & PREPOSITIONS
Paperback: 208 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.68 x 10.89 x 8.65 Publisher: McGraw-Hill/Contemporary Books; (April 11, 1998) ISBN: 0844273112 Average Customer Review: Based on 20 reviews. Write a review.
Amazon.com Sales Rank: 4,148
Between the book the teacher recommended and these two books, you shouldn't need to add anything to your spanish language library.
:cheers:
y desde el club de los humildes rescatar aquellos besos que he tirado sin amar
"I move in a landscape where revolution and love speak overwhelming words" Ren� Char<br /><br />"Using a stone for a pillow, I drift toward the clouds" Santoka Taneda
Posts: 124 | Location: san francisco, usa | Registered: 23 August 2002
So my Repaso workbook arrived in the mail last week when I was in Singapore, and I've just started working on it this weekend. (Can I say: Oh my God, it is huge!! )
My question is for marcela (or jer or anyone who's ever seen this book before and/or taught a language) can I jump around from verbs to nouns (of course starting at the beginning of each section) and then back again? I've finished the first 10 pages in about three hours and I don't want to get "verb burn-out". Any advice?
:cheers:
Anitra
Posts: 14 | Location: Tokyo, Japan (San Antonio, Texas) | Registered: 17 September 2003
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Anitra
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