Real Beginner! Help!

Today I started lesson 1.1 and listened to 1.2. Now I understand why I flunked spanish in High School!! I live in the Los Angeles California area, my last name is Fernandez and I cannot speak spanish!! I really do need to be able to speak spanish for my business. I know I am not going to learn spanish overnight but wow it seems like it is going to be difficult. I wish there was a shortcut or some kind of instant brain programming like they had in the movie "Matrix" that just let's you learn instantly but I can see now that it is going to take time. What is the best method to really use this course to learn spanish? Thanks,

If you can make 30 minutes free time once in the morning once at noon once in the evening you will be well on your way. If you can manage 5 times 20 minutes( every day ) is even better. The only thing I have done sofar in the last 5 months, is listen over and over again ( **whilst I am doing something else** ) and I understand about 75 % of the mp3 s. I really should get cracking with the talking too :oops: :oops:

Norman, I appreciate your post. [quo]*Quote:* I really do need to be able to speak spanish for my business. I know I am not going to learn spanish overnight but wow it seems like it is going to be difficult.[/quo]That lets me know that I’m not alone. I too, have recently purchased Rocket Spanish. I'm 47 and my memory seems to be gone (gray matter). I have not advanced to the beginner stage as of yet. It has taken me at least 4 days to get through a course. I listen at least 4 times to each lesson (sometimes more). I have a very busy work schedule and home life (Mr. Fix-it - tore it apart now my wife is demanding that I finish the job(s) - Drywall, floors, plumbing etc. When listening to the lessons I can understand most of what is said when I hear it. I can reproduce about half of what is said (maybe a little more). Norman, I’m not giving up (ever, never). I love this Mexican restaurant that’s nearby. I was able to request (politely) the meal that I usually get. I was very timid in my request and had to repeat it. But they got it… Now that was cool!! At work, I used a few phases and words (only from the 1st 4 lessons) and astonished one of my co-workers. She said a “politically incorrect statement” (well who are you sleeping with?). I have heard over and over again not to be shy or afraid of making mistakes (which meant I would speak less Spanish). I said never me. Of course I’ve fallen deep into that trap (but I’m digging my way out). I have someone who is learning English and is a native speaker. I have the opportunity to speak with him for about 30 minutes every other day but at my level I only know a few phases. Therefore, the conversation is lopsided. I need to get to the level that will allow me to take advantage of the situation. He has been studying English for 3 years (1 ½ per day – Mon-Fri). He lives in Peru. We also have a Spanish group that meets in a mall once a week. I attended last Saturday but it was all Greek to me. Maurico – Amy, I have only used the “Interactive Audio” so far. Should I be just use then move on to the other sections later (remember my “gray matter”)? By the way, I let my Peruvian friend listen to a couple of lessons and he said that they were excellent! My apologies to everyone for being so longwinded. Can you imagine if I could speak Spanish? Regards, Knezz

Hi, Knezz! I highly recommend that you do the corresponding lessons in the Beginners Book and Conversation Course. For example, listen to Interactive Lesson 1.1, then gain an understanding of similar phrases through Conversation Course Lesson 1.1 (you can hear more Spanish in action by clicking on the phrases, and even try to repeat afterwards at your own pace), then study the grammatical principles behind the phrases with the Beginners Book 1.1. You're REALLY remember things better when you understand how the sentences work at a grammatical level. It's just about hitting things on all levels. The Interactive Audio Lessons are the easiest and funnest parts of the course, but you need to keep hitting the same words and same grammatical principles over and over again in different formats. That's why we give you so many materials. Use them ALL! Best of luck to you! -Amy

The speaking part is soo important. If you are just listening and not repeating, you will not get it. I compare it to listening to a song on the radio and then trying to get in front of a group to sing and you have never tried out loud! You would never do that! You must practice repeating everything and trying to answer every question you hear. It will come so much easier when you do.