I was wondering what methods of learning individuals found best
I have tried many methods private tutors, Rosetta stone , and Michael Thomas CDs Numerous BBC lessons
And many others ,still on going learning.
I know the best way to learn is to be put in the deep end and speak.
Which I try to do when Im resident for about 4 months of the year.

Do you think that maybe Im to old to learn being a pensioner now.???????
As youngsters seem to pick it up so very fast.

I know I am starting to read and am able to understand a little and my vocabulary has improved , but my recall when put in a conversational situation is tooo slow.
Then afterwards I think I should have saidand kick myself for not answering properly.AS I actually knew what to say!!!!!!

I also feel I have learnt to much to give up, I have found it quite challenging, frustrating, and adictive If that makes sense.

I meet many people from the Uk and they tell me why bother as I dont need it really .As Im not working in espana and if you dont understand something you can always get an interpreter or go to solicitor to sort it
But I would really like to be able to sort things myself is this toooo much to ask ??
Has anyone else been in my position and can give me any advise and how long does it take to become able to speak confidently

Thanks Denise

They reckon there are only about 100 words regularly spoken in Spain, Try learning one word a day, watch Spanish news with the sub titles and have google translator on and translate any you can catch that you don't know, you soon pick it up.

I thought I would never get it but it's quite easy actually, it doesn't take too long if you keep at it.

you're never too old to learn - but it's true it does get harder as you get older

just expose yourself to Spanish as much as you can - listen to Spanish music, radio, put Spanish TV on in the background & your ear will tune in

say something in Spanish to someone every day - even if it's just ¡Que calor! on a hot day, you will grow in confidence........... even if you don't always get it quite right - they will understand you most of the time & you will want to say more every day

I can't say how long it takes to speak confidently - it creeps up on you & one day you'll be chatting to someone & realise you're speaking Spanish!!

Well lets hope it creeps sooner than later or Ill be to B old to remember my name

you could try Spanish dict, it's a learning site with flashcards which is good and free. or I also have Visual Link Spanish which I paid for but is also very good as it teaches you sentences as opposed to just words.. then there is Rosetta Stone, which is easy for the basics but harder the more the course progessed..I am approaching retirement and also finding it harder to retain the info but as you have said... my brain knows what it wants to say but when I put my mouth in gear it comes out all jumbled and then when I've walked on I know where I went wrong...so I now tell people immediately that I am English then they know to either wait or ignore... most wait and try to understand me..

I would love to be fluent and thought that one day I would be, but, I have come to the conclusion that I never will be but always try, try, try. I even dream in Spanish, unfortunately in my dream I am no better than in daily life.

That is what one internet course states, I am just a messenger

A spanish friend of mine told me when she was learning english her teacher told her when you dream in english is when you have know you have thoroughly learned the language. So things are looking good for you

I can endorse the above. If you can, immerse yourself in Spanish. Ban English from your surroundings for a while and have Spanish books and newspapers around your home, even if you can't read them.

And it's a funny thing about giving up - after doing all I could to learn and thinking I had failed, I stopped bothering to learn anything else and reverted to being an expat only speaking English, I even refused to say the most basic Spanish words when out and about, I had somehow gotten angry with myself for being a failure.

I don't know what happened then, or how it happened, but suddenly I found myself speaking Spanish, almost every day.

I don't want to put anyone off by saying how long it took, but it did take a wee while.

I'm off to switch on the Spanish news.

Having Spanish books and TV on is useless, it will always mean bugger all if you haven't learnt the basics. There isn't an easy way.

Funny you say that, i find myself thinking in Spanish all the time! I even forget words in english and can only say them in spanish!

For me, the best way was total immersion. I came here with not 1 word of spanish, and 1 year later I can speak fairly well and understand absolutely everything. Watching tv really helped!! Pick a program that you find interesting (for me it was that dire reality show Quien quiere casarse con mi hjio and also Alaska y Mario on MTV...yes, i am a reality show addict!! )

also, it depends on the type of person you are. If you like to learn a language by learning the rules of grammar and rattling off vocab then fine....but im the type of person who learns by listening. My moto is "if it sounds right, then it generally is right!"

Yes, but very useful when you get to the intermediate stage

imo, the following timeline is good for the first 6 months of studying Spanish seriously:
1. Learn how to pronounce. Yes do this first, it is crucial! It only takes a few hours
2. Build up some basic vocab with some situational conversations. Maybe the first month or two. btw, most people never get beyond this point...
3. Grammar. For those who know how to study then learn the grammar back to front. Study it every day for an hour until you understand. In 3-6 months you'll know it back to front. Grammar scares some people so you can miss this step but your progress will be much slower
4. Practice and more practice e.g. learn the vocab and grammar needed to go to the market. Then do it. Repeat and repeat, each time it gets easier. As it gets easier then try saying more complicated things

Then submerse yourself. i.e. read Spanish newspapers, TV etc. A rule I had (and still have) was to never speak English in the street in Spain. From now on its just a case of gradual improvement.

Has anyone tried the Coffee Break Spanish podcasts?? I listened to them for a while and despite the guy having a thick scottish accent, found them very helpful! They are for complete beginners, so you just learn a few helpful phrases and how to pronunciate!