I am starting to feel the pressure to really concentrate on learning Spanish. Our move is coming up fast! Since Paul has more of a facility with languages, I want to make sure I don’t fall behind and then get lazy and let him do most of the talking. So, I am back on a focused language-study program that I made up myself.

First, I am re-listening to the Michel Thomas cd’s that we have. His way of teaching is really good – he puts the responsibility for a student’s learning on the teacher, and tells you not to take notes or otherwise study in conventional ways. His cd’s gave me the biggest jump in skills, but in between trips I have not reviewed and so have not retained everything I should.

Second, I went on the web and found a bunch of podcasts of language learning that I downloaded and put on my mp3 player. We don’t have an ipod but I imagine there are even more for them. These I use when I take the dogs on a walk or work in the garden. I even have them going as I clean house, etc. It’s amazing how effective they are.

Third, I went to my library’s website and downloaded mp3 files of Pimsleur’s lessons. They have the full range so I am just going to work my way through one after the other. I like the mp3 player because you don’t have to fiddle with cd’s but I do use cd’s in the house when I am sitting still – like knitting.

Fourth, I plan on spending at least a half hour per day studying with some Spanish textbooks we own – or reading Spanish Reader’s Digest magazines. We are already watching a half hour travel show in Spanish every night, and really enjoying it. (Fuera de Serie)

In a month or so I am going to see how I’m doing with this. Then I’ll either advertise for someone local to talk to me, or I’ll call my son and his wife on my low cost phone card for practice. I may even purchase the more advanced Michel Thomas cd’s.

Stay tuned…and wish me luck!

-Nancy

podcast site http://www.spanish.ms/podcasts/podcast2.xml
podcast site http://www.gigadial.net/public/station/56080/rss.xml
podcast site http://www.rollingrs.com/
Michel Thomas Beginner/Intermediate Course
Michel Thomas Advanced Course