Synergy Spanish

Has anyone tried this learning method? Did it work?

Marcus Santamaria
Spanish communication coach
http://www.SynergySpanish.com

Thank you

I've subscribed - I like his approach.  He responds to email very quickly.  I haven't become truly serious about learning, but when I do (closer to when we make the big move) I will be using his program along with a few others.  He recently started including videos.

http://www.michelthomas.com/michel_thomas.php

This is the best system I found, IMHO...

Do I need to know Spanish before I move down?

It wouldn't hurt to learn.

pennyjean1 wrote:Do I need to know Spanish before I move down?

Not really. Most of the restaurants and stores speak English to one degree or another.

But I would recommend attempting to learn a few basics if you plan to stay long-term, or travel outside the immediate area.

Lakeside is quite forgiving, but as you travel around it becomes very helpful.

Learn enough to be polite. It will pay itself back many ways and the Mexicans will be more likely to respect you. You need numbers and stuff anyway. If you don't carry around a small  calculator and you can show numbers to the Mexicans. They will show how much the total is on a calculator at many stores. Learn how to say  Good morning Good Day and Good night. If you are passing someone and don't have time to talk just say Adios and smile. Learn I am sorry, thanks and your welcome.  It helps to know " how much is this". If you learn 50 phrases or so you will be fine.  Please one thing If they don't understand you please don't speak louder. It is intimidating to many Mexicans. They are not deaf just don't know English.  Usually someone Mexican or Gringo will bail you out in a store if the clerk does not understand you.  Be grateful for the help. Learn to apologize and say I am sorry my Spanish is not so good but I try.  That is much appreciated.

Ok I have given you your first Spanish lesson.  Go for it.  Go Google translate and do your homework.  Laugh out loud!

Zed's advice is fine,assuming you're only interested in very basic survival Spanish and are not interested in ever being able to converse with  Mexicans,from my own perspective I would find that very limiting.

viajero wrote:Zed's advice is fine,assuming you're only interested in very basic survival Spanish and are not interested in ever being able to converse with  Mexicans,from my own perspective I would find that very limiting.

Absolutely limiting. I agree 100%. Learn Spanish. It opens up worlds completely closed off to the English only crowd.  If the Mexicans know you are trying they are very patient. My wife can speak and understand much better than I do but I do understand quite a bit.  Speaking I still sound like a Frenchman but I am able to start connecting things into crude sentences for the first time last year rather than saying noun verb babble that most of us do for a while when we arrive. I actually enjoy the Spanglish speaking in my neighborhood for the first time rather than being scared stiff as I was when I first moved into Mexican neighborhood. Remember they want to get better at English also. And yes you will say some obviously hilarious stuff to the Mexicans as you learn Spanish. They know and learn to laugh at yourself while learning.

Z