understanding spanish.

daveyboy · 19th August 2008, 09:18 PM

hola a todos

just a question for all you advanced spanish speakers. I have lived in madrid for just over a year now, i understand quite alot of spanish [ even more if i would study more...lol..] but anyway, i keep getting lost when people are talking to me or asking for something, because they talk that fast its crazy..lol.. so for all you advanced spanish speakers how long did it take before you could understand exactly what people were saying to you..? ben sabes..?

gracias.

Flanny · 20th August 2008, 02:19 AM

I have a friend from mexico that speaks on fast forward but with my faithful studying of an hour a day and speaking with him for 3 to 4 hours a day through out working with them I am starting to understand the body language and the conversation versus the individual words. I still talk way to slow for him but I think volunteering for a situation where I'm required to speak to him several hours during the day is speeding things way up for me.

I don't think anyone can definitively say how long it will be for you as that depends on you and you alone. But I can say embrace it and start studying more.

Beckett · 20th August 2008, 02:52 AM

Yeah, I agree with Flanny. There is no hard and fast rule that can be applied to everyone.

Do you listen to Spanish talk radio? That would definitely help your listening comprehension, especially since there's usually a lot of crosstalk (two or more people talking at the same time) plus everyone is speaking rapidly. You could buy a small radio (or go to the radio station's web site) and listen to the programming in the morning when you wake up or before going to sleep at night.

hellothere · 20th August 2008, 08:08 AM

What you describe can be frustrating at times, Daveyboy. I always get the feeling Spaniards talk fast, all at the same time, and in many cases in loud environments. Bad combination to understand what people are saying.

I can only suggest that you keep going, that you keep talking to the people in these everyday situations for as long as you can hack it, as eventually this will become less and less uncomfortable.

And if you feel completely lost at one point, you can always ask them to slow it down

delgado · 20th August 2008, 10:01 AM

I would suggest that you watch spanish tv ( try not to watch dubbed films) and continue to talk to as many people as you can. like the others have said everyone is different and for me it was kinda strange, one day I was struggling to understand and then after about 18 months almost overnight it kinda "cliked" in my mind and i could understand almost everything (within reason). I have spoken to many people and they have said that it was similar for them, so if you have done a year then you dont have long to go now haha. However I have been learning spanish for over 4 years now(3 of those living in spain) , I have a spanish girlfriend and even now I have to get her to repeat herself sometimes.I guess it depends on if i am "really" listening , if i am tired , hungry etc....

all the best!

ps. music is also a good way to learn.

daveyboy · 20th August 2008, 05:28 PM

thanks for the advice guys, i know it will happen soon for me.. it takes time..

more study is what i need as well..

doveign · 21st August 2008, 01:15 PM

I just try to listen to as much spanish as I can. The NIS podcasts, music, radio, etc..... When I get home, I videochat with my penpals. It was hard to find people with a mic, but I did.

Now I'm looking for someone from Puerto Rico, I have penpals in Mexico, Chile, Colombia, and Venezuela with a mic.

19th August 2008, 09:18 PM	#1
daveyboy Super Forero Join Date: May 2007 Location: madrid Posts: 108	understanding spanish. hola a todos just a question for all you advanced spanish speakers. I have lived in madrid for just over a year now, i understand quite alot of spanish [ even more if i would study more...lol..] but anyway, i keep getting lost when people are talking to me or asking for something, because they talk that fast its crazy..lol.. so for all you advanced spanish speakers how long did it take before you could understand exactly what people were saying to you..? ben sabes..? gracias.

20th August 2008, 02:19 AM	#2
Flanny Malabarista Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: En una caja de cartón. Posts: 82	I have a friend from mexico that speaks on fast forward but with my faithful studying of an hour a day and speaking with him for 3 to 4 hours a day through out working with them I am starting to understand the body language and the conversation versus the individual words. I still talk way to slow for him but I think volunteering for a situation where I'm required to speak to him several hours during the day is speeding things way up for me. I don't think anyone can definitively say how long it will be for you as that depends on you and you alone. But I can say embrace it and start studying more. Last edited by Flanny; 20th August 2008 at 12:09 PM. Reason: grammar

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20th August 2008, 02:52 AM	#3
Beckett Mega Forero Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 900	Yeah, I agree with Flanny. There is no hard and fast rule that can be applied to everyone. Do you listen to Spanish talk radio? That would definitely help your listening comprehension, especially since there's usually a lot of crosstalk (two or more people talking at the same time) plus everyone is speaking rapidly. You could buy a small radio (or go to the radio station's web site) and listen to the programming in the morning when you wake up or before going to sleep at night.

20th August 2008, 08:08 AM	#4
hellothere Super Forero Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 124	What you describe can be frustrating at times, Daveyboy. I always get the feeling Spaniards talk fast, all at the same time, and in many cases in loud environments. Bad combination to understand what people are saying. I can only suggest that you keep going, that you keep talking to the people in these everyday situations for as long as you can hack it, as eventually this will become less and less uncomfortable. And if you feel completely lost at one point, you can always ask them to slow it down

20th August 2008, 10:01 AM	#5
delgado Mega Forero Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: San Sebastián (Bidebieta) Posts: 378	I would suggest that you watch spanish tv ( try not to watch dubbed films) and continue to talk to as many people as you can. like the others have said everyone is different and for me it was kinda strange, one day I was struggling to understand and then after about 18 months almost overnight it kinda "cliked" in my mind and i could understand almost everything (within reason). I have spoken to many people and they have said that it was similar for them, so if you have done a year then you dont have long to go now haha. However I have been learning spanish for over 4 years now(3 of those living in spain) , I have a spanish girlfriend and even now I have to get her to repeat herself sometimes.I guess it depends on if i am "really" listening , if i am tired , hungry etc.... all the best! ps. music is also a good way to learn.

20th August 2008, 05:28 PM	#6
daveyboy Super Forero Join Date: May 2007 Location: madrid Posts: 108	thanks for the advice guys, i know it will happen soon for me.. it takes time.. more study is what i need as well..

21st August 2008, 01:15 PM	#7
doveign Siempre con hambre :D Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 8	I just try to listen to as much spanish as I can. The NIS podcasts, music, radio, etc..... When I get home, I videochat with my penpals. It was hard to find people with a mic, but I did. Now I'm looking for someone from Puerto Rico, I have penpals in Mexico, Chile, Colombia, and Venezuela with a mic.