Learn Spanish

Spanish Electronic Translators

Sometimes you just need to know a little Spanish. Maybe a line in a foreign-language film intrigued you. Perhaps you’re in a Spanish-language class and want to be able to study at home. Maybe you’re planning a trip to Spain and you need to be able to converse if there isn’t a translator nearby. Whatever your reason, Spanish electronic translators can create a feeling of familiarity when looking up phrases and provide security when travelling.

Spanish electronic translators are superior to a physical Spanish/English dictionary because they are small and can fit in a pocket or a handbag. Additionally, there is no flipping around to look up a word, like in a paperback book. Dictionaries may send you to another part of the book for different variations but a Spanish electronic translator will normally have the variations listed on one screen.

The Franklin DBE-1490 Spanish Electronic Translator (£38.97) is a good example of this. The screen displays eight lines at a time, making it easy to scan the result for what you’re looking for. This bilingual translator also uses touch panel technology for even faster results. The translator has phonetic spell correction in both languages for more than 5 million words as well as verb conjugation in all tenses. This can also be used as a tool for children with its interactive grammar guide, quizzes to help construct sentences, study aid and seven games.

The Franklin BES-1850 Speaking Spanish Dictionary (£54.99) takes Spanish electronic translators to the next level. Using the interactive touch screen technology, you’ll be able to hear words and phrases in both languages pronounced clearly to help your own conversational skills. This digital dictionary also becomes your personal organiser while abroad with a databank for 100 names and numbers, a calculator, a metric and currency convertor and time and date function.

If you’re looking for a way to really dive into the Spanish language and learn to speak it, you need the Franklin BES-1840 Speaking Spanish / English Dictionary (£54.99). Known as the Speaking Spanish Professor, this Spanish electronic translator has an eight-line display that immerses you into the language and culture. In just one little 454 gram product, you’ll have more than 350,000 words and phrases that you can translate instantly and then hear pronounced. Use the ability to perform advanced word conjugations and the grammar guide to learn parts of speech and verb tenses. Use the Culture Notes functionality to understand the differences between the countries. This translator encourages you to learn by creating your own study list of words and having a “Word of the Day” that the unit teaches you every time it’s turned on. The added value of learning exercises, crosswords and seven different games make this Spanish electronic translator a true digital professor.

If you’ve been thinking about learning Spanish, there are no more excuses. Spanish electronic translators have become so powerful that there’s no reason not to expand your mind and your languages.

Learn Spanish the fast and easy way with Spanish electronic translators.

Looking for more fun ways to learn Spanish? Click here for our learn Spanish resources directory.

Living In Spain? Enjoy Many Ways to Keep Active

For British expats now living in Spain, the ways to keep active — to stay informed and well connected to all that Spain and Great Britain have to offer — are plentiful and attractive. In fact, the climate and pace of life in both countries’ rural coastal regions are strikingly similar, and thus familiar and helpful to promoting the many ways to keep active for expats living in Spain.

 As an expat living in Spain, you will soon realise the necessity of getting proper exercise and socialising with other expats and native Spanish residents. One major element of getting acquainted with Spain is that of embracing the Spanish language while continuing to use English when desirable or needed. Natives of Spain will be most appreciative of and impressed by your efforts, especially if you strive to speak Spanish well. However, just making the effort is good diplomacy, good practice and one of the many ways to keep active. Once you feel confident to use the native tongue, even in a simplified fashion, you will find socialising while living in Spain so much easier and enjoyable than you’d ever before imagined it.

Outdoor activities abound — one of the ways to keep active — in almost all regions for expats living in Spain. As a strong point of interest, many of the sports and activities of Great Britain are also practiced throughout Spain. For example, golf is popular in the Costa del Sol region, in the region of Andalucia and in Catalonia. Walking is attractive on heated summer beaches, while hiking is common in the cool Pyrenees ranges. Fishing is an enjoyable activity wherever there is water inhabited by fish. Meanwhile, horse riding is found everywhere, although Andalucia has the most beautiful horses. In the South of Spain, sailing, swimming and snorkeling are popular with expats living in Spain, while in the mountains of the North, canoeing and kayaking prevail as one of the many ways to keep active for expats living in Spain. The mountains also host many ski resorts.

To be certain, the most popular form of recreation and one of the excellent ways to keep active and connected for expats living in Spain is socialising. Whether on the isle of Ibiza (Balearic Islands) with its charming pine forests, or in Estepona among the mountainous foothills close to the Costa Blanca, residents delight in gathering to enjoy the lush surroundings, excellent food and wines, and creative conversation in a place of amazing beauty as one of the many ways to keep active for expats living in Spain.

All expats living in Spain will marvel at the gorgeous coastal and mountainous landscapes, since the breathtaking terrain is indeed one of the major attractions to those considering vacationing in, or relocating to, Spain and reminds all of the many ways to keep active. In both coastal regions and mountainous areas, amazing snapshots of brilliant colours, forms and textures delight the eye of the beholder in an ever changing kaleidoscope of tonality and hue according to the atmospheric conditions and time of day or evening.

In general, life is an astonishingly beautiful thing to all expats living in Spain. For here, life itself is the very best of the many ways to keep active.

Want to improve you Spanish language skills – then take a look at our Spanish Learning Resources.

The British actress Gemma Arterton has never backed away from a challenge. Star of BBC’s acclaimed mini-series on the classic work of literature, Tess of D’Urbervilles, Gemma also mastered the art of horse riding for her upcoming film, Prince of Persia, and honed her seduction skills as the next Bond girl in the upcoming 007 film, Quantum of Solace. She is now taking upon a brand new challenge - learning Spanish, not for her next role, but for her new love affair with Spanish stuntman Eduardo Munoz.

Learning Spanish became a priority for this celebrity, simply because she wanted to communicate better with her new romantic partner. She immediately hired a tutor and is learning Spanish as quickly as possible so she can go to Madrid to meet his family. The couple, who have since moved in together, seem to be “head over heels in love”, according to sources.

Like it was for the beautiful 22 year old Gemma, learning Spanish can be a wonderful opportunity for anyone to expand their horizons and to meet and find connections with different types of people. Language is at the heart of any culture, and learning Spanish can be the gateway through which you gain a better understanding of a wonderful, dramatic, and complex culture.

Learning Spanish could allow you the chance to communicate with many people that you might otherwise not have had a chance to get to know. Like Gemma, you could find a new romantic love, or perhaps discover a deep and life changing friendship with someone. It would be hard for something like this to happen if you could not communicate with the other person - learning Spanish might make all the difference.

As the world becomes more and more interconnected, learning Spanish has become a priority in many educational systems. Because Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world after English, the ability to speak it has become a prized and valuable skill. Learning Spanish can open up new social possibilities, as it did for Gemma, but can also bring economic opportunities as well. The ability to speak Spanish could bring in new business dealings and job offers from all over the world.

So why not take a look at our Learn Spanish Resources and start learning Spanish now!

Help your kids to learn Spanish!

Comprendo! is a new board game designed to help kids learn Spanish. Designed by East Yorkshire fathers Stephen Foster and John Ainsley, Comprendo! is a question and answer game designed for players aged 11 to adult.

Comprendo! allows kids to learn Spanish while simulating a holiday in Spain. The object of the game is to fill “wish lists” of day trips, while earning points for speaking Spanish words and phrases.

Because they wanted the questions in Comprendo! to promote proper phonetic pronunciation of the Spanish language, Foster and Ainsley enlisted the help of Spanish teacher Isabel Smedley.

In addition to learning Spanish vocabulary, Comprendo! uses its fun and colorful board to teach children about Spanish culture, geography and history.

Watch this video to find out more about  how Comprendo! helps you to learn Spanish.

After English, Spanish is believed to be one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. In Europe, Spanish is one of the key languages in which business is carried out and is extensively used at many of the country’s borders.

Learning Spanish carries enormous benefits. Not only will it help your child gain confidence communicating in a foreign country, learning Spanish will also build on your child’s reading skills by enabling them to better recognise symbolic relationships between sounds and characters.

Learning Spanish will open many doors to your child’s future. Knowledge of a foreign language is being increasingly valued by universities and employers. Studies have shown that children who learn Spanish have scored higher on standardised tests.

Comprendo! can help your child achieve all of this and more. Learning Spanish has never been so fun! Another great aspect of learning Spanish with Comprendo! as opposed to attending a class, is the fact that the lessons can be repeated, and will be each time you play, and can therefore be adjusted to your own pace.

Foster and Ainsley have described the creation of Comprendo! as coming from a desire for their children to learn a bit of Spanish before a holiday. After playing the game, their children found their Spanish improving. Comprendo! was not only fun, but functional as well!

After the success of their game at home, the men decided to launch it commercially.

Now Comprendo! is a registered European trademark. Copies have been produced and marketed online at £29.95 each.

SJS Games Ltd. has been formed by Stephen Foster and John Ainsley to handle the endeavor.

Visit www.comprendogame.com today, and help your kids to learn Spanish - you never know, you might even pick it up yourself!

For more great ways to learn Spanish for all the family, click here for our Spanish resources directory.

Spanish Lessons & What to Expect

Taking up Spanish lessons is not at all difficult, contrary to what most people think. Learning a new language is a fun activity. Apart from it being a wonderful experience, it also brings you closer to the culture of the country whose language you’re trying to master. Taking up Spanish lessons is definitely a worthwhile and valuable activity. Spain is a very beautiful country filled with rich and interesting culture to boot, and the Spanish language surely speaks for it all.

Here are a few things to expect during the first few meetings of your Spanish lessons.

1. Every language lesson starts with the basics. Spanish lessons will usually start with learning how to introduce yourself. Your teacher will teach you how to say “My name is …” in Spanish and you will probably all be asked to introduce yourself to the class using the said phrase.

2. After your name, other basic concepts such as your age, the 12 months of the year or the 7 days of the week will be discussed. Daily class recitations will be conducted to make sure that you retain every lesson and concept taught.

3. During the mid part of your Spanish lessons, you will be familiarised with the most common phrases and questions that you use everyday. Some of which include “Where is the bathroom?” or “How much does it cost?” If you’re planning to travel alone to a Spanish speaking country, it is highly encouraged that you take note of these questions.

4. To evaluate your grasp of the language, your teacher will be dividing you in groups where each group will asked to do a group exercise. Spanish lessons usually include activities such as this to encourage the students to talk and practice their new language skills. Each group will be assigned to certain situations which they will then act out.

5. Most people say that the most difficult part of Spanish lessons is the grammar, especially the part on conjugation. If you’re planning to take up Spanish lessons in the future, it is highly advisable that you start scanning basic grammar notes about the language ahead of time to make your Spanish lessons less daunting.

Take note of these tips and have the best learning experience as you move forward with your Spanish lessons.

For some great Spanish learning resources, click here to view our directory.

Learn to speak Spanish now!

Nobody’s too old to learn to speak Spanish. Whilst it is true that the optimum age range for learning a foreign language is between 12-14 years old, it was found that the most common reasons behind the slow grasp of foreign languages among older people are psychological and not age-related. Older people were found out to have a lower self-esteem resulting in knowledge resistance. Therefore you should encourage your mum and dad, grandmas and grandpas to learn to speak Spanish today. There are a variety of reasons whys learning the Spanish language should be highly considered.

Learn to speak Spanish and you are bound to experience a different kind of fun. Now, Grandma and Grandpa can have something new to do as a pastime. Speaking or reading a new language brings a lot of excitement – something which they are sure to look forward to everyday. Whilst it is true that you need to exert some effort to learn to speak Spanish, the effort is sure to pay up very quickly even upon mastery of the simplest words and concepts. That gives learners something to help boost their confidence.

When we get older, we finally find the time to travel. And Spain, having the rich and beautiful culture that it has, has become one of the most sought after destinations among travelers. Take time to learn to speak Spanish before hopping on a plane to Madrid or Barcelona. They say that you only learn to fully understand and appreciate foreign culture and lifestyle once you start conversing in the language with native speakers. This also provides a way to meet new friends. Advise your older relatives to learn to speak Spanish so that they can get the most out of their travel experiences.

Age should never hinder us from experiencing the beauty of life. Encourage your older family members to learn to speak Spanish now. It’s never too late to learn new things!

For fun and easy ways to learn to speak Spanish click here for our Learn Spanish Resources directory.

They say that one way to learn more about a foreign culture is by learning the language. Learning Spanish will not only bring you closer to the rich and intriguing culture of the Spaniards, learning Spanish will also help you understand the Spaniard’s behaviour and personality. Contrary to what most people believe, learning Spanish is not as difficult as it may seem.

Follow these tips and you’re on your way to speaking like a native Spanish speaker.

1. What you see is how you read it. Learning Spanish is easier than learning Chinese or Japanese. Spanish is a phonetic language. Reading and familiarising yourself with the different sounds is easy as long as you know how to read the basic alphabet.

2. To make learning Spanish fun, use flashcards. Everyday, bring 10 flashcards with you with 10 different Spanish words written on them. Familiarise yourself with the different words and concepts. In one week, you’ll have learned 70 new words. That’s plenty!

3. Learning Spanish is easier if you watch Spanish TV shows. Learning Spanish is easier when you’re watching people converse in the language. In this case, you’d also be able to familiarise yourself with the proper diction and accent.

4. They say that you can’t really learn a language through books alone. To fully learn Spanish, you will have to practice speaking it. Visit Spanish shops or cafes. Don’t be self-conscious about your minimal knowledge of the language. Try to converse with native speakers. This is perhaps the best technique when learning Spanish without having to go to Spain or other Spanish-speaking countries.

5. Listen to Spanish audio books. Don’t worry too much if you don’t seem to understand everything. Sometimes, when we’re listening to a native speaker talking, it becomes a little bit difficult to decipher every word. However, there remains a big advantage if you listen instead of reading. Listening enables you to recognise not only with the words and concepts but more importantly, how they are spoken. Accent, as we all know, is another vital element in learning Spanish.

You don’t have to be a native Spaniard to speak Spanish. Learning Spanish is as easy as a, b,c. Just follow the steps above and you’re sure to become a pro in not time at all!

¡Buena suerte!

For the easiest ways to learn Spanish click here for our Learn Spanish Resources directory.

American Television’s Buffy Learns to Speak Spanish

The lovely and talented Sarah Michelle Gellar, star of American television’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer as well as the films The Grudge, Cruel Intentions, and Suburban Tales has joined the growing ranks of those who choose to learn to speak Spanishso as to better communicate with others who speak the second-most popular language in the world. As a world-travelling actress, surely Ms. Gellar realises that a huge number of Spanish-speaking individuals live and work in a culture in many ways completely separate from the English-speaking world. Perhaps this has been her impetus to begin to learn to speak Spanish. To do so, Ms. Gellar has been watching the Spanish-dubbed version of her popular television show. She has been quoted as saying:

“I can understand Spanish really well, but I have trouble communicating. I don’t know how to structure the sentences. So I found that by watching stuff that I knew it’s an easier way to work on the language.”

As Ms. Gellar certainly knows, the benefits of deciding to learn to speak Spanish are many, and making the decision to learn to speak Spanish can positively affect one’s life in almost every aspect, from holiday-taking to commercial to cultural reasons. It’s entirely understandable why Ms. Gellar would choose to learn to speak Spanish although she can surely afford a translator when travelling to exotic locales in which Spanish is the primary or only language spoken, the mental stimulation gained by attempting to learn to speak Spanish are clearly much more rewarding.

The multilingual mind is certainly more adept at understanding turns of phrase, grammatical shifts, and syntactical complexities, and when you decide to learn to speak Spanish, you begin the long and rewarding road towards a better understanding of human communication and other cultures.

The method by which Ms. Gellar is attempting to learn to speak Spanish is an intriguing one, and yet it seems like it would be a very effective one. Just as she is watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer daily to practice, one trying to learn to speak Spanish would greatly benefit from a daily routine which encouraged communication and aural understanding of the Spanish language.

We must applaud the American actress in her attempt to broaden her mental horizons. Likewise, many of us would benefit from beginning a course designed to assist us as we learn to speak Spanish.

For some great resources to help your learn to speak Spanish click here.

It has been reported that in Tulsa, Oklahoma, police cadets are taking crash courses and learning Spanish. The influx of a population with Spanish as its primary language creates a variety of difficulties stemming from the language barrier. Previously officers had to wait at the scene of a crime, wasting precious moments, waiting for a translator to come so as to provide a method of communication between officers and Spanish-speaking suspects or witnesses. The importance of learning Spanish is evident in the amount of time saved.

America’s situation, whilst far removed from the situation in the United Kingdom in regards to immigration, is not entirely without important lessons to be learned for those of us who speak only English. As the world expands and Spanish-speaking peoples spread culturally and geographically, the usefulness of learning Spanish is becoming greater and greater.

There are many reasons for the British person to start learning Spanish, and, depending on your reasons for wanting to begin learning Spanish, these reasons can be cultural, educational, or commercial.

The excitement of grappling with and mastering a new language is perhaps the best catalyst towards the decision to continue or begin learning Spanish. Although one stumbles a bit in the beginning as the different sounds seem to stick in the mouth and the grammatical patterns make you scratch your head, as one progresses, the opening cultural and communicative vistas become a source of excitement and wonder. For one simply interested in understanding a new language, Spanish (the second most spoken language in the world) offers a host of linguistic variations from English which shed light on, and better create understanding on the latter. Likewise, as one’s knowledge of English increases, one’s ability to craft new thoughts and expressions in Spanish will increase.

A burgeoning business that hopes to capture a stake in the global market will surely compel several of its employees to make an attempt at learning Spanish. As the Spanish-speaking market is so large, anyone interested in competing globally must become competitive, and the best way to do this is to remove the communication barrier by encouraging employees to begin learning Spanish.

These are just a few of the benefits in learning to speak Spanish, and as you begin your journey, the many more unlisted benefits will become obvious to you (and will be a constant source of delight).

Happy learning!

Fancy learning Spanish? Check out our Learn Spanish Resources here.

Transparent Language Spanish Courses Will Help You Learn Spanish

In an increasingly global world, it is of the utmost importance for a person to understand more than one language. Knowing how to speak Spanish can be an incredibly marketable job skill for any person to have. If you need to learn Spanish, or are looking for Spanish courses to take to become more fluent, Transparent Language has a wide variety of Spanish courses available for you.

One way to learn Spanish is with the Before You Know It Deluxe software. These Spanish courses are specifically tailored to your ability, so the courses are never too easy or too hard. It includes fun activities to help you learn Spanish and improve your Spanish speaking, reading, and writing skills. This product can work on a computer or on a PDA if you are a person on the go.

Transparent Language also offers a Before You Know It Business package that provides the same great lessons for learning Spanish, but also includes lessons on more than 2000 business terms for companies that hope to business in Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries.

The Everywhere Spanish Audio Course is perhaps one of the easiest ways to learn Spanish. This set of audio CDs makes it easy for a person to learn Spanish regardless of where they are. All a person has to do is pop in the CD and then follow along with the lessons, spoken in English, and dialogs, spoken in Spanish.

Learn Spanish Now! offers learners the opportunity to master Spanish through watching videos. These videos can help the learner develop conversational skills by listening to dialogs and mastering conversation. It is like immersing yourself in a Spanish-speaking country without ever going there.

Kidspeak Spanish offers Spanish courses for children. Language is often easiest for a person to learn when they are young, and Kidspeak Spanish allows children to learn Spanish at a young age. This software includes many fun activities that will make learning Spanish a fun experience for your child.

Panoramic Spanish is a great way for anyone to learn how to speak Spanish. This interactive software allows the user to learn Spanish through interactive games and activities. The 3D graphics make it much more exciting than standard Spanish language materials.

For more info on how to learn Spanish and to check out the full range of Spanish courses available from Transparent Language, to visit their website click here

For more exciting ways to learn Spanish visit our Learn Spanish Resources directory.