Anyone wanting to fast track Italian, French,Spanish and maybe one or two more...Check out the Michel Thomas Discs...Google: Michel Thomas...Don't let the spooky wig scare you..Smart guy Mr Thomas!
Unfortunately you have to speak English first, as they're all from English to the other language. A couple of anglo saxon friends have done it with Amazing speed...It's not mastery of the language but
Amazing speed and not the school type formal language, but more the argot generally spoken..
It's going to need some exposure to the language. what seems to be the letdown in the course, is that you might phrase a great question, but not understand the response if spoken at normal speed and minor (or major) local differences...
But this is a reflection of your ability to speak...Your victim thinks you speak well, so responds naturally. Perhaps when you start to converse, stumble a little more than you need to, to signal the victim that you're on the learning curve but not there yet...
Don't start with the phrase " Sorry, I don't speak XXXXXXX very well" or any other phrase which is excusative of the language to come.....because if you push this phrase out clearly and with confidence...You're in fact signalling that you're better than you say you are...and confusion reigns eternal...
Remember, If you speak with a shop keeper in a small town in Spain or Italy, it's no different than speaking to a shopkeeper in a suburb of Huddersfield...(no offence Huddersfieldians, just making a point...
He's/She's (Generally) used to speaking the local patois with his local clientele... Many times I've heard English people speaking Italian or French with locals and going away mystified. But sometimes the language was fine, and they just happened to be speaking with someone as dumb as dirt...But the foreigner feels inadequate because they don't realise this...
All nations carry their share of the terminally disconnected
Ciao...
Yeah! DazDaz....
Stay away from the auto translator, Never does you any favors!
