Doin' Costa Rica: Learning Spanish SUCKS

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Learning Spanish SUCKS - the video.

Me, trying to learn Spanish has been the BIGGEST frustration of my LIFE since moving to Costa Rica 7 years ago.

I can tell you people get almost pissed when I tell them that my Spanish SUCKS! They seem to have no problem letting me know that I've been in Costa Rica far too long not to know Spanish- "If you wanted to learn, you would." In some ways I agree with them...

Check out the video and tell me if I deserve a little more sympathy... or not. Is there ANYONE out there that can RELATE?

Don't tell me I'm the only one.
TONS of Costa Rica Travel Info and VIDEOS on our website: Travel Costa Rica NOW and if you want to visit our YouTube Channel: iCostaRica24 ENjoY!

Comments (19)

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0 Vote up Vote down

Andy Browne · 676 weeks ago

I've seen most of your videos and they are pretty informative but what sucks is your AUDIO. Stop using your on-board microphone. For $160, you can but a wireless Azden lav and handheld mic that should plug into the mic input camera. http://bhpho.to/HZHWNK thew quality of your videos will improve dramatically.

2 replies · active 676 weeks ago

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michael_alan 33p · 676 weeks ago

Another thing that sucks is you assuming we have $160. to get a mic. We know we have audio issues...but to us, for this video, it didn't seem super important.... you can hear my voice and it is clear. albeit with a shitty echo like quality...... but we know you are right and a 'good quality' mic is atop our list. And just for the record,,I think you're being a tad harsh...we have mic issues on other videos, ESPECIALLY our earlier ones)..but for the most part, when it counts the audio is not that bad.

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brett · 676 weeks ago

I appreciate the videos no matter what the quality. granted sure, if you could buy all the latest high quality tools to do big production value video, great. but that is not my expectation nor need really. so just keep on truckn' with what you are doing because its very useful, informative and appreciated.

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Don Morrison · 676 weeks ago

Yes, Michael, this is right on the money. I've recently been using an interactive computer course and it has helped a lot, even though I'm only one-fourth of the way into it. The main reason it works is that I live in San Rafael de Heredia and few people speak English, so I'm in a language lab as soon as I walk out the door. But as you point out, understanding the answers is the most difficult thing. I do find that taxi drivers are very understanding and answer slowly. (I interview them about their families, work hours, and so on, and controlling the conversation allows me to anticipate in what ballpark they'll be answering. Most of them are also eager to practice their basic English, so we meet halfway. Thanks for the chat. - Don Morrison

1 reply · active 676 weeks ago

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michael_alan 33p · 676 weeks ago

Yeah,,,I definitely need to be put in the position more where I have to speak it.... in Fortuna, I'm just not really forced to and I'm so gun shy now, I don't really try.... but at some point I will make it top priority.

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Lise · 676 weeks ago

Oh, I so relate! I just spent two weeks at Playa Grande, sola! The staff there was wonderful, yet many didn't speak English and when they found that I can speak some Spanish, it was ON! Though I must say, I agree with the having a couple of beers and getting a tan your Spanish improves. And I love all your videos, good sound or not!

1 reply · active 676 weeks ago

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michael_alan 33p · 676 weeks ago

Thanx, appreciate it. haha..maybe I'll go back to drinking more.....

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Thomas O'Brien · 676 weeks ago

There are a LOT of less expensive options for microphones than a wireless mic. A wireless has to be either hand held or on a stand. If it's on a stand, who needs wireless? Another issue is that most wireless are cardioid, which sound good up close but not so hot at a distance. email me if you'd like a few suggestions.

As far as learning Spanish goes, there are some who just don't have the knack. There are others that could learn but are too lazy or stubborn OR are being taught the wrong way. There is a popular trend of 'Spanish only' in class or lessons, which is due not to it's effectiveness but to the fact that the teachers can't speak English! (or speak it badly). There are a million programs that promise to teach you 'without boring drills...' bla bla bla. Might work for a few, but most people who buy these expensive software packages end up abandoning them after a few tries.

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Retired ESL teacher · 676 weeks ago

I came here knowing Spanish, but mostly Mexican Spanish. Part of your problem is that there are different dialects of Spanish. What you learn in Spanish classes is standard Spanish. Educated people across different Spanish-speaking countries, when they speak standard Spanish, can usually understand each other. However, I doubt a campesino from Perú could understand a Tico campesino. I can understand a Tico who speaks standard Spanish very well, but when they speak what I call "Tico", I often get lost. For example, in standard Spanish the diminutive is used only after nouns. Here they use it after everything: Prepositions "está larguillo" (it's a bit far), adjectives: "Es carillo" (it's a bit expensive), past participles, on a sign I saw: "Recién hechito" (just prepared). That's why they are called "Ticos"!!!

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Bryan · 676 weeks ago

I don't know why people cannot hear the difference between tres and seis, either. I've had the same problem. However, in tres, you need to pronounce the e like the e in bet; and in seis you need to pronounce the ei like the ay bay. Otherwise, I agree with you. It is difficult to understand native Central American speakers because most of them did not go to school, so their own Spanish is not very good. You probably understand las noticias on TV better because the locutores actually speak Spanish clearly and correctly. Having said that, you need to work on your overall pronunciation. Here is a tip: You're living with a native Spanish speaker, how about speaking Spanish exclusively at home? That will help a lot.

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michael_alan 33p · 676 weeks ago

Hey guys,,,thanx for the support, feedback and comments. Hopefully, at some point I'll be making a video about how I conquered learning Spanish.

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John · 676 weeks ago

Great video. I spent several months in Granada over the past year studying Spanish and attempting to speak it. I totally relate to everything you said. Seems like you're well on your way to learning it. I'm just going to have fun with it and blunder on with my spanglish and with enough time and cerveza it will happen.

1 reply · active 676 weeks ago

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michael_alan 33p · 676 weeks ago

I like your attitude.... and I especially like the cerveza part..... I think I'll have one now and work on my 'ordering in Spanish' skills

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janetdw · 675 weeks ago

I love this video. I will be coming to CR in a few years and my Spanish is from High School a very long time ago. Being from California, my Spanish is Mexican Spanish and even after all these years with my neighbors being bi-lingual I have trouble understanding them. I can usually express myself, although with a horrible accent and grammatical errors, but have trouble with the responses.

Like you, I love words and tend to over-analyze (and find it nerve-wracking to not be able to communicate easily). My neighbors now humor me and speak in what I am sure is baby talk, but I do usually understand them. The move will be a huge adjustment, but at least I can read the paper and order a beer!

You are being too hard on yourself. I watch a lot of your vids and you have said before that your Spanish is bad. I think that you do pretty well - you can make yourself understood. If you did not live in Fortuna, but in a small non-gringo town, I think you would learn faster. But it isn't all about learning faster or being best at it. As long as your Tico friends can understand you,you need to remember Pura Vida. It is all good. Relax (even without the cerveza) and you may not find it such a chore.

1 reply · active 675 weeks ago

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michael_alan 33p · 675 weeks ago

Thanx, appreciate it. But I gotta admit, it's nice knowing I'm not the only one because most really do try and give me a hard time. Of course you are right and that's what I want to do eventually...... little, old, spanish lady's farm, who doesn't know a lick of english........

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Todd · 675 weeks ago

First off awesome video and the audio seemed fine to me. I have been learning Spanish most of my adult life since I was 21 years old. Now being 38 I still struggle with it. I took lived in Costa Rica for a few years, now I am in San Diego but I travel to Costa Rica a lot and talk to Ticos on a daily basis. I think my Spanish is ok. I can understand at about a 85% level and talk at about an 80% level but it takes me a while to get back into it since I am not there all the time. Anyway I think the best thing that has helped me other than many many intensive language courses there in Costa Rica, is focus one day a week to speak Spanish no matter what. Even if your tico friends speak to you in English speak back in Spanish. After a while they will get the hint, your head will hurt at the end of the day but after a while it will help you a lot. Well at least that has helped me.

Good Luck & Pura Vida!

1 reply · active 675 weeks ago

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michael_alan 33p · 675 weeks ago

Thanx for the nice words..... Yes, I do need to do something like this....good idea..start with 1 day and go from there... thanx.

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Harold · 674 weeks ago

Michael,

It is a right-brain, left-brain thing. Personally, I am a "math guy, meaning I am wired so that math is easy. Language is hard. My wife is picking Spanish up much faster than I am and I have an IQ of 158 so "smart" doesn't have anything to do with it.

I am sure my attempts as Spanish have given locals some moments of humor but one way or another, I have always been able to get my message across.

1 reply · active 674 weeks ago

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michael_alan 33p · 674 weeks ago

haha....yeah, I know it's not really a 'smart' thing, but it sure makes a relatively intelligent guy to wonder.....

I suppose I can get my point across,,,it's not really my problem, mine is understanding what they say back to me..... frustrating to say the least.

Thanx for taking the time.