With so many satisfied customers over the past 5+ years, Rocket Spanish has solidified it’s rank as the most popular online spanish course of all time. Along the way, they listen to feedback from customers to make sure they continue to provide a quality product. What do you think is the most common request from members?

MORE Rocket Spanish! Here’s what they’ve done about it…
 

Rocket Spanish Platinum

In response to this huge demand, they’ve clocked up thousands of hours creating an even more advanced level of Rocket Spanish to ensure that there’s absolutely nothing standing in your way of becoming the fluent Spanish speaker you want to be…

Because Rocket Spanish Platinum sits right alongside your Rocket Spanish Premium and Premium Plus lessons in the Rocket Spanish Learning Lounge, you can have access to even more advanced lessons that build on the topics you have enjoyed so far – without waiting to complete each stage.

Whether you’re interested in traveling; living in a Spanish-speaking country; speaking with Spanish-speaking family, friends or colleagues; or mastering Spanish for any other reason, the new Rocket Spanish Platinum is packed with even more great conversations that you can take part in, as well as grammar tips and cultural insights to give your Spanishh that extra boost!

You will have seven additional topics to choose from, including socializing, food, relationships, Latin American culture, travel destinations, talking business and the family.

The lessons in this new course are just as flexible and learner-friendly as the Rocket Spanish Premium and Premium Plus that members are familiar with, but Rocket Spanish Platinum will take your fluency to the next level.

To celebrate the launch of this exciting new development at Rocket Spanish, they’ll be providing current customers a rare opportunity to secure your copy for a fraction of the full price. Order Rocket Spanish and receive your Rocket Spanish Platinum discount.
 

The Podcast Mixed With Spanish: Learning Spanish with the aid of a Podcast is great because there will always be a new episode to listen to. You can go back, of course, if you need to review a previous lesson as well. There are so many different Podcasts to choose from and new ones always being added (just like in the App store). When searching in the iTunes store under “learn spanish” it appears that every Podcast subscription is free. There should be no hesitation to try out more than one subscription, because no money will be lost if you do not find it helpful. Listening to these Podcasts in the car or while you are doing work around the house is a great start to immersing yourself in the language. It is important that once you find a Podcast you enjoy listening to, that you stay persistent with hearing the latest episodes. Below is an inside scoop regarding a few of the “learn Spanish” Podcasts. Make sure you always read the description and customer reviews to find the right Podcast to suit your needs.

Learn Spanish Podcasts:

• Coffee Break Spanish - This Podcast is the first to show up in the search results and has the highest popularity rating. It is put on by Radio Lingua Network and looks like a new episode is added once a week. So far there are 31 episodes dating back to October 2008, and a full description about the Lesson being taught in each Podcast. They range from 15 to 30 minutes long and are aimed at total beginners. Looking through the customer reviews I noticed “It’s amazing how much I learned in 10 minutes”, “the Podcasts are easy to understand…”, and “It’s a fantastic way to get started in the language…”.
• Conversational Spanish - This podcast goes along the lines of how Rocket Spanish teaches its students: by conversational learning. In the description it is designed for those who have already covered the basics in Spanish and are ready to listen in on Spanish conversations at their normal speed. There are 10 episodes already out there and they are added almost weekly. The Podcast is free but you can purchase transcripts of the conversation that come in both Spanish and English if you would like.
• Insta Spanish Lessons - This Podcast by Stacey Tipton Reiman has grammar lessons involved as well. All of the reviews compliment her teaching style and say how the lessons are brief and simple. She also talks about culture and travel tips in addition to teaching comprehension and grammar.

The App and Spanish: One of the newest installments to the iPod and iPhone is the ability to add “apps”. An app, which is short for application, can be found to download in The App Store. All a person needs to get to The App Store is a computer, iTunes, and an Apple account. An iPod or iPhone would be great to have as well if you want to take these applications with you on the go. How do apps have anything to do with learning Spanish? Well, just by typing in the search field “learn Spanish” you will find that there are over 100 applications on all different approaches to learning the language. Some are flash cards, some are virtual tutors, and others give you insight to culture and the people that live in these Spanish-speaking countries. I am going to inform you of some of the applications I think would be most helpful, and tell you about a few of my favorites.

Translation: The translator application would probably be most helpful if you are traveling. The first application that comes up on the search is called iSpeak Spanish. It comes in a variety of other languages as well and at $1.99, what a great price for your own personal translator. This app also has a voice system that will read aloud what is typed. You can translate from Spanish to English or English to Spanish and you can even save the translations to your iPhone or iPod. All of the ratings were five full stars and customer reviews were positive.

Vocabulary Drilling: As it has been said before, it is great to learn conversational Spanish (like how they teach you in Rocket Spanish). Jumping right in and understanding conversation is critical to learn the language fluently, but in addition, vocabulary needs to be maximized. Byki Spanish is an app that drills vocabulary rapidly with a 3-step game. You can download your own lists of vocabulary that you want to improve on, in addition to their 1000 words and hundreds of phrases. Statistics are logged so you can see how well you are doing and as a new addition to the program, Byki also works with Twitter to search words and phrases. Byki costs $7.99, which is a great investment, since you can request what words you want to master in addition to the vocabulary they have on hand for you.

Tutoring/Classes: If you are looking for more of a virtual class, rather than help in a specific area, you should try out Bueno, Entonces. These applications are Spanish Class episodes created by Miniature Studios and are priced at $2.99 per episode. There are over 25 episodes, and by the looks of the reviews, Bueno Entonces is funny, entertaining, and will keep you engaged in the lessons. They, just like Rocket Spanish, stress repetition, they also make use of graphics and color-coding as well. In January 2009, more than 20,000 people bought these applications and the numbers are even higher now. Joining Rocket Spanish with the venerable iPod is a great way to supercharge your spanish learning goals in a fun and convenient environment!

Many people who are learning Spanish as a second language do not have the opportunity to travel abroad to a Spanish-speaking country to study the language, which is why the Internet is another great way to assist in learning the language. I came across a website the other day that is filled with helpful resources for someone who is studying the Spanish language. Be sure to check out Lingolex.

The website was designed by teachers John and Sarah of Lingolex, based out of Spain. They have compiled a list of links to many various lessons for learning Spanish. Whether you are at a beginner or advanced level, it does not hurt to try and learn something new. They divided the page into a few sections like “Help With Spanish Vocabulary”, and “Grammar and other useful things for Spanish learners”. The website is basic and easy to maneuver around so being a computer wiz is not necessary. Most of links will direct you to new pages in their website so you do not have to worry about doing any research on the validity of a new website. There are games, lists, and various categories of vocabulary sets to choose from. There are also many different “how to” articles under the grammar section in addition to reference charts and tutorials on conjugation for certain verbs. There are also links to online chat rooms where you can practice your Spanish and an English/Spanish Cultural Exchange.

Some of My Favorites

As I was browsing the links offered by this resourceful website, I prepared a list of some of my favorites. To start off is the first link provided: “Spanish Word of the Month”.

There is a list of words that were previous words of the month, and when clicked on each word in the drop-down menu found at the top of the screen, you are taken to a screen filled with explanations, definitions, and numerous examples of the word being used. I also thought the “Internet Terms in Spanish and English” was great too. When clicking on this link you are taken to a chart of close to 100 words all about the Internet and computers.

We live in a world where the Internet is a main mode of communication in countries all over. In order to do business, ask for help, or get a job, knowing about the computer is essential. Knowing all about the machine and being able to talk to someone in Spanish about it is becoming more important to know how to do as well. These vocab words are great to become familiar with! I also enjoyed the last link on the page about different Spanish foods. When you click on it you have access to Spanish recipes and vocabulary dealing with food.

When learning Spanish, or any language, it is important to keep adding new vocabulary to what you already know. Although it is great to know how to speak in full conversations, like they stress in programs like Rocket Spanish, in the beginning it is also smart to get key words in your head. This way the variety of topics you can talk about is wider and full of more opportunities. Expanding your vocabulary while also practicing grammar rules is a perfect balance. Each week you should add some new words to what you already know. It is a great idea to learn words in the same category at the same time, instead of just a random list. Below are a few different categories of vocabulary that would be smart to familiarize yourself with.

For Traveling

A Spanish-speaking country can be overwhelming for someone who is still beginning to learn Spanish. It is important to be able to be heard, and have others understand your wants and needs. Lodging, food, attractions, and transportation are important things you may need to talk to locals about and even if you cannot speak full, grammatically correct sentences, specific words will be able to help you get by. The following links are sets of vocabulary from various websites to help you prepare for a trip out of the country:

• Railway Vocabulary
• Weather Vocabulary
• Airport Vocabulary
• At A Restaurant Vocabulary
• Travel Vocabulary
• Hotel Vocabulary

At The Office

Many businesses are looking for people who can speak more than just English in the workplace. By doing this, there are a wider variety of clients that the business can work with. More and more Spanish speakers are living in the United States and at the same time, many businesses in the United States are branching out and doing business internationally. These two factors require more employers to know the language of Spanish well enough to help do business. It is important to know words in Spanish that are related to the business field whether it is with shipping, computers, or related to human resources. Below are links found that would be helpful for a company who would like their employers to be familiar with the Spanish language:

• Computer Vocabulary
• Accounting/Business Vocabulary
• Business Vocabulary
• Workplace

Food

Eating is essential, but what do you need to know if you are in a Spanish-speaking country and going to the market? In order to cook the food you want, you are going to have to buy it and it will not be like a trip to the grocery store in the United States. The signs will be in Spanish, the numbers of prices may be in Spanish, and the packaging may be in Spanish. In order to find everything you need quickly you want to have some key vocabulary known for going to the grocery store. Below are websites showing vocabulary words dealing with food and markets:

• Food
• Dining
• Fruits and Vegetables
• Supermarket

TV Shows

Many prime-time shows have Spanish culture and heritage mixed in. Although it is not a lesson from a textbook or a list of vocabulary words, hearing Spanish culture mix with American culture can still provide additional help when learning Spanish. Prime-time shows such as Ugly Betty on ABC and Weeds on Showtime are just some of the examples where English-speaking characters have relationships with Spanish-speaking characters. These television shows can introduce some Spanish culture and are enjoyable as well by providing entertainment. Many people like to unwind by watching television at the end of the day, so why not make it semi-educational by immersing yourself in some more Spanish?
 

TV Stations

If you have had enough of the TV shows on all of the regular stations like NBC, ABC, and The WB, why not go all out and tune in to the local Spanish channels. Telemundo and UNI are two of the Spanish stations I found when scrolling through the TV Guide website. They feature talk shows, soap operas, and sitcoms just like the English-speaking local channels. The daily news is also a great program to watch in Spanish because with pictures and live video as context clues, you will be able to understand what they are saying. If you watch the nightly news on an English station earlier in the night and then turn in to a Spanish station later you will already be familiar with the headlines, making it easier to understand. Hearing Spanish being spoken whether you are sitting in front of the couch paying full attention to what is on or just having it on in the background while doing things around the house will keep your mind engaged in the language.
 

Movies

Movies on DVD are great for learning a new language! How? Well, if you are trying to learn Spanish, practice the following: Get a movie on DVD that you enjoy and are already familiar with the dialogue; make sure it has the option of being dubbed in Spanish and also the option to play Spanish subtitles. Watch the movie once in English, and then later play it with the Spanish subtitles. After, try watching it dubbed in Spanish, and see if you can correlate what they are saying to the lines in English. If you alternate watching it in the different ways you are sure to associate some Spanish lines with English lines. You can try this technique with many different movies, since most DVDs now have the option to play in other languages or show the subtitles as the film is going.

The Easy Letters

Many of the letters in the Spanish alphabet sound like the ones in the English alphabet. Just make sure you understand that sometimes Spanish speakers will pronounce their letters softer than English speakers do. When this occurs it may sound like mumbling to a person who is unfamiliar with Spanish, but once exposed to it long enough, it will become easier to understand. The letter “c” mostly follows the same rules as it does in English; it sounds like an “s” if it comes before an “e” or an “i” and sounds like a “k” all other times. The letter “ch” is something new and slightly unusual but is pronounced exactly how it is spelled. “F”, “k”, “m”, “p”, “t”, “w”, and “y” are pronounced exactly as they are in English. The letter “q” sounds like the letter “k”, and the letter “s” sounds like it does in the word “sorry”, not how it sounds in the word “fears”.
 

Vowels

Although many of the consonants are pronounced much softer than they are in English, vowels on the other hand take on a stronger sound. Some people might say they are more distinct than the other letters. “A”, “i”, and “o” all have one sound while “e” and “u” can change. Examples are as follows: The letter “a” is pronounced how it sounds in the word “father”. The letter “i” takes on the sound of a double “e”. Examples are words like “tree” or “meet”. The letter “o” is pronounced how it is in the word “smoke” or “tote”. The two more difficult vowels are “e” and “u”. “E” usually sounds like how it does in the word “set” but sometimes can also sound like the Canadian “eh” at times as well. In the case of the letter “u”, it is usually pronounced how the “oo” sounds in “moon” but the “u” can also be silent if it is placed before an “i” or an “e”, for example in the word “guerra” only the “e” is heard.
 

The Confusing Letters

There are a handful of letters that sound different than their English pronunciation. The letters “b” and “v” make the same noise, they both take on the sound like the one in the word “beat”. The letter “d” can sometimes take on the sound of a “th” when it is placed in between vowels. The letter “g” has two different sounds as well; it can either sound like how it does in the word “gun” or take on the sound that the letter “h” makes in English. Speaking of “h”, in Spanish this letter is always silent, and takes on no particular sound at all. “L” is pronounced how it sounds in the word “long” and the “ll” sounds like a “y” in the English alphabet. “N” can sound like how it does in English, but under certain circumstances can sound like an “m” too. The “Ñ” takes on the sound of “ny” or for example sounds like “ny” in “Grand Canyon”. The letter “x” has many different sounds, they range from the sound in the word “exit” to the sound an “s” makes, or the sound a “j” makes in Spanish. Last but not least, the letter “z” is pronounced like “th”, just like how it sounds in the word “think”.

An alternative that takes less time each day compared to listening to an audio conversation is making flash cards. Flash cards can be made for free, by hand. What is great about flashcards is that you can control the material that you learn. Although you will not be focusing on grammar and sentence structure, vocabulary is an important aspect of learning a new language. Just by knowing a variety of key words, you can still communicate with others.
 

It’s So Easy!

Flashcards are helpful and so easy to use. All you need to do is decide what subject you want to work with, construct a list of words and phrases, and put them on index cards. You can make a schedule for each month of the different topics you would like to cover, and have a long-term goal as well. Once a week, make a new batch of cards focusing on 20-30 new terms or phrases. Keep them by your bed to review a few times through before you go to sleep, or keep them in your bag for when you are on the go. Did you know you spend a huge amount of time waiting in lines when you are out, whether it be in a waiting room at a doctors office, or in line at the grocery store why just stand there when you could be learning Spanish? The more repetition, the better you will remember the words. You can go through the stack and have two piles for the ones you knew and the ones you need more help with. Keep going through the pile until you have gotten all of them right. Concentrate on one group of terms for the week and then at the end of the week review all of the groups.
 

Resources

Flashcards are great because you can make them on your own and practice them by yourself or use them in a group. Making them is not hard either, but when there is no teacher present, it can sometimes be tough finding reliable sources to get your information from. It would be a shame to go through all that work and have the wrong definitions memorized. Of course it would be ideal to go through a Spanish textbook to get vocabulary words, since the lessons are usually already separated into different subjects.

A bookstore like Barnes and Noble or the library will probably carry a hefty selection of textbooks and workbooks. Another reliable resource is a dictionary or a Spanish to English translation book. They have these available at all major bookstores and libraries as well. Of course, the Internet is an additional source as well. Just make sure the website you are on is giving you valid information. Since anyone can post anything on the web make sure the website is running through a recognizable company or trustworthy person.

Local Places To Go To

It is important to immerse yourself in Spanish while learning to keep it fresh in your mind. When you are not reading the textbooks or memorizing flashcards, being in places that emphasize the Spanish language or Spanish culture can greatly reinforce what you have already learned. A great way to stay in touch with Spanish culture is by visiting a Spanish market or somewhere where they cater to the Spanish community in your area. The local Spanish people shop here to pick up ingredients for typical Spanish dishes, and the products are imported from Spanish-speaking countries as well. You are likely to be exposed to Spanish price tags and some key Spanish vocabulary on signs. Another place, which sometimes may be more accessible than a Spanish market, is a Spanish restaurant. In Spanish restaurants you are exposed to Spanish food and culture. The menu could be written with many Spanish words, and if it is a really authentic restaurant, your waiter could possibly speak Spanish as well. At both of these places, you should not be afraid to try and order or purchase items by speaking Spanish. See how much the employees can understand and maybe they can give you some pointers!

The Media

As everyone is aware, in today’s society media has a huge impact on the way we live. It influences our lives and what we do. TV and radio are everywhere and it is hard to go an entire day without being exposed to one or the other. The next time you are flipping through the stations on your TV to find something to watch, or driving in your car in search of something exciting on the radio, try something Spanish. There are a few stations that are solely for the Spanish community and if you are trying to learn the language, this is a great way to expose yourself. You can use context clues to try and decipher what they are saying and you can become familiar with the speed at which Spanish is spoken. Spanish will not always sound as slow and clear as it did when Amy and Mauricio spoke out the conversations; It usually sounds like it is going a mile a minute. But by hearing the speed at which the language is really spoken, it will not be as much of a shock when you are in the middle of a conversation.

Clubs and Groups

If you are trying to learn Spanish as a second language, and are doing so on your own without a teacher, try to seek additional resources. If you are enrolled in school, whether it is college or high school, find out if there are any types of clubs or groups that you can join. Many schools offer extracurricular activities that are run by Spanish Honor Societies and South American Cultural groups. If you cannot find a club at your school, get information about starting one on your own. Usually all it takes is a club sponsor and a list of other students who would be interested in joining. If you are not enrolled in school at the time, check the newspaper or the Internet for clubs and groups that are already formed in your town. There could be meetings at local community centers, libraries, or community colleges. Interacting with other people interested in the Spanish language and culture is a great way to stay in touch with the language while not working on lessons at home.

The Eighth E-mail

The eighth e-mail you will receive is the first of a streak of newsletters that will appear every so often in your inbox. These are basically mini lessons, which you are receiving for free alongside your subscription of the Sample Course. Very brief in length, the e-mails contain a variety of different tools to help expand your Spanish capabilities even more beyond the 6-day Sample Course.
 

Some Examples

After receiving five additional e-mails so far in the Rocket Spanish Newsletter Series, there is still so much to learn from. The first email has a link to a mini audio lesson and goes over “Greetings and Goodbyes”. The conversation and audio file are slightly shorter than the ones in the Sample Course but still are structured the same. The next email contains a .pdf file with a free set of 20 flash cards full of useful phrases and words to download and print out. The next e-mail is the text lesson that goes along with the previous audio lesson, explaining and going into more detail about greetings someone new. It also has a few different exercises for you to work on at your own pace. In the email after that you are given the answers to the exercises to see how you did and below the answers is a review to clear up any questions you might of had. The most recent newsletter I have received is another audio lesson that is 18 minutes long about “Life’s Necessities”, going what to say when you are hungry, thirsty, or need to use the bathroom.
 

Subscribe to a Blog

One of the greatest ways to stay up to date with a topic of interest is to subscribe to a blog. Blogs are being written all over the world by many different people, and just by typing what you are looking for into a search engine, and you are bound to find a credible one. I found a wonderful blog here about Learning Spanish. It is filled with great articles and is linked to a Spanish Dictionary translation website. By checking up on a blog like this one you are able to read about Spanish culture, Spanish food, vocabulary, and helpful learning techniques. Immersing yourself in Spanish is something you can do every day and it can be done all from the comfort of your own home.