Las Aventuras de Víctor en España

Hola amigos, I'm wondering what those who ordered this think about it. I have been enjoying it and have listened through Capítulo 22. Ten chapters to go, and then I will go back through it many times over. Saludos, Ricardo

Ricardo: I just received the book this week and have just started using it. My first thought was that at least the first chapters would be much too easy for you and other more advanced learners. The first chapters are pretty easy for me to read, but I suppose they get more difficult as the story progresses. I think that for me I might get the most benefit from reading the chapters and listening to Cynthia's narration as separate activities: one to practice my reading skills, the other (much more difficult for me right now) to practice listening. I want to explore Gordon's learning zone audios in more detail when I have time. And finally, I have to say that I am impressed with Gordon's little songs. I always assumed he played the little guitar riff on their videos, but the guy sings really well. In summary, it was worth the money to me. Dan

Hola Dan, I agree the first chapters are pretty easy but it does increase in complexity and Cynthia's reading pace quickens as well, though so far it's not rapid fire. It seems, depending on who and where from, that Latin American Spanish is more rapid? My approach has been as Gordon suggests, listening before reading. Most of the grammar and usage material is stuff I have had down for quite awhile but I'm all for reinforcing. For sometime I have been concentrating on listening and I welcome the lack of English in the audio. Also I have been substituting in my mind Uds for the Vosotros, emocionando for ilusión etc. And above all, agarrar or tomar for "coger". Thanks for the reply, I too think it's worth the money. Speaking of listening, it's time to watch "El Gordo Y La Flaca". Saludos, Ricardo

Ricardo: I cannot speak for all Latin Americans, but I can say with certainty that the Cubans speak rapidly. And clip quite a few letters. When I would listen to 2 Cubans speaking to one another I felt good if I could recognize 1 word per sentence. But, when I spoke to them, beginning with my favorite line, "Estoy aprendiendo Español todavía, hablas más despacio, por favor," they would slow right down and I could communicate pretty well. One day I was talking with a Cuban artist whose studio was across the street from my apartment. His English was about as good as my Spanish, and one time I was trying to explain something to him that was complicated enough that I lapsed into English. After a few seconds he got that deer in the headlights look that I know I exhibit, and he asked me to slow down so he could keep up with me. That gave me a perverse sense of satisfaction. Then, on the plane from Miami to Atlanta I had the great good fortune of having as a seatmate a beautiful young Spanish woman who is studying in the USA. We had an interesting conversation about the differences between peninsular and Latin American Spanish, such as the use of the word "vale." And as much as it otherwise annoys me, when she said "thervetha" my heart pretty much melted.