Where do they live? Is there a college nearby? The best way to learn conversational spanish (or any language) is through conversation. books/CDs, etc. don't work that well on their own, although they are good as supplements. But the single best way to learn is to sit down with a teacher/tutor on a regular basis and speak it. When not in class, listen to conversational instruction tapes (I guess mp3's these days).
After some training, they should go somewhere they will have to use their newly acquired skills. Maybe Costa Rica. Part of the challenge is deciding what version of Spanish they want to learn? Do they want to speak to professionals or migrant farm workers? Is there a particular group, e.g. Guatemalans, that they want to be able to communicate with? I speak fluent Spanish, but I learned in Spain and I have a hell of a time understanding some Latin American accents. >So, my folks want to learn basic conversational Spanish and asked for >"something to help them do this" for Xmas. Does anyone have any >recommendations for books/CDs/programs? I don't have a clue which are good >ones. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| Find out how CFTicket can increase your company's customer support efficiency by 100% http://www.houseoffusion.com/banners/view.cfm?bannerid=49 Message: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=i:5:176763 Archives: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/threads.cfm/5 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=s:5 Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=11502.10531.5 Donations & Support: http://www.houseoffusion.com/tiny.cfm/54
