Idea Transcript
Register Unanswered posts
Login Active topics
A language learners’ forum (the newest site!)
FAQ
Search
The team
Active topics
Home / Board index / Language Programs and Resources
Gramática de uso del Español or Platiquemos (fsi) Post Reply
Search this topic…
the1whoknocks Orange Belt Posts: 148 Joined: Sat Aug 06, 2016 6:55 am Location: USA Languages: English (N), Spanish (Intermediate) Probably 'gonna' be next: Portuguese Mayby one day: French & Japanese Language Log: viewtopic.php? f=15&t=5253 x 316
8 posts • Page 1 of 1
Gramática de uso del Español or Platiquemos (fsi) by the1whoknocks » Mon Feb 13, 2017 3:53 am P o I've seen both courses mentioned various times on the forum and am wondering which may be more recommended for s someone who is at roughly a high B1 (depending on the day) level of Spanish. t
I have Platiquemos but have never used GdUdE. The idea would be to go through one of these courses, from beginning to end, and continue with as much input as possible in order to help clean up lingering issues with grammar. As a bit of background, I tend to work with videos/ articles/ podcasts as study tools (transcribe, summarize, rephrase, etc.) and have started reading at least 5 hours a week, so I get a decent amout of input. Also, given feedback I've gotten, vocabulary is the biggest thing holding me back. Although, I handle grammar well given the time I've been studying Spanish I must admit that: 1. It's not automatic enough, at times, for someone aiming towards B2. 2. Since I've stopped actively studying grammar as much as I did in the past, I find myself doubting which tense I should use sometimes. I usually get it right but that doubt is enough to interrupt conversation sometimes. Which course would you choose to help with this? Would you even bother using a course?
0 x "Wax on, wax off" - Mr. Myagi
Re: Gramática de uso del Español or Platiquemos (fsi) by Brun Ugle » Mon Feb 13, 2017 7:51 am P o I would recommend both. I haven't done Platiquemos, but it is based on FSI, I think, and I am using FSI. The FSI courses for s Spanish are excellent and are available for free if money is an issue. For the most part the PDFs and recordings are in good t
condition.
Brun Ugle Black Belt - 1st Dan Posts: 1611 Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2015 12:48 pm Location: Steinkjer, Norway Languages: English (N), Norwegian (~C1/C2), Spanish (B1/B2), Esperanto (A2?), German (A2/B1?), Japanese (very rusty), Finnish (just started) Language Log: https://forum.languagelearners.org/vie ... =15&t=7480 x 3301 Contact: C o n t a c t B r u n U g l e
GdUdE is not really a course. It is a workbook series with three levels, A, B and C. I bought all three and I did level A when I'd already reached B1. I found that it while it was fairly easy, it helped me to consolidate things I'd learned. I finished the B level recently. Some of the lessons on the subjunctive in the last half of the book were a little tricky, but useful. I haven't started the C book yet as I'm waiting until I get nearer the end of the FSI course. For reference, I was told recently by a tutor that I am a B2. I started studying nearly two years ago on my own using FSI Spanish Programmatic, finished it and then moved on to FSI Spanish Basic. I am currently on lesson 37 of 55 in FSI Basic. And as mentioned, I did the first two levels of GdUdE and have yet to start the third. I used FSI Programmatic to teach me, FSI Basic for more in-depth teaching and review, and the grammar workbooks to consolidate. I also do a lot of input on the side, and occasionally chat with a tutor on Skype. Note also that GdUdE is entirely in Spanish. Each lesson has grammar explanations and examples on the left page and a bunch of exercises on the right. Since it's entirely in Spanish, I wouldn't recommend using it from A1 level, but it is great for consolidating when you've reached A2 or B1. It sounds like you are at a good level.
7 x (aka Easily Distracted Tortoise) : :
words - Output Challenge Spanish Writing 2018 minutes - Output Challenge Spanish Speaking 2018
Re: Gramática de uso del Español or Platiquemos (fsi) by James29 » Mon Feb 13, 2017 5:31 pm P o I agree. Do both. s t
I did the B level grammar course/book when I was probably a weak B2 and I found it was a tad too easy. I was really glad I did not wait any longer. James29 Blue Belt Posts: 660 Joined: Mon Jul 20, 2015 11:51 am Languages: English (Native) Spanish (C1-ish) French (Beginner) Portuguese (Thinking about it) x 1364
I found FSI better than Platiquemos. Platiquemos cuts out a significant amount of the drills from the FSI course. The grammar book will really teach the B level grammar well. FSI is much easier and takes less time if you already know the vocabulary and have an ok understanding of the grammar. You can't really "out grow" FSI. I think going through FSI would be useful even for someone at a C1 level. There is no other good way to train/drill the automaticity. You could easily to them in tandem. Do lessons 1-25 of the grammar book then, unit 1 of FSI then lessons 26-50 of the grammar book, then unit 2 of FSI, etc, etc.
5 x
jsega Orange Belt
Re: Gramática de uso del Español or Platiquemos (fsi) by jsega » Tue Feb 14, 2017 1:11 am P o s James29 wrote: t
Posts: 133 Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2016 6:44 pm Languages: English (N) Spanish (beginner) x 88
I agree. Do both. I did the B level grammar course/book when I was probably a weak B2 and I found it was a tad too easy. I was really glad I did not wait any longer. I found FSI better than Platiquemos. Platiquemos cuts out a significant amount of the drills from the FSI course. The grammar book will really teach the B level grammar well. FSI is much easier and takes less time if you already know the vocabulary and have an ok understanding of the grammar. You can't really "out grow" FSI. I think going through FSI would be useful even for someone at a C1 level. There is no other good way to train/drill the automaticity. You could easily to them in tandem. Do lessons 1-25 of the grammar book then, unit 1 of FSI then lessons 26-50 of the grammar book, then unit 2 of FSI, etc, etc.
So did you use FSI only for the drills? And I read the instructions at the beginning of the PDF on how to use it and they say to memorize the dialogues before doing the drills. Is this how most are using it (or at least you)? If so, what method did you prefer to use to memorize the dialogues?
0 x :
Cavesa Black Belt - 2nd Dan Posts: 2310 Joined: Mon Jul 20, 2015 9:46 am Languages: Czech (N), English (C1), French (C2), Spanish (intermediate), German (somewhere on the path), Italian (beginner) x 6287
Speakeasy Brown Belt
Breaking the Spanish Barrier - Beginner:
Re: Gramática de uso del Español or Platiquemos (fsi) by Cavesa » Tue Feb 14, 2017 10:08 pm P o I'd say B1 is quite late for Platiquemos. Ok, FSI is awesome. Sure, you could still draw a lot of value from it. But a large part s may already be too easy and therefore discouraging. Gramatica de uso is awesome. t
1 x
Re: Gramática de uso del Español or Platiquemos (fsi) by Speakeasy » Wed Feb 15, 2017 12:47 am P o s jsega wrote: t
Posts: 1076 Joined: Mon Jul 20, 2015 5:19 pm Location: Canada (Montréal region) Languages: English (N), French (C2). Studying: Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Dutch, Polish, and Russian; all with widely varying degrees of application, enthusiasm, and success. x 2632
... So did you use FSI only for the drills? And I read the instructions at the beginning of the PDF on how to use it and they say to memorize the dialogues before doing the drills. Is this how most are using it (or at least you)? If so, what method did you prefer to use to memorize the dialogues?
I recommend that discussions of "how to use" the FSI courses be dealt within some of the threads that have be opened on this specific topic, or on related topics, such as those listed below: A Language Learner's Forum The use of FSI, a question of efficiency http://forum.language-learners.org/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=5442 How to use FSI? http://forum.language-learners.org/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=2542 Creative Ways to Use FSI http://forum.language-learners.org/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=2449 How do YOU use dialogues in language courses? http://forum.language-learners.org/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=5414 Other Threads? There are likely other threads on this forum or on the HTLAL How-To-Learn-Any-Language The correct way to use FSI (French) http://how-to-learn-any-language.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5158 If FSI is Audio-Lingual.... http://how-to-learn-any-language.com/Forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22517&PN=63&TPN=1 Results of a G-Search "How to use FSI" http://how-to-learn-any-language.com/forum/search_form.asp?cx=partner-pub2912224114831178%3Ach0jagxs7xl&cof=FORID%3A9&ie=UTF-8&q=%22How+to+use+FSI%22&sa=Search&siteurl=how-tolearn-any-language.com%2Fforum%2Fsearch_form.asp&ref=how-to-learn-anylanguage.com%2Fe%2Findex.html&ss=7213j8479097j20 EDITED: Insertion of additional links from the HTLAL Last edited by Speakeasy on Wed Feb 15, 2017 11:47 am, edited 1 time in total.
1 x
the1whoknocks Orange Belt Posts: 148 Joined: Sat Aug 06, 2016 6:55 am Location: USA Languages: English (N), Spanish (Intermediate) Probably 'gonna' be next: Portuguese Mayby one day: French & Japanese Language Log: viewtopic.php? f=15&t=5253 x 316
Re: Gramática de uso del Español or Platiquemos (fsi) by the1whoknocks » Wed Feb 15, 2017 7:30 am P o Ok, I've decided to work through both resources in tandem, close to what James has suggested. Based on my experience with s Platiquemos, I'm confident I can work through one FSI unit per week but I'll have to see how fast I can work through GdUdE. t
All this with a twist; I'll start with the C level GdUdE books. There are a few reasons for this: 1. I was worried that, at this point, FSI would actually be too easy and therefore, largely a waste of time. However, the comments above reminded me of the importance of consolidation. I've already been presented with most of the grammar contained with FSI, but much of it is not automatic which means I have not internalized it as well as I can. I think the drills will help with making things feel more second nature since I won't have to focus on learning most of the vocabulary and I'm already familiar with the grammatical constructions. ... All this to be coupled with native input, of course. 2. I got a chance to browse through a copy of the C level book and I like it's format. At a glance, while I felt comfortable with the material on a few pages, I could tell this book will help me to use the language with more nuance. It presents quite a few grammar usages that I have not really noticed before. It seems that this book will be the push I was looking for. 3. One of my tutors has a digital copy of the C level GdUdE book and is familiar with the contents which should make resolving doubts a bit easier, if needed. So, one easy(ier) course and one challenging course seems like a good balance. Side note: I had chance to compare the audio from FSI's Basic Course and Platiquemos and did not realize that so many drills had been omitted from the latter. I also didn't realize that both courses don't have the same speakers; unit 48's dialog is one example that came to mind. FSI Basic used all native speakers for the "dialog for learning," while one of the speakers in Platiquemos seemed to not to be. Also, it may just be me but I find the layout of the books for Platiquemos to me more user friendly. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know what I decided and present a bit of the reasoning. Thanks for your time, guys.
1 x "Wax on, wax off" - Mr. Myagi
Speakeasy Brown Belt Posts: 1076 Joined: Mon Jul 20, 2015 5:19 pm Location: Canada (Montréal region) Languages: English (N), French (C2). Studying: Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Dutch, Polish, and Russian; all with widely varying degrees of application, enthusiasm, and success. x 2632
Re: Gramática de uso del Español or Platiquemos (fsi) by Speakeasy » Wed Feb 15, 2017 11:21 am P o When I was studying Spanish more actively, I used the original FSI Spanish course and the Platequemos course s simultaneously. Ultimately, I put Platequemos aside and continued to work with the original materials. t
I agree with the1whoknocks', comment that the layout of the Platiquemos course books makes them somewhat easier to read than the original FSI Spanish course books (or the Barron's Mastering Spanish reproductions of the original books). In my view, the removal of the difficult-to-justify phonetic spelling that forms part of the text in the original FSI Spanish books and the "portrait orientation" of the Platequemos text are the reasons for the improvement in readability. Unfortunately, when the Platiquemos course books were prepared, which might have been done on a PC word processor, numerous typographical errors were included that do not appear in the original text. In cases where these errors occur in the English text, they represent nothing more than an irritant; however, in cases where they occur in the Spanish text, they represent a frustrating, if minor, impediment to learning.
1 x
Display posts from previous: All posts
Post Reply Return to “Language Programs and Resources”
Sort by Post time
Ascending
Go
8 posts • Page 1 of 1
Jump to
WHO IS ONLINE Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Limited Style we_universal created by INVENTEA
Home / Board index / Contact us / Delete all board cookies / All times are UTC