Breaking Out of Beginner's Spanish [Paperback]

The reason is simple - whenever you learn a language you end up speaking in an unnatural, stitled kind of way. That's certainly how I was taught at school, and that's how most language books do it too. I remember the first time I was in Germany, someone would ask me if I liked a meal, I'd say something like "I am of the opinion that meal was delicious". Who talks like that? But that was the only way I knew how to talk, because that was how I'd learned.

I returned from 6 months in South America speaking Spanish wanting to take my Spanish to the next step - to get a snappy kind of colloquial speaking that normally only comes with practice. (just to echo what's been said before, this book is for intermediates, not beginners, though they might find it fun too).

This book will teach you how to avoid common mistakes, snappy phrases, comebacks, and most importantly of all HOW WORDS ARE ACTUALLY USED. If you look up a word in a dictionary, even a very big dictionary, the context they give you seems to be guaranteed to be wrong in some way. Here, the context will be explained to you in plain English.

I found the book helped me to think in Spanish better, because you need phrases like "errrr", and a few choice insults probably when you're thinking in English. I have read this book cover to cover about ten times. I even bought another copy myself, just to give to a friend because I think everyone should have this book.

It has so much practical information about grammar, vocabulary and nuances of using your spanish in real and practical situations.

I do agree with some of the other reviewer's that this book is not ideal for the complete beginner. If you have a good basic level - say GCSE Spanish then you can and pick and choose what you need from this book as your language skills develop.

It does focus a lot on Latin American spanish however there is substantial coverage of spanish from Spain.

It is a book that will become more useful to you as you develop your spoken or written Spanish. Even now I still consult this book to remind myself the best way of saying something in Spanish.

Highly recommended and one of the only books of its kind that I could find. A great way to buid on a basic level of spanish.

OK, now that's out of the way, now on to the book. I can genuinely say that this has been the most useful book for me in my duration as a student of the language. Keenan really explains the concepts rather than simply brush over them as many other books tend to do, and it's all done in a fun, light-hearted manner.

Once you've finished reading this book (or even just a chapter) you really feel as if you've made progress. The content leans towards Central/South American Spanish, but I didn't find this a problem. I recommend this book 100%.