Spanish for Dummies [With CD (Audio)] (For Dummies)

The fast and painless way to learn to speak Spanish

Are you a student studying Spanish; a traveler gearing up for a trip to a Spanish-speaking country; or someone who simply wants to communicate with Spanish-speaking friends, neighbors, and colleagues? Spanish For Dummies is your hands-on guide for quickly and painlessly grasping the basics of speaking Spanish. You'll get a handle on grammar, essential vocabulary, verb conjugations, and pronunciations in no time!

• Spanish 101 — learn to recite the alphabet; pronounce words and phrases; and meet, greet, and exchange pleasantries with other Spanish speakers

• It's as easy as uno, dos, tres — discover how to ask key questions, chat about the weather, describe family members, order food, talk about where you live, and more

• Happy trails — take your Spanish on the road and discover how to plan a trip, exchange your money for local currency, get around with various modes of transportation, and check into a hotel

• Take care of business — grasp the essential Spanish language skills you need to talk on the phone and perform everyday tasks at the office

Audio CD Includes

More than 30 conversations that reinforce lessons from the book

Open the book and find:

• Basic grammar and common expressions

• Sentence structure and verb conjugations

• Formal and informal greetings

• Information on numbers, time, and measurements

• Pointers for describing everyday activities in Spanish

• Tips for making small talk, asking for directions, and more

• Fun activities to help you practice your Spanish skills

• Spanish-English and English-Spanish dictionaries

Learn to

• Speak Spanish quickly and effectively

• Master basic grammar, verb conjugations, vocabulary, and pronunciationsTake your skills to the next level with real-life conversations on the accompanying CD

Learn Latin American Spanish quickly and painlessly

The job market for those who are bilingual is expanding rapidly. Businesses and government agencies are hiring translators; retailers and advertisers are concentrating more energy in targeting the Spanish-speaking ; and hospitals and agencies are seeking to overcome language barriers.

Whether you’re a student studying Spanish, a traveler gearing up for a trip to a Spanish-speaking country and need to learn the basics, or a upwardly mobile looking to get ahead of the pack in your career by learning a second language, Spanish For Dummies, 2^nd edition is your hands-on guide to quickly and painlessly learn Latin American Spanish that includes:

• Expanded coverage of grammar, verb conjugations, and pronunciations
• A refreshed and expanded mini-dictionary complete with even more essential vocabulary, exercises, and more
• A revamped and expanded bonus CD-ROM that includes real-life dialogue to aid in your learning

Whether you’re looking to learn Spanish for use in the home, class, at the office, or on the go, Spanish For Dummies, 2^nd edition has you covered!

A whole-language approach providing full immersion Spanish instruction

Spanish For Dummies, Second Edition is the fun and easy way to learn Spanish quickly and painlessly Written by the experts at the renowned Berlitz school, this hands-on resource shows you the ins and outs of the Spanish language and culture, acting as both a guidebook and a reference. This updated revised edition features hints to start speaking Spanish quickly, as well as common expressions, important holidays, and phrases that'll make you sound fluent.- Expanded coverage of Spanish grammar and verb conjugations allows you to master the nuts and bolts of the language- Greet others, introduce yourself, make small talk, and hold a conversation on the phone utilizing the new and expanded vocabulary list- Order in restaurants, shop, go out on the town, and enjoy local recreation- Ask for directions, check in and out of hotels, use transportation, and call for help in an emergencyComplete with a new and expanded audio CD that allows you to hear and repeat actual Spanish conversations by native Spanish speakers, Spanish for Dummies, Second Edition is the ultimate guide for speaking Spanish quick and easy

Berlitz® has taught languages to millions of people for more than 130 years. Susana Wald is a writer and literary translator in Hungarian, Spanish, English, and French, and she has taught abroad in Chile and Canada. Cecie Kraynak, MA, has taught and tutored Spanish at the junior high school and college levels for more than 25 years. She is the author of Spanish Verbs For Dummies.

Introduction.

Part I: Getting Started.

Chapter 1: Spanish in a Nutshell.

Chapter 2: Warming Up with Spanish Grammar Basics.

Chapter 3: Getting Started with Basic Expressions.

Chapter 4: Getting Your Numbers, Times, and Measurements Straight.

Chapter 5: Speaking Spanish at Home.

Part II: Spanish in Action.

Chapter 6: Getting to Know You: Making Small Talk.

Chapter 7: Asking for Directions.

Chapter 8: Dining Out and Going to the Market.

Chapter 9: Shopping Made Easy.

Chapter 10: Going Out on the Town.

Chapter 11: Taking Care of Business and Telecommunications.

Chapter 12: Recreation and the Great Outdoors.

Part III: Spanish on the Go.

Chapter 13: Planning a Trip.

Chapter 14: Dealing with Money in a Foreign Land.

Chapter 15: Getting Around: Planes, Trains, Taxis, and More.

Chapter 16: Finding a Place to Stay.

Chapter 17: Handling Emergencies.

Part IV: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 18: Ten Ways to Pick Up Spanish Quickly.

Chapter 19: Ten Things Never to Say in Spanish.

Chapter 20: Ten or So Favorite Spanish Expressions.

Chapter 21: Ten Phrases That Make You Sound Fluent in Spanish.

Part V: Appendixes.

Appendix A: Mini-Dictionary.

Appendix B: Verb Tables.

Appendix C: On the CD.

Appendix D: Answer Keys.

Index.