We're all beginners
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When I first saw this book and read the reviews I really wasn't sure if I was classified as a "Beginner" or not. I purchased it anyway. After reading half way through, I am so glad I stepped up. Even if you've only had a few lessons or even if you hardly know any Spanish, this will help you to understand the culture behind the language. If you are more experienced, it is just as good as you can take it to your level.
I've been learning Spanish for a couple of years now. I am so happy I made this investment as it is great for all levels. A bit like a bible really. Easy reading. Gives you a laugh and helps you to understand different ways to ask and comment on things. Which can be priceless! You'll appear "Muy Educado" meaning polite and well mannered, which, is very important for this culture.
You wont be disappointed, and you'll never give it away when you're finished. You'll go back and back and back to it.
Este libro is muy bueno. lo propio :)
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A treat for the potential Spanish linguist at any level
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My own preference in learning a new skill is invariably to attempt it without the aid of specialised tuition. I find that a less regimented and structured approach suits my style of learning. In fact I doubt whether I would have encountered this book if I had merely ploughed my way through a recommended textbook. Like the other reviewers I strongly recommend this work both to novices and also the more advanced. The author amusingly warns against some of the potential colloquial pitfalls that belie those innocent conversational exchanges. At the same time he arms you with some hilarious pithy comments which will endear you to your Spanish acquaintances. He will also provide you with enough examples of the common habits of speech so that you can effortlessly deal with the the day to day conversational demands. I strongly recommend it.
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Addictive
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When was the last time you had a language textbook that you couldn't put down? I had to tear myself away to add to the glowing reviews above, which first inspired me to buy this book. Breaking Out of Beginner's Spanish answers all the questions you never even realised needing asking. It fills in the gaps for when you look in the dictionary and none of the definitions seems right - and gives you a laugh at the same time. It's perfect for dipping into and rewards each reading with a snappy new word or phrase you're dying to use next time you're with a Spanish speaker. It's as if Bill Bryson had written a language book - and from this reader there's no greater praise.
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Indispensable
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I've studied German, Spanish and French to varying levels. I have a collection of 20 or so language books, and I can honestly say that this is the best. 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.
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Indispensable Reading, fills a big gap in learning Spanish
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I have been learning Spanish for many years on my own and now that I have finally moved to Spain I find I'm really still a beginner with a decent grasp of grammar. When it comes to understanding Spanish as its really spoken and used you need something extra that the normal textbooks and dictionaries don't tell you. This is where Joseph Keenan's book comes in. I already have excellent books including Margarita Madrigal's Magic Key to Spanish, Shaum's Outlines Spanish Grammar and Juan Kattán-Ibarra's Teach Yourself Spanish which cover standard grammar and Spanish very well.
Keenan's book clears up a lot of confusion that other books and dictionaries wont explain. He explains light-heartedly the most important areas of Spanish that cause confusion to beginners e.g. Ser and Estar, commonly confused words (tricksters), common verbs with multiple meanings, often badly defined or missing from dictionaries and he even tackles the dreaded subjunctive well. My favourite chapters include the 64 very common verbs and their most typical day-to-day usage, a chapter on crutch words, snappy answers and expressions for filling those gaps (Pues, Bueno, o sea etc) and a chapter on invective and obscenity!
There is no particular order to the chapters and it lacks an index. This would have been really useful for reference. Inevitably, it is also a bit biased towards Latin American Spanish where expressions, idioms and invective is concerned. I drop a star for this.
This aside, you will find yourself dipping into it at random and learning things that you always wanted to know. It doesn't read like a textbook but more like a collection of the tips, the most common misunderstandings and roadblocks experienced during years of learning and speaking Spanish.
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