Learning to speak variable levels of Spanish

Have you ever wanted to take full advantage of traveling outside the U.S. but were afraid to based on the language barrier you would face? This was a fear of mine over a decade ago, so I found myself in an "immersion course" that concentrates lessons in foreign languages over the course of a few months on preparation for expatriate work or just an extended stay in another country without English as a primary language.

Do you have time to delve into Spanish courses for weeks at a time? Perhaps, perhaps not. But, if you've going on vacation in a country with Spanish as its primary language (Mexico, some countries in South America), you may be able to get by with a few choice phrases as well as a small 'translator book.' This will be enough for many, but as they say, 'when in Rome, do as the Romans do' -- why not go further than just a few phrases involving food and taking a restroom break?

After having just returned from the Play del Carmen area, I did see many Americans using small and easy-to-speak phrases to those Mexican citizens who were not English speakers. It worked -- but having a strong command of Spanish -- if you can commit the time -- makes things quite a bit easier. There are beginning, intermediate and expert ways to accomplish varying levels of Spanish-speaking success. Which do you choose (or have chosen)?

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