Learning Spanish

[Saint84]

Hello all,
I was curious what you all thought about learning spanish. I know that it will indeed help me once I do become a Police Officer. I was mainly curious if anyone has had any success at learning another language later in life? I know it's pretty difficult for adults without full immersion so my idea is to post a request in my local church to see if I couldn't hang out with a family a night or two a week who speaks fluent spanish as their first language and just help them out around the house or whatever it takes to get that full immersion.

I had worked in Wyoming for a few months with some vaqueros when I was sixteen and was able to speak enough to get by after I left. However when I came back and was not tested in my spanish or had to communicate in spanish it faded.

So anyone out there think that is a good idea or a waste of time? Time gets pretty precious when you have a wife and four kids but I want to make myself very marketable to the Departments and I know a second language may help quite a bit.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated and noted .
Thank you all and Be SAFE!

[crass cop]

Very good idea...I was a waiter before a cop, so I was kinda "immersed" in the back of the house and with busboys, etc.
Rosetta Stone is a pretty good computer program, but its expensive so try to get one used if you wanna try that route.
Although it helps and I habla a bit, its total BS that LEOS even need to consider learning it...we are still living in America and despite what La Raza says, English is spoken here. Dont misunderstand, its a great tool to have but I get people who get ****ed when they dont think any LEOs on scene speak spanish.
Before you go in peoples homes, turn on telemundo or whatever spanish channel you can get and try to look up that Rosetta Stone...I think they still send out "free samples" that is like a phase 1 for instruction.
bueno suerte (good luck)

[CurlyQ]

Well, I used to be of the mind that those who come to our country should learn English. However, being in law enforcement, I now see the huge benefit of learning to speak Spanish. Once again, my dad was right!!! Wish I had listened to him 20 years ago.

[crass cop]

OR...just hire an illegal alien who does speak English to translate for you. Take him everywhere when youre on duty, pay him cash daily, you could probably go as much as $4 an hour....after a few decent load car busts and seizures, it will pay for itself. Call him "Chuy"...

[SleepyCop]

Hello all,
I was curious what you all thought about learning spanish. I know that it will indeed help me once I do become a Police Officer. I was mainly curious if anyone has had any success at learning another language later in life? I know it's pretty difficult for adults without full immersion so my idea is to post a request in my local church to see if I couldn't hang out with a family a night or two a week who speaks fluent spanish as their first language and just help them out around the house or whatever it takes to get that full immersion.

I had worked in Wyoming for a few months with some vaqueros when I was sixteen and was able to speak enough to get by after I left. However when I came back and was not tested in my spanish or had to communicate in spanish it faded.

So anyone out there think that is a good idea or a waste of time? Time gets pretty precious when you have a wife and four kids but I want to make myself very marketable to the Departments and I know a second language may help quite a bit.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated and noted .
Thank you all and Be SAFE!

Do it! Go take some classes at a community college, and hire a tutor if needed.

Not only is it an excellent tool for law enforcement, you can also pick up incentive pay depending on the department.

-SC

[Zamkn]

...or you could get stuck with translating every DWI interview! Haha. Espanol es un idioma fantastico y divertido.

[SDBP619]

Living in Southern Cali i must say i have heard Spanish just as much as English. I started taking classes in 4th grade, and it has come in handy. At the BP academy i never had to waste time studying, and now i dont have to waste time trying to figure out what illegals are saying when writing up paperwork. Oh and Zamkn and Crass Cop you guys both forgot to use the feminine...should be buena suerte, and idioma fantastica y divertida.

Take some classes at a JC and watch some spanish television. The news might be kind of high speed, so try watching a soap opera they talk a little slower. It'll help you get a better ear.

[crass cop]

damn! lo siento