Colombia Club

[Corey3368 3]

Has anyone heard or used Ingles sin Barreras program http://inglessinbarreras.com/isb/index.aspx

Monica has been begging me to get this package. It's not cheap, a little over than what AOS costs!!!

There's nothing close to us that have good programs. The one's in SFO and OAK are too far and she needs transportation. That becomes an issue since she does not have her license yet and I am back into my travelling job.

Chester a friend of mine has the Ingles Sin Barreras program (copies) she sells. Not sure what she charges but I beleive it is inexpensive. If you want to purchse some copies and have them mailed let me know and I can find out how much she charges.

Edited January 22, 2008 by Corey3368

[Mononoke28 134]

Spoken like a true Colombian, pirate CD's!!!

Chester, my dad had that program and it was a waste of money. I begged him not to get it and he did it anyway, it ended up in a closet in Colombia because no one used it here. The reason why it doesn't work (in my opinion) is because the person has to be extremely dedicated for one, and also, there isn't a teacher or some kind of instructor who can be there to answer questions and/or correct mistakes, etc.

I highly recommend checking with churches, community colleges, and other similar places to see where she can go to learn it. It's a lot less expensive and much more effective.

Diana

[Corey3368 3]

Spoken like a true Colombian, pirate CD's!!!

LOL!!! Thanks......Have been doing my best to learn the cultural, good to know my hard work is paying off!!

[Chester y Monica 0]

Diana,

Can you send post this message in Espanol so my lovely Monica can read it herself, please....

Corey3368 - You know I like the 'copies' idea. There's a few sample CDs running around the Internet. I did not find them "worth" the money I was going to spend. Can you find out how much they run?

The problem I have is transportation. Until the EAD comes and her license, walking is not an option (2 miles downhill and 2 miles uphill going back home)

Spoken like a true Colombian, pirate CD's!!!

Chester, my dad had that program and it was a waste of money. I begged him not to get it and he did it anyway, it ended up in a closet in Colombia because no one used it here. The reason why it doesn't work (in my opinion) is because the person has to be extremely dedicated for one, and also, there isn't a teacher or some kind of instructor who can be there to answer questions and/or correct mistakes, etc.

I highly recommend checking with churches, community colleges, and other similar places to see where she can go to learn it. It's a lot less expensive and much more effective.

Diana

[Chester y Monica 0]

Buck - Thanks for the info. The classes offered are really not within close proximities. The most recommended school from other Latinos that we know is in San Jose. That' like driving from Salem to Portland!!!

[parkpapa 0]

Buck - Thanks for the info. The classes offered are really not within close proximities. The most recommended school from other Latinos that we know is in San Jose. That' like driving from Salem to Portland!!!

I bought several books and CDs for Lorena but the only one she uses regularly is "Hablemos Ingles: English for Native Spanish Speakers" by The Learning Company. She likes it because she can record and compare how she pronounces stuff. A word of warning, however.... There are some words on there that I, with my midwestern accent, don't pronounce correctly (or so it seems).

The program is available from amazon.com if you can't find it locally.

Charles

[Mononoke28 134]

My husband has been using some course I bought him from Amazon and that helped him move from Basic I courses to Intermediate, so it depends on how much studying they do at home for sure.

Hola Mónica,

Les estaba comentando que mi papá compró el curso Inglés Sin Barreras hace unos años después que le insistí que no lo comprara y terminó en el closet de una prima en Colombia porque nadie le pudo sacar provecho acá. Yo sólo estaba diciendo de que para pagar tanto por ese curso no me parece bien porque el estudiante tiene que aprender sólo en la casa y no tiene un profesor para que le pueda corregir o responder preguntas.

Lo bueno sería que Chester le pudiera comprar un curso que valga menos y que traiga CDs para que ud. vaya aprendiendo en la casa hasta que pueda tener su licensia de conducir. Yo le compré a mi esposo dos libros uno se llama Inglés Móvil y el otro Habla sin acento, los dos como por $35 dólares (O sea como $17 cada uno) y vienen con CDs y DVDs. Cuando llegó estaba a un nivel Básico y ahora que tomó un exámen para la nueva escuela de inglés cursó a Intermedio y fué más que todo gracias a los libros y CDs que le compré.

Ya cuando pueda manejar y desplazarse para donde quiera puede ir a clases intensivas que son lo mejor para aprender cualquier cosa, pero mientras tanto un curso bueno y barato le puede ayudar muchísimo.

Diana

[M&J 0]

Hello Corey3368 & chester.Monica!

Are you in Pleasant Hill/Concord CA Area? I took ESL Classes for free around there before I enrolled in College. Not sure where you guys are, you talked about San Francisco/Oakland. They gave me books, classes where in the morning time, I took reading/writing and conversation. It was pretty good and fun. If you guys are interested I can look up and give you more info.

Saludos,

Marcela

[Corey3368 3]

Hello Corey3368 & chester.Monica!

Are you in Pleasant Hill/Concord CA Area? I took ESL Classes for free around there before I enrolled in College. Not sure where you guys are, you talked about San Francisco/Oakland. They gave me books, classes where in the morning time, I took reading/writing and conversation. It was pretty good and fun. If you guys are interested I can look up and give you more info.

Saludos,

Marcela

I appreciate the offer M&J, I am in Connecticut, my wife has been studying various books and was in school for a while, the school is starting up again soon and I think she is going to be attending. Thank you anyways.

Corey

[Chester y Monica 0]

Yes we are in San Ramon to be exact.

Hello Corey3368 & chester.Monica!

Are you in Pleasant Hill/Concord CA Area? I took ESL Classes for free around there before I enrolled in College. Not sure where you guys are, you talked about San Francisco/Oakland. They gave me books, classes where in the morning time, I took reading/writing and conversation. It was pretty good and fun. If you guys are interested I can look up and give you more info.

Saludos,

Marcela

[margara&john 0]

hi everyone. I don't even have an interview date yet, but I have been investigating where to get Colombian food for my Margarita when she finally is here. I found a great site.... www.arepasonline.com. They will ship arepas to your house in dryice. The prices seem resonable. I tried my first arepa in November, and I liked it, but Margarita loves them. If anyone does order from there, please let me know how they are. I told Margarita about the site, and she thinks they will be similar to the ones she can buy at the grocery store in Medellin.

[Mononoke28 134]

John,

Most latin stores have a small Colombian section for Colombian products, you should try to go and check them out. I buy about 2lbs of flour and make my own at home. They're fresh and taste better.

Diana

[margara&john 0]

John,

Most latin stores have a small Colombian section for Colombian products, you should try to go and check them out. I buy about 2lbs of flour and make my own at home. They're fresh and taste better.

Diana

Thanks Diana. Unfortunately, here in Milwaukee the only Latin stores are Mexican foods. There is a very large Mexican population here. I have asked about arepas, and I get looked at like I am crazy. Most workers at the stores have never heard of arepas. As it turns out, I love Mexican food. Margarita does not. My Mexican friends always make fun of me because I have such a weak tolerance for spicyness, but Margarita makes me look like a pro LOL

[Mononoke28 134]

Really? Even if you ask if they have a small "Colombian Products" section? They won't know what an arepa is for sure but some stores will have a small two shelf section hidden in a dark corner some where for Colombian stuff. If not, I feel for you. We don't have a lot of Colombians in Denver either but I know where I can get flour for my arepas and chorizos.

My husband is slowly, emphasis on the word slowly when it comes to Mexican food. He says he would like it more if it weren't so spicy, so... what's the point in that? He does love Taco Bell!! Man, he can eat it every day if he could.

Diana

[HAL 9000 96]

John,

Most latin stores have a small Colombian section for Colombian products, you should try to go and check them out. I buy about 2lbs of flour and make my own at home. They're fresh and taste better.

Diana

Thanks Diana. Unfortunately, here in Milwaukee the only Latin stores are Mexican foods. There is a very large Mexican population here. I have asked about arepas, and I get looked at like I am crazy. Most workers at the stores have never heard of arepas. As it turns out, I love Mexican food. Margarita does not. My Mexican friends always make fun of me because I have such a weak tolerance for spicyness, but Margarita makes me look like a pro LOL

John

All you have to do is check the aisle in the Mexican mart where they have AVENA (oatmeal). That is usually where you'll find PAN flour which is nothing more than really fine cornmeal. You can't really use Quaker oat cornmeal since its pretty coarse and the arepas will not come out right. You may even find other things like masa de yuca, masa de bunuelos, etc.

Conversely, since you're in Milwaukee... drive down to Chicago's far north side... 1515 W Devon Street... and there is a grocery store called La Unica that specializes in Colombian products... masa de arepa, postobon, etc. I only wish they had queso costeno so I could make real bunuelos... my wife is convinced I make them just like they do in Colombia and I'm not the Colombian in the relationship!

Eventually, your lady will find other Colombians in the Milwaukee area. Have her check Facebook out... it will be a blessing for her to see she is not completely alone up there.