THE 5 BEST APPS FOR LEARNING AND IMPROVING YOUR SPANISH

By Uncategorized October 29, 2021
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While the official language in Costa Rica is Spanish, many Costa Ricans speak impressively impeccable English. The ability to communicate proficiently in English opens up a lot of doors for local Costa Ricans, especially in the thriving tourism industry. Locals have long learned the English language to facilitate English-speaking tourists and even expats better. But, when foreigners make an effort to speak the native language while they are here, it is very well received and appreciated. There are also plenty of day-to-day scenarios where being able to speak Spanish is highly beneficial.

Learning a new language might be easy for some, but for many of us, it is challenging and requires a great deal of effort. Fortunately, there are vast resources available to help you get started or improve upon your current Spanish abilities. If you want to start learning or improving your Spanish for an upcoming trip or perhaps your big move to Costa Rica, there is an app for that. Actually, there are a lot of apps for that.

SURVIVAL SPANISH FOR TRAVEL

Survival Spanish for Travel is a great app to start learning the essentials of the Spanish language. Using this app, you will be introduced to hundreds of essential Spanish words and phrases for free using specially designed flashcards. You can use this app on-the-go and whenever you have a few free minutes.

BRAINSCAPE

Brainscape is the company behind the Survival Spanish for Travel app, but they also have other resources for learning Spanish and just about anything else you want to study. Using Brainscape, you can also make and share your own flashcards, if you want. Brainscape uses the latest cognitive research to design their flashcards. There are four levels of Spanish flashcards, as well as an entire level dedicated to just verbs. Each level has between 10 and 32 decks of cards.

LINGQ

LingQ is a unique app because it allows the user to become more immersed in the language by utilizing podcasts, audiobooks, and interviews. Each audio lesson or resource comes complete with a transcript. This is a useful learning tool for gaining exposure to native Spanish speakers.

CONJUGATO

One of the most challenging areas of learning Spanish for English-speakers is to master is verb conjugations. Fortunately, ConjuGato is a free app that is focused exclusively on Spanish verbs. This app is complete with mnemonic flashcards, conjugation tables, and a list of the 1000 most commonly used verbs in the Spanish language.

NEWS IN SLOW SPANISH

This is an amazing program for Spanish-language learners who want to improve their listening and comprehension skills. News in Slow Spanish is a weekly podcast for Spanish language learners. There are multiple levels and a free option if you aren’t ready to commit to a subscription. When you pay for a subscription, you gain access to not only the podcast, but transcripts, grammar lessons, and quizzes. This is an engaging way to take your Spanish to the next level.

 

Learning a new language is a process. However, there is no time like the present to begin! These apps can also be used as supplemental material if you are taking Spanish classes.

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About the Author
GRE_TEAM-Dave
David J. Corredor

A dynamic leader with a proven track record of success in real estate, hotel, restaurant, and sales businesses. Effective leadership style that inspires trust and confidence in team members and clients. Relationship-based sales approach that yields many repeat clients and referrals. Experience in sales for over 20 years. Well over $100,000,000 in career real estate sales. Proud husband of Annie Corredor and father of Maggie Corredor.

COSTA RICA EXPERIENCE

Grande Real Estate
CO-FOUNDER and CO-OWNER
2016 - Now

After years of experience in the Playa Grande market, Dave and Annie started this small real estate brokerage and consultancy with the intent of using their best skills in sales and capitalizing on the plethora of qualified prospects generated by both RipJack Inn and their plentiful relationships in the area.

  • With Dave acting as lead agent/broker and Annie as GM, Grande Real Estate has grown to a level of over 50 transactions and $15,000,000 per year in sales volume.
  • Dave and GRE have been the exclusive agent for several gated communities/major developments in the area. In this role, Dave is counted on to help guide the decisions about what and when to build for the current market conditions. With this expert guidance, Dave has led multiple projects to their best performance in a variety of market conditions.
  • Grande Real Estate has had the majority of transactions and significant listings in the Playa Grande market during since inception. The vast majority of Dave’s clientele comes from existing relationships, repeat clients, and referrals. Dave’s greatest strength has always been developing and maintaining relationships through a commitment to the highest level of service.

Local Real Estate Investments/Projects
INVESTOR/MANAGING PARTNER
2004 - Now

As opportunities arise, we invest in and develop real estate projects in the local area. We currently own several properties in various stages of development, including the construction of fine custom and spec homes. We intend to emphasize this more as we move forward and do multiple projects per year beginning in 2021. As always, our focus will be on high quality end products and true, long-lasting value for our partners and clients, our most important relationships.

Premier American Escrow, LLC
ESCROW SERVICES FOR COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE
2017 - Now

In response to a clear need for streamlined escrow services in Costa Rica, Dave, Annie and 2 partners opened a Florida LLC to do escrow services for transactions, mostly involving Grande Real Estate. To-date, Premier American Escrow has done over 10 escrows very successfully. Customer satisfaction has been high and we expect the company to expand in the coming year.

RipJack Inn, Playa Grande
CO-FOUNDER and PRESIDENT
2004 - Now

Re-developed an older hotel property in a great location into the largest and most successful business in town. RipJack Inn has become the leading hotel and restaurant/bar in town and generates an average of $1,100,000 per year in sales. RipJack Inn is also the original and most successful yoga studio and retreat location in Playa Grande. Revenue streams also include group events/weddings, catering, tours/activities, and some retail. Also acquired expansion land permitted and executed new construction in the most difficult place to build in Costa Rica. The hotel has grown from 8 to 21 rooms over the last 17 years.

RipJack Inn currently provides solid employment to over 30 Costa Ricans and has employed over 150 people in its history. Dave and Annie have become experts in the navigation of the legal systems, employment, accounting, taxation, and culture of Costa Rica. RipJack Inn is an employer, taxpayer, and corporate entity in good standing in both the United States and Costa Rica.

UNITED STATES EXPERIENCE
Cornish and Carey Commercial, Palo Alto, California
LEASING AGENT
1998 - 2002

  • Primary focus was tenant and landlord representation in lease transactions for the dominant brokerage house in Silicon Valley. Client list included PayPal/Ebay, Advocco, TellMe Networks (acquired by Microsoft), Adecco, PricewaterhouseCoopers. Held State of California Real Estate Salesperson’s License.
  • Won prestigious Rookie of the Year Award in 1999, first full year. Set record for most commissions earned in an agent’s rookie year.
  • Year 2000, reached elite Super Bonus level with over $600,000 in earnings. Set standard for any agent in second year in history of company. Over $20,000,000 in total consideration in transactions for year.
  • Discovered and worked from start to finish on two office-building/redevelopment projects in Mountain View, California as agent and investor. Created two Class A office building in the heart of the Silicon Valley from scratch and saw them through lease-up and sell-out. Project included the first world headquarters for PayPal (then acquired by Ebay) and over $75MM in total consideration to the investment group.

PERSONAL

Married for 18 years and helping my wife Annie raise our daughter Maggie, my #1 focus. Interests include surfing, cycling, reading, personal growth, dogs, and travel. Fully fluent in Spanish, inclusive of speaking, reading, and writing to contract level. Permanent legal resident of Costa Rica.

Additional Leadership Activities

Vice-president, Board of Directors, Association AyA, Playa Grande, Santa Cruz, Guanacaste. My primary community service role is to help guide the board in the management of the town’s water system. We focus on sustainable practices to ensure the long-term health of the town’s water supply and system. A crucial role in a place where development and water usage are highly politicized and controversial. Over 10 years on this board to-date.