Resources for learning Spanish (as spoken in Argentina)

[Big Swifty]

I was an expat living in Perú for almost ten years, and spent an accumulated several years of winters on top of that over the course of my life living in Mexico and Central America. I wouldn't consider my level of Spanish to be fluent, but more "conversational." People tell me it's good, but maybe they're just being polite. I'm no beginner, but I'm not kidding myself that at 55 my generally lazy gringo self is going to some day find myself just as fluent as I am in English.

I learn best by immersion and am not one to study (too many other things taking up my attention) but man, am I having a hard time here. A lot probably has to do with how clear Spanish is spoken in Perú, but I can't understand nearly as much as I did there. New to me grammar, pronunciation, and words. I don't feel as bad since my Peruano father in law who has been living here a year also struggles - even with his advantage over me.

Still, I'd like to learn and improve, even if little by little. Anybody with suggestions on videos, websites, or other learning methods/tools that might help me make sense of this new to me language? I've tried listening to Argentine music, but other than the different double-L pronunciations I'm finding that the people don't sound like the singers of songs.

 

[Alby]

You’ll be fine. Be patient. The problem is probably not where it seems to be (grammar, pronunciation, and words). Sure those things are different here, but the problem is most likely that you are not yet fluent in Argentina. Context matters so much. Once you get a feel for what is going on here, who’s who, and what’s what, you will find yourself at the same level you had in Peru (where no doubt after ten years you were fluent in Peru, as opposed to fluent merely in Peruvian Spanish). Immerse yourself in current affairs here and the other things people here talk about, rather than focusing on grammar, pronunciation and words--especially given you are not one to study.

 

[Caribbean Cool]

Understanding Spanish in Argentina can be a miserable experience.

 

[sts7049]

how long have you been in the country? it took me probably a few months before my head wasn't spinning trying to understand everything

 

[Alfred_Arnold]

I would recommend either listening to the radio, such as AM 630 or AM 790, or finding a nightly news program hosted by someone you can stomach watching. A DTA antenna will get you over 30 channels and runs about 1000 pesos. 30 minutes of concentrated listening per day should do wonders after a couple weeks.