>>>>>
>>>>>Or just rent the DVDs :o) I agree that Argentinians speak very fast sometimes and use more gutteral sounds so they can be difficult to understand. :o) One of my teachers at DLI was Argentinian but the most difficult to understand was actually from Chile and the 2nd most difficult to understand to me would be Ecuadorians or perhaps Cubans.
>>>>
>>>>I envy you that you had a chance to study at DLI. I still don't give up hope to find a Spanish speaking person (locally) to practice Spanish on regular basis. Or, hopefully, one day to go to a week or two-week Spanish immersion school in Spanish speaking country.
>>>
>>>There are inexpensive trips you can take to Costa Rica to stay with a Costa Rican family. Many colleges here arrange them and there are colleges and schools in Costa Rica that do as well. They are great opportunities to experience the culture and the language.
>>>
>>>Check this out: http://www.learn-spanish.com/aboutus.htm
>>
>>Thank you. I have heard some good things about Costa Rica and the language courses there. And it is less expensive to go there than to Spain. I don't give up hope <g>.
>
>My daughter lived with a host family for 2 weeks in Costa Rica and really enjoyed it. Her trip was organized through her sister's school. Her sister attends a school here in Greensboro that teaches in Spanish and every year they take a trip to a Spanish speaking country and live with a host family.
>
>Another option is to contact your nearest college and volunteer to be a host family for a Latin American foreign exchange student. That way, both you and the student benefit.

I thought about that too. I think it is a good thing to do, in general. But as far as learning/improving the language, I don't think so.