Which Spanish is right for me? help!

Hello

This may seem like a odd question, but I want to learn spanish. Mainly because I want to travel to Mexico and Spain (because I live in Canada, and right now it is....-20)

So, I figure the best way to do this is to purchase one of the Rosetta Stone programs.

To my dismay, there are two programs, one listed as Spanish (latin america) and one listed as Spanish (Spain).

which is the one that would be most helpful for me? Chances are I will be spending more time in Mexico. I ask because I assume is could be differences between how someone from Canada and someone from England speak english.

Any help would be appreciated.

From what you say, the Latin America Spanish would appear to be the more useful for you.

And yes, there is quite a difference between the two. I live in Texas and have opportunity to hear a lot of Mexican Spanish (hear, but not understand - I don't speak the language at all). I also travel on business quite a bit, and have been to Madrid on occassion. The same language is spoken in both places, at least in theory, but it sounds VASTLY different.

If you are simply looking to travel to warmer climates that are near you (relatively speaking - even Mexico is a long way from Canada!) I would recommend the Latin American version.

I would suggest you to get the Latin American Spanish version. This is the type of spanish they teach at my high school. It is slightly more simplified and just over all more commonly spoken between Central and Northern America.

Dialect from Spain is sometimes a little more "formal" than other dialects.
To me, it is similar to the differences between American English and British English.

When it comes down to it you'll end up learning better what you like best compared to what's more useful. Oh and on Rosetta Stone, you should try looking up some other courses. If you're a global learner I highly recommend Assimil Spanish with Ease (Spain). If you like to dissect things and master little by little I suggest Platiquemos or FSI Spanish (Latin American). They take you much farther than Rosetta Stone without costing an arm and leg.

As an alternative to Rosetta Stone, I would recommend Pimsluer CD sets. I picked up a beginner version of Chinese after I had lived in China and learned a little language already. I think their approach was very good.

You can pick them up on Ebay much cheaper then from them directly and when you're done you can sell them on Ebay for about the same price, then pick up the next level. Basically, you don't have to buy every single set and own them after you don't need them any more. Like college textbooks, but you don't get ripped off on the sellback! Maybe this same purchase idea can be used with Rosetta Stone too if you still want to use that program.

Thank you very much for all the responses, Latin american spanish it is.