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Spanish before I came to Spain, its not that important when you live in the UK, as you dont think about it at the time, but now I have been here for 6 years, it has taken me a lot longer to learn. I already speak German but that does not really help when everybody speak's Spanish.
I have used my German when I visited a car boot sale a few months ago, there was a German gentleman who only spoke German and he was trying to ask about an item on sale, I stepped in and helped him out by first asking him in German, what he wanted to know, then translating it into Spanish, and back again.
So I now can speak enough to do most things, but found it difficult when I first arrived. So I would advise anyone to at least get the basis of Spanish before they come to Spain.
I will go to heaven when I die, As I have been to hell on earth.
www.vinalopotrader.freeforums.org |
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I agree countryboy learning Spanish or taking lessons twice a week when you arrive in Spain is very important. Reading Spanish is very helpful to build up your vocabulary even if it is rudimentary, with perseverance you will get there, in your own time! When we lived in Calpe our daughter translated for us, which wasn't a good idea, this was a hinderance in the long run as my husband and I were slower to pick up basic Spanish! Another helpful tip to keep in mind is not to expect that Spain will be like home, also the Spanish on the whole work to live, not live to work. Yes, things can go wrong, but ask yourself what is the worst that can happen, as things can go wrong no matter where you are? Your German certainly proved useful and well done for acting as a German/Spanish translator countryboy, very much a "Ombre de Mundo." Please correct me if my Spanish is wrong!
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| Learn at least some Spanish before coming to Spain. Not to do so is not only detrimental to your own interests, it is an insult to the Spanish themselves. If you think you will learn something from formal lessons, go that way, but be prepared to have to put up with grammar and the more boring aspects of any language. Alternatively (or as well), lean through reading: start with the most basic of children's books and a good dictionary and slowly (very slowly) advance to more complex reading. I began with very simple books published by "El Barco de Vapor" (they do series of books for various age groups) and read about twenty of them until I was ready for the bigger challenge of the Harry Potter books in Spanish. I also tried to find as many children's word games and crossword puzzles as possible. Living in Belgium, I also had the advantage of being able to watch Spanish television. Oh, and talking about television, get rid of your access to television in your own language: TDT provides excellent reception of numerous Spanish channels, so make use of them to watch all news, sports and games programmes (Saber y Ganar is very good, for example). You will not understand anything to begin with, as you will think that everyone speaks to quickly, but leave the TV on, even when you are not watching it, just to get used to the sound of the language and gradually you will begin to pick put words, then sentences. Learning a foreign language is not a fast process if you are not immersed in the language (in a professional situation, for example), so don't expect to be anywhere near fluent for several years. However, the more you use the language, the better you will become and the sooner you will feel comfortable with it. Don't be afraid to make mistakes: you make mistakes in your own language, even if you don't know it! So use Spanish at every opportunity: in shops, in the post-office, in the restaurant (only go to Spanish restaurants!), and wherever else you have to speak. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that you can't learn a language because you are too old: it's a handy excuse, but it's nonsense. It takes a child several years to learn its native tongue and it is fully immersed in that language with very few things to worry about otherwise (what shall I prepare to eat? how shall we pay for that? where do I go for this?); as an adult, you have a lot more distractions, so the secret is to focus your efforts, not to look for excuses. |
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Very good advice there David, "Mi Hombre de Mondo" learning to speak Spanish is a challange and I look forward to every day as I am now in a working enviroment and have contact with the local Spanish and English, I am finding that I am looking forward to each day as my Spanish is getting a lot better than it ever was. While on the coast (Benidorm, I really dont like it there) on a trip with my boss, we entered a bar for a coffee, and I overheard a Spanish couple talking, they were talking about several English couples that were there on Holiday and ordering drink after drink. Well the husband was telling his wife a joke that he had been told by some of his friends, it went something like this. "What do you call a person who speaks three languages"? Tri-Lingual. "What do you call a person who speaks two languages"? Bi-Lingual. "What do you call a person who speaks only one language"? English.
I had to smile and my boss remarked, "That man does not know how many English who speak Spanish, so I shall leave him in the dark" I thought that that was a real comeback. anyway, keep up with the spanish lessions. Good Luck.
David.
I will go to heaven when I die, As I have been to hell on earth.
www.vinalopotrader.freeforums.org |
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