Hola Ben
Glad you picked up the last post I did. If I waffle on too much let me know!!

We moved to Javea, it is a beautiful place. There are lots of expats here. I don't know the percentage but I've heard other people quote 60% spanish and 40% foreigners. I've met lots of other English people. I think you will get this on any of the Costa's so it depends what you want from your move.

We had Spanish lessons in the Uk. Steven and I did 2 hours a week for about 30 weeks. It did help but when we came here we immediately enroled for lessons. We both feel it will be a long long time before we can hold a conversation but we will keep at it.

Our eldest daughter who is now 14 had private lessons for about 3 months again about 2 hours a week - it has helped her alot. She has picked up the language easier than the younger children.

Our 10 year old daughter went to the cervantes Saturday school in Manchester for about 4 months.(It's a Spanish centre)

Our 7 year old just had help at home from the rest of us. I bought the Muzzy CD's which seemed to help them.
Before she came to school here she knew the basics like counting, alfabet, colours. hellos, goodbyes etc etc. She talks at home using all the Spanish she hears at school but at the moment most of it is mixed up. I'm hoping one day it will all fall into place and she'll be fluent!!!!!!!!

We only arrived here ourselves at the end of August, the children started school at the start of the school year which was mid September. They only do half days in September which does help them settle in.

Hopefully there are others who read this forum who can also give their views and opinions especially those who have been here a lot longer than me.

Hasta Luego