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Locutus
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ACS CTP1/2 Manager & Civ4 Co-Manager
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Hengelo, The Netherlands
Nov 1999
time: 06:34
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NB: This is probably something that belongs in the OT-forum, so if Jay Bee or some other mod wants to move it there then that's fine. But I wanted to at least attract the attention of the Spanish(-speaking) folk, and this forum seems to be the best place for it 
Hola!
I'm considering following a Spanish language course in Spain during the summer holiday -- I've tried learning Spanish with various do-it-yourself Internet courses but they're no substitute for using it in every day life.
Has anyone done this sort of thing him/herself? If so, how much Spanish can one pick up in 2-3 weeks (that's as long as I can afford to go)? Any recommendations regarding specific organisations/institutions? I'm tempted to go with "don Quijote" myself, has anyone heard of or had experience with them?
And what's the best place to stay in Spain if you're gonna be there for 2-3 weeks? I'm thinking of Barcelona myself (beach, art, architecture, plenty of interesting sites for daytrips in the vicinity), but I hear Madrid and Valencia (among others) must be really nice as well. Any strong reasons against going to Barcelona and/or in favour of going elsewhere?
Any (other) advice/comments/etc would be most appreciated...
Wouter
PS I barely speak any Spanish yet so if you could try to answer in English as much as possible, that would be helpful 
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yaroslav
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Madrid, Spain, Europe
Jun 2001
time: 06:34
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Locutus, they experiences of that courses can be very good.. or very bad. It depends on your fellow (if you study in group) and what is hidden before the commercials (some companies are true liers). Barcelona and Valencia are very beatiful cities 
Madrid in summer has a lot of heat, but there are many interesting things to see (I know because I just move here). If you ever come to Madrid, tell me
About the compaines themselves, I'm afraid I can't provide you references. Have you though to seek a job here in order to pay your stance? People with good english level (and german if you can speak that) is very demmanded in the turistic zones of Valencia, Andalucia, Baleares and the Canary Islands.
As an advice to learn a little of Spanish, I'll suggest you to visit the Spanglish chat where there a lot of Spanish and English-speaken people. Regrettabily, I don't have the link right now... I'll seek for it latter.
If I can help you in any way, please don't hesiate to contact me
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Wernazuma III
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Decolonize!
Aug 2000
time: 06:34
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quote:
Originally posted by El Awrence
Ah, of course. He is a rather remarkable person in terms of his Spanish. I think he picked it up in Chile though. 
But it would be better if he answered you himself.  |
   
Yes, I learnt Spanish in Chile. I went there with AFS as an exchange student for half a year when I was 16. I took a basic Spanish course before going there, however, so I didn't waste the first two weeks just trying to understand the most basic words...
In a 100% Spanish speaking environment with a certain, although poor previous knowledge, the first 2 weeks were not very productive in terms of language learning, there was too much new things and experiences raining on me.
I've no experience with professional language courses in Spain though. Actually, I've never been to Spain so far.  That'll change, hopefully!
I've found that my Spanish improved simply by being on this forum. Or, better said, conversation here helped my Spanish not to become rusty.
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Locutus
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ACS CTP1/2 Manager & Civ4 Co-Manager
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Hengelo, The Netherlands
Nov 1999
time: 06:34
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Alfonso,
I'll gladly accept your invitation if I decide to go to Valencia
Yaroslav,
Yup, much will depend on the fellow students and companies behind it. That's one of the reasons for posting here: I won't know my classmates until I get to Spain but I'm hoping to learn a thing or two about the company before I sign up (here or elsewhere).
I know Madrid will be good for sightseeing, but do you know happen to know about other leisure activities? This might be hard for you to answer if you've only moved there recently, but how's the nightlife? And are there many opportunites for sports, hiking and other things to do (for tourists)?
I have considered finding a job, but I want this to be a vacation as well. I've hiked through Egypt a few weeks ago (which was very fatiguing, though great to do) and I plan on backpacking through North America next year, so I want this vacation to be a quiet and relaxing one
Though if I can get an easy job as English tutor (which the brochure for "don Quijote" mentioned as a possibility) or guide or similar I certainly won't turn it down.
If the languague course works out, I think you'll definitely be seeing more of me in this forum and any other interesting Spanish/Spanglish hangouts around here
Magno_uy,
Thanks for that  I think that would indeed be something to consider
Wernazuma,
Thanks for sharing. I imagine being in a Spanish-speaking country as an exchange student or as basically a tourist are two different things. But in those first few weeks, were you able to have at least simple conversations with people, things like asking for directions or ordering something in a shop (beyond just pointing at what you want )? Or did you mostly find yourself relying on English or whatever?
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Locutus
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ACS CTP1/2 Manager & Civ4 Co-Manager
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Hengelo, The Netherlands
Nov 1999
time: 06:34
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tammander,
Gracias, I will
The Slayer,
I hadn't, but fortunately I did already buy a Spanish dictionary, so I found out soon enough. It bothers me slightly though that the imperative form seems awfully similar to the first person singular
I've tried lurking this forum, but I'm finding it a little bit too tough to follow. I was hoping that if that course in Spain can teach me some elementary Spanish, I can improve upon that here
GeraDream,
I'm not sure Borg is actually a language But I do know some Klingon, if that counts! At least Spanish pronounciation can't be harder
Niessuh & tammander,
Thanks for the links, I'll look into those... I hadn't heard of Alcala de Henares before, I'll definitely have to look into that. The organisations I've seen so far don't seem to offer courses there though, unless I missed it.
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Locutus
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ACS CTP1/2 Manager & Civ4 Co-Manager
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Hengelo, The Netherlands
Nov 1999
time: 06:34
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buy' ngop! lu', jIyaj.
Qo', tlhIngan jIHbe', Human jIH!
'a 'op tlhIngan Hol vIjatlh, lo'laHghach Dunqu' ghaj.
Qapla', jejjaj tajlIj!
Rought translation:
That's great! Yes, I understand.
No, I'm not Klingon, I'm human!
But I speak some Klingon, it's very beautiful.
Goodbye, may your knife be sharp!
(Don't ask me to pronounce any of that though )
My favourite Klingon quote has got to be: bortaS bIr jablu'DI', reH QaQqu' nay' (Revenge is a dish best served cold)
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Karoch
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Donostia
Jul 2003
time: 06:34
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Perhaps you must consider that in a very tourist and big city like Valencia or Barcelona, the amount of tourist will make very easy speak in others languages that are not spanish. If you go to a tavern and it is full of english people, you will not speak and learn spanish.
In my little city there are a famous (here, of course) academy. Perhaps there are some of interest to you.
http://www.languagecourse.net/escue...-sebastian.php3
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Wernazuma III
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Decolonize!
Aug 2000
time: 06:34
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quote:
Originally posted by Locutus
Wernazuma,
Thanks for sharing. I imagine being in a Spanish-speaking country as an exchange student or as basically a tourist are two different things. But in those first few weeks, were you able to have at least simple conversations with people, things like asking for directions or ordering something in a shop (beyond just pointing at what you want )? Or did you mostly find yourself relying on English or whatever?
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Rely on English in a Spanish speaking country? Os courfe!
Asking for directions was the first thing I learnt - I'm very bad at orienting myself and probably would get lost in a 300 inhabitants village without foreign help...
Ordering in shops is more difficult. I still have probelms with "kitchen Spanish" because we had a nana or housemaid who had to do everything for the minimum wage (ridiculously little money).
Yes, I was able to communicate basic things after about a week, even tell short episodes like answering "How was school?" - " Bad, I don't understand much. There's this nice girl though." and stuff like that. But, again, it was a completely Spanish speaking environment in the first weeks, no English, no German, nothing.
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yaroslav
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Madrid, Spain, Europe
Jun 2001
time: 06:34
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quote:
Originally posted by Locutus
Yaroslav,
Yup, much will depend on the fellow students and companies behind it. That's one of the reasons for posting here: I won't know my classmates until I get to Spain but I'm hoping to learn a thing or two about the company before I sign up (here or elsewhere).
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I think that you've been provided a good number of them here. However, if I can do anything about it, please tell me
quote:
I know Madrid will be good for sightseeing, but do you know happen to know about other leisure activities? This might be hard for you to answer if you've only moved there recently, but how's the nightlife? And are there many opportunites for sports, hiking and other things to do (for tourists)?
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Let me say one thing, although it can sounds very bizzare. There is no city in Spain where the nightlife isn't worth of a full life spent in it. I've been in Malaga, Madrid and Barcelona nights and they're wonderful. And as far as I know, Valencia and other cities are as good as any of the formers.
About sports: there is a pretty decent number of installations facilities, although I believe Barcelona excels at it.
Hiking: There are many things worth a hiking, but also there are in many other spanish cities. However, there is no too much beatiful nature near here. For hiking in the nature I'll recommend either the North of Spain (Santiago's way) or Andalucia in the spring.
quote:
I have considered finding a job, but I want this to be a vacation as well. I've hiked through Egypt a few weeks ago (which was very fatiguing, though great to do) and I plan on backpacking through North America next year, so I want this vacation to be a quiet and relaxing one
Though if I can get an easy job as English tutor (which the brochure for "don Quijote" mentioned as a possibility) or guide or similar I certainly won't turn it down.
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Well, I can't tell you, but English-speaken people is always wanted.
quote:
If the languague course works out, I think you'll definitely be seeing more of me in this forum and any other interesting Spanish/Spanglish hangouts around here
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We'd like to see you here more often in any case
Last edited by yaroslav on 10-03-2004 at 02:04
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Locutus
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ACS CTP1/2 Manager & Civ4 Co-Manager
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Hengelo, The Netherlands
Nov 1999
time: 06:34
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Karoch,
Very good point. But of course, I'm going there both for vacation as well as to study, so the advantage of touristy areas is that they're be lots of stuff to do. But I definitely have some thinking to do regarding location -- thanks to you, tammander and Niessuh I now have about a gazillion schools to choose from
Werna,
I figured as much But it's good to hear you were able to have some basic conversations after a week (though you did go under considerably different circumstances of course) -- that's exactly the sort of thing I hope to accomplish (anything more would be a bonus, but not realistic in such a short time).
So, did it ever work out with that girl?
yaroslav,
Good, so I won't have to worry about getting bored wherever I go, that's very good to hear
I definitely don't plan on this being my last visit to Spain (it will be my third visit so far -- fourth if you count the Canary Isles -- but the first one in which I will seriously care for learning the language), so wherever I'll be going, I'm sure I'll get to see other parts of the country as well in the future. It's a great country 
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08-03-2004 23:11
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