Learning Spanish - Local info | info guides spain | Your guide to all things local on the Costa Blanca

Services

Learning Spanish

Even if you’re a fluent Spanish speaker there’s always more to learn. And if you don’t speak the language but would like to try take a look at our tips below.

In some areas locally (particularly near the coast) it’s easier not to speak Spanish as the locals tend to speak English. This is the easy way out. Even if you’re not a ‘language natural’ using a few words and phrases goes a long way and the Spanish will appreciate your efforts. If you live inland speaking Spanish is a definite bonus and will help you get to grips with day to day life a lot faster.

Although the local language, Valenciano, is widely spoken in many local villages people will speak Castellano (common Spanish) if you ask them to.

Handy tips for speaking Spanish:

1.    Try and learn a couple of new words or sentences each day.

2.    Listen to what people are saying to you and copy their words and phrases.

3.    Ask a Spanish person to write a word down if you don’t understand it.

4.    Attend a local Spanish class or hire a one-to-one tutor.

5.    Read the papers and magazines – even if you don’t understand all of it you will get the gist of what’s going on if you have a basic grasp of the language.

6.    Listen to Spanish TV and radio and watch Spanish DVDs.

7.    Don’t be afraid to make mistakes – that’s how we learn a language.

8.    Make conversation with Spanish people – most are delighted for the excuse to stop and chat!

9.    Practise with friends.

10.    Never go anywhere without a dictionary.

The real way to learn a language is to practise, practise and practise some more! If you need to go to the town hall, your child’s school or just the supermarket try and speak Spanish.

Don’t worry about whether your accent sounds strange, if your tenses are correct or if the nouns you’re using are male or female – just try. You’ll find people will gently correct you and you’ll pick up more and more Spanish as each day passes.

Age
You’re never too old to learn a language. Ok, so our children might find it easier, particularly if they go to school because they’re immersed in it, but age isn’t a barrier.

Consider this – when did you last learn something new? When you read the news headlines half an hour ago? Then you’ve got the capability to learn a language. As we go about our day to day lives we are constantly absorbing information and learning a language can be part of this process.

Ability
You don’t have to be fluent to be understood. A basic grasp of Spanish will get you a long way.

As long as you want to learn then you’ll succeed.

The more you practise the more you’ll find you’re starting to speak without thinking about what you’re saying and people are replying to you. The sense of achievement when you reach this stage is incredible.

Listen
Listen to what’s going on around you and you’ll be amazed at how much you do understand. It’s natural to only listen to what we want to hear, but if you train yourself to really listen hard to what a Spanish person is saying you will slowly begin to recognise the vocabulary and grammar.

It’s easy to say ‘I’ve got a really bad memory so I can’t learn Spanish’ – however, this is no excuse for not listening.

The telephone is a great way to improve your listening skills. Lots of people are afraid to use the telephone in case they don’t understand what’s being said to them. Persevere with this and ask the person to speak slowly. Speaking and listening on the telephone is an important part of life in Spain as there may come a time when you have to do it, for example in an emergency.

RESTAURANTS ESPANA NEW WEB SITE WITH OVER 30,000 PLACES TO EAT IN SPAIN, MENUS, MAPS, RESERVATION VIA TEXT SERVICE, VIDEOS AND MORE..

Cigele Electronic Cigarettes � The finest electronic cigarettes available. The most realistic smoking experience, better for your health and less than a euro per packet of 20.

Cigele cigarrillos electr�nicos - Los mejores cigarrillos electr�nicos disponibles. La m�s real�stica experiencia de fumar, mejor para tu salud y menos de un euro por cajetilla de 20.

Information

Site by Crayon Sky