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Everything Spain Magazine, August 2005

¿Hablas español?

Planning a move to Spain can be so time consuming that good intentions to learn the language are often moved to the list of 'things to do when I get there' But the sooner you can learn the better...

Why learn Spanish when everyone over there speaks English?

There is an increasingly large English-speaking expat community in Spain but you get so much more out of life in a new country if you can converse with local people. It's not true either that everyone speaks English. If you're moving to a new home, speaking Spanish to local trades people, builders, utility companies, or when setting up a business, means you'll get superior, faster service and you'll be in a better position to negotiate if things go wrong. Knowing the language also opens up endless new friendships, and a deeper understanding of the culture.

What can I do if I'm just not cut out for languages?

Many of us have bad recollections of learning languages at school. The fact is that methods have changed enormously. These days, learning a language can be a lively and upbeat experience. The buzzword is activating your language. It's no longer

What's wrong with just learning Spanish when I get there?

If you've already moved overseas, you'll usually find a local language school offering Spanish lessons, and many have courses geared up to expats, who need different language to holidaymakers. You can also sign up for additional one-to-one lessons, or find a trainer to come to you, so you can deal with your own specific issues. Learning some language before you go may serve another useful purpose though: it can help to prepare you mentally and culturally for the transition overseas. One of the best ways of learning quickly and cost-effectively before you go is to go on a language holiday. You study in international groups of like-minded people and often you can stay with a local host family.

Is Spanish a hard language to learn?

Not really. If you're learning from scratch, it's the sort of language that you immediately start to see results with. If you've ever learnt French, a lot of the grammar follows the same patterns and there are lots of parallels in the vocabulary, as both are Romance languages.

My local college does an evening school course. Will that be any good?

Local colleges represent a cheap way of learning, but often mean large groups of 20 or 30 students. The key is to stick with it as long as possible. If you start at the autumn term, usually by about Christmas numbers have dwindled and you can really start learning. Try and find out who the teacher is, and what their qualifications are, before you sign up.

I want to learn Spanish but have little time.

There are some specialist organisations which can provide made-to-measure training for you and your family, with trainers that come into your home or office. Made-to-measure means you get to choose the content, the times to suit you and the style of teaching you respond best to. It's the job of the organisation to conduct an analysis of your needs and test your level in Spanish before developing a personal programme. This way, everything you learn is relevant to you.

What do you think about phrase books?

Phrase books won't teach you the language but they're practical to carry with you. They're goldmines of useful things to say and contain probably all the general vocabulary you'll ever need. Some are better than others. I recommend the BBC and the Lonely Planet phrase books, as they're well organised and have sections with "what you might hear", which helps overcome the problem that phrase books don't generally address: understanding the reply to your beautifully delivered phrase. The key to successfully working with a phrase book is not to buy it in the departure lounge at the airport, as you just won't commit enough to memory, or even become agile at navigating your way around the book to find what you want when you want it!

Are CDs or self-study methods any good?

There are many methods out there. Some of the most respected are those offered by established companies like Champs-Elysees, Linguaphone and Michel Thomas. You pay more for these, but you really do get what you pay for. Remember though that you will be learning on your own and however strong your motivation as you unpack the shiny new books and CDs, you really need to be persistent. The drawback with self-study methods is that you have no one to ask if you become unstuck.