There’s a well known stereotype of brits abroad and sadly this unfortunate reputation is often well deserved. Our lack of language skills is well known and the speaking loudly and slowly tactic might get you your drinks (and a roll of the eyes) in the big tourist areas but you’re going to struggle anywhere else. You’re not making any friends this way!
I’m no shining example in this scenario but I am at least trying. I’ve been learning Spanish for a couple of years now and it’s starting to pay off.
Why Spanish? I’ve always loved the language, it has such fluidity and rhythm, even the most mundane conversations sound full of passion and emotion. And there’s so many reasons to want to visit Spain and breathe in the Spanish culture, the food, the drink, the music, the art, it’s such a different way of life to the UK. It’s definitely somewhere I want to spend more time, not to mention the other 20+ Spanish speaking countries around the world.
How do you learn a language? I started with the apps, firstly Duolingo, this was ok for getting me through the basics, but it was South American Spanish and really I wanted to learn Spanish Spanish, it makes more sense, I’m more likely to visit neighbouring Spain more often than the countries half way around the world. Plus, Duo’s squeaky cartoon characters do start to grate after a while. So I jumped ship and started using Babbel, feels a bit more grown up and I’m not expected to collect gems along the way.
The apps are great but I felt like I needed a real life teacher who would be able to explain the things that just don’t seem to make any sense (there’s quite a few of those things), so I started going to a weekly class as well.
However, after a recent trip to Málaga I’m certain the best way to learn and improve a language is spending time in the country and speaking to locals. I sort of tried this a year or so earlier in Girona, but with very basic skills, no confidence, and not appreciating how different Catalan is to Spanish, I mostly resembled a startled rabbit in headlights, pointing at the wine I so desperately needed to calm my nerves.
Back to the recent trip to Málaga, I’m a year on in my learning, still not that confident but determined to give it a go. So, deep breath, try not to panic, be brave, go! Thanks to the patience and friendliness of the locals I even surprised myself at how well I did. Although still having to remind myself after thinking so hard about what I was going to say I also had to concentrate really hard on the reply, I did start to feel my confidence rise little by little.
With this in mind it’s no surprise that the first slomading trips we’ve planned are both in Spain, and with a short break there to celebrate our anniversary too, it’s fair to say I’m keen to keep up the momentum. Hopefully one day I’ll be able to say with confidence, Sí, hablo español.
Emma is all about the good stuff: delicious food, good wine, inspiring art, and top tunes. She’s happiest surrounded by nature, lost in a great film, or deep in conversation - with a glass of white, of course.
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