CAN IT BE DONE?
#1
Thread Starter
Forum Regular



Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 131











Was wondering if this sounds feasable?
learn spanish prior to moving
get a job i.e office job admin etc as an income
study at a spanish uni or college for a career in spain
all this for me and my partner asnd we would be coming with some savings and we have somewhere to live already
cheers!
p.s. for all nosey people this is just an option of something to do as well as other posts in other countries
learn spanish prior to moving
get a job i.e office job admin etc as an income
study at a spanish uni or college for a career in spain
all this for me and my partner asnd we would be coming with some savings and we have somewhere to live already
cheers!
p.s. for all nosey people this is just an option of something to do as well as other posts in other countries
#2
BE Enthusiast





Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 614











> learn spanish prior to moving
It always sounds good in theory - get some tapes, take some classes. I found out that the spanish classes I took in the UK for 2 years were different from the classes that native spanish speakers took. While I got to the point where I could speak to and understand my classmates (as we had all learned the same vocabulary), in Spain things were different. For example, in the class you might learn the spanish for "2 beers, please" and be able to understand the reply "here you are - that's 2 euros". In practice, spaniards learned from another book. When you make that order in a spanish bar, the reply is more like "OK mate - hang on. I'll just finish cleaning out the back of the fridge and then I'll be with you .... Now, me old matey - what was it you wanted again?" (all said extremely fast). Sadly, this response wasn't in the class notes.
When you get to the point that you think "OK, I reckon I've got this cracked", just try phoning the local electricity company.
You'll be in for a nasty surprise.
> get a job i.e office job admin etc as an income
Office work is much sought after. Since it generally involves sitting around, as opposed to being out in the baking sun (or rain) carrying things, it's generally a cushy number. Don't forget that the job advertisement, application form and interview will all be in spanish. I also have a sneaking suspicion that the best jobs go to someone who knows someone - or is related to them. As a foreigner you'd find it hard to see a "help wanted" ad. in an office window just walk in off the street and get the job.
As for the rest, it's out of my experience.
It always sounds good in theory - get some tapes, take some classes. I found out that the spanish classes I took in the UK for 2 years were different from the classes that native spanish speakers took. While I got to the point where I could speak to and understand my classmates (as we had all learned the same vocabulary), in Spain things were different. For example, in the class you might learn the spanish for "2 beers, please" and be able to understand the reply "here you are - that's 2 euros". In practice, spaniards learned from another book. When you make that order in a spanish bar, the reply is more like "OK mate - hang on. I'll just finish cleaning out the back of the fridge and then I'll be with you .... Now, me old matey - what was it you wanted again?" (all said extremely fast). Sadly, this response wasn't in the class notes.
When you get to the point that you think "OK, I reckon I've got this cracked", just try phoning the local electricity company.
You'll be in for a nasty surprise.> get a job i.e office job admin etc as an income
Office work is much sought after. Since it generally involves sitting around, as opposed to being out in the baking sun (or rain) carrying things, it's generally a cushy number. Don't forget that the job advertisement, application form and interview will all be in spanish. I also have a sneaking suspicion that the best jobs go to someone who knows someone - or is related to them. As a foreigner you'd find it hard to see a "help wanted" ad. in an office window just walk in off the street and get the job.
As for the rest, it's out of my experience.
study at a spanish uni or college for a career in spain
all this for me and my partner asnd we would be coming with some savings and we have somewhere to live already
cheers!
p.s. for all nosey people this is just an option of something to do as well as other posts in other countries
all this for me and my partner asnd we would be coming with some savings and we have somewhere to live already
cheers!
p.s. for all nosey people this is just an option of something to do as well as other posts in other countries
#3
BE Forum Addict






Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,059
From: Guadalhorce Valley, Málaga











I agree with the comment about learning the language academically.
My wife has first class honours degrees in Spanish and French which she completed shortly before our move to Spain. Although she can now speak colloquial Andaluz with the best of them she initially found it very difficult to comprehend the local dialect or to make herself understood in her pure Castillian accent.
My own effort was a two year course of evening classes at the local tech. college based on the BBC's now very dated language courses DÃgame and Por AquÃ. Although it gave a good basic start the best way to learn is total immersion in the language once you live here.
My wife has first class honours degrees in Spanish and French which she completed shortly before our move to Spain. Although she can now speak colloquial Andaluz with the best of them she initially found it very difficult to comprehend the local dialect or to make herself understood in her pure Castillian accent.
My own effort was a two year course of evening classes at the local tech. college based on the BBC's now very dated language courses DÃgame and Por AquÃ. Although it gave a good basic start the best way to learn is total immersion in the language once you live here.
#4
BE Forum Addict








Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,327
From: Chiclana











I have been learning four years. Live in an area where you need Spanish and yet I would not feel confident enough to get a job especially in an office.




