Very true, though you would normally find "replys" doesn't exist, for example, whereas "replies" does.

One thing that does get me going is the spelling of plural nouns- such as putting apostrophes- "holiday's" or "apple's" when they shouldn't be there. Oh well.

Ahh well, if the English language GCSE concentrated on teaching English grammar as the old (1960s) O levels did then people would have a much better grounding, which would help them in learning other languages as well. Ohh for the Good Old Days.

I learned English grammar better through learning French at school- maybe English kids doing Spanish in Spain might benefit their learning of both languages

Hi,
I must say i went through my daughters school book and in one part she had used this in her art book ( i dont know what i did ere) and it was ticked in red pen from the teacher, should of been here not ere, so to be fair if a teacher can not be bothered to correct her in her school years what chance do kids have, and with my own spelling they dont stand a chance poor things.

Yes, I agree, although for me it was via learning Spanish. I can't remember studying things like the Past Perfect, transitive verbs, modal verbs or relative clauses in my english grammar classes (ok, that was a few years ago and maybe I have forgotton some of what I studied). I learnt all of these things and more for the first time whilst learning Spanish.

I am with you there Keith. It's not what something is called- past perfect or pluperfect - its how you use them properly and only the use of the comparative through a foreign language helped me get an idea. Latin was good for that too but rather more advanced and theoretical in many ways.

Fortunately, doing O levels in 1960 in English Language as well as literature we had to use correct grammar, and woe betide spelling errors, they were marked down. I really only noticed the problems with the lack of teaching true grammar when I started to learn Russian in 1992, Russian, as with Spanish and French has a well defined grammar and declensions of verbs. Those of us of my age had no problems, but those in the class who were in their 20s had great problems and it slowed the whole learning process.

I really think that if your children are 13 and 14 you should wait and finish their English education. They are too old for the Spanish system and like most kids here will end up drifting back to the UK - possibly with no qualifications.

Mark

hi there be very carefull about brining children to spain and hoping that they will get a good education ok if you start you children very young no older than 4yrs old we have bought a house in almeria and when my children have finished there education in england we shall go out full time my children are 15 and 12 if you speak to english couples in spain with children most of them have sent there children back to england at 13 to finish there education and stayed with friends my children are going to stay in england as jobs in spain are very limited but they love holidaying in spain so think very hard first

the older girls have very little chance of learning Spanish to the level required to pass their exams at spanish school, so as others have said, either wait until they have completed their education in the UK, or pay for them to go to an International school with an english curriculum over here

I second that comment, too. My sons are 13 and 14 and attend an International School which provides IGCSE education. They knew Spanish from their UK school but were by no means fluent. Now, after four months, I can see they are more confident in speaking Spanish and are enjoying their education.

I know families who did put their British children (ages ranged from 11 to 14) in the Spanish state system and it proved to be a very unhappy time - bullying is a problem in some schools and they couldn't cope with the language) so they enrolled them in the International School.

I'm speaking from experience so please do not take this viewpoint negatively - if you can't afford to place your daughters in a British/International school then it would be better for them to finish their education in the UK.

......and the International schools aren't as expensive as you might expect. We used to pay around 5000E each per year.

My girls are now in State school, and have been for two years after a year in International school, and are very happy. They are much younger though, the older one is not yet 11.

Hi there,

at what age would you suggest to old, to start in a spanish state school, my boys are 4, 6 and 10(almost 11) and all due to start in a spanish school in March 07. My eldest has been having two private lessons of spanish a week, for the past 6 months and will continue to do so until we move out. Little ones following 'MUZZY', all seem to be doing well. Any views and experiences appreciated

Thanks

Hi,
I have heard that it's ok to learn spanish before you go out, but in different parts of Spain they say it in some case's a lot different to what you are taught.

Not sure if this is correct, but we had friends who went to night school and when they got out there it was totally different.

hi there yes in different parts of spain the language is slightly different its the same in england we all speak english but i live in leicester and a lot of people cut endings of words and use slang words its like going to glasgow i cannot understand wot they are saying but i would say learn spanish as much as possible my husband bought some cds when he is driving around he puts it on he is doing really well last time we went to are house in almeria he spoke spanish all day the locals love him for doing it and they have a go back in english i dont have many hours in the day to practice felt like a fool standing there and not been able to have a go so i would say learn the basics and keep practicing when in spain you really do pick it up really quickly