Absolutely, I do jdr!

I also think Spanish should be taught in Primary - not just Secondary - schools.
We all know that children absorb new information so much more easily, so it makes perfect sense to add it to the curriculum.

The Primary school I worked in was fairly progressive, in that it allowed a colleague and me to run basic French classes (obviously before I learnt Spanish!) The children loved the sessions, and were really keen to learn.

I know that Eve does lots of Spanish language work in her school
However, these sort of initiatives are fairly few and far between, I expect.

Unfortunately, it seems that Pete has a point about some children not even being able to speak, read or write English correctly by the time they leave school; so it seems unlikely that the Government will introduce anything so radical as Spanish lessons!!

It's no wonder that Brits abroad are either ridiculed or considered lazy when it comes to speaking languages
However, it sounds like most of us on here are trying our best!

Hey Pete.......................

Here's something that should be close to your heart, and impressive too:

I went to visit my friend who lives near Swansea.
She has a son who is 2 and a half.
My friend's husband is Welsh; and although he doesn't speak much Welsh, he can read and pronounce it.

So, little boy (adorable!) has English as his first language, but is also learning Welsh through books and being told words for things.
(Even I know now that a butterfly is a "palla palla" (sp?) now)

In addition to this, he's also learning Spanish!
He has a DVD that he watches every day, and he LOVES it!
So he's just absorbing this information through play and normal children's activities, and it's all completely effortless for him

Maybe there is hope, eh?

Sam....please don't tell me you feel for the spoof Word software?

If you did you've even surpassed the Jet/Lola situation!

As for the language thing, that's the right sort of age to learn languages though.....to start learning when you're the wrong side of 50 is no joke. Errrrr....so people like Mitzy have told me.

But I think if people approach it with a willingness to learn and try to enjoy doing it, then they'll get results.
But most people are beaten before they start because they mentally create a barrier to it.....or try to learn in completely the wrong way by memorising hundreds of words they'll never need.....yet still be incapable of putting them together to make a coherent sentence.
There's people here who know the word for "dish drainer" but can't ask the way to the toilet. Bad situation to be in.....your dishes may be sparkling but your pants won't be so clever!

Your a cynic matey

"MOST" expats don't bother to learn
"MOST" kids leave school with a sub standard education

Sorry I dont agree.

If this forum is representative, most of the people on here are making an effort, although you are right to say it seems more difficult as you reach maturity

Mind you, your experiences are drawn from Wales aren't they?

If you disagree on those Jon.....you need to get out more!

Ask the average Brit to conduct some business for you in an Abogado or Gestoria.

Ask the average 16 year old to write a letter or compose an article.

And you know who's to blame for it all? You 60's Hippie dissidents who were the catalyst for all the social and cultural changes in society.
Bunch of tree-hugging, namby-pambies with all your bloody protesting.
And now.....these misfits and dropouts are running the country. Aneurin Bevan must be turning in his grave.

Like I always say, a ponytail on your head doesn't make you a radical. It just makes you a Twat!

Xtreme by name......Extreme by nature

Yeah like you'd know the average 16 year old in England, having been bought up in that place where the men are men and the sheep look worried.

It takes years for a brit retiree to learn Spanish but we're all trying .... I know you are very trying also but I'll cut you some slack cos I know its difficult for you not having any friends to talk to

You see Mitzy coming out with all his Welsh gags.....but he's not telling you the whole story.
His family is WELSH.....and he has the same very Welsh surname as I do!
He sold out to The Man! There'll be no welcome in the hillsides for him you know!

I shall be eternally sorry for that ..... I didn't stop long enough to make friends with the sheep though so that worked to my advantage.

Actually I'm popping on down there on Thursday to Pembroke

Has the new monster arrived by the way .... are we going to see pics

Xtreme, I have to agree with most of your post. We have been in Spain now for 18months and I can now understand most that is said to me, my conversation is improving daily. But I did encounter a British couple in Jerez last year who couldnt make the Optition understand what they wanted. They had lived here for 4 years. I tried with my very minimal Spanish and they guy understood, they thought I was fluent and had lived here for years.

JDR I agree and voiced my opinion in meetings, why teach French and German when most British children holiday in Spain, an incentive to learn a language.
My teenage son came to stay for the summer, in the 6 weeks he was going to the shop, asking for things and understanding the cost of things. After 5 years of French he cant even recite the days of the week. He is one of the worlds under acheivers, or pherhaps an example of the education system.
My Spanish friend voice there opinion to they tell me that children learn grammer, but cant hold a conversation, so lose there English very quickly, when leaving school. So pherhaps a review is called for in the way languages are taught not only in the UK but Spain aswell.

Its certainly true to say that I've met Brits that have been here for years and hardly know a word of Spanish, but I was just questioning the "most brits" suggestion, as I think most Brits I met have made an effort and are trying whereas the ones that dont bother, at least around here, seem to be in the minority

Where we live too Mit, we have to, no one speaks English. The English teacher does, but she wont talk to us, because one does not converse in the Queens English.

The fact of the matter is that I don't think the people on here are a fair representation of Brits in Spain. And I mean that in a complimentary way.
Because a lot of members try to learn and approach it with an open mind. Which is more than most do! One Brit said to me "Spain would be great if all the Spaniards left"....now how ignorant is that?
True, it's down to the individual how much of the language and culture they want to assimilate, but it just doesn't seem logical to me to travel 1500 miles to try and have Britain in the sun. And that's what a lot of people want.
Yet they're the ones who do the most complaining about how bad Britain is....yet systematically try to re-create it here.

I know more welsh than spanish but welsh was compulsory in my school, really wish it was Spanish. I have never used welsh at all! Anyway no I'm not fluent in Spanish, wish I was but I am always picking words up.

Where you from Fuzzlepop?