I’m a full-time pet sitter, can’t believe it’s already our third year! Over this time, we’ve looked after the cutest pets across several countries in Europe and different locations around the UK.
Alongside pet sitting, I also teach Spanish online. I thought I’d share it here in case it might help any fellow sitters who have a sit coming up in a Spanish-speaking country and want to feel a bit more confident chatting with neighbours, going shopping, or, in the unlikely event, visiting the vet!
I’d love to hear from others, too . What’s been your biggest challenge when staying in a country where you don’t speak the language fluently?
Always happy to share a few handy Spanish phrases if anyone’s interested!
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Hola, I started learning a little Spanish a couple of years ago, because our son lives in Spain.
My biggest challenge is going from where I am now, whereby I can vaguely understand cafe/restaurant-talk, to trying to understand different scenarios.
I’m at that awkward in-between stage where Spanish TV shows/films/news is too fast, but vocabulary lessons are now a little dull and boring given I know some basics already.
It’s slower conversation I need to listen to rather than extra vocabulary, and Spain-Spanish conversation, not South American Spanish.
It would be great if we were in Spain all the time whereby we could pick it up bit by bit, but we aren’t, we’re in the UK.
Have you tried looking for a conversation tutor or a full fledged teacher on a platform like Italki or similar? My son and I have had great success with it for 3 different languages.
And podcasts! There are dozens of them for different levels.
Hola! I totally get what you mean. I’ve been there with my English, and it can be so frustrating! Sometimes classes feel too general and not really adapted to your goals.
As an expat myself and a Spanish teacher, I feel lessons should be much more practical and based on real-life situations, like ordering in a restaurant or chatting with neighbours, not just grammar.
It’s such a journey, isn’t it? I think many of us expats or people in general who like to learn a second language go through the same!
Honestly, online learning makes everything so much easier. I used to be a bit hesitant at first, I thought it would be boring or too impersonal, but once I gave it a try, I actually realised I much prefer online lessons to in-person ones.
4 languages, wow! Now I’m impressed (and a little jealous ). I think speaking several languages is such a huge advantage in life! I’ve always read and heard that once you’ve learned a second one, the rest come much easier.
And if you ever find yourself in need of a Spanish teacher, give me a shout!
Many years ago (20, eek) I learned German with Pimsleur and it was quite successful.
I was just researching, as I want to learn more French and find Duolingo annoying. There is currently a 50% off for lifetime memberships (USD 800 full price, USD 400 half price), and the account can be split by 3 users!
Does anyone want to join me and split the subscription? Please let me know, I’d like to sign up over the next few days.
I thought only Americans used Pimsleur. Of all the students I have taught, it has always been Americans that used it. It is very conversation focused, right? Does it teach any grammar?
No idea and can’t remember. To me it was important to understand the sound of German and be able to say phrases in German, so Pimsleur was good for that. I find Duolingo is too keyboard focused - cute to do, but annoying to keep clicking so much and the game sounds just annoy me and with Pimsleur, you have access to 50+ languages, so I’m definitely interested to give it a go. Something else might eventually pique my interest.
I’ve never actually thought of podcasts, I’ve tried youtube, but I’ve never found anyone watchable in an interesting way, so thanks for that. I haven’t heard of Italki, but I think it’s listening to normal conversation just at a slightly slower pace than normal.
I can see that many of you have taken Spanish lessons before, so maybe you can help me out!
As a Spanish teacher, I’m a bit obsessed with making sure my students learn as much as possible and actually enjoy the process. So I’m really curious, what do you value the most in a language teacher? And what kind of lessons have helped you learn the most?
Being exposed to grammar and syntax by listening to real life situations (first being exposed to it in a context, then the grammar rule is explained, not the other way around).
Over this time, we’ve looked after the cutest pets across several countries in Europe and different locations around the UK.
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I’m impressed. Online learning is fantastic; it makes it much easier and definitely less time-consuming!
(I learnt 2 at school in my youth, Spanish is the more recent acquisition.)
). I think speaking several languages is such a huge advantage in life! I’ve always read and heard that once you’ve learned a second one, the rest come much easier.
and with Pimsleur, you have access to 50+ languages, so I’m definitely interested to give it a go. Something else might eventually pique my interest.