This is one of the nasty little secrets of life here. Like the skeleton in the expat community's closet. Very few gringos learn Spanish to even basic level.

Why? because it is difficult. Because in reality you can live fine here with close to zero language skill.

The way to approach it is slow and steady. That means the quick course which promises "you'll be fluent in two weeks" is BS.

Did you learn Calculus in two weeks? A second language might well be more difficult than Calculus. Think, years, not weeks. It needs to soak in. You also need to use it in conversation. You can not learn to drive in a class room (even one large enough for bumper cars) you need the real world and its traffic.

I do know people who's only conversations are in English but who, faithfully have a class in Spanish every week. They do this for years, Like an observant Catholic, going to mass every week without fail. The devout church goer might get into heaven this way - but and hour of academics without practical exercise doesn't cut it. Language, like riding a bicycle, is a motor skill.

For every hour in a class room spend two hours in conversation. Difficult until you have a vocabulary of a couple of hundred words but that doesn't take too long. Learn phrases early, stuff you will hear often and can use right away.

To get back to your question....I suggest you hire a tutor and do one on one every day. Get into immersion mode as soon as you can. We learn to swim immersed, not on the recliners.

buena suerte

sinego

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Some Spanish Schools can be a lot of fun... if you really don't expect to learn anything but want the opportunity to pick up some language, learn some culture, and have some structure to your immersion vacation.

Places like the Montañita Spanish School is a great place to get some skills and also friends.

And age is not an issue. I know students from 17 literally to 70s.

There are other schools like this. Combining visiting with learning. I think it makes a great trip idea, better than just "looking to see if you like Ecuador".

After that... If you enjoyed yourself, come for longer time and immerse more into speaking. It takes about two years from point Zero immersed full time. Just to keep perspective, for your 2nd language.

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sinego,

Kudos ! Very well said.

You can't learn Spanish, if you don't practice, and you can't practice, if you surround yourself with only English speakers !

Everyone learns at their own pace but the fastest way to learn is to immerse yourself in the culture and the language. Words and phrases will come - not out of a book - but through practical experience and observation.

People here are very kind and understanding of someone attempting to learn and speak their language. The most important thing is that you make the attempt to communicate,

Don't ever think that you are too old or unable to learn a foreign language. I had a motorcycle accident about 15 years ago that seriously affected my memory skills - particularly linguistic memory ! Prior to the accident I was relatively proficient in several languages. I lost all of that ability ( including English comprehension ) because of the accident. Gradually my language skills in English returned and bits and pieces of other languages.

When I moved here, I was, in no way "proficient" in Spanish speaking and my comprehension problems are compounded by a gradual hearing/sound discrimination loss.

Circumstances were such, that there weren't any English speakers where I lived, so I was "immersed" whether I wanted to be or not.

Bit by bit, word by word, phrase by phrase, my Spanish skills build daily. I am by no means "fluent" but I can get get into a political discussion or argue with my wife, or play with my step-grandchildren. I do get frustrated, at times that I can't remember a particular word or phrase that I know I know - but that happens to me in English, as well. I blame Harley-Davidson rather than old age !

Watch you favorite American reruns in Spanish or sports in Spanish language broadcasting on television. I also like to watch the local news broadcast and ( because of my wife ) even watch some telenovelas and comedy shows.

I know I am "getting there" linguistically, when I can attempt to make bad puns in Spanish like I do in English ! Groans from listeners are universal....

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I love Spanish and speak, write, read it fairly well. I look forward to the experience of living in a place where the native language is not English.

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Been here 8 yrs. I've found that the barrier is not language but assimilating into a way of life.
The thought of thinking it will be great to live in a culture that speaks a certain language is B/S. I try my best to speak as much Spanish as I can, but find many Ecuadorians who want to try their hand at english.
If you think speaking Spanish is all you need to do to fit in, you're going to be disappointed. There is a lot more to it than that

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Why?

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It is a truly beautiful and intrinsic part of being an expat to communicate with your neighbors.

The common "good day", chatting over the daily vegetables at the market, or laughing over the children's antics at the park, make this world of living a joy. Those are things that come quickly to anyone willing to be flexible, take a step outside their comfort zone, and have the courage to try speaking. Just smile and do it.

BTW I lived for 7+ years as The brings in my town. So immersion (+2 years HS Spanish in the 70s and living in S. Fla.) Was how I learned too. Enough for the neighborhood and marketplace. I know enough to hire a translator for legal and where clarification might be of utmost importance. I don't overestimate my abilities either.

Susan

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