Job Discussion Forums

[dduck]

I read in one of the journal's that the only reason Americans teach English in Latin America is to learn Spanish and meet women. If they claimed any other reason they'd be lying

Anyway, can anyone recommend: good places to go to learn Spanish; good methods of learning; and pitfalls of learning the language whilst teaching.

Saludos,
Iain

[pirateinpanama]

I`ve been here for over four years and my Spanish is still terrible. And that`s because I speak English all the time. In the RIGHT situation, there is $$$ to be made (much better than Europe). As for the women you`re probably correct- - - they are indeed "fantastico."
Still, I`d rather be in Europe.

[dduck]

[kimchikowboy]

When I first landed in Chile in '97 I had no Spanish. In reality, I probably would have starved in a Taco Bell. That minimal. I had studied German, and oddly enough, was able to use that quite a bit.
Chile is supposedly the worst place to learn Spanish. People speak very quickly and leave out syllables. One friend described their pronounciation as "mush mouth." I've read Ecuador is the best, because of pronounciation and the price of classes. I knew some teachers who had landed in cheaper countries (Venezuela, for example) to pick up the language before heading to the more expensive southern cone.
The other poster mentioned always speaking English as a hinderance. I agree, but also the fact that is you have money for Spanish classes, it means you're working a lot and don't have time. If you have time, no work and no money. Classes in Chile and Argentina (this was pre-downward spiral with seeming end) could be expensive.
In the end, I picked up the language with a horizontal dictionary: A girlfriend who didn't speak English.
And now I need to learn Korean .
Pues, suerte,
Kimchikowboy

[Tiger Beer]

Interesting post.. actually I taught in South Korea for a year (96-97).. and ended up in South America for the next year (97-9.. and I'd say my main motivation was to study and learn a language I knew I might have a chance to learn!! Plus speaking/using a language is alot of fun..

But little did I know the women were going to be SO much fun in South America!! But to be honest.. Korean and Asian women are pretty hot too.. so I don't think South America is only about hot women.. I think Asia is more about that.. but in South America.. they are alot more fun to interact and meet and flirt with..

The best in South America.. is the Brazilians!!! SHEESH!! what a country!! I originally started in Santiago Chile.. and the Chiliean women were kind of okay.. but the few times I saw an Asian woman in Chile.. I really wanted to get back to Korea! But then I got to Brazil.. and I forgot all about Asia..

Anyhow, since that year in South America though.. I keep finding myself again and again in Asia.. its all good..

[SWF]

It must be tough to keep a latin woman though cuz latin men have so much more to offer in all areas than other men.

[Tiger Beer]

Interesting thought from SWF that it must be hard to keep a Latin woman because a Latin man is so much better than us white dudes..

Actually, when I lived in South America.. I don't remember anything like that. Latin women in Latin America were generally extremely interested in being with a white guy. Kind of like a white american woman's fascination to be with a black dude.. kind of same thing.. latin women in latin america were really fascinated to be with a blue-eyed blond american man of their dreams.. at least that was my experiences..

[Paul G]

Some years ago, as I was walking home from a Rio night club in the wee hours of the morning, a beautiful young Brazillian girl walked up to me and said she would like to spend the night together. Being a strong believer in the free enterprise system and a supporter of the independent businessperson, I asked her how much it would cost me.

She replied, "Oh no, I am not a prostitute. I just want to make love with an American."

Well, at that point I considered it my patriotic duty to oblige the young lady, so off we went. (Of course, if she had said that wanted to make love with a Brit I would have started humming "God Save the Queen", but that's beside the point.)

This was not an isolated incident. During my three weeks in Rio I was called upon several times to be an "Ambassador of Goodwill".

I guess SWF is entitled to her opinion. It's funny, though. The thought of "keeping" any of those girls never occurred to me. ....that would have been so very counter-productive.