Job Discussion Forums

[Sadken]

Hi,

I have absolutely no Spanish whatsoever (beyond ordering a cheese sandwich) but have always found it comes fairly easily when in Spanish speaking countries for a little while. I am committed to living in a South American country for a while and Argentina seems like the one for me. I have no problem putting myself through Spanish classes in preparation but was wondering (seeing as there is little hope of my being fluent by the time I arrive) how easy it is to get by with only a little Spanish.

[matttheboy]

No problem at all, most foreigners here can't say more than 'yo no hablo la espanol' (you won't be corrected on that by the way, people here are quite nice). It's a pretty easy language to pick up once you've got the basics and as an english teacher it should be even easier. Buy a verb/grammar book and simply rote learn the tenses before you come out with a few of the most common irregular verbs and half the battle is won. That's what i did before going to ecuador and from then on it was more a case of learning vocab.

The basic tenses are similar to english tenses and have almost the same use.
Present simple=present tense
Preterite=past simple
Perfect tenses are used and formed in the same way
Continuous tenses as well
Imperfect has a range of uses that can confuse.
Going to future's the same
Future tense=will (mas o menos)

It's the subjunctive that really buggers you but i wouldn't even bother with that until you're comfortable with the above tenses. I found the "teach yourself-spanish verbs' book explain the grammar in the best way (the way an english teacher would understand). It's got a photo of an anti forest fire on the front.

Good luck with it...

[eo-nomine]

[Helen Frubeck]

Am browsing around Dave�s ESL, (a real goldmine for EFL info) and I found this thread about the famous "coger" as used in Madrid (well, Spain) and Argentina. I�m currently teaching in Madrid but I was told about this very interesting Spanish word and although Argentina is still in the planning, I�ll make sure to remember that word. My Spanish, well, it�s improving, I was told, but again the Spanish and I guess the Argentinians as well are so forgiving of our mistakes, that you just don�t know if it�s big time mistake you�re making!

[Munchen]

As I know Italians also settled in BA, do you encounter it or are there any opportunities to speak with Italians or people of Italian heritage? Are there any Italian cultural centers?
I hope to come to BA in 2006 and would be curious to learn of any such opportunites. I had the privilege of attending the Universita Italiana per Stranieri in Perugia, Italy many moons ago.
Also have Spanish background from residence in Costa Rica and Spain.
Thanks for any input.

[guillebaires]

Almost 60% of the Argentines are Italian descendants!

[snielz]

I was in northern Italy last summer and studied some Italian at my university. When it comes to spanish I am most comfortable with the mexican accent- that is what I identify as "spanish" right now. When I walk down the street in buenos aires if I don�t pay attention to the actual words being said, it sounds like italian being spoken. The voice rises and falls with great energy and it is spoken slowly and distinctly compared to many other regions. I have met some kids here who are talking Italian in schools (not a public school but part of their regular curriculum). My guess is there are tons of opportunities for italian "insert word here". If you look at a good map of the city, there are plazas and streets named Italian this-and-that. Along Avenida Corrientes (I think) there is an Italian cultural center that is huge and has a plaza Italia out front of it. In short, at least Buenos Aires is more Italian than Italy since the overunning of Italy by German, English, and American tourists...

[Munchen]

Appreciate the responses. I know that website. I look forward to visiting or even retiring in BA. Think I would really feel at home.
Thanks again. Of course, would welcome any further information.