At my daughter's school meetings there are always people with very different languages. It's quite normal on the Costa del Sol. Alongside the Spanish you'll find Swedes, Finns, Colombians, Brits, Germans and even Russians.
I find it curious when foreign residents tell me that in this part of Spain they don't need to learn Spanish.
And that may be true, since in many settings English has taken hold, with «ghetto» residential developments for foreigners.
But I've always found it a little sad to spend years in a country and not take an interest in learning the language and the culture, and in feeling at least a little at home in the place where you live.
Anyway, last school year I got talking to a mum from school: a Swedish lawyer with almost white-blonde hair.
Seeing that her Spanish wasn't very advanced (though she was trying), I mentioned the Language Coaching that was getting such good results, in case she wanted some high-impact training that's also great fun.
Rather proudly, she turned down the offer, saying she didn't need it, that she was already learning with Duolingo and at a language school around here.
Obviously, I thought that was great (we're rushed off our feet as it is) and wished her well with her learning.
But yesterday, at the class meeting, I could see that after a year her level had barely improved. She politely asked the teachers to speak slowly, as she still didn't understand enough.
They told her of course, and to sit next to the English teacher, who would translate for her if she needed it.
Well, she translated hardly anything, and the others spoke no more slowly than they would at a beach bar over grilled sardines. Not to be awkward, but because naturally the locals don't have to adapt to the foreigners; it's the other way round.
Afterwards, sadly, the Swedish mum had to ask a thousand questions because she'd understood almost nothing.
If you go abroad, English and Spanish will take you practically anywhere.
But wherever you go, you should also get involved in the local language, even if it's just to order a few beers and ask where the village bakery is.
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You can contact us by email at contact@learndix.com
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Have a really good day.