I start school next week

[Tobin S.]

I'm taking 2 classes over the summer. I'm going to learn how to speak spanish.

As I was walking around the local community college trying to find registration, I couldn't help but be overcome with nostalgia. It's not the same school I went to when I tried college for the first time, but seeing all of the young people there with their back packs, hurrying along to their next class, brought back memories. And like any other college campus it seems like you have to walk a mile to get anywhere.

I'm not going there in search of a degree. They offer 10 spanish classes and I'm going to take all of them. If I'm not fluent by then I will probably head over to the local state college where I went so many years ago. I was going to be an environmental health scientist back then. It's strange that I ended up being a trucker :). I had to drop out back then because I became severely mentally ill when I was 20. No more tears, though. I am happy now.

I'm hoping that I will be able to put my language skills to use in the trucking industry somehow. I've seen a lot of ads for trucking companies looking for drivers that say, "Se habla espanol." I've seen one of those spanish speaking recruiters in action. It looks like a great way to make a living to me. And as commerce continues to develop with Mexico, trucking companies will probably need more bilingual people. That's what I'm hoping anyway.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

1. Good for you -

it's great to be learning anything new, and if you have a favorite restaurant - Mexican, or any Spanish-speaking place - go there and practice. That's how I learned to speak Spanish when I landed, all alone, in a foreign country where Spanish was spoken. I learned really fast, and the people were wonderful, so happy to help me, so welcoming, so tickled that a gringa was trying to master their language. They're very flattered.

Find places where Spanish is spoken exclusively, and you'll be amazed at how much you pick up and confident you become. It happens fast, and it's a marvelous way to connect with people.

Good luck, and have fun .....................

[Tobin S.]

2. Thank you

Yeah, one of my favorite places to eat is a local Mexican restaurant. They know me there and I can't wait to go in and speak to one of the waiters in spanish.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

8. You're going to have SUCH a good time -

I had to learn Spanish just so I could eat.

Tell them next time you go there that you want ONLY to speak Spanish, and they should speak ONLY Spanish to you.

You will be amazed - I guarantee you - how much you pick up, and how quickly.

Then, you'll find yourself dreaming in Spanish - a milestone.

And the first time you have a phone conversation in Spanish, you'll know you're fluent.

Excellent, kid. Have fun, amigo mio and buena suerte................

[fizzgig]

3. excellent

have fun and good luck :)

[sasquatch]

4. Wright State??

[Tobin S.]

6. I'm going to Sinclair right now. If I need further instruction I will go to WSU

Long time no see, sasquatch. I was formerly known as Droopy just in case you missed my name change post.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

5. You will never regret it.

:thumbsup:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. My dear Tobin S!

That is great news! Education is never wasted, and it will enrich you in ways you hadn't thought of.

And you know...you just might meet some girls... ;)

:hi:

[Tobin S.]

9. hahahahaha

Too bad that I'm old enough to be their daddy. :) I look pretty young for my age. Maybe I can pass for 22. :D

[jeff30997]

10. Two thumbs up dude !

I've learned spanish in college and the teacher was really great

but unlike English (I'm Frenchie) I couldn't practice and after

almost 2 decades I forgot practically everything.If you have access to

Spanish TV it would also help you to grasp the language faster.:)

[sasquatch]

11. Oh forget that crap, watching telemundo is unreal to me and I have three college quarters-

of Spanish under my belt.

[jeff30997]

12. Why are you being so blunt ?

I never watched telemundo so I have no idea what it is and I was just

drawing a parallel with my personal experience about learning English.

Where I grew up there was nobody speaking English fluently and TV helped

me keep the wheels greased.

[sasquatch]

14. I was actually making light of myself and my lack of comprehension of Spanish

I'm sorry:(

[jeff30997]

15. Oh. That's OK then.

:)

[Kali]

13. buena suerte!

It's not too hard - the thing is to get out there and use it. Set up a conversation buddy with a native speaker a couple time a week - that can be fun and help you learn cultural stuff you may not get in class. Also be aware Mexican Spanish is a little different than that often taught in schools as the Euro/Spain version.