Hi everyone! I am looking for some place to practice Spanish. In the states, there are "meetup" groups that let people join in language groups, etc. I can't seem to find that here, though. Anyone know of anything like this? Are there formal groups in Cancun? Maybe a local language school has some community-based groups? Anyone interested in starting/joining one? Thanks, and watch out for the tiburones!
I do not mean to be rude or offensive in any way, but perhaps going to places such as supermarkets, Mercado 28, Malls, restaurants, the bus amongst other places would be an ideal way to practice the language when in Cancun. This is of course considers that fact that most natives in Cancun speak Spanish as their native tounge.
Thanks for the reply - not taken as rude. I live here, go to all the places you listed, and I have recently enrolled in a language school. I am just looking for like-minded people who are in the same boat as me. I don't know a lot of people here, and walking up to people at Chedraui and striking up a conversation sounds easy on the surface...however it doesn't seem to be working as well as I hoped. Again, thanks for the reply. ~Hudson
Hudson: First of all: Hows the couch doing? Hehe I did what gabesz suggested. I started taking classes, but it was a mess(lets just leave it at that...),, and instead I simply "went out there". Super market, football("soccer"), beach, Centro etc. The locals really seem to appreciate that we try and thus have been WAY more helpful than I could have imagined. A lady at the post-office is my regular "chatter". Today we had a discussion that lasted some 40-45 mins... It was about the politics in Mexico, and I learned a lot, haha. I also bought a tiny mp3(in US) that has radio, and started tuning in and leaving it on as background noise. Worked miracles! I needed to hear it, as much as possible, just to familiarize with the sound. Best of luck mate, regardless what approach you take Ps. I have "Tell Me More Spanish. Vol. 1-3"(think thats what its called?) for PC in case you want/need it. Might help.
Ha! The couch! We were a sight to be seen carrying that thing through Cancun at night! Thanks again! I appreciate the input. I was sitting on a collectivo today and was "chatting" with a local, and we were both trying to communicate. Quite frankly, it was discouraging. I really understood far less than I thought I should. Bottom line - I just need more practice. I like the radio idea. I have an mp3 player that can pick up radio. I will start doing that on my bike rides. I currently listen to English podcasts...seems logical to listen to the local language instead! And, I don't want anyone to misunderstand - I absolutely believe in intermingling with the locals to learn more. I do that. I have a couple of people (at restaurants) who help me along and everyone else seems to be very friendly and helpful. I was just looking for "more". I am trying to make "learning Spanish" my job right now. Maybe I am overreaching in the approach. Living here and not really knowing anyone else here makes it a bit tougher, and I thought the group thing would be a friendly way to practice more. Thanks for the response AND the couch!
I completely sympathize with you. I have been here for 1.5 years and my spanish is pathetic. I agree, chatting with the "locals" is the way to go, but when you don't understand each other, how the hell can you figure anything out. Seems to me, those that already are pretty fluent are quick to point out what is easy for them, should be easy for everyone. I have a MX bf and a bunch of MX friends and it just isn't easy for some of us. I have done the classes and I do try, but I get nowhere....just really frustrated and I give up.
Tori: Sorry if my post came across in a bad way, never my intention. I was frustrated and thought that having a private teacher would do miracles, but, we ended up becoming friends rather than teacher - student, so my 100 pesos/hour was more like paying a buddy to chat about everything... In English, haha Personally, Ive always had an interest in languages and seem to catch on fairly quick. Im assuming growing up in a suburb with some +150 various nationalities helped a lot. For me, hanging out with Mexican friends(as in personal friends), didnt help me at all, since they insisted on either practicing their English, or only Mexican slang... I would assume that one would have to find their own way in the end.
Oh no, I am not "blasting" anyone here in any way. I was just generalizing. I come across it daily... from locals and tourists. They are all surprised I have made it this long and I do alot of things here on my own. It just somehow works out. I agree with everything you just wrote, except for languages coming easy. In HS, I failed English and I got kicked out of Spanish. Go figure this is where I'd end up.
The way I learned to be fluent was by going to university here (4 years). So my personal recommendation would be to maybe take some courses at a local university. They have some really good courses offered from time to time for good prices, especially UNID. Take a marketing course, for example, with all the teaching, class discussion, homework, tests, etc in Spanish. Might be difficult at first, but you'll get awesome results. Going out in groups helped me as well. Since my MX friends were speaking with eachother, the language wasn't "watered down" for me. I asked questions when I heard a word, joke or reference I didn't understand, and my friends were more than happy to explain it to me. No matter what method you use, the main thing is to just immerse yourself in the language. If you have a spouse or significant other who is MX, speak to them always in Spanish. Talk to your MX friends in Spanish, even if they answer you in English. There's no easy way out It sounds hard because it is... but I speak like a Mexican now!
Funny to read this - I will be in Mexico for a month this summer - and my only plan is to learn more spanish. If you come across any more good ideas, please let me know.
