Learning Spanish

[JimmyButtons]

I want to visit a Spanish-speaking country to learn Spanish: a month or two intensive study, living with a family etc etc. I also want some wintersunshine so I'm thinking about Soiuth or Central America. Can you recommend anywhere? A specific school, or maybe a country which is beautiful, cheap-ish -- with a nice accent. In fact, how much do the accents vary from country to country? Thanks.

[zgma]

Accents do vary quite a bit... but each country's citizens will tell you that their Spanish is the most pure. If you use the Castilian Spanish accent as your basis, the accents of Cuba and Mexico are generally considered less pure; the accent of Columbia is considered very pure. About good places to go study: my sister just went to Costa Rica and did just what you're talking about, and loved it. I can't remember the name of the school, but I think there are a variety that would do this. I did it years ago in Alicante, on the Mediterranean coast of Spain, which was also lovely and very sunny.

[georgit79]

Yup, I'd go for Costa Rica too. I'm a fluent Spanish speaker (or at least I purport to be), and when I watch Mexican films on tv (Amores Perros, Y tu mama tambi�n), I have trouble getting past the accent and intonation. Definitely go for somewhere Castillian, and make sure you don't pick a Portuguese-speaking country!

[JimmyButtons]

Thanks zgma - strangely enough, Colombia and Costa Rica were the two countries I had been thinking about. The first because of the music, culture and heritage as much as the accent; the latter because it seems quite geared up for language teaching. Though I have no objection to getting off the beaten track a bit. Roll up folks. Any more for any more?

[JimmyButtons]

And georgit79 - posting at the same time - thanks also. So you'd suggest CR rather than Colombia? (Which I have researched: the sad violence in some of the country is no barrier to travelling elsewhere: I read that the Cartagena accent is very strong, which is a shame as I'd love to spend time there.) Have you been to Costa Rica?

[Alej]

Bear in mind (generally)the further north you go the faster thay speak-Cuban accents are very funny as they speak so fast. For a beginner id suggest studying in Cusco Peru,there are lots of language schools there. the native south americans speak very calmly and slowly which will help you. As for purity to be honest a beginner wouldnt notice so much but they are right in that columbia would be the most pure - it really doesnt matter though as it takes more than 2 months to pick up the local accent.

[worder]

alej, honey you're wrong abot us south americans speaking slowly. i know, i am uruguayan, and we talk 75 an hour; for instance, my ex husband had many years of spanish, including living in different spanish speaking countries, but he was at a loss many times because we go so fast. about the accent, i beleive our accent in rio de la plata area can't be beaten, i get compliments on mine every day. men and women just love it, so many people can't be wrong.

[JimmyButtons]

Thanks again for your thoughts: though I'm not too worried about 'purity' (in the sense of speaking 'Spanish' Spanish.) I travelled in Peru many years ago and was subsequently asked by a Spanish waiter if I was Peruvian when I ordered a beer. (*Very proud*!) And more recently I was in Uruguay and Argentina and pride myself on (trying to) speak 'platense'. So, perhaps I should be heading south and learning there instead. worder (you come from a beautiful country) are there language schools you can recommend? I really liked Montevideo and Maldonado. Colonia was a bit too touristy. Melo and Treinta Y Tres perhaps a touch isolated? (But it would force me to speak the language!) Choices, choices! (I know I'm lucky to have them.)