Hello everyone. I think this board is great! I have enjoyed reading it and after doing so, I think maybe some of you all might can help me with a little challenge I am facing...immersing myself here in Madrid. I work here in my home office and I am married with 3 kids. I am 30 years old (which Spaniards find very very strange that someone as young as me is married much less married with 3 kids!!) and have lived here in Madrid for 8 months. I have been attending clases at a school downtown for the entire 8 months that I've been here. I try my best to get intercambios but they are very sporadic since the people I've found work (and work alot!). Plus, I must balance my time with work and family and it is very hard for us to speak Spanish to each other at home. So, it is hard for me to go to parties alot, live with a Spanish family where I am almost 100% immersed, etc. I would love for that to happen. I go to class, study, talk to neighbors as much as possible when they are around (but the people around here seem very private) and of course my intercambios. I feel like I should be much further along after 8 months. I can communicate and I can understand alot (I watch TV in Spanish alot and see movies in Spanish when I can) but I still have alot of problems hearing and comprehending and usually I am coming from a long period of English speaking and constantly having to make that English to Spanish transition and unless it is an hour long conversation, it is often hard to do. An hour long conversation gives me the opportunity to switch gears, which generally takes me 10 minutes or so. I don't know, maybe someone out there has come here with a family and knows some things that I could do. Weekend getaways that could be viewed like a business trip where I could go off to something that is 100% Spanish??? Other popular ways to immerse myself (clubs or other hobby like things... this may not be like it is in the states)? Another issue is that most people see my blonde hair and know that I am foreign and immediately try to speak English and without giving me the chance with Spanish. Anyway, this is my challenge and I appreciate the help in advance!!!
I think Chad that people have to create their community around them, It all comes down to meeting the people you want around you which is hard in a city because it�s so impersonal, but it just takes time. I have tried my hardest not to meet English speakers here here because like you I wanted to immerse myself as much as possible. Also, I probably think you are being hard on yourself as I do sometimes. I thought my Spanish was horrible until people started commenting that I had almost no accent and one person asked just to make sure if I was a foreigner. I speak only English with my wife because it is a little weird to speak Spanish or Catalan together because her English is almost Native and that�s all we ever spoke because when we met her English was better than my Spanish (after 6 years in the US) so I can relate to what you go through with your family. I started doing what someone on this board suggested...I stand in front of the mirror or my wife and say words over and over again until I can say them perfectly. I also choose a word a day from the dictionary, say it 25 times (something I learned in a College Psych class) and use it at least once a day. I tried immersing myself her and found that it is hard, so many things here are in English, people you talk to want to practice English, also there is the tendency to return to English because it�s so much easier. I don�t know how far along you are but as far as comprehending things there is a natural tendency to want to "translate" what is said instead of comprehending the meaning in that language, once you get past that I think you will be happier. You have have to see a table as "mesa" in Spanish not think "table means mesa". Also, not visiting English website (except Multimadrid of course) helps. I had a vice of checking American news websites, but when I changed to spanish ones I noticed a difference. I can relate to the married young thing too I�m 24 and have been married almost 6 years and it surprises a lot of people here. Just be glad you only have to learn one language here. All in all just be happy that you are living in Spain, so many people never get the chance.
Oderant dum Metuant
Posts: 109 | Location: Barcelona, Catalunya | Registered: 16 November 2002
I have to agree with what Shiloh said. You also have to continue speaking Spanish even if you do make mistakes. It's like I tell my students here in the US, just speak.
You will reach your own point of fluency, but it will come when it is ready and when you are not frustrated. Don;t let it get you down. Continue trying to speak Spanish only at work and hit the books. Watching TV also helps, but remember that you have to speak it daily.
Shiloh brings up a good point by not thinking in English and trying to translate into Spanish. That will stop you from progressing because you will feel the need to constantly grab the dictionary to look for a word.
Keep us informed of your progress.
Shawn
"Wanna fly, you got to give up the shit that weighs you down" - SONG OF SOLOMON, Toni Morrison
Posts: 1255 | Location: Richmond, VA but in MADRID now | Registered: 10 February 2002
I know how your feeling Chad. I'm still trying to get there myself.
All I can advise is the 3 P�s: Practice, Persistence, & Patience. You'll get there enventually, it just may take time.
As far as studying on your own (or making the most of your time alone), if you read alot in English it may also help to start reading as much as you can in Spanish. It may sound funny, but even as a native speaker of English, I don't think that I could ever express myself that well until I began to read extensively once I went to grad school. Now I am a habitual reader and I'm trying to transfer some of that to my learning Spanish. Writing will help too.
Good luck and keep it up
"I move in a landscape where revolution and love speak overwhelming words" Ren� Char<br /><br />"Using a stone for a pillow, I drift toward the clouds" Santoka Taneda
Posts: 124 | Location: san francisco, usa | Registered: 23 August 2002
Chad, quick question: do your children attend Spanish schools or the American or British Schools? maybe you can pick up some things from them, and meet other parents at some functions at the schools, depending on which school it is and what it's like. hmmm.. I'll keep thinking, I must have more ideas...interesting problem you present though Chad. I feel like it's definitely easier for students to meet people. I never thought about this...interesting. Now you got me thinking!!! Besos, Joy
Posts: 541 | Location: Madrid (but from Boston) | Registered: 16 December 2002
ps-Chad, if you're going to end up living in Madrid and raising your kids there, then dont' worry abou6t speaking English at home, that's actually better for them, they'll end up bilingual. They are exposed to Spanish more than anyone just by being young and living there. Besos, Joy
Posts: 541 | Location: Madrid (but from Boston) | Registered: 16 December 2002
If you want to meet bilingual/bicultural couples with kids, I strongly suggest that you attend the multimadrid barbecue on June 8th. There you will meet Val and Carlos and Tony and Maria. (not to mention the rest of the multimadridians) Both have kids (son and daughter respectively). I don�t know how old your kids are, I believe that theirs are around 6 years old. Maybe they will pop in and post.
As far as other things you could do...how about checking out your local polideportivo (sort of like the YMCA). They have all kinds of sporting activities for the family. It is not a typical tourist attraction so you will most likely run into Spaniards rather than Americans.
If you want to meet bilingual/bicultural couples with kids, I strongly suggest that you attend the multimadrid barbecue on June 8th. There you will meet Val and Carlos and Tony and Maria. (not to mention the rest of the multimadridians) Both have kids (son and daughter respectively). I don�t know how old your kids are, I believe that theirs are around 6 years old. Maybe they will pop in and post.
As far as other things you could do...how about checking out your local polideportivo (sort of like the YMCA). They have all kinds of sporting activities for the family. It is not a typical tourist attraction so you will most likely run into Spaniards rather than Americans.
As a daily user, I�m very impressed by them, though the one in the centre by La Latina metro tends to be very crowded. They�re a bit cheaper if you�re attending a course, rather than a casual user, and going to a course, you�re more likely to see the same people every time which I guess is what you want. If you go to your own local one, you may get to meet some neighbours.
Many of the centres are quite new. Most also have an open-air swimming pool, the season for which will begin shortly. Stephen
Posts: 319 | Location: Ferrol (Coruña) and Ambridge (Borsetshire) | Registered: 08 March 2003
WOW!!! This is all great advice. Yes, we have a polideportivo in Alcobendas. I like the idea of the BBQ June 8. Is there a web page with all the details (time, where, etc)? My kids are 1 year, 6 years old, and 7 years old. That would be perfect!!
Yes, I need to read in Spanish more. I read the paper and kids books some but have not advanced past that level because I always seem to find plenty there that I still don't understand.
Also, good point about speaking English at home with the girls. I don't know that we'll live here more than 3 or 4 years (we've been here since September 2002) but still they'll need to keep their English up. They go to a Spanish public school because we thought this would give them the best exposure to Spanish...100% Spanish all day long and it is working because they are way ahead of me. 3 months ago they could hardly say what they wanted to say with their friends and always asked me how to say stuff but now they don't even think about it...it just comes out and they have a perfect Spanish accent. It is amazing. It was like overnight...boom they were speaking Spanish like they had been speaking it all their life!
I'm still waiting for that dream in Spanish that everyone told me would mark my arrival as a Spanish speaker....
Well, thanks again for all the input and advice. Please send me the info about the BBQ.
There is a sign-up form and all and while we would love to have you come, keep in mind that this Friday, May 30th is the last day to be signed-up and paid up.
- rent or buy a cell phone from me for your stay in spain, more info at 
- already have a cell phone, get a spanish SIM card for it at 
