English in Spain??
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
English in Spain??
Do the school children in Spain study English?
I've always been impressed in with the English proficiency level of those living in other Western European countries. Will it be the same in Spain, especially in the bigger cities?
How about the hotel receptionist?
Will most restaurants have an English menu?
Will train and bus stations have an English translation?
How about the taxi driver?
I've always been impressed in with the English proficiency level of those living in other Western European countries. Will it be the same in Spain, especially in the bigger cities?
How about the hotel receptionist?
Will most restaurants have an English menu?
Will train and bus stations have an English translation?
How about the taxi driver?
#2
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Prople in tourist hotels and popular tourist restaurants and stores will spak some English. In other restauants and shops there may or may not be someone whos speaks English. This is in major tourist towns. In smaller towns with less toruist traffic the number of English speakers will be muich smaller. Many restaurants will not have menus in English.
I don't know if kids in Spain are required to study English in school. But no - except for areas in which there are huge numbers of visitors from the UK - English is not spoken nearly as frequently as in Netherlands, Scandinavia and Germany.
I don't know if kids in Spain are required to study English in school. But no - except for areas in which there are huge numbers of visitors from the UK - English is not spoken nearly as frequently as in Netherlands, Scandinavia and Germany.
#4
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
English is studied in schools but most Spaniards will tell you they never feel comfortalbe speaking it.During the summer months,families who can afford to send theor children to England and Ireland.English even in Madrid is hit/miss!
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,969
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
English menu at a restaurant is a mixed blessing. It simplifies ordering, but it also means the restaurant caters to tourists to make it worthwhile preparing English menus. Sometimes this means only unsuspecting tourist would go to such restaurants. I don't remember taxi drivers speaking English.
#6
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 26,710
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In the bigger cities and in the southern tourist destiantions you will find people in the tourist business who speak English. The Spanish are most gracious when you speak a little of their language.
Some study English in the schools.
Some study English in the schools.
#8
hotel receptionist? Yes
an English menu? Depends the kind of restaurant, at tourist places yes, at local places probably not
train and bus stations? I don't think so(?)
How about the taxi driver? I wouldn't count on more than the basics (have your address or destination written down)
an English menu? Depends the kind of restaurant, at tourist places yes, at local places probably not
train and bus stations? I don't think so(?)
How about the taxi driver? I wouldn't count on more than the basics (have your address or destination written down)
#9
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 15,770
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Adu is
right about how gracious Spanish are if you speak their language..
Several times, when I asked for directions in the Metro or
train station, the locals actually walked me to the platform.
Taxi and bus drivers. become chatty and hotel receptionist always give me
a nice room.
right about how gracious Spanish are if you speak their language..
Several times, when I asked for directions in the Metro or
train station, the locals actually walked me to the platform.
Taxi and bus drivers. become chatty and hotel receptionist always give me
a nice room.
#10
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 13,617
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I found that fewer people in Spain speak English than in other European countries that I have been to. But it isn't hard to pick up rudimentary Spanish - it is a pretty straightforward language to learn.
#11
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,214
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would agree with all of the above. We did find, on our recent trip to Andalucia and Madrid, and many restaurants did have at least a couple of English menus tucked away somewhere - though at least once, it was pulled out after we'd ordered. I learned enough Spanish to figure out most menu items (we're real foodies, so that was an important part of the trip for us).
In some tapas bars, the kind where the tapas is primarily listed on a board behind the bar, I don't think there were translations. I remember commenting to my husband that it would be difficult if you couldn't read those boards.
In some tapas bars, the kind where the tapas is primarily listed on a board behind the bar, I don't think there were translations. I remember commenting to my husband that it would be difficult if you couldn't read those boards.
#12
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 26,710
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In some tapas bars, the kind where the tapas is primarily listed on a board behind the bar, I don't think there were translations. I remember commenting to my husband that it would be difficult if you couldn't read those boards.
____________
And that is part of the charm of a tapas bar. Unless you have a food allergy or some other medical condition, just point and try something. Tapas are small and it is perfect situation to attempt something new.
____________
And that is part of the charm of a tapas bar. Unless you have a food allergy or some other medical condition, just point and try something. Tapas are small and it is perfect situation to attempt something new.
#13
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,681
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kids learn English at school since first grade. I wouldn´t go to a restaurant with an English menu...except if you like touristy places and feel comfy with them. Part of the fun of travelling is the ability to interact without knowing the local language, IMO. In any case, I feel that your stereotype of traveller is not too "risky", I guess.
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, I am willing to be risky to a certain degree. I like adventure but not at the expense of getting sick. An individual with a food allergy to some degree lives on the edge even in his/her own country. I got pretty sick one time when in New Orleans because of all the shellfish. I can react even if a kitchen utensil used for shellfish is then used for my food. Not pleasant, I guarantee you. Why wouldn't I want to protect myself as much as possible no matter what country I'm in? Vacations are a time for enjoyment, not a time of great anxiety.
#15
DO you have a food allergy? You didn't mention that in your OP. If you do I suggest using a card printed in Spanish to explain it. You can make your own or there are some you can purchase (vegetarian, gluten free, peanuts, etc.)
I would also study in advance plus carry a phrase book with a restauarant section (or even a dictionary) so you can look up specific words on the menu when you are in a restaurant.
If there is food you need to avoid entirely (like all shellfish) I definitely would not count on all menus being tranlated in English for you.
I would also study in advance plus carry a phrase book with a restauarant section (or even a dictionary) so you can look up specific words on the menu when you are in a restaurant.
If there is food you need to avoid entirely (like all shellfish) I definitely would not count on all menus being tranlated in English for you.
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, I do have a food allergy to shellfish. Sorry about not saying so in this particular post. It's explained in another post, where I ask about the availability of foods other than seafood. I definitely carry with me a translation of the situation. Can't afford not to. And, yes, I need to get a small book for translating typical foods from Spanish to English. Thanks for your concern and suggestions!
#18
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,667
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<<<<<<<<
English menu at a restaurant is a mixed blessing. It simplifies ordering, but it also means the restaurant caters to tourists to make it worthwhile preparing English menus. Sometimes this means only unsuspecting tourist would go to such restaurants. I don't remember taxi drivers speaking English
>>>>>>
Tourists generally go to areas where other tourists go (although we all love to think we dont). Spain is awash with tourists so the less touristy places will have english menus while the more touristy places will also have german, swedish, and some Asian languages in addition to English which is pretty much standard these days. Don't worry about the existence of an english menu.
English menu at a restaurant is a mixed blessing. It simplifies ordering, but it also means the restaurant caters to tourists to make it worthwhile preparing English menus. Sometimes this means only unsuspecting tourist would go to such restaurants. I don't remember taxi drivers speaking English
>>>>>>
Tourists generally go to areas where other tourists go (although we all love to think we dont). Spain is awash with tourists so the less touristy places will have english menus while the more touristy places will also have german, swedish, and some Asian languages in addition to English which is pretty much standard these days. Don't worry about the existence of an english menu.
#20
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 26,710
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I already gave the Original Poster the following sentences to use at restaurants on a different but similiar Spain topic:
No puedo comer marisco o pescado
Soy alérgico a los mariscos y pescados
I cannot eat seafood and fish.
I am alergic to seafood and fish.
No puedo comer marisco o pescado
Soy alérgico a los mariscos y pescados
I cannot eat seafood and fish.
I am alergic to seafood and fish.