Denise

After my trip last year to Spain I decided to take some Conversational Spanish classes. I really enjoyed them and wanted to do more but more advanced levels were not offered. What is offered is a month long trip to Spain to La Coruna in the north just above Portugal for the month of August. Its total immersion through the university there. I'm hmmmm in my 50's would you do it and if so where would you visit on the weekends. I'm seriously considering it.

adrienne

Go for it! You only regret the things you don't do!

alexislovesspain

Do it .. wish I could .. but that little thing called work keeps me tethered here

Aduchamp1

One problem Is that in A Coruna, they speak Galego, which is a combination of Castilian and Portuguese and most of the signs are in Gallego. For example La Coruna is Castilian while A Coruna is Galego.

So even though they teach Castilian at the school you will also be immersed in Gallego.

LSky

Consider no more and sign up. I'd love to spend a month somewhere learning a language.

Aduchamp1

Please also note that A Coruna is not the most exciting of towns.

There are many things you can do on the weekends including taking quick trips to Madrid and Barcelona and if you use Vueling, a small but reliable Spanish airline I believe there are direct flights to Amsterdam and London.

There are also many easy places to visit in Galicia, Asturias, and northern Portugal.

julies

Does it have to be in Europe? I spent some time in Antigua, Guatemala, where there are high quality language schools with one-on-one teaching at about $5 per hour. I'm just a little older than you and found it a great experience, and really cheap too.

Denise

Thanks all. Bonus to learn two languages in one. My work is flexible so I'm able to take the time off. I've flown on Monarch from Malaga and have heard of Vueling, I understand that there is a small airport near Santiago de Compostelo so I may be able to get away. Thinking of getting my international driver's license too. I admit I do love Europe but it may be Central or South American next time. I've been eyeing Buenos Aires. Now if I could only Tango. Thanks again.

LSky

Taking a tango lesson with the spanish could be memoriable

Robert2533

Denise, there is no such thing as an International Driver's License, even though you can purchase one on the internet, but there is the IDP, International Driving Permit, which you are required to have, in conjunction with your state issued driver's license, when driving in Spain.

Is Guatemalan Spanish anything like Castilian Spanish, or is speaking Gállego closer?

Revulgo

Denise,
To learn Spanish in Latin America vs Spain is like to learn English in the USA or Australia vs the UK.
That's your choice.

danon

all my Spanish teachers have been from Latin America - not a problem at all!

danon

BTW,
the University in Santander is known for its summer courses. It is a beautiful town with great beaches ( August!).
Take a look.

Aduchamp1

The Spanish spoken in Guatemala is Castilian with a little different accent and different idioms.

Antigua, Guatemala is an interesting town and if one has chance they should go during Semana Santa for the processions when they make colorful "rugs" from sawdust.

There is an airport near A Coruna and another near Santiago.
____________________________________

Santander has a beautiful beach but there are many beaches in Galicia as well. The difference is the beaches in Galicia are used basically by Galegos while the beaches in Santabder are used by a variety of people.

ribeirasacra

Aduchamp1 I know you have family in A Coruña but to say all of the citizens of A Coruña speak Gallego is quite honestly misleading. Older generations do not because the language was band by Franco and if you are a foreigner in the city they will not expect you to speak Gallego either.
In August there will be a large influx of visitors from other parts of Spain so Castelaño will be heard all around the city.
As for saying it is not the most lively of cities, where did that come from? Most of the year it has a large university population, which in August transforms into holiday makers. Try the Calle Orzan for bars and clubs if that is what you are looking for. I have also heard that the area known as Los Jardines, is also good meeting place for the younger generation. But that may not suit the OP!
There are a lot of events planned for August, as every year. This year the New York Dolls are playing.
http://www.maketon.com/Noticia/1262/...mprescindibles

The beaches are very good around the city too. Plus Santiago is only 30 mins or so away by bus or train.
http://www.coruna.es/servlet/Satelli...rismo-Generica

I could go on, I do not like cities so much, but I have posted this so you can see though some of the pessimism posted about your plans.

ribeirasacra

Sorry forgot tow links.
For the city read this:
http://www.coruna.es/servlet/Satelli...rismo-Generica
for Galician tourism read this:
http://www.turgalicia.es/

To recommend some things we would need to know how much time you have free and what sort of transport you are going to use? I see you may hire a car but we need to have that confirmed please.... plus what are your interests?

I live in Galicia and I much prefer the countryside or to fry on a beach!

Denise

This is all great information. Thank you all for your input. I did mean International Driving Permit which I've had previously but now expired. My most recent professora is from Chile and she explained many of the differences in each region of Spain and even throughout South America. Muchas gracias Ribeirasacra por los Web sitios del Internet. Creo que tengo los fines de semana libres y espero viajar a las ciudades próximas en coche o autobús. Translation - Thank you very much Ribeirasacra for the Internet Websites. I believe I have the weekends free and I hope to travel to nearby cities by car or bus.

annhig

Hi Denise,

does it have to be la coruna? I'm sure that there are load of language schools all over Spain that offer the same sort of thing for shorter periods.

when I was looking at the same sort of thing for Italy, many places only offered periods of two weeks and upwards, but then i found ones offering a week.

I'm still trying to find time even for that though!

have a great trip,

regards, ann

cruiseluv

Hi Denise,

I have visited La Coruña and although perfectly ok for a short visit I wouldn't want to stay a month there. As others have pointed out, have you considered other locations? Universidad de Salamanca, Universidad Internacional Menendez Pelayo (UIMP) in Santander, Universidad Santiago de Compostela and others offer intensive Spanish programs for foreigners. My son spent a month at the UIMP in Santander and loved it. Santander is beautiful in the summer.

But , for sure, go for it! Nothing like spending a month in the country of the target language.

Aduchamp1

ribeirasacra

Aren't the signs and menus in Galego?

What is odd with the family, most of which are outside of Santiago, the older generations who have an extremely limited education speak Galego but over the years have improved on their Castilian. The younger ones speak both .

Of course, you are a native and see a greater variety of people. Could it be in the smaller towns they speak more Galego and in the cities it is greater mixture?