What’s the best way to learn to speak spanish to help me better work with construction and painting crews? Is there a good book or books on tape or something else?
First, commendations on being willing to learn how to speak a language in an effort to better communicate with the workers. Not all are so progressively openminded.
I teach crafts classes in a very multi-cultural area. The majority of my students are often hispanics who speak broken english, but fluent spanish. When I asked them if it would be helpful to take a Spanish class or read "How to Speak Spanish" books, they laughed and said, "No, those books don’t teach REAL spanish." They suggested taking a "Conversational Spanish" course at a local community college.
Also, the students with whom I was attempting to communicate (in your case, the workers) gradually taught me how to say the phrases/instructions that I used over and over again. In other words, the people themselves became the best resource in learning their language.
Also, most people are more than flattered and highly appreciative when you tell them that you’d like to learn their language to better communicate with them. It gains the respect and favor of most people, so please be sure to tell your workers.
Your attitude is great and the exact reverse of the–unfortunate,–but common American attitude of, "This is the US. So learn how to speak American English. Or else."
Hope that helps!
August 28th, 2010 at 4:32 am
First, commendations on being willing to learn how to speak a language in an effort to better communicate with the workers. Not all are so progressively openminded.
I teach crafts classes in a very multi-cultural area. The majority of my students are often hispanics who speak broken english, but fluent spanish. When I asked them if it would be helpful to take a Spanish class or read "How to Speak Spanish" books, they laughed and said, "No, those books don’t teach REAL spanish." They suggested taking a "Conversational Spanish" course at a local community college.
Also, the students with whom I was attempting to communicate (in your case, the workers) gradually taught me how to say the phrases/instructions that I used over and over again. In other words, the people themselves became the best resource in learning their language.
Also, most people are more than flattered and highly appreciative when you tell them that you’d like to learn their language to better communicate with them. It gains the respect and favor of most people, so please be sure to tell your workers.
Your attitude is great and the exact reverse of the–unfortunate,–but common American attitude of, "This is the US. So learn how to speak American English. Or else."
Hope that helps!
References :
August 28th, 2010 at 5:06 am
marry a spanish speaking chick!!
References :
August 28th, 2010 at 5:41 am
Try this website:
http://www.mansionspanish.com
.
References :