Travel and Language learning in Europe
Posted on: Wed, 2008-06-11 02:39
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Travel and Language learning in Europe
I’m studying Spanish in Madrid and enjoying it greatly – I’ve been in the city for almost a year now, feel have integrated well and can use my Spanish confidently. It’s been such a good experience that once university finishes, I’m considering another (albeit shorter) language learning trip – an Italian course in Italy or perhaps something a little more exotic – sejours linguistiques en Egypte. I’ve found Spanish to the majority of Europe’s big cities so the world really is my oyster – I need to decide what’s best for me; I need advice! Being a competent Spanish speaker, I think Italian is probably the best option given that it is so similar to Spanish. Bearing in mind I will only have 6 weeks in my destination, the easiness factor is a very important one! German appeals because of its utility (I am studying business alongside Spanish and the German industry interests me greatly) but I think it would be difficult to get a useful (as in capability of using it professionally) understanding of a language in just 6 weeks. I also want sun! Please, all advice would be very much welcome!
I think that probably given your time frame, you might be best served by sticking with Italian.
You probably already understand the basics and would pick it up and be able to become proficent much quicker than you would if you learned German. This will also likely give you a better understanding of Spanish.
I am not sure how difficult it is to learn Italian, but I know that it is unlikely to get anywhere near proficiency in the German language within 6 weeks. I also think that Spanish and Italian are much more alike than Spanish and German.
So, yeah, I would go with Italian and enjoy Italy. ;-)
S.
I would stick with Italian - the grammar is very similar, so you'll pick it up quicker. You might get a little bit confused when you try to get fluency levels up, as spanish will inevitably come out, but you'll learn more Italian in 6 weeks than you would in German.
I used to work in a language school, and all the Latin language teachers used to tell me that I should understand more german than panish or another, as English and German are both germanic languages - but the only word I understand is "haus" and that's cos it sounds the same!!!