Excellent Spanish teacher

[Eyja]

Quite a while ago, before I came here in November, I asked you lot if you knew about some Spanish teacher. I got several tips of courses etc., but the best tip was (as usual) from Mary, she told me to put an ad in Tips and Info. Which I did. I have been working with her now for almost two months and I must say that I couldn't have had a better teacher. She is a native Canarian and really fantastic. Not only for teaching me Spanish, but for all kinds of help with the authorities here as I am moving here permanently.

Others had offered their services as teachers, but they were not native Spanish teachers, which I had set as a condition as I wanted to know more than just the language and not learn a foreign language from someone with an accent. I realize every foreigner must have some kind of an accent, but I would rather develop my own accent instead of learning it from a German or another foreigner. Odessa is a certified teacher and gives private lessons. She gave me permission to mention her name here and if anyone is interested, they can send me a message and I will give her telephone number. She comes to where you are, in a hotel or at home.

[libbyo]

Good luck with the lessons. Its always hard to learn, but if you get the right teacher, you will get there.

Libbyo :)

[Eyja]

Thank you Libbyo! I am starting a two weeks' course in Tafira Monday and will hopefully continue...
However, I am so far from understanding even the simplest things, depending on who is talking. You should have seen the look on the poor man's face this morning when he was connecting my computer and obviously wanted something from me. Went: "wrroooooommm" and moved his hands in a way that I though he must want something like to whip cream with? I suddenly looked at the wall and thought, oh, o.k. telephone line. So I brought that. He shook his head and started again, this time knealing and moving his hands strangely. Well, I thought, this time I will just bring a dictionary. So I went out to the terrace and got the dictionary and started to hand it to him. He obviously didn't know what kind of a book this was ...:unsure: shook his head vigourously (what kind of a person was I, bringing him a book to read in the middle of his work...???) but this time my husband (who does not speak a word of the language, not even much English) came and knew immediately that the poor man wanted to sweep up the mess he had made and brought the correct equipment. I went outside and avoided saying good-bye to him....:wub:

[2-islandangie]

Nice one Eyja!!! It isn't easy is it? I have been doing a course at the college at San Fernando & I wonder will I ever really master it. But it is mas importante that we try!!!!
Good luck - I know I need it.!!!!

[mary]

My famous story that all my spanish friends love to tell everyone is:
We needed to buy an examination couch for the surgery and I wanted one with 3 drawers underneath. So, I prepared myself and went over the lady and said - quiero una camilla con tres cojones - she said tut tut tut No.
I had said 'I want an examination couch with 3 men's balls'

My husband bought a car when we first arrived. he was quite happy with it but had forgotten to ask the year of make so he popped back to the office, popped his head around the door and said 'Ano' The salesman said 2003.
It wasnt until he was walking away that he realsied he had said 'anus' instaed of año!!!

[libbyo]

I have a fantastic spanish teacher, she has given me confidence to try to speak. Its only adult ed, but brilliant. Until today. A relief teacher took the class. It was awful. I hated it.

It just proves it is not the language =thats the problem, but the teaching.

Moral of the story

If you dont suceed with the learning in a class. It might not be you but the Teacher that has the problem. Try a different class.

Libbyo :)

[mary]

My spanish teacher has just given me this website to work with. She uses in her general classes. We tried it today and its fun - a little silly but some sessions are directed at year 7 children. It then goes up to A level stuff
www.espanol-extra.co.uk

[libbyo]

Thanks Mary will give it a whirl when I got over my strop from this morning!

Libbyo :)

[garyc]

LOL@Mary

My most embarrasing 'lost in translation' moment to date was when I asked for a 'cono de nata' ... Unfortunately I mispronounced the first word. I won't tell you what I actually said, but it can probably be inferred.

-Gary

[MARCUS]

:thankyou: Now you deserve an applaud for that "embarrassing moment"
Now we are talking humour on my wave lenth!
Marcus x

[el diablo]

Hi

This is my first post - i am coming to Gran Canaria on the 16th Oct 06 for 4 months and i would like to learn spanish. Could you give me a contact number for Odessa? Also do you have any idea of cost?

Many Thanx
:)

[2-islandangie]

Eyja put the post about Odessa but she is not on the forum much lately as she is still waiting for her Broadband conection. I will e-mail her to get the number for her or Eyja might PM you. Good luck

[vecino]

i think they have already started this years terms but for 70 euros a year the goverment funded language school is very good at El tablero c/ Manuel Pestana Quintana s/n.
El Tablero de Maspalomas
San Bartolomé de Tirajana.
Gran Canaria, España
CP:35109

Teléfono: 928 141336 - Fax: 928 141315

http://www.eoimaspalomas.com/

[mary]

We did this course but at the language school in LP. Excellent value for money

[el diablo]

Thanks for the info & speedy replies.