Learning Spanish 1 on 1 (Sydney)

[Robo]

Need some classes?

On my first couple of Caminos I have to confess I was rather lazy in learning Spanish.

So I'm trying to learn a bit for our next one. What prompted me, is that as the 'boss' is travelling with me, she will feel more comfortable booking accommodation a day ahead. I managed this well 50% of the time using booking.com, but at other times had to rely on others to make calls for me. (Yes I know there are other options such as emailing etc)

But I really wanted to be able to call a place myself and make a booking over the phone, to give us added flexibility.

Enter José from Ponferrada..... Now living in Sydney.

I came across Jose online when looking for Spanish lessons. I wanted to do some intensive face to face lessons rather than online or in as class. I'm really time poor as I work 6-7 days a week. And I'm terrible at sticking to schedules....... So I just wanted to learn specific things. No need for 'La Plume de ma Tante'! (a la School French)

José does 1 on 1 classes at his home in the City I think, but as I live out a bit, we came to an arrangement that would have him coming to my office on a Saturday morning.

The classes have been great. José is a great guy and lots of fun to study with. And he has tailored the classes to meet the needs of a Camino Pilgrim. So we are just doing essentials. Greetings, buying things, booking accommodation, asking directions, ordering meals etc. Also doing a few verbs and tenses.

Yesterday we spend 30 minutes going over menus that I had photographed along the way and José was explaining all about the various dishes, how they are cooked, local specialities etc. Wow there are some we just have to try, as we had no idea what they were.....

A couple of weeks ago we spent some time going over the maps in Gronze, skipping along from St Jean to SDC picking out place names to practice. Heck, some of those I would never ever have guessed how to pronounce.......

Yesterday he went into the next room and I had to call him to make a Hotel booking! I have to do that every lesson now!
Very imaginative.......


Lots of fun and very effective. Just thought I would mention it as another option to learn a bit of Spanish.
Not the cheapest option of course, but still. One of the benefits of learning this way, is all the cultural insights you get along the way. What's considered rude in Spain, how to ask for things or complain about things......'politely' etc.

I'm not sure if he wants to take on more students. I can ask if anyone is interested.

Afternote. I did ask, and he is. I can PM his details.

 

[TaraWalks]

I wish I knew about José earlier! My partner and I leave in two weeks. My Spanish is terrible, but I can ask for things

 

[trecile]

I wish I knew about José earlier! My partner and I leave in two weeks. My Spanish is terrible, but I can ask for things

But can you understand the answers?

 

[Robo]

But can you understand the answers?

I have to say, that booking Hotels on the phone is the hardest way! (re understanding)
José had me booking face to face, constructing emails etc.
And as a plan C almost, (last option) got me doing phone calls.
Because you can't see the person it makes it harder to understand what they are asking.
But I'm learning to listen for keywords rather than understand the whole reply..........

Interesting to see how it works out.

 

[TaraWalks]

But can you understand the answers?

Haha I can understand the gist of it - to a point. There's a lot of guesticulating and google translate!

 

[Kanga]

I think it is one reason booking.com is so popular. No translating required.

 

[M2404D]

Need some classes?

On my first couple of Caminos I have to confess I was rather lazy in learning Spanish.

So I'm trying to learn a bit for our next one. What prompted me, is that as the 'boss' is travelling with me, she will feel more comfortable booking accommodation a day ahead. I managed this well 50% of the time using booking.com, but at other times had to rely on others to make calls for me. (Yes I know there are other options such as emailing etc)

But I really wanted to be able to call a place myself and make a booking over the phone, to give us added flexibility.

Enter José from Ponferrada..... Now living in Sydney.

I came across Jose online when looking for Spanish lessons. I wanted to do some intensive face to face lessons rather than online or in as class. I'm really time poor as I work 6-7 days a week. And I'm terrible at sticking to schedules....... So I just wanted to learn specific things. No need for 'La Plume de ma Tante'! (a la School French)

José does 1 on 1 classes at his home in the City I think, but as I live out a bit, we came to an arrangement that would have him coming to my office on a Saturday morning.

The classes have been great. José is a great guy and lots of fun to study with. And he has tailored the classes to meet the needs of a Camino Pilgrim. So we are just doing essentials. Greetings, buying things, booking accommodation, asking directions, ordering meals etc. Also doing a few verbs and tenses.

Yesterday we spend 30 minutes going over menus that I had photographed along the way and José was explaining all about the various dishes, how they are cooked, local specialities etc. Wow there are some we just have to try, as we had no idea what they were.....

A couple of weeks ago we spent some time going over the maps in Gronze, skipping along from St Jean to SDC picking out place names to practice. Heck, some of those I would never ever have guessed how to pronounce.......

Yesterday he went into the next room and I had to call him to make a Hotel booking! I have to do that every lesson now!
Very imaginative.......


Lots of fun and very effective. Just thought I would mention it as another option to learn a bit of Spanish.
Not the cheapest option of course, but still. One of the benefits of learning this way, is all the cultural insights you get along the way. What's considered rude in Spain, how to ask for things or complain about things......'politely' etc.

I'm not sure if he wants to take on more students. I can ask if anyone is interested.

Hi I would be really interested. Can u ask him if he is taking in new clients, I am close to the cbd

 

[HedaP]

Well done, you. Fantastic idea! As you wellknow, any Spanish at all helps to connect with locals. Are you also learning the alphabet? My real name doesn’t translate well into Spanish and I usually have to spell it out when making a booking. I find it challenging at the best of times but especially if at the end of a long day when tired!

 

[Robo]

Hi I would be really interested. Can u ask him if he is taking in new clients, I am close to the cbd

I asked. He is. I'll PM his email address.

 

[Michael Gray]

I'd certainly be interested, but I live in the Southern Highlands of NSW, Berrima. Will he travel?

 

[Robo]

I'd certainly be interested, but I live in the Southern Highlands of NSW, Berrima. Will he travel?

Probably. but you would need to discuss covering travel time and costs.....
That's what I did.
Travel time to Berrima and back would be a fair bit I imagine...

I PM'd his email address.

 

[Robo]

Well done, you. Fantastic idea! As you wellknow, any Spanish at all helps to connect with locals. Are you also learning the alphabet? My real name doesn’t translate well into Spanish and I usually have to spell it out when making a booking. I find it challenging at the best of times but especially if at the end of a long day when tired!

Yes, he had me spelling my name in lesson one!
Though Robin became Roberto for ease of comprehension

But my last name has a Y in it that is pronounced i griega
https://www.spanishdict.com/guide/spanish-alphabet-pronunciation

Rattling off your phone number and email address is handy too.

 

[HedaP]

Yes, he had me spelling my name in lesson one!
Though Robin became Roberto for ease of comprehension

But my last name has a Y in it that is pronounced i griega
https://www.spanishdict.com/guide/spanish-alphabet-pronunciation

Rattling off your phone number and email address is handy too.

He sounds like a keeper.

 

[LindaH]

One of many mistakes on my first Camino in 2016 was learning how to ask how much things cost, but not learning enough numbers to understand the replies! I'm now using two apps to learn more Spanish, Duolingo and Coffee Break Spanish, but do get a bit frustrated learning all the names of the animals in the zoo and other less useful things for Camino purposes. Can't really complain as the apps are free and definitely helpful!

 

[spanishblackboard]

Need some classes?

On my first couple of Caminos I have to confess I was rather lazy in learning Spanish.

So I'm trying to learn a bit for our next one. What prompted me, is that as the 'boss' is travelling with me, she will feel more comfortable booking accommodation a day ahead. I managed this well 50% of the time using booking.com, but at other times had to rely on others to make calls for me. (Yes I know there are other options such as emailing etc)

But I really wanted to be able to call a place myself and make a booking over the phone, to give us added flexibility.

Enter José from Ponferrada..... Now living in Sydney.

I came across Jose online when looking for Spanish lessons. I wanted to do some intensive face to face lessons rather than online or in as class. I'm really time poor as I work 6-7 days a week. And I'm terrible at sticking to schedules....... So I just wanted to learn specific things. No need for 'La Plume de ma Tante'! (a la School French)

José does 1 on 1 classes at his home in the City I think, but as I live out a bit, we came to an arrangement that would have him coming to my office on a Saturday morning.

The classes have been great. José is a great guy and lots of fun to study with. And he has tailored the classes to meet the needs of a Camino Pilgrim. So we are just doing essentials. Greetings, buying things, booking accommodation, asking directions, ordering meals etc. Also doing a few verbs and tenses.

Yesterday we spend 30 minutes going over menus that I had photographed along the way and José was explaining all about the various dishes, how they are cooked, local specialities etc. Wow there are some we just have to try, as we had no idea what they were.....

A couple of weeks ago we spent some time going over the maps in Gronze, skipping along from St Jean to SDC picking out place names to practice. Heck, some of those I would never ever have guessed how to pronounce.......

Yesterday he went into the next room and I had to call him to make a Hotel booking! I have to do that every lesson now!
Very imaginative.......


Lots of fun and very effective. Just thought I would mention it as another option to learn a bit of Spanish.
Not the cheapest option of course, but still. One of the benefits of learning this way, is all the cultural insights you get along the way. What's considered rude in Spain, how to ask for things or complain about things......'politely' etc.

I'm not sure if he wants to take on more students. I can ask if anyone is interested.

Afternote. I did ask, and he is. I can PM his details.

Hi Robo! Nice to meet u if u want to learn spanish we are an Spanish Academy in Sydney, and u can try one trial class for free, to see if u like. Classes are so funny and spanish is the second language on the world. ¡Estaremos encantados de verte por aquí! (We will be happy to see u here!) lol