Spanish practice meetup

[Terry Elrod]

If you'd like to get together to practice speaking Spanish, let me know either here, at terryelrod762@gmail.com, or at 473-731-3629. I'd describe myself as a beginner bordering on intermediate.

In Canada, I have met weekly with a few others to simply practice speaking over a coffee or snack. We were all learners, some more advanced than others, and we all benefited from and enjoyed the activity. It would be great to do something similar here. It only takes two to practice! :-)

Terry

[DML]

I was in a meet up group when I was living in the US. It seems sort of silly now that you are in Mexico that you want to practice your Spanish with other foreigners. Take advantage and find a local to practice your Spanish with.

The University has a center called the C.A.A.D.I. It is used by the language students where they can do self study to work on their languages -- games, books, CDs, DVDs and most importantly conversation groups at all levels. languages covered at the CAADI are English, Spanish, French, among others.

It is closed now as the semester is almost over. You can go at the beginning of the new year when they reopen and either join as a volunteer (doing English workshops) which allows you unlimited access to all the CAADI has to offer or you can pay a semester fee of MX$800 and and use their services at your leisure.

Perhaps you can find one or two weekly Spanish conversation groups that will meet your needs. More importantly, you can meet and befriend some of the Mexican students/volunteers. This will undoubtedly help your Spanish.

Good luck

[Terry Elrod]

CAADI is indeed a great resource if you live here for most of the year, but is less helpful if you’re here only for the winter. It is organized on the university semester system and shuts down for one and one-half months in December-January.

Language exchange with Spanish speakers is wonderful. Half the time is spent speaking Spanish and the other half English. You may get a couple hours of Spanish practice per week this way.

There are good reasons for also practicing Spanish with other learners:
1) More practice is better. If you want to learn Spanish, why turn down opportunities?
2) The entire time is spent practicing Spanish.
3) It’s refreshing to be in a group that is Glad you speak in slower and simpler Spanish (because then they can understand you!).
4) You don’t feel dumb -- everyone else is learning too.
5) Guanajuato has a very welcoming English-speaking community. (GTOLIST is a great example of this.) With a little effort you will soon be enjoying the company of other English speakers in this lovely city. Why shouldn’t some of these gatherings be in Spanish rather than always in English?

So…if you want to practice Spanish with other learners, I’d love to hear from more of you. You can reach me by posting to this thread, sending me a message from within GTOLIST, or by calling me at 731-3629.

Thanks,

Terry

[raquelita]

You 'd be welcome at El Intercambio drop-in conversation group made up of expats and Mexicans meeting Mondays at noon in the Hotel Embajadoras garden/jardin.

[Terry Elrod]

Thank you, Raquelita.
I would very much like to participate.
I was under the impression, though, that this event is for women only.
(I am male.)

Terry