Archive for September, 2009

Castilian vs. Catalan

Friday, September 25th, 2009

Written by: Lisa

Barcelona is one of the most popular European destinations to learn Spanish. Since Barcelona is located in the region of Catalonia we often get quite a few people asking us the difference between Catalan and Castilian Spanish and which language they will learn on their language course in Barcelona.

Castilian Spanish is one of the two co-official languages of Spain and is spoken not only by over 40 million people in Spain, but also by over 350 million people worldwide. While the dialects in different regions of the world vary slightly, many non-native Spanish speakers find they don’t notice too much of a difference and are quickly able to adapt to new dialects.

The Catalan language is the other co-official language of Spain and is spoken by more than 7 million people, most notably in the North Eastern part of Spain (and also the South Western part of France). Catalan was suppressed during the dictatorship of Francisco Franco from 1939 to 1975 but today is widely spoken in Barcelona and can be found on most signage throughout the city. While many people think that Catalan is a dialect of Castilian Spanish, it is in fact its own language.

Many parents and students are concerned that if they study Spanish in Barcelona they will learn only Catalan, and won’t be able to use those language skills elsewhere. While you will hear Catalan on the streets and read it on signs, all your classes and social activities and excursions will be conducted in Castilian. The majority of Barcelonans speak both Castilian and Catalan so students studying Spanish in Barcelona have no problem communicating with the locals in shops, restaurants or even when asking for directions on the street. Contact The Learning Traveller today to book your teen summer Spanish immersion program or Gap Year Spanish program in Barcelona!

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Language Learning on a Budget

Friday, September 18th, 2009

Written by: Jodi

If you are thinking about or are already committed to attending a language immersion program, at some point you are going to have to set a budget.

If you’re like me you have limited funds. But don’t let that discourage you; here are some tips to help you plan a language immersion program that delivers the best possible bang for your buck.

  1. Avoid big cities: Both tuition and accommodation costs are higher in larger cities than in smaller cities and towns. You may have your heart set to learn French in Paris, but if you want to stay as long as possible, consider a smaller centre such as the charming university town of Montpellier or the culturally-rich region of Normandy.
  2. Know how you learn: if you thrive in intensive learning environments then a short-term but highly intensive language program (30+ lessons per week) will allow to you maximize your learning without having to stay for an extended period of time. If you are more of a slow and steady learner, enroll in a less expensive standard or part-time course (10, 15 or 20 lessons per week) and stay for as long as possible.
  3. Self-cater and share: The most cost-effective accommodation options are shared student apartments where you prepare your own meals. If you really want to experience the benefits of staying with a local host family, why not choose homestay for the first two to four weeks of the program and then change to a shared student apartment for the remainder of your stay.

Flexibility, creativity and self-knowledge will go a long way to ensuring a rich and rewarding but very affordable experience!

Tags: , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Am I Too Old to Learn a Language?

Friday, September 11th, 2009

Written by: Roblin

I want to learn to speak Spanish. I was in Spain 20 years ago and absolutely adored the country. I loved the pace, the food and the amazing friendliness of the people. One thing that was missing was being able to talk to the local people. I didn’t know a word of Spanish when I arrived and everything I learned was out of necessity. Now, I would like to go on a Spanish language holiday and learn enough of the language to enjoy the country on a deeper level.

The problem is that I’m terrified that I won’t be able to do it. I’m older; my brain is full of, well, life. Is it going to be too hard for me to learn Spanish at this age?

We have all heard that children can pick up languages so much faster and easier than adults because the older brain has lost cerebral plasticity and it makes learning harder. Through my research I discovered that this theory is a product of the 1960’s. Current studies have shown us that although children and adults learn differently adults actually have an advantage over children because we have developed the neural cells responsible for higher-order linguistic processes. In fact, in the areas of vocabulary and language structure adults have more experience and therefore are better at using these learning strategies to further their language acquisition.

If the older brain is fully capable of learning a new language then the biggest obstacles to the adult learner are doubt, fear, and the aversion of making mistakes. The Learning Traveller 50 plus language learning holidays are specifically designed for the older learner and the schools have created programs that use different methods for the older learner. The course content is relevant, classes are small and the emphasis is on interaction between fellow students and the teacher.

Learning a language in the country where the language is spoken is also a great motivator. Language classes in the morning and practice in the tapas bar in the afternoon. Since I have always been a fan of immediate gratification, so I know this is the way to go.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

A Creative Way to Learn Languages

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

Written by: Jodi

I’ve been meaning to enroll in evening French classes for longer than I care to admit. Inevitably, something always seems to get in the way. While I don’t need to speak French fluently I know the quality of experience I have when I visit places like Quebec, France or Switzerland would be greatly enhanced if I was a more confident speaker.

I plan to join a French course in France for summer 2010 but in the meantime, I’ve found a surprisingly effective and enjoyable way to work on my language skills and it doesn’t involve a classroom, textbooks or a teacher!

A few months ago I made an appointment for a beauty treatment at a local salon. After a few minutes I learned that the esthetician, Anya, was a native French speaker. I told Anya that I wanted to improve my language skills and she immediately started speaking to me in French; slowly at first to gauge my level, and then she took off! And you know what? After two or three visits so did I! I see Anya about once a month for 20 to 30 minutes and we speak nothing but French. She corrects my grammatical mistakes and demonstrates new vocabulary. But the real benefit is the connection I am making with the language and by extension the culture. When I speak with Anya I feel French; my speech seems to be more passionate and poetic (at least to my ears) and for that brief period of time I am someone and somewhere else entirely.

What a treat to find someone in my community who enjoys sharing her mother tongue. I had never thought much about the benefits of casual language exchange but after this experience I’m hooked!

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Montpellier: France’s Best Kept Secret

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

Written by: Lisa

Paris: The City of Lights. Fashion capital of the world. It’s no wonder over 30 million tourists flock the city each year! And with its numerous French language schools, it also no wonder students, young and old alike, choose Paris as their destination to learn French in France.

But if the idea of scores of tourists doesn’t sound appealing to you, then look no further than a short plane ride south to the Mediterranean city of Montpellier. With a history dating back as far as the 11th century, and the Mediterranean Sea just a short tram ride away, there is no lack of interesting things to see and do. Of course it can’t go without mention that Montpellier has well over 300 days of sunshine a year!

The city’s main square, the Place de la Comédie, is the perfect place to relax at a café, soak up the sunshine and get a taste of daily life in France. If shopping is more you style, practice your French language skills with shop keepers in one of Europe’s largest pedestrian areas, filled with all types of shops from traditional wine and cheese shops to big name stores like Virgin Megastore.

You could spend days getting blissfully lost in the old town pedestrian area, but don’t forget to visit the beaches. Montpellier’s modern tram system will take you right from the centre of town to the beaches in just a few minutes. You can choose to find your own little spot on the beach, or spend a few extra euros to be pampered in one of the many beach clubs scattered along the shoreline.

Montpellier is often over looked as a vacation destination for tourists in France. But with its charming mix of history, culture, modern amenities and, of course, the beaches, Montpellier is the ideal place to take a French language holiday!

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »