Guess what? I’m learning Spanish.

Buenos Dias! 

What happened was I was outside the Youth and Community Centre, waiting to go in to my Pilates class. The class  inside was over-running so, needing distraction, I scanned the notice board by the door. There, among the laminated posters  about lost cats and sales of stripped pine bedsteads I spotted an advertisement offering private Spanish tuition and I thought, why not?  I took down the number and olé!

So here I am, six lessons in with Jane. Jane lived in Spain with her Spanish boyfriend for over twenty years. After her relationship ended she returned to England. All I can say is that Spain’s loss is my gain. Jane’s a good teacher; friendly and easy to get along with. My kind of gal.

We began with the easy stuff –  pronouncing the letters of the alphabet, learning numbers, days of the week and how to tell the time.

Tuesday =  martes

Wednesday =  miércoles

Thursday = jeuves

Friday =  viernes

Saturday = sábado

Sunday = domingo

Then we started on the verbs. This was when it got sticky. Spanish verbs have three endings - ar, -er -ir. Then there’s the irregular ones and the rules for using ‘to be.’ In Spanish to be has different verbs for different uses. ‘To be‘ if what you are being is ‘permanent.’ E.g. :  I am English, I am a woman, I am thick. That verb is ‘saber’

Then there’s to be for temporary things: I am writing this blog, I am having fish pie tonight. That verb is ‘estar.’

Not to mention a third verb for ‘to be able to’.

Still, I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it eventually. There’s no pressure; I’m not studying for an exam so I don’t have to worry about homework or the fact that I’ve forgotten everything from the week before.  If it sticks it sticks, if it doesn’t it doesn’t. If I’m able able to ask for an ice cream in fluent Spanish next time I go, I’ll be happy.

 el helado de vainilla y chocolate