With anything you learn, when you get that qualification, you feel extremely proud and that success also raises your estimation of your own self. But does that qualification really mean that you know about that topic? Some would say yes but others would say no, as theory really does need to be followed up with practice. So, if you have learnt a language in a college setting, you really would benefit from visiting that country to put your theory into practice.
Some teachers of Spanish now complement the classroom learning with some actual real life experience and this makes sense, as you will be handling real situations, instead of responding to textbook exercises. But what would a student of Spanish benefit from when in that foreign country and somewhat out of his or her comfort zone?
Like any other country, Spain is made up of different accents and dialects and so going to an area where the best Spanish is spoken is going to be a number one priority. Once a student has become comfortable with speaking with the natives of Spain, it becomes easier to recognize any deviations from the textbook knowledge gained.
Culture and lifestyle play a huge part in understanding the people and the language. In areas where there are lots of people from other Spanish-speaking countries (e.g. Argentina, Bolivia and Chile), new words come into play and a student of Spanish can sometimes feel out of their depth, as what they thought they knew seems to somehow come into question. Once an understanding of language variation has been reached, a student becomes rich in the knowledge of how language changes yet is the same.
A good trip to complement learning will take the student off the beaten track and into non-tourist places which will enhance the experience. Things to learn about may include traditional cuisine, museums, historical buildings and monuments, as well getting to experience the night life and local markets and festivals.
But could a classroom situation learning Spanish in Spain enhance the end of course learning? The answer to that has to be yes and for several reasons:-
- You (the student) are in a new place and some guidance on what to expect will not go amiss. This could include not only a welcome to Spain but also an idea of what is available in the immediate area.
- Where are the important local facilities, including banks, cash points, taxis and hospitals?
- What are the local differences that you may not be aware of and which are the places you must visit?
- Where are the important local facilities, including banks, cash points, taxis and hospitals?
If the teacher of Spanish books this important trip through a professional company like UniSpain, the classroom situation will be tailored to the group’s needs and will also include trips and visits which make the learning a whole experience. And what could be better than complementing textbook with hands-on experience?
Any kind of learning is like a jigsaw. The whole experience does not arrive in one piece but is made up of several parts which link together. Once you have the whole picture, you will then learn from it, so getting the right jigsaw really is what makes learning and knowing successful and unforgettable.
