Gap year - learn a language abroad

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I’m just wondering if anyone has a DC that has done this?

My DS is considering using a gap year to learn Spanish from scratch and wonder if anyone has done this or something similar or has plans to do it?

It’s a really good idea. I did it. With Spanish a bit of preparatory study before travelling (ie proper understanding the grammar) will go a long way rather than just arriving in Spain or Lat am and trying to work it out.

Yep I know a few people who did this - went to Latin America and enrolled in a language school for six months, then did six months of travelling. They are fluent, though you can lose fluency if you don’t practice so your DC will need to make sure they watch Spanish films/read Spanish internet etc when they get back.

I did this during a university summer vacation and it was very constructive. Went to a language school in Latin America for 2 months and lodged with a local family. If he can learn the basics before he goes it will make it quicker (learning as a complete beginner in the target language can be frustrating as they can’t explain grammatical concepts using your own language). It sounds like a very good use of a gap year - especially if he can add on some volunteering and travel too.

To learn the language properly you do need to enroll in a language school. You won’t get more than “restaurant Spanish” just from turning up and trying to talk to people.

With Spanish, do also bear in mind that Latin American Spanish is different in some respects from European Spanish. This may not matter depending on what he wants to use the language for.

Thanks all I think he is looking at Spain rather than Latin America as he wants to learn European Spanish and we are already looking at language schools, I think Seville looks like a good option.

I think he may enrol in beginners lessons here and then go in the spring next year. Institute Cervantes looks pretty good for beginners at a reasonable cost.

Glad others have had a positive experience 👍

I think it'll be a great use of a gap year but suggesting they'll be fluent within a year seems a stretch.

It's the idioms and grammar they might not have a firm grasp on if no previous experience of the language.

I would not expect business or written fluency after a year, but if the person understands how the grammar works, has lots of opportunities to converse outside the class, and watches lots of TV they should be able to get to the stage where they can express most ideas in a simple way, perhaps a sort of 6-7 year old’s level of sophistication language-wise. It will fall down if they find a bunch of English- speaking friends to hang out with, or Spanish people who want to practise English.

I was on an international voluntary project where the only common language was Spanish so it was total immersion.

I would learn the basics before I went...maybe up to A2 level so that I would be able to communicate at a rudimentary level, then build from there. Spanish is not difficult if you know English even easier if you know French too.

If you are a good linguist, put in the work, and immerse yourself as much as possible outside class time, you can easily be fluent in a year.

If you just do the classes and then chat to people in English the rest of the time, you won’t be fluent in a year. It also depends on your previous language learning experience and capability.

This. I was indistinguishable accent-wise (I am very good at accents) within three years, conversationally fluent in a year. But I had local friends, watched local TV etc. People I knew who spent time with English people, not even conversational in 5 years

I’m not expecting he will have fluency in a year!

i totally agree about immersion I speak French to a reasonable standard & the only way I was able to do that was by immersing myself in my year abroad.