Am I mad to consider learning a second foreign language from scratch with 2 DC's under 10 and working part-time?

[VacheFolle]

Any advice would be gratefully received.. Myself my husband and our 2 DC's are relocating to Spain due to his job however I am almost fluent in French (which I want to take to degree level, got 'A' at A-level last year)and a real francophile but know nothing of Spanish. A language teacher friend has said a second foreign language should be easier to get to grips with but I am daunted by it. Am I mad to consider taking on a new language , while already studying and working part-time?

You should find it pretty easy with your background, and once there it will really come on.
Good for you!

Moondog, I've only ever created two posts on MN, didn't you reply to the last one?

Madcow
I probably don't need to tell you that Spanish and French are both Romance languages and Spanish is much easier than French grammatically (I'm told...), so I would say... go for it! Spanish is also meant to be p*ss easy anyway

Once you have the skills for learning a language, you should find the second one easier to get to grips with. Like yourself, I did French first then picked up Spanish - apart from the oddities of the subjunctive which is used a lot more in Spanish, you'll be able to relate to your French.

Thankyou Jane, I think that's what I need to hear. I know that latin-based languages are quite similar , I've just got to get on with it I suppose. Moo.

Yes the subjunctive certainly has its oddities

I started Spanish just after getting A level French and found it easy. Was fluent within a couple of years (but alas have forgotten loads of it 10 years on through lack of practice). Whereabouts in Spain are you going to be?

Just across the border from Gibraltar where DH will work, not sure exactly yet. Am encouraged by your post though..

Perhaps the acid test, Vachefolle, is to find out whether native Spanish speakers need the equivalent of "Becherelle", the book almost all native French speakers have at home to check the correct passé simple / subjunctive form (etc)!!! (The name also always makes me think of lasagne sauce...) I get the impression Spanish is MUCH easier than French.

Btw have you ever been to Spain? I don't speak a word of Spanish beyond "hola" etc (do speak fluent French though) but when you're there on holiday you can guess almost everything you read. Obviously comprehension is a different ball game to producing your OWN Spanish, but I do think you'll pick it up very quickly. Go for it!

Go for it. Just go at the pace you can manage with your LOs

Is that Algeceras (sp?)
I'm sure it'll be quicker for you as you'll actually be in Spain whereas for the first 18 months I was in the UK.

LOL Jane have a very ancient copy of Becherelle myself. I take it that Spanish speakers aren't so concerned about grammar then? Have been to Canary Islands etc.. but not any true Spanish cities. Je vous remercie pour votre encouragement..

de nada!

Show off

Spanish is great! I did French and German at Uni and picked up a bit of Spanish for holidays. The course I enjoyed was the Michel Thomas one. Baiscally, you lie on the couch, relax and listen! Over and over again! Pefect for a tired mum!

Thans Janni, as long as Dc's are not jumpimg on me..don't think that will have quite the same effect..

Tu es une vache courageuse, pas folle. Si tu arrives a apprendre un peu d'espagnol, on t'appelleras 'la vache qui rit'

Ca c'est vrai, merci

de rien/de nada

ok I think I've learnt 'de nada', ta V much

la vache folle espagnole en plus

..enfin oui,je crois

ben oui, biensûr...

Thankyou so much for all your advice..MN est génial..x