Tec De Monterrey

Before starting in the Tec I went to Mazatlán to take intensive Spanish classes for a period of 4 weeks. Half a year before that (winter 01/02) I went for 3 weeks to Málaga in Andalucía, Spain to take Spanish classes as well. I guess it pays a lot more to just go to the country itself and learn the language there instead of taking year-long (and mostly very expensive) language courses in your home country... I will do the same again pretty soon in France. Now that I know how easy it can be to learn a foreign language I want to get back to my very basic high-school French...

I learned a lot, mainly from my host family. I spent most of my time with them and their family friends. I felt my language ability increased by doing so, I was not able to use English as a draw-back, none of them spoke my language so I was able to learn a lot. I think this an ideal way to study abroad, I didn't spend much time with the other international students. Sometimes I regret this, but would I have the family and friends I have now? It's a toss up and I'm glad I learned what I did when and how I did.

At arriving I knew only two words, and now back in my hometown I teach spanish, so therefore I feel I learned it pretty well. It was an amazing experience, but a hard job as well to learn how to communicate with people from an other culture. Not only the language I had to learn but social and cultural rules and behaviours as well. University helped to et the academic knowledge, while friends and host family to get the rest.

i decided to go to mexico because that is where my family is from but i am not fluent in the language.. after being there for only 6 weeks i became comfortable in most situations. the classes helped a lot because there was a lot of discussion and practice of conversation that i could apply outside of school

My Spanýsh ýmproved sýgnýfýcantly. I studýed Spanýsh and ýn Spanýsh. Practýsýng the language ýs socýal sýtuatýons also helped ýmprove speakýng skýlls. I also became famýlýar wýth the Mexýcan slang. Even though a lot of Mexýcan students spoke Englýsh, I practýsed and ýmproved my Spanýsh sýgnýfýcantly.

Some of the mexican students didn't want to speak spanish with international students-they wanted to improve thier english language skills. It was annoying.. So you need to find real friend, so that they help you in improving your spanish!