Next Steps to Improving Improvers Spanish

Yes, yes you will but unfortunately it takes being exposed to it constantly.  I struggle even now when the person speaks Gatling-gun with a thick Andalus accent (dropping the “S”, chopping words, running them together etc etc)

But one day it will click and you’ll find that without concentrating, you’ve actually understood what’s been said.

I did the same mate moved here 12 years ago no Spanish at all.now all my friends Spanish friends  and my Spanish  wife all leaned english from me now I still can't understand Spanish enough but they all speak very good English,and  mi suegra just calls me gillipolla for not learning lol

Thanks for the replies guys - I'm glad I'm not alone in my thoughts. Next time I'm in Mojacar I'll pick my lady from Vera too and I think she wants the same arrangement. By the way I asked her on how to recognise exceptions in Spanish and she merely replied something like "You just got to do the hard work; there's no other way." I think she's right.

I hope so else I have no hope -I’m English and dyslexic -I have a house here (got 1year ago)back and forth 90day rule-spend as much time around Spanish people as I can - bars restaurants- and I do the internet Duolingo- it’s all goobaldygoook but I’m picking up on words and hoping it will all click- I’ll just keep trying jajaja

I find the best way to learn the language is to think the language dont think the English word and then translate into the other language

Good Advice - I'm trying exponentially to do this and I must say it appears to be working. As "Adolfa" (

not her real name) pointed out not for me to be expecting Spaniards to be waiting for me to decipher, ingest, re-decipher and eventually reply. She's pretty impatient and being from Vera is slow to allow time for a grammar correct conversation. 

On Dario's note I've learned Spaniards don't say "televisión" and use "tele" instead. There are some other words too. I think I just have to work a little bit harder. 

My pronunciations which drove Adolfa mad:-

Pero

Perro

Pues

Práctica

Peliculas (Las Pelis)

. . . .and that's only the P's and I won't even mention my lack of speed of speaking.

I'm trying to learn Spanish, I really do try to speak Spanish to the locals when I'm out in Spain, but a lot of the time the native speaker realises I'm English and starts speaking English a damn sight better than my Spanish. The other option is they think I can speak Spanish and speak far to fast for me follow.

When we eventually get out there full time, I'm sure it will come better.

I think it's totally disrespectful to not learn the language of the country you're trying to call home.

Geordimark probably hit the nail on the head there. Spaniards want to speak more English than we do Spanish. Before I participated with Adolfa I had several responses to my ad in Trufi bar. I had loads of Spaniards wishing to learn English but were not intent on reciprocating for my improvement in Spanish. Hence Adolfa, not my first choice as she speaks too fast, shouts, is impatient and hates Brits (she thinks Ireland is part of the UK and therefore I must be a Brit). I've maintained contact on social media since my return to Ireland and if my Spanish improves I'll retain her services in exchange for mine. Strangely, she has worked up a positive relationship with Mrs Matt and for her speaks more slowly.

Well I'm learning Spanish (and have been for many years).  We had a holiday home in the Campo and my neighbour didn't speak a word of English (why should she).  When she spoke to me and I clearly didn't understand she used to not so playfully punch me on the arm!  Strangely, it focused my mind and improved my language skills ( who knew 🤭🤭). The main thing was that when I then spoke Spanish anywhere else Spaniards immediately knew I was from Andalusia and campo Andalusia at that!

Now we have moved and have two sets of lovely Spanish neighbours.  We talk about all sorts and I obviously still get it wrong and need help but I practice every day and even when I totally destroy their language they are patient.  I also go to a local gym - all the classes are in Spanish, as I would expect, but again it's a school day 😁😁.

The hardest thing for me is talking on the phone, without visual clues and initially having no idea what the call is about it sometimes takes a while for the penny to drop!  I'm now used to be spoken to like I'm mentally challenged but it's a small price to pay!  Someone once told me that a massive part of learning is to remember that conversations are generally contextual.  So hopefully if you're in the Lopez buying paint you won't suddenly need to be able to talk about getting your car serviced and the Itv done.

Anyway, back to my studies!  Buenos Dias todos!