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Bridging the Spanish language 'gaff'

First presented on the Open Stage at Viva Espana 2002 at London, Olympia, Sarah Carroll explains why you should learn Spanish and how you can do it. We introduce our top 10 ways to learn Spanish, featuring some of the best and most innovative language providers in the world.

Even the global corporates don't always get it right. So the story goes, Vauxhall tried to introduce the Nova car into the Spanish market. And, yes you guessed, Nova or 'No va' means 'it doesn't go' in Spanish. Not exactly the desired effect.

And again, another story emerges on the internet of American Airlines promoting their brand new leather seats in first class. 'Fly in leather' they said. Unfortunately, when this was directly translated for the Spanish speaking market as 'vuela en cuero', then you get 'Fly naked'.

And, we can make these slip ups just as easily. Take the Spanish word 'embarazada' for example. Well, you'd guess it means embarrassed in English, right? But beware, ladies, if you say 'soy embarazada' - you'll be telling everyone you're pregnant.

Another one to watch is 'constipado'. I don't need to tell you what you'd guess for this, but it actually means that you've got a cold. So, it isn't that the Spanish are culturally much more open about their medical problems.

Humour aside (if you can call it that!), there is a serious point here. Spanish is the next world language. Here's some facts about it:

- Spanish is now the second language for international communication after English
- Spanish is the fourth most widely spoken language in the world after Chinese, English and Hindi
- Spanish is the official language in over 20 countries
- More and more people are learning Spanish around the world
- More and more of the internet is in Spanish

Amazingly, Spanish is expected to be the first language of 50% of the population of the United States by as soon as 2050. And combine this with the growing strength of the Latin American economies as they are integrated into trading blocs such as NAFTA - and you see why Spanish is moving from strength to strength.

We believe that it is now necessary for anyone wanting to travel or do business in other countries, wherever they may be, to just rely on English. Spanish is becoming a real alternative to English and we predict that many people will learn Spanish as their second language instead of English in the next decades. You've been warned. Get the Spanish language advantage, before it becomes the Spanish language necessity.

So how do you learn Spanish, when you're hopeless at languages and when you've no time at all?

Well, here are some tips from Georgina Howard's book 'Breaking the Language Barrier' and some from me too!

- Forget your language learning at school
- You only need to learn a few hundred words to get started, not thousands
- We use Spanish words in English, so you already know a few
- Many words in Spanish and English are similar
- The pronunciation of Spanish is as it is written
- Only learn the grammar you really need
- Build it into your daily routine (it's just like exercise, dieting)
- Have the confidence to give it a go.

Reckon you'll give it a go?

Well start small and build it up over the months and years ahead. Before you know it you'll be fluent, living in Spain, and wondering what the problem was with learning Spanish…. But until then, we'll show you our top 10 ways of learning Spanish, featuring some of the best and most innovative language learning products on the market.

Easy to carry around, gets you by (just).
Try Pigeon Cards, a new innovative phrase postcard that fits into your pocket - and makes you speak Spanish

The technology has moved on so far now, you don't even need to speak Spanish. Speak into the translator and it will talk back the Spanish translation.
Try Ectaco's new speech-to-speech translator, a portable interpreter for the gadget-mad.

Sent direct to your desktop every day, so you have to go nowhere, and do nothing … but read it!
Full of informative linguistic and cultural tips, and is great for keeping you in touch with the language everyday. No longer available.

For those starting out, or those that are really motivated, try your hand at studying on your own. You'll find out if you like the feel of Spanish.
There are loads to choose from, but some of our favourites are Michel Thomas, BBC Suenos World Spanish, Puerta del Sol audiomagazine, Auralog's Talk to Me series (nifty voice recognition), and the very new Advanced DVD Spanish from Eurotalk (become a movie star).

For those of you who are really serious about getting started or improving your Spanish level, then enrol on a regular course.
Try the Instituto Cervantes, in London, in Manchester and in Leeds. They're the Spanish government's official language and cultural organisation - and offer courses at all levels at all times of the day.

For those a bit more flush with cash, but that can't commit to regular lessons, try getting a private Spanish tutor.
There are loads of private tutors in the yellow pages, or opt for a specialised agency like Talk Languages or Conversation Piece.

If you've got a computer at home or at work and are not a technophobe, this could be the answer for you. You can go through the modules at your own pace and make real progress with the basic grammar and vocabulary. They're also great for refreshing or maintaining your level. You just miss the spoken in most cases.
Try the BBC Languages website for FREE on BBCi to see if this way of learning suits you - and try the new Spanish Steps - an on-line course for beginners.

This is a unique way of learning Spanish. You learn over the internet with a live tutor, using simple videoconferencing technology. Think of it as being in a virtual classroom. No need to travel and you can learn at your own pace as lessons are customised to you. Remember it's a real person teaching you.
Try NetLearn Languages, who are the only company to offer this service.

The ultimate in language learning - go to the country and, well, immerse yourself in the Spanish language and culture. And you'll have the time of your life and make friends for life.
Try Don Quijote for an immersion course in Spain or Latin America.

Perhaps all of this still sounds too much like hard work. Well, what about a language holiday? Spanish and Scuba Diving in Tenerife. Spanish and Flamenco in Sevilla. Spanish and Wine Tasting in Salamanca. And what about a house party in the Basque Pyrennees.
Try Don Quijote again - and Language Adventures.

And don't forget the culture. Even if you speak English, understanding the Spanish culture will help you get more out of your holiday, or get competitive advantage in business. Try a CULTURE SHOCK! Guide to Spain, to get a bit of knowledge about how the Spanish live and work.

Sarah Carroll is the founder of www.languageadvantage.com

Sarah has always loved learning languages and working and holidaying abroad. Before setting up Language Advantage, Sarah worked on global projects for Deloitte Consulting and Accenture (Andersen Consulting in her day).

Her belief that you can get the competitive advantage through speaking languages and understanding other cultures has emerged through first-hand experiences of managing million dollar change programmes with multilingual and multicultural teams. And with jobs as mad as these, she's tried so many different ways of learning languages.

She's also got first-hand experience of bringing up her son who spans cultures as diverse as Welsh and Beninois and is learning French at three!

Sarah speaks English, French, some German and is learning Spanish and Fon. Well she has to practise what she preaches!

Sarah can be contacted on sarah@languageadvantage.com

more information

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For previous special features go to our library archive of special features.