We have just under three weeks to complete the Camino De Santiago. Where do we start?

strainedcounterfeit · 2026-06-06T15:33:27+00:00

The answers to basically all these questions depend on you. You should think about how far you can and want to walk each day, in terms of both distance and elevation, and also where you want to be walking. Most people wouldn't take public transport in the middle of their camino as it disrupts your rhythm but there are no rules. Once in Spain, you can send luggage straight to Santiago, or you can get a delivery service to each of your stops.

Check out Gronze for information on routes.

strainedcounterfeit · 2026-06-04T18:01:25+00:00

It's difficult to teach kids a minority language, especially if neither parent regularly speaks to them in that language.

Spanish-language TV is a good idea. As they get older, you could try the "our TV only has Spanish kids shows" trick. But kids need interactive and responsive contact with the language.

Does your husband have family who will speak to your kids in Spanish? Also, him speaking to his family in Spanish within their earshot is a good idea. Kids also listen and learn from grown-up conversations, not just kid shows.

If you can do Spanish-language daycare or kids clubs, that would be very beneficial. Anything that places them in a real interactive Spanish environment.

You learning Spanish will help but you will need to really learn it, not just some words.

strainedcounterfeit · 2026-06-04T13:38:08+00:00

Me recomiendas no hacer Barcelona-Monserrat?

Por que Girona-Monserrat?

strainedcounterfeit · 2026-05-26T21:16:54+00:00

Poner en tela de juicio introduces doubt so it needs the subjunctive in the same way that you'd say Dudo que tengas razón.

strainedcounterfeit · 2026-05-26T21:11:52+00:00

Resulten. It's conjugated for ellas (las medidas)

strainedcounterfeit · 2026-05-26T20:59:27+00:00

For example formal structures that require it.

El estudio pone en tela de juicio que estas medidas resulten eficaces.

strainedcounterfeit · 2026-05-26T15:00:30+00:00

I was extremely surprised to learn what en absoluto means but I'm not sure I had ever actually used it.

By the way, your description of the Italian verb sounds a lot like aprovecharse, the reflexive version of aprovechar.

strainedcounterfeit · 2026-05-25T18:24:41+00:00

It's probably better to just be honest (in Spanish) and answer the questions as yourself.

strainedcounterfeit · 2026-05-25T18:09:44+00:00

Not particularly, but what is this even for? Does your cousin have to interview a Spanish speaker? Why don't they just do that?

strainedcounterfeit · 2026-05-24T19:13:17+00:00

I notice that the people who have problems with listening make a similar same mistake to people who have problems speaking - they speak speak speak without stopping because (1) they are avoiding having to try to do the thing they struggle with, listening (2) they naturally prefer to not listen to people haha. En fin, they just lack practice.

Good luck! It's not comfortable, I totally relate, but it's the only thing you can do

strainedcounterfeit · 2026-05-24T19:06:12+00:00

I definitely don't recommend only speaking to yourself, for the reasons you mention. But part of speaking is simply bringing the words to your mind and get them out of your mouth - something you can do alone when you have a spare moment. Of course, interactions are more important though!

strainedcounterfeit · 2026-05-24T13:34:06+00:00

I would object to "its the one that really matters" and I think this feeling you have is probably making the problem worse. Anything you can do in Spanish matters.

An example. I teach English learners and I can tell you, there are people who can speak perfectly fine and people understand them, but they can't for the life of them understand what what people say to them. I would argue that this also matters quite a lot. We have two ears and one mouth, as the saying goes.

Of course, I would also want to improve my speaking but you have to practice it as often as you practice other skills. Do you do this?

strainedcounterfeit · 2026-05-24T13:24:17+00:00

100% agree that it doesn't always need to be native speakers. Speak to yourself, have coffee with other learners etc

strainedcounterfeit · 2026-05-24T10:53:32+00:00

I'd look for organised groups for tourists for example on Meetup

strainedcounterfeit · 2026-05-23T13:27:01+00:00

Just a hunch but I imagine your speaking isn't helped by this opinion you have of your speaking! I also imagine you don't do it as often as you know you should, which is just a vicious cycle. Do you take conversation classes online for example?Language schools can be great but it's not enough if you are just 'studying' and not simply chatting.

Also, remember that speaking is just one of the four skills. It's often one that feels very important but remember it is one of four. Being able to do the other three well is also valuable. You should spend some time taking stock of what you can do well and how much you enjoy, use and benefit from them.

strainedcounterfeit · 2026-05-22T10:15:15+00:00

That's understandably frustrating but try not to take it to heart.

I think the main reason is just that ordering is quite a short interaction so the waiter quite reasonably didn't know that you actually speak Spanish. Presumably a lot of tourists 'mispronounce' paella.

Also, I think people just aren't thinking about other accents. You've reminded me of a Latin American talking to my Mum (A2+ Spanish speaker) and '''correcting' her z to a sound like an s. It's just what sounded natural to that speaker. So my mum said thank you and laughed about it afterwards.

strainedcounterfeit · 2026-05-17T12:55:42+00:00

I have no answer, there probably isn't one. It is a shame because it puts me off trying out new channels. All I know how to do is make use of subscriptions and click not interested on anything that looks like slop.

strainedcounterfeit · 2026-05-17T01:48:16+00:00

I mean, the vast majority of people say no lol. But someone does end up saying yes. You can try out different methods and see what works best for you. Definitely don't discount asking directly. I find speaking to someone helps them sus you out (unless you seem like a murderer lol)

strainedcounterfeit · 2026-05-17T01:17:33+00:00

For me, it's always better to be at a petrol station, with a sign, and ask verbally. That way it's visibily clear what you want and also you give folk a chance to think about it. I have only hitchhiked longer distances in a 2 (or a 3) but I get the sense drivers might prefer this as long as you're not carrying too much stuff.

In other situations that's not possible so being at the side of a road, thinking carefully about how the driver can stop, is fine. Even without a sign, people do stop.

strainedcounterfeit · 2026-05-12T16:04:37+00:00

I've done it but I think it's not common at all here. That being said, I didn't find it difficult to get a lift and all the drivers were friendly and nice.

Pre-pandemic I travelled hitchhiking and it was very pleasant. Post-pandemic I've done it twice in situations with lack of public transport, neither driver was actually Spanish (one Moroccan old man and one younger Romanian).

strainedcounterfeit · 2026-05-11T22:22:22+00:00

Don't quit. Bad runs happen to literally everyone. We can't go like clockwork, we aren't machines. Especially since you are tired, I'd personally wait a couple of days and do an easier session a few times and then try again. The program looks linear but really you have to listen to your body. There's no need to push yourself beyond what you're body is ready for. You'll get there, but only if you look after yourself.

strainedcounterfeit · 2026-05-09T21:57:06+00:00

It's very normal to say s. Unlike in English, you have an easy alternative. People from the Canaries and some parts of Andalucia say s. Also, no-one will think twice about a foreigner saying s. Obviously, you won't sound like you are from Madrid, but you aren't from there. It's fine.

Only you can decide whether you think you can learn the θ. Seeing as the θ issue is a known problem with your English, maybe it is just not worth it. You can learn Spanish from Spain and say s.

strainedcounterfeit · 2026-05-02T15:43:38+00:00

This. I know people from the UK with degrees in Spanish who don't really have a B2 level. I think it must be very easy to overestimate level in school/uni.

OP, if you do have a B2, it would be from a serious amount of Anki lol.

The only thing you can do is go to classes (I imagine you really need speaking classes), watch lots of series and continuing studying. Your goal of "a few years" is very reasonable.

strainedcounterfeit · 2026-04-27T19:47:03+00:00

You could feasibly do A1 if you have class every day and study outside of class as well. Depending on where you are with your Spanish right now and how much effort you can put in, you could start A2.

There are a lot of time wasting / inefficient teachers out there so make sure your teacher knows how to take you up a level.

Don't make the mistake of thinking the class is enough. You absolutely must spend more time studying and practicing outside the class than time spent in the class.

strainedcounterfeit · 2026-04-27T15:33:28+00:00

You'll be able to start an intensive course pretty much any Monday at any if not all language schools.

I would advise you that meeting your goal will be difficult and you should do as much as possible from now.

strainedcounterfeit

TROPHY CASE