Learning Spanish + Home Services

[dgonzalez]

Hi All,

I'm pretty new to BA. I've been here just over a month - came with my husband who was born here (moved to US when he was 12) so speaks fluent English and Spanish and I am definitely not picking up Spanish as quick as I'd like. So much for "oh, you'll be fluent in two months - don't worry about it!"....right. I work from home so I don't really have much of a chance to interact with people in Spanish except his cousins, and they speak too fast to really pick it up. I see a few posts about tutors in the city but not out here in Pilar. Is there anyone that might be able to recommend someone in this area?


Secondly, I was wondering if anyone has a recommendation of a site where to find local people to help do things around the house, such as an Angie's List or HomeAdvisors of Argentina.


Thanks!!

 

[Girino]

Hi and welcome!

Getting to fluency takes time and it depends on a number of factors: your native language, any other language you might have studied, how much you are immersed in the other language, what kind of learning works better for you, your motivation, etc.

I was in the same situation as you when I arrived: I spoke no Spanish (i stopped at "hola, me llamo...."), I worked from home, I was with an Argentine who dealt with all the bureaucratic and chores and his family spoke like a train.
To day, after 2.5 years I am fluent but not to the point I'd like. I can deal with any daily situation pretty fluently, but don't ask me to talk about feelings because I have no vocabulary in that area. After 2 hours in a Spanish conversion I start to lose interest, it start to cost me energies to speak Spanish. I can read a book in Spanish but it has too many words I don't pick, but at least watching Netflix in Spanish is helping.

Since you are in Pilar, i gather that there are other expats there and they might be using a tutor. Personally, I am not fond of the full immersion "you will eventually pick it up" method. You need someone replying to your questions, solving your doubts, and explaining you things. Also, I think that seeing people who have gone through the same as you will help. At least on a human level. For me it was like this.

We are having a coffee chat in San Isidro tomorrow, and you are welcome to join!
http://baexpats.org/topic/36238-24th-november-2016-coffee-chat-zona-norte-san-isidro/

 

[TomAtAlki]

I've heard that it will help a lot if you and your husband speak to each other in Spanish.

T/

 

[EJLarson]

I've heard that it will help a lot if you and your husband speak to each other in Spanish.

T/

It does - enormously.

 

[Ceviche]

Italki is a good resource for Spanish teachers on skype. I find the teachers there better than local Argie teachers - full of attitude and expensive.

 

[summysammy]

Hi dgonzalez,

I have been in Argentina for 3 years now, and in the Pilar area for 2. I just joined this forum last week because I am trying to get my residency going and what not. I also came to Argentina with a full time work from "home office" job from the US. And, it was a struggle for me to learn new words and have conversations with someone other than my now husband. I completely understand where you are coming from. I do have a twist to my story though. I came to Argentina from 2000-2001 (nice year right?) with an exchange program. So I was already fluent when I got here. Nonetheless, I found it hard to learn how to have adult conversations that one needs to have. Anyways, I am in Pilar. Feel free to message me privately to meet up for coffee or wine or something.

 

[summysammy]

Sorry regarding the home services. The Argentine's I know only use word or mouth to refer someone. Especially if it means them coming into your home. Fo the more standard things like AC repair I recommend also going to the sellers. In the stores, they always have references for installation, repair, etc.

 

[syngirl]

Zolvers is the closest equivalent. They screen people. I haven`t investigated the full range of services available. Whereabouts in Pilar are you?

 

[RSPlayer]

dgonzalez,

I live in Pilar and several years ago when we arrived, I took Spanish classes from an Argentine woman who actually teaches English to physicians at Austral Hospital. I am still in contact with her as we (the teacher, myself and several of the folks from Austral) get together once a month for dinner and for the Docs to practice English. Send me a message if you would like her contact.

 

[gamma_ray]

Hola dgonzalez! Welcome to Argentina! I'm a Spanish tutor with more than 15 year of experience in the field. I offer Skype lessons, so feel free to PM me if you're interested. Saludos!