Welcome in Spain
Spain is a country of warm gracious
people who welcome visitors with open arms and bend
over backwards to make their stay a memorable experience.
Even if you do not know a word of Spanish, good intentions
on both sides can easily bridge the language gap.
At hotels and many restaurants there will of course
be English speaking staff. But knowing some Spanish
will enrich your visit with a more intimate knowledge
of Spainish culture and allow closer contact with Spaniards
of every walk of life. And although several regions
of Spain, like Catalunya and the Basque Country, do
indeed have their own languages, Spanish is certainly
understood by everyone.
To give you a head start, there are ample possibilities
to learn Spanish in the United States before leaving
home. Look into Spanish language courses at local schools
and universities and at Spanish institutes, or explore
self-help tapes, books and electronic systems. Once
in Spain there are many more possibilities. High school
and college students can enroll in summer courses at
Spanish schools and universities, or spend a semester
or an entire academic year in Spain, following credit-approved
programs that often include living with a family. The
cities of Salamanca, Santander and Madrid are well known
centers for student studies. For adults similar possibilities
exist in Spain for courses at language institutes and
for living arrangements that can also include staying
with a Spanish family.
Here is a preview of some of the most frequently used Spanish words and phrases that you are likely to learn or that you might like to become familiar with before arriving in Spain:
hola - hello
adios - goodbye
buenos días - good morning
buenas tardes - good afternoon
buenas noches - good evening
por favor - please
perdone - excuse me
gracias - thank you
de nada - you're welcome
¿Qué hora es? - What time is it?
¿Cuánto cuesta? - How much does it cost?
¿Cómo está usted? - How are you?
¿Dónde está? - Where is it?
Knowing Spanish will undoubtedly enhance any trip to
Spain, but it will also stand you in good stead when
you return home by allowing you to converse with millions
of Spanish-speaking people who live in the United States.