1.WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

So, you’ve dutifully turned up to those Spanish evening classes and taken that exam. Now you’re getting on the plane to Barcelona to try it all out. No turning back. You pray that you won’t have some terrible bore with a terminal b.o. problem sitting next to you.

But… what’s this? Turns out this is the one time in your life that you actually have that ravishing beauty alongside you. Clearly Spanish, by the way she fixes you with an unblinking, unabashed look and says “me gustan tus gafas”.

“Gracias”, you manage to stutter in reply. Phew. You silver-tongued smoothy.

Heart pounding, you don’t know what to say next, so you turn to the in-flight magazine. Then the duty-free catalogue. Then the safety instructions. Then the wording on the sick bags. This is getting ridiculous. Say something, for heaven’s sake, or regret it for the rest of your life. Hable con ella.

Bits and pieces of Spanish swirl around inside your head, but you can’t string them together. Your stomach churns and the sweat patches under your arms threaten to meet on the front of your t-shirt. Say something!

As a last resort, you grab your phrasebook. Nothing to be proud of after all those classes, but is an emergency. No time to get to the right chapter, so you randomly find something, turn to her and blurt out, “a mí, no me gustas”. By the look on her face, this was not quite what she was expecting. Then realise what you have said.

D–oh

With languages, basic knowledge of grammar and vocab is obviously required, but they don’t give you the fluidity and confidence to handle the language in everyday (or once-in-a-lifetime) situations. You often have to think too much before opening your mouth. Our purpose is overcome this hurdle.

If you like the idea of Barcelona, this weekend provides you with the perfect combination. Practice the language in a fun environment and get to know parts of the city that most weekenders never see!

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