What "type" of Spanish do you teach?

I just returned from another GREAT convention in Arizona!

One of the most oft asked questions about See it and Say it - and all Flip Flop Spanish Products was, "What type of Spanish is it?" 

serapesWhat they mean is, "In what countries will I be understood?" 

I'm happy to report that I worked very hard after returning from Spain (years and years ago, we won't talk about how many years...) to adjust my vocabulary and accent after speaking with many of my Mexican, Colombian, and Puerto Rican friends.

I researched for three years, (not for a curriculum's sake, but just on my own, for this was WAY before I was homeschooling or had any children) and discovered there are multiple Spanish words for so very many nouns, verbs, idioms, and adjectives. A quick search on SpanishDict gives you a run-down on lots of regionalisms, for just about every query you type in the search bar. Happily, just like American English vs. British English, we can be understood even if we don't choose the most common word used in a particular region.

With this in mind, I polled real friends, and plenty of regional dictionaries - which word is understood best in the MOST countries? That's the word that made it to the flash cards, and into the workbooks. 

When I'm questioned about my accent by native Spanish speakers, "¿De dónde eres?" (Where are you from?)

I answer, "Texas!"

They look at me, cock their head, and reply, "No ahora, pero antes." (Not now, but before.)

They never can believe I'm from Texas.

So, with that in mind, please know - your accent, your word choice will leave you WELL understood in all Spanish speaking countries from Spain to Colombia, to Mexico!

If your word of choice isn't the most common local term, will you sound a little "foreign?" Sure, the first time. A little. And like a good language learner, you'll adjust. Here's a happy link showing you the almost 30 Spanish speaking countries you can enjoy your new language learning progress! Where will you go first?  

 

 


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