En Nueva Lengua We are pleased to share our students' experiences while learning Spanish, as we believe they are useful to everyone. Today, we will share with you a little of the experience of our student Ana Delia; We asked her some questions and this is what she answered: 

Tell me a little about yourself: where you are from, what your occupation or job is, what your hobbies are, what languages ​​you speak... 

Hello, I'm Ana, an Albanian who grew up in Belgium. She speaks French and a little flamenco; I learned English with the series and Spanish at school Nueva Lengua from Bogota. Before coming to Colombia, I was a protection officer and now I want to work and live in Bogotá, as long as I don't get bored. I like to draw, paint, take photos, read, play sports, play video games, cook and travel with my husband. 

Why did you start learning Spanish? How long ago? 

My husband and I always wanted to live in a Spanish-speaking country, and three months ago our dream came true when we moved to Bogotá. We needed to learn Spanish quickly, not only to find work, but also to interact with people, enjoy the country's culture, and travel easily. I started learning Spanish in September 2022 with courses in Brussels, but my level improved considerably by taking intensive courses in Nueva Lengua from August to September. 

What do you find most interesting? What have been the most difficult aspects of learning Spanish? 

It was incredible to learn Spanish in a Spanish-speaking country and in a school with foreign students. We needed to learn immediately, and the combination of classes and practice with people from Bogotá turned out to be the best way to do it.

The atmosphere in the classes, with students of various nationalities, was always very pleasant. The most difficult thing was to retain what was learned and avoid forgetting things when conjugating verb tenses, especially the past simple. Conjugation was challenging due to irregular verbs and group changes, as well as the initial difficulty in using “ustedes” instead of “vosotros.” 

You speak several languages, including French and English. What are the most interesting familiarities and differences between those languages ​​and Spanish? 

I found the differences between Spanish and the other languages ​​I speak, especially French, very interesting. I found some striking similarities, like “embarazada” resembling “embarassé.e” in French (meaning “ashamed”), and Colombian expressions like “chévere.” The main difficulty was adapting to the tenses of the subjunctive, since in French we usually use the conditional instead of these. Additionally, studying with students from all over the world enriched the experience when comparing Spanish with other languages. 

You started learning Spanish mainly to live in Bogotá. What are the things that surprised you the most about the Bogotá culture regarding our way of speaking, words or culture in general? 

I was lucky to learn Spanish here, as people speak clearly and patiently. I was surprised that the accent was not the same as in Spain, making it easier to understand. I enjoy Colombian expressions for their liveliness. Contrary to my expectation, the culture is welcoming and friendly, and people are always willing to help find the right words. Contrary to what I thought given the country's history, the people are not introverted and show patience with foreigners. 

Do you recommend learning Spanish in Bogotá as part of a cultural immersion? Because? 

Definitely. The city offers incredible experiences with its neighborhoods, food, activities and, above all, its people. After classes, there are countless options to practice Spanish, such as going to the movies, participating in workshops, attending cultural events, and meeting other foreigners. Organized activities facilitate integration and, since people do not speak much English, immersion is total. In addition, there are numerous options to rest and relax in Bogotá and its surroundings. 

Based on your experience: What advice could you give to a person who is just starting their Spanish learning process? 

My advice would be to move to a Spanish-speaking country. Although it can be expensive, it is the best investment in learning and speaking a new language. In six months of courses in Belgium, I could only communicate with simple phrases, but in two months in Bogotá, I saw how my level improved thanks to the cultural immersion and classes. Practicing a few hours a day is the key, and that investment never stops being beneficial. Thank you for allowing me to share my experience in learning Spanish! 

Thank you Ana! We totally agree that cultural immersion combined with intensive classes is the perfect formula for learning a new language. We invite you to learn with us at Nueva Lengua and enhance your process with Spanish. 

Check the activities and plans what we have for you in Colombia, or write to us on any of our social networks (@nuevalengua) for more information about our Spanish courses and cultural immersion in Colombia.