I came to the Alpujarras to enjoy the mountains, the scenery & the climate (i.e. Generally
warm and sunny with low humidity and a proper ‘winter’)I did some study before we
came out.  I did a distance-learning course, and we had a handful of conversation classes
with a native Spaniard immediately prior to leaving the UK. I was not afraid to try
speaking to local people, but  it was a shock that at first I could speak more than I could
understand (which was not because my spoken Spanish was in any way good, but that I
was unable to ‘interpret’ the accent at first)

I was very excited about starting Spanish classes at Puentes & they quickly gave me more
confidence to try conversations I didn’t need to have.  
Certainly after a year of classes at Puentes I can converse with more fluidity and this
helps me to integrate better with my Spanish neighbours. Although there is very little
opportunity for work near to where I live, I give basic exercise classes in two local villages
and I wouldn’t have been able to do this if I hadn’t improved my Spanish! I think learning
Spanish will be a lifelong experience and I fully expect to
take classes on an ongoing basis.

                                               Sallie Robson