I spent thirty-five years as a nurse in Leeds. When I retired, I promised myself that I would finally speak Spanish, not just read the menu.
I had four semesters of college Spanish and could conjugate any verb. What I couldn’t do was keep up when two Spaniards started talking.
I was the only Australian in my group and didn’t know a single person. My mum had to convince me to get on the plane. I was so nervous.
I’m sixteen and studying for my Spanish GCSE. My writing marks were good, but in speaking practice I always went blank. Then I came here.
I’m twenty-four and doing a master’s in engineering in Valladolid. I signed up almost by chance and it became one of the best weeks of my life.