Could somebody check this for me please?

Question

My new tutor (who I haven't actually met yet) has just emailed me to discuss some things I emailed to her and arrange to meet up. She has asked whether we could correspond in Spanish from now on, which is fine.

Could you check whether my reply reads ok and makes sense? I've only been learning Spanish for 3 months so I haven't used the subjunctive where I should as that is a little beyond me at this stage! I have followed the cues from her reply though, so it is in tu form and not usted form and I have used some of the words/verbs that she did.

---

Hola C

Pienso que sé algúnos de la gramática y vocabulario, pero es más difícil a hablar en español. Muchas veces no puedo pensar cómo decir y mi mente es vacía. Después, recuerdo que quería decir pero el momento ha pasado. ¡Es muy frustrante!

El jueves es bien para mi, si podemos encontrarnos a las 5 por la tarde en el centro de Oxford. Si no, puedo hacer el lunes o el jueves la proxima semana - a las 5 por la tarde, también en el centro de Oxford. Pudimos encontrarnos fuera de la cafetería "Costa Coffee" si lo sabes?

Lo siento que mi español escrito es tan malo. Espero que puedes entender. (También lo siento por no usar el subjuntivo, sé que es necesario!).

¡Hasta luego!

G

Thanks for your help, it's much appreciated.

algunos - dewclaw, Jul 26, 2011

Answer 1

Hey, it's definitely understandable which seeing you started in May is a significant achievement. There are a few typical grammar and vocab errors which all of us have had to make on the journey, but it's functional Spanish. Well done!

.

It's looking good, and I'm sure any Spanish speaker would understand what you're saying. Good luck.

Thanks, sometimes it feels like I'm really bad at Spanish and I have to keep reminding myself I have only been learning 3 months! - Lachicafeliz, Jul 26, 2011

Answer 2

It might be better, and perhaps more considerate to await her reply. There is probably an underlying strategy here. She wants to assess your "level" and in this case she can pick up on your writing ability as well as the grammar etc.

-

I would suggest that you let her analyse and comment on your text before us lot start to pontificate.

There are some errors but wouldn't it be better if your new tutor pointed them out. That helps to set up the, hopefully, harmonious relationship

This is the best and only answer that can be given in a case like this. Thanks! - chileno, Jul 26, 2011

Answer 3

Thanks Birdland.

I didn't explain it very clearly above. I have actually already sent the email to her and am waiting for her reply. I didn't see the point in cheating as she wouldn't be able to guage my level so put that together without the translator (except for looking up the word empty, which I didn't know). I just wondered afterwards how much of it made sense as the more times I have read back since since sending it, the more things I think I have done wrong!

The last 2 emails she sent me (which were in English) took a while to come back so I am really just being impatient to see whether it is as bad as I think it might be.

Thanks again