How do you work in a country where you don’t speak the language? That’s exactly the question P.D., a student at Crescendo CVO – GLTT, asked himself. He began his journey with Spanish as a self-learner and later transitioned to structured lessons. With trial and error? Here’s his story.
Learning Spanish as a Professional Asset
P.D.: “I’ve been taking Spanish lessons at Crescendo CVO – GLTT for ten years, mainly for professional reasons. At the time, my management wanted to open a branch in Spain, and I was tasked with making this happen. I didn’t speak any Spanish, so I had to make do with what I had. With the help of an accounting firm and lawyers, I managed to take the first steps, but hiring staff was a huge challenge. Finding suitable bilingual candidates who spoke French or English was difficult. Communication was often slow and limited.”
A notebook full of vocabulary
“During my business trips, I wrote down new words in a notebook. This helped me build a basic vocabulary, but forming sentences was still difficult. Eventually, I decided to take lessons at Crescendo CVO – GLTT, where I had previously taken English courses.”
“After a placement test, I was put into the fourth year. The teacher said, ‘Your vocabulary is impressive, but you make a lot of mistakes!’ That motivated me to really improve. The lessons were well-structured, combining theory – grammar and vocabulary – with practical exercises. I especially loved the interactive quizzes, where you had to answer quickly. That competitive element made learning fun. The last hour of the lesson was always focused on conversation in small groups. The varied and practical topics greatly helped me feel more confident in Spanish.”
Direct contact with the teams in Spain
“Today, our company has eight branches. Speaking Spanish has been a game changer. It not only helped with hiring staff but also with direct communication with the teams on-site. This way, I understand much better what’s happening on the ground without relying on reports or intermediaries.”
“Although I’m no longer involved in the day-to-day management in Spain, I continue taking lessons to maintain my level. The lessons are not only focused on conversation but also on general culture, making them both useful and fascinating. The atmosphere in the class is fantastic, and my classmates are motivated for various reasons. Some learn Spanish because they have family in Spain, others for travel, and others – like me – for professional purposes.”
The Perfect Formula
“Learning a new language takes time and perseverance, but it’s one of the most valuable investments you can make. I can wholeheartedly recommend Crescendo CVO – GLTT. It’s an affordable school with three hours of lessons per week at a reasonable price, far below that of online private lessons. For me, it’s the perfect solution in a professional context, but it’s equally suitable for people learning for personal or family reasons.”