He studied Economics at university, and is clearly delighted to be able to discuss things with someone who even vaguely understands what is going on. I learn the Spanish for interest rates, mortgages, deprivatisation, and a host of other things. He also explains that many people are now being offered cheap credit cards and then getting into trouble when they can’t pay them back – sounds a bit like home.
Like most Spanish teachers here, Reginaldo is fascinated by England, but has never been. He has seen a documentary that I think may have been about Siberia, but he is convinced is about the UK. As a result, he thinks that if you go out in winter in the UK you might die of a heart attack after an hour because it is so cold, and that people routinely fall in the Thames by accident.
I curb my natural desire to wind him up when he asks about Big Ben, double decker buses and other English icons. No, I don’t know Margaret Thatcher, or live in Big Ben. He’s also quite disappointed I don’t work for The Times – but goes away and does his research on the Telegraph and decides it is probably ok to work for that too.
We now have a great routine with the Spanish lessons. I do two hours in the morning and Paul looks after Daisy. Then he brings her to the school, we swap her over and I take her back with me while he has an hour doing much more complicated Spanish. It’s great to be able to say more every day.
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