¿Hablas español?

So we are moving to Mexico in just over a month...with all the research and preparations, learning a new language seems to have slipped through the cracks.  However, it's never to late to get started. A plus for us is that in Playa del Carmen, in the heart of tourist-heavy Riviera Maya, most locals understand at least a little English; and some can communicate in English quite well.  

Since we want to be able to communicate in the native language (Spanish), we will likely enroll in at least one of the many classes that teach Spanish.  

Here are some links to forum threads that discuss such classes:

http://www.playa.info/playa-del-carmen-forum/68173-spanish-lessons.html

http://www.playa.info/playa-del-carmen-forum/67517-learn-spanish-three-days-help-par.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g150812-i23-k5207085-Spanish_lessons-Playa_del_Carmen_Yucatan_Peninsula.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g150812-i23-k3689191-Spanish_Lessons_in_Playa-Playa_del_Carmen_Yucatan_Peninsula.html

Learning Spanish once we arrive in Mexico has its advantages; any language tends to have regional and local differences that you can really only learn from local native speakers.

In the meantime, we have been testing numerous Spanish translation applications.  These range from web-based translators (like Google translate and SpanishDict.com) to smart phone and tablet based apps (like iTranslate and SpanishDict).  These are very useful in helping interact with people in Mexico in their native language.  

We have used web-based applications to translate entire webpages, articles, blogs, etc.  This can allow you to obtain local information that you would not find on English language websites.  The smart phone and tablet apps are great for quick translations of words and short phrases and some will even pronounce the words in Spanish for you.

We are plunging headlong into our new environment and language.  We will keep you posted on how we progress in learning Spanish.