Spanish Teaching

don Quijote Salamanca students photo competition and accent the city!

Stacey — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:04:00 +0100

Remember Estela Díaz Rodríguez, the don Quijote Salamanca Spanish teacher we featured in our monthly newsletter of June 2009? Well, she continues to actively post entries in her "ele y... ¡olé!" blog and one of her recent postings got us intrigued...

Estela has organized an interesting activity for her Spanish students: a photo competition titled "The 5 wonders of Salamanca" - in which her 5 students enthusiastically participated in by submitting 5 photographs of the city of Salamanca and an explanation as to why it is their favorite spot in the entire city.

Take a peek at each student's photo slideshow and you, as the reader, can vote for your favorite until October 30th!

Lastly, for the grammar aficionados, be glad to know that Estela has taken her students on an "accent tour" around Salamanca. It consisted of her students pointing out store signs, publicity displays, etc., that have not been accented at all with the Spanish tílde!

The coolest thing? Her own students were the ones to quickly point out the errors. Talk about a hands-on activity that keeps everyone interested and learning when and when not to use tíldes!

Check out the slideshow of the accent photographs here.

don Quijote Salamanca: 20 años viviendo el español.

Agus — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:07:00 +0200

(For English text, scroll down)

Salamanca, ciudad universitaria de fama internacional, fue elegida hace 20 años para fundar la primera escuela don Quijote. La idea estaba clara desde el principio: crear la mayor organización para la enseñanza de Español como Lengua Extranjera bajo el eslógan de ¡Vive el español!. Han sido 20 años de esfuerzo, de trabajo diario y de implicación de todos; y también ha sido la historia de un éxito.

Un lunes, 5 de Junio de 1989 llegaron los primeros estudiantes. Yo no estaba allí, pero puedo imaginarme el nerviosismo del equipo didáctico y del personal de administración que se embarcaban en esa aventura, sin saber muy bien si iba a funcionar. Seguro que aquellos que habéis estudiado en don Quijote Salamanca os suenan los nombres de Caridad (entonces jefa de estudios de don Quijote Salamanca y actualmente directora académica de las escuelas don Quijote), Salva, Demetrio (hoy día jefe de estudios de don Quijote Barcelona), Pepa, Francisco. Ellos fueron los pioneros y siguen en el equipo.

La primera sede estaba en la Plaza de la Libertad, a menos de 50 metros de la Plaza Mayor. Pero el crecimiento que tuvo nuestra escuela fue tan abrumador que obligó a buscar un edificio mayor al poco tiempo.

don Quijote Salamanca se mudó definitivamente a la calle Placentinos, en pleno centro monumental salmantino y a tan sólo 3 minutos de la Plaza Mayor de Salamanca. El edificio actual es un antiguo monasterio reformado, en el que se mezclan la arquitectura y los materiales típicos de Salamanca con las comodidades de una escuela de español moderna, creando un equilibrio lleno de belleza.

Con 18 clases distribuidas en dos edificios, don Quijote Salamanca tiene una capacidad para 408 estudiantes. Ambos edificios se comunican entre sí a través de un patio ajardinado, lugar favorito de reunión de los estudiantes los días de buen tiempo. También dispone de una cafetería: don Quijote Café, donde los estudiantes pueden relajarse tomando un café o practicando con nativos las cosas aprendidas, porque don Quijote Café también es un centro de reunión para muchos estudiantes universitarios, por su proximidad a distintas facultades de la Universidad de Salamanca.

Desde el principio don Quijote Salamanca fue un centro pionero en la investigación y aplicación del método comunicativo. Pero con los años de experiencia, don Quijote fue desarrollando ese método y transformándolo a las necesidades de nuestras escuelas y de los propios estudiantes. De esa transformación nació un método propio con el que más de 30.000 estudiantes han aprendido español en Salamanca y son nuestros embajadores en todo el mundo. Ellos son nuestra mejor promoción.

Pero todos estos detalles no serían suficientes para explicar el éxito de esta escuela. ¿Dónde radica el secreto? Evidentemente, si de algo estamos orgullosos es del equipo didáctico y administrativo, una plantilla de personal fijo y fijo discontinuo que durante años de experiencia y dedicación han conseguido que el trato personalizado con los estudiantes sea una parte más de la enseñanza del español. Con una media de 6 estudiantes por clase, y un máximo de 8 se consigue un mayor seguimiento de los progresos del estudiante y una atención más personalizada.

Esta personalización de la enseñanza unida a la estructura de la escuela crean una complicidad entre estudiantes, equipo didáctico y personal de administración, y esa complicidad hace que sea como una familia. Todo tiene que funcionar para que el estudiante se sienta como en casa.

Aunque el estudiante no lo sepa, la maquinaria ha comenzado a moverse un tiempo antes. Cuando se inscribe ya comenzamos a trabajar programando toda la estancia: una cuidada búsqueda de alojamiento, cursos que ha elegido, actividades culturales, día y hora de llegada y pick-up service (en el caso de que lo haya elegido), etc… Hasta el mínimo detalle para que a su llegada todo esté preparado.

Y cada lunes a las 8 de la mañana: nervios, test de nivel, “¿hablas español?” “un poquito”, “what?” “Do you speak Spanish?”, “no”… a las 9: city tour, profesores corrigiendo los test, y, por fin, a las 11:15 todos están en sus clases según su nivel. Y, alehop, empezamos… “¿Cómo te llamas?” “¿De dónde eres?”, etc… y, al cabo de unos minutos, los estudiantes nuevos se sienten integrados en el grupo, y descubren que entran en una nueva familia que les va a apoyar durante su estancia en Salamanca.

Para nosotros es muy importante que el alumno viva el español. Es famoso el “Spain is different, of course”. Y por ese motivo, desde el primer momento hacemos que el estudiante se integre en la vida de la ciudad: cursos de cultura, visitas a exposiciones, mercados, vamos de tapas… y ellos aprenden a amar las costumbres diferentes, comer a las 2 o las 3 de la tarde, cenar a las 9 de la noche, ver las calles salmantinas llenas de vida, quedar debajo del reloj (reloj que nunca van a olvidar) de la Plaza Mayor. Un gran número de actividades que compartimos con ellos durante su estancia.

Al final de su curso, los viernes, hay mucha emoción: entrega de certificados, intercambio de direcciones de correo, lágrimas, “gracias para todo”, como figura en un collage que los estudiantes del DELE regalaron a la escuela hace unos años y que está expuesto en una de sus paredes…

Invariablemente esto se ha repetido cada semana en los últimos 20 años en don Quijote Salamanca, pero cada lunes todos tenemos la misma ilusión que aquel lunes 5 de Junio de 1989. Ilusión que a mí me transmitieron los veteranos hace 11 años e ilusión que trato de transmitir a los nuevos profesores que van llegando.

Y, como todavía este proyecto está inacabado, ojalá, dentro de otros 20 años podamos celebrar el 40 Aniversario de don Quijote Salamanca. Seguiremos enseñando español y seguiremos haciendo que nuestros estudiantes “¡vivan el español!”.

Muchas Felicidades a todos los que trabajamos o han trabajado en este proyecto y muchas gracias de parte de la organización a todos aquellos estudiantes que nos han elegido y han hecho posible estos 20 años.

Un abrazo a todos.

Agustín Sánchez
Educational Content

don Quijote Salamanca: 20 years of excellence

The internationally renowned university city of Salamanca was picked 20 years ago to be home for the first don Quijote school. From the beginning, the idea had been clear: to create the largest Spanish as a Foreign Language teaching organization under the slogan “¡Vive el español!” (Live Spanish!) - Twenty years of hard work, much involvement and dedication from everyone, has led to twenty years of success.

The first students arrived on June 5 of 1989, a Monday. I wasn’t there, but I can imagine how nervous teachers and administrative staff must’ve been on embarking on this adventure without being certain if it would be successful. If you studied in don Quijote Salamanca, then the names of Caridad (then the Head of Studies of Salamanca, and today Academic Director of don Quijote schools), Salva, Demetrio (Head of Studies of don Quijote Barcelona), Pepa and Francisco. They were the don Quijote pioneers.

The first school building was located in Plaza de la Libertad, less than 50 meters from the Plaza Mayor. However, its fast progressive growth eventually led it to move to a much bigger building a short time later.

don Quijote Salamanca settled on calle Placentinos, its current location, in the heart of monumental Salamanca and a 3 minute walk from the Plaza Mayor. The building , a reformed ancient monastery creates a balanced atmosphere by blending traditional materials and architecture with the commodities of a modern Spanish school.

With 18 classrooms spread throughout 2 connecting buildings, don Quijote Salamanca accommodates 408 students and also share a garden patio, which is a favorite leisure spot for students. Students can also relax with a cup of coffee or practice what they’ve learned with Spanish natives in our don Quijote Café a popular reunion spot for university students due to its proximity to the various campuses of the University of Salamanca.

don Quijote Salamanca has been a pioneering center in the investigation and application of the communicative method since the beginning. And after years of experience, don Quijote further developed this method by adapting it to the necessities of its schools and students. Eventually, a new method (our current method) emerged and was successfully implemented by the 30,000 students who learned Spanish with us in Salamanca! These students, our ambassadors of sorts, have become our best promotion throughout the world!

But these are not enough details to explain the success of this school. What’s the secret? If there’s something we are proud of, it is of our group of permanent and temporary teaching and administrative staff. Their years of experience and dedication led to a personalized approach of teaching our students, becoming a part of the teaching routine. Granting better personalized attention in a classroom with a median of 6 students and no more than 8, a better insight on the students’ progress can be obtained.

Attaching this personalized educational approach to the school’s structure creates complicity between students, the teaching staff and administration personnel, strengthening everyone’s bond as a family. Everything must also be set up properly for the student to feel at home with us. To achieve this, the planning begins long before he or she arrives. When a student enrolls in a class, work begins on setting up his entire stay: from the careful search of accommodation and courses selected, cultural activities, arranging timely pick-up service for day of arrival (if chosen by student), down to the smallest detail to ensure the his or her complete satisfaction.

Eight o’clock in the morning every Monday: nerves, language level placement test, “¿hablas español?”, “un poquito”, “what?”, “do you speak Spanish?”, “no” … 9am: city tour, professors grading level tests and finally by 11:15am everyone is in their Spanish class according to level. Then, the fun begins in class… “¿Cómo te llamas?” ¿De dónde eres?”…. After a few minutes, the new students have integrated into their groups discovering they’ve joined a new family, one that will enliven their stay in Salamanca.

To us, it is very important that the student lives Spanish… and discovers the famous “Spain is different, of course.” We make sure students adapt to the city’s way of life from the start: culture classes, visiting exhibits, markets, going out for tapas, etc… they come to learn and love the different customs like eating at 2 or 3 in the afternoon, having dinner at 9 at night, seeing Salamanca’s streets full of life, arranging to meet underneath the clock in Plaza Mayor (a clock they will never forget!), and other activities we’ll share during their stay!

The last day of the course (a Friday), a lot of emotions are felt: the receiving of certificates, exchanging emails, tears, a “gracias para todo” - as it is written on a collage made by DELE students a few years ago as a gift to the school and it is proudly displayed on its walls…

This ritual has been repeated every week for the past 20 years and it continues today. Every Monday we all hold the same illusion as that 5 of June of 1989. That illusion was transmitted to me 11 years ago by the veterans and it’s the one I try to transmit to the new teachers as they arrive.

don Quijote Salamanca continues to be an ongoing project. We hope that in another 20 years we celebrate its 40th anniversary. We will continue to teach Spanish and continue to make our students “Live Spanish”.

Congratulations to everyone who works or has worked on this project. And many thanks to the students who have chosen us and made it all possible these last 20 years.

Un abrazo a todos.

Agustín Sánchez
Educational Content

New school in Santiago de Chile

Stacey — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 12:56:00 +0100

GREAT news again!

It is our biggest pleasure to announce that on February 2 of 2009, our school in Santiago de Chile will move to a bigger, nicer and even better localized NEW “home”. The decision for this move has been carried out with our future students in mind... because we only want the best for them!

As a friend, we wanted you to be a part of this exciting change, too. New year, new school. It’s a great way to start the year off right, don’t you think?

Learn about our courses!
Request a free brochure

Interview with a don Quijote teacher who published first poetry book!

Stacey — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:52:00 +0200

In an interview conducted in Spanish by Natalia Sánchez for laopiniondezamora.es, Gloria de Castro Prieto speaks fondly of her first book, "bajo tus manos".

A poet from Zamora, she wrote the book upon returning to Salamanca after having lived in the Canary island of Tenerife. She hopes to present it in a recital in the fall of 2008 in Zamora.

Gloria is currently a Spanish teacher in don Quijote Salamanca.

...I'd be pleased if someone read
"bajo tus manos" and found it interesting enough to publish it the traditional way...

You just published “bajo tus manos”
The title is not capitalized because I decided it should be the end of a phrase. It compiles the verses I wrote from April to August of last year. They’re 42 short poems in an attempt to try to find my personal path after returning from Canarias to Salamanca, where I work as a teacher. The return after having fled to Canarias was like the salty taste of ocean water, and the one thing that remain are those memories in the palm of your hand – which is the first thing I notice about a person.

Was it difficult to find a publisher?
I contacted various publishing houses that work on a regional level. It was tough since the one who accepted wanted me to auto revise and participate economically. I then sent my poems to Bubok, a company that works on the internet. They gave me liberty in selecting the cover and other details. It’s a boundary-breaking book because it lacks an index, which is sort of a reflection of my natural nature.

What does it mean to you to be published on the internet?
It’s been amazing. I sent in my work and now anyone can buy the book online. Also, Google had asked the publishing house for permission to include the book in its book database, so I also appear on an internet library search! I prefer paper books, but recognize that the diffusion throughout this medium represents the future and it is fundamental to be known.

Gloria, what do you hope to convey through the 42 poems in “bajo tus manos”?
I wish the reader finds the same peace that made it easy for me to write it. I want to convey a freshness that reaches their hearts. I’d be pleased if someone read it and found it interesting enough to publish it the traditional way.

Have you written other poems aside from those published in “bajo tus manos”?
I have written 2 other poetry books and I’m in the process of writing another one. At the moment, I’m not planning on publishing them.

You’ve also tried your hand at writing children stories.
I wrote a few stories as a little girl. One day, I mentioned it to a friend of mine who has young children and she encouraged me to write one. I accepted the challenge and wrote a story that I later read to her children and they loved it. I wrote 2 others since then. The few people that have read it said that its poetry made into a story tale.

Would you also like to see your children’s stories published as well?
Of course! But I have to find a good illustrator first. From my point of view, illustrations weigh as much as the writing content.

What are your short-term plans?
I will continue to write poetry and children’s stories because I’m a restless person. I will continue collaborating with a Bierzo magazine, for which I write in a cultural spread.

Are you debating whether to showcase your book in Zamora?
I would like to have the book reading in the fall in Zamora, preferably in an intimate place. It has been presented in Villadepera during cultural week, and I recited verses that spoke of my experience in the Canaries. It was an interesting experience because the audience was very different from previous audiences I’ve had in other poetry sessions. My goal was to win young children’s attentions, and honestly, they were attentive the entire time.

Tell us more about other poetry readings you’ve participated in.
I’ve done a few poetry readings in Salamanca in places like El Savor and Delicatessen&Café. I try to find different subjects, pick out themes from various stages in my life. The one for El Savor focused on the catharsis of 2004; while in another reading I chose poems describing various towns I visited on a trip throughout Spain. Regarding the reading I made in Delicatessen&Café, I had written a few verses that were published in an anthology book, and the reading was performed the day of the Cafe’s anniversary.

Your stay in Tenerife has influenced your literary mind. When would we catch an extended presentation of your production that took place in El Puerto de la Cruz?
I still have the idea of having a recital to present the compilation of more than 200 verses I wrote in 2004. I would love to be able to read those verses on the pier of Puerto de la Cruz.

If you're interested in purchasing Gloria's book, get it here!

A Spanish student reading list - compliments of don Quijote teachers

Erin — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 08:00:00 +0100

Here's the list of books our teachers recommended for intermediate level students eager to read in Spanish in our Meet the Teachers interviews:

"Sin noticias de Gurb" by Eduardo Mendoza.

Conoce a los Profes: Ana from Salamanca

Erin — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 10:00:00 +0100

Hoy, desde Salamanca, os presentamos a Ana García Martín.

¿Cuánto tiempo llevas como profesor de español, Ana?

Desde 1994.

¿Qué es lo que más te gusta de tu profesión?

Lo que más me gusta es el hecho de ver que los estudiantes están ahí porque quieren, que realmente aprenden...y en cierto modo son "mi creación", je, je además de que es un intercambio cultural mutuo.

Meet our Teachers -Ana from Salamanca

Erin — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 10:00:00 +0100

Today, from Salamanca, we introduce you to Ana García Martín.

How long have you been teaching Spanish?

Since 1994.

What do you like most about your profession?

What I like most is seeing that the students are there because they want to be, that they really learn…and that in a certain way they are my “creation”, ha ha. Plus my work is always a mutual cultural exchange.

Meet Our Teachers: Lauris of Tenerife

Erin — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 18:31:00 +0200

Today from Puerto de la Cruz on the Canary island of Tenerife, we introduce you to Lauris Rodríguez de la Calle. Lauris recommends a healthy list of first books for Spanish students and shares a bit of his own experience as a student of German. He also offers this wise bit of advice to Spanish students:

Remember that the most important enemy of effective communication isn’t grammatical error ---- but silence.

Conoce a los Profes: Hoy, desde Tenerife, os presentamos a Lauris

Erin — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 11:45:00 +0200

Hoy, desde Puerto de la Cruz en la isla Canaria de Tenerife, os presentamos a Lauris Rodríguez de la Calle. Nos recomienda libros y nos cuenta de su propia experiencia como estudiante de alemán mientras ofrece el siguiente consejo a los estudiantes de español:

"Que recuerden que el enemigo más importante de la comunicación efectiva no es el error gramatical sino el silencio."

Conoce a los Profes: desde Barcelona, Héctor de los cursos de negocios

Erin — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 19:29:00 +0200

Hoy conocemos a Héctor Muñoz Anaya, profesor de don Quijote Barcelona, especializado en el área de Español de Negocios. En la foto veis a Héctor de viaje en la Patagonia chilena. Su recomendación del libro idóneo para los estudiantes de español es un poco insólita, nos recomienda leer la Guia de Ocio. "Hay que salir y vivir la vida", nos aconseja Héctor.

Si te interesa el Español de Negocios, o piensas buscar empleo en España, te recomiendo que visites la página web de Héctor:Spanish for Business

Meet our Teachers: From Barcelona, Héctor of don Quijote's Business Spanish courses

Erin — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 18:29:00 +0200

This week, we meet Héctor Muñoz Anaya, who created and teaches don Quijote's Business Spanish courses in Barcelona.

Héctor, shown on the left on a trip to Patagonia, has an unconventional but very wise book recommendation for you: the local "Guia de Ocio". No you're right; it's not a book, but a guide to What's Happening: bars, live music, events and nightlife. "Get out and live the language" is Héctor's wise advice.

If you are interested in Business Spanish or finding work in Barcelona, I recommend a visit to Héctor's website: Spanish for Business.

From Barcelona: Héctor Muñoz Anaya

How long have you been teaching Spanish, Héctor?
I’ve spent more that 20 years working as a Spanish teacher, specialised in the area of Business Spanish.

What do you like most about your profession?
I like the cultural diversity of my work groups and the practical applications of our programme.

What do you do when you aren’t working?
I do mountaineering and climbing on weekends. Also mountain biking. Plus I go to the gym every day.

Have you studied a foreign language? Which? Did you find it difficult?
I’ve studied English and Portuguese. They don’t seem particularly difficult to me but yeh, we always fall short...

What makes Barcelona the ideal place to study Spanish, particularly Business Spanish?
In Barcelona’s case and particularly with respect to our Business Spanish courses, I believe that this city is a meeting point in the business world, that it is a good place to live, and a good place to look for a job that allows you to live here, without living under a bridge…

Do you have a key piece of advice for people who want to learn Spanish?
I would say that the process of learning a language reaches the height of its efficiency when we find ourselves immersed in the appropriate environment. You have to live a language in all of its contexts: friends, parties, a Spanish girlfriend or boyfriend, a job search, going out at night and on weekends, building relationships with native speakers...

Will you tell us your favourite teacher’s anecdote?
I remember one time, when the business courses were 3 months long, I organised a paella in the pueblo where I was living. I prepared a paella in an outdoor cervecería (casual restaurant/bar) for more than 18 students. The students drank too much and a few wound up pretty drunk. It just so happened that the final exam for the course was that same afternoon. I still remember the exam responses – extraordinary! But of course! They had consumed so much coffee to stay away through the exam! It was very amusing.

What book would you recommend to Spanish students (at the intermediate level, for example) who want to read their first novel (or first book) in Spanish?
I recommend the "Guía del Ocio"! It’s not a book but a guide for going out (bars, concerts, theatre, restaurants – a What’s Happening guide). That’s the best tool for improving your knowledge of a language in all its varied points of view. You have to go out and live life! The students will have time to read novels and essays, etc. when they are more familiar with the language.

The next Intensive Business course in Barcelona starts soon! The course is also offered in Madrid, Salamanca and Guanajuato (Mexico).

Conoce a los Profes: Salomé, Jefa de Estudios, don Quijote Tenerife

Erin — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 15:30:00 +0200

Hoy, hablamos con Salomé Torres González, Jefa de Estudios, don Quijote Tenerife.

Meet our Teachers: Salomé, head of Studies, don Quijote Tenerife

Erin — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 15:12:00 +0200

Meet our Teachers: Today, from paradisical Tenerife, we talk with Salomé Torres González, Head of Studies at don Quijote Tenerife.

Meet our Teachers: Rebeca from Guanjuato

Erin — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 13:40:00 +0200

Continuing our Meet our Teachers interviews with don Quijote profes, we linger in Mexico.

While in Guanajuato, we talk a while with Rebeca Aguilar Jimenez, who recommends a book for students of Spanish while she warmly recommends her city. In Guanajuato, Rebeca tells us, everything surrounding you favors your learning the Spanish language:

Conoce a los profes: Rebeca de Guanajuato

Erin — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 13:31:00 +0200

Mientras estamos en Guanajuato, seguimos conociendo a los profes y hablamos un rato con Rebeca Aguilar Jimenez, quien nos recomienda un libro y su ciudad, dónde según Rebeca "todo el entorno es favorable para aprender el español."

Meet Our Teachers: Today from Guanajuato, we present Aracely

Erin — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 10:46:00 +0200

In this week's interview with a don Quijote teacher, we stop by the don Quijote school in Guanajuato, México, to talk a while with Aracely Judith Hernández Delgado. Aracely's advice to students of Spanish? Take the risk, and approach native speakers.

Conoce a los profes: Hoy desde Granada, os presentamos a Raquel

Erin — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 13:54:00 +0200

Hoy estrenamos una sección nueva de nuestro blog: Conoce a los Profes. ¡Vamos a entrevistar a nuestros profes! Una vez a la semana, os presentaremos a un profesor de una de las escuelas de don Quijote. Publicaremos las entrevistas en español y inglés en la categoría nueva - Meet our Teachers, en las entradas en inglés.

Hoy, desde Granada, os presentamos a Raquel Ramos Josa:

Meet our Teachers: Today, from Granada, we present Raquel

Erin — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 13:40:00 +0200

Today, we're pleased to launch a new feature on Spanish Teaching: Interviews with the don Quijote teachers! Each week we'll introduce you to a profe at one if the don Quijote schools. We'll publish the interviews in Spanish and English, in a category we'll call Conoce a los profes - Meet Our Teachers, in the English posts.

Today, from Granada, say hello to Raquel Ramos Josa. Raquel's been teaching at don Quijote for 10 years, first at don Quijote Barcelona, and for the last 7 years, in Granada. She's got some good book recommendations for students of Spanish...wait, we'll let Raquel speak for herself: