Spanish Teaching

Was ist mit den ganzen Papiertücher auf dem Boden?

Stacey — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:54:15 +0200

Eine Tapa ist ein kleines, Appetithäppchen das in Tapas-Bars üblicherweise zu Wein, jedoch auch zu Bier gereicht wird. Tapas entsprechen den im östlichen Mittelmeerraum und im Nahen Osten gebräuchlichen Mezedes.

Tapas werden in Spanien üblicherweise in Tapas-Bars und Bodegas serviert und dort im Stehen verzehrt. Jede Tapas-Bar besitzt dabei eine individuelle Auswahl an verschiedenen Tapas. Zu den Tapas wird meist Bier, Wein, Sherry, Wermut oder Portwein getrunken. Tapas im engeren Sinne sind kostenlose Beilagen zum Getränk.

Unterwegs um Tapas zu essen? Ganz ehrlich, wie fühlen Sie sich, wenn sie ihre Papiertücher auf dem Boden in einer spanischen Bar werfen?

Glücklicherweise muss die spanische Bevölkerung noch die Angewohnheit, dass sie ihre Papiertücher auf den Boden werfen während dem vernaschen ihrer „Pinchos“ ( Tapas), abgewöhnen. Gegessen wird normalerweise im Stehen und man ist sehr eng umgeben von dutzenden enthusiastischen Barbesucher.

Der Brauch (Stehen während dem Essen) erscheint einem sehr sinnvoll nachdem man den ersten Bissen eines „Pincho Morunu“ oder „Lomo A La Plancha“ genommen hat während man verzweifelt versucht ein Glas mit Rioja zu halten oder ein Plätzchen sucht um es kurzzeitig zu verstauen. Pinchos werden in einer kleinen spanischen Bar in der Tapasstunde im Stehen für die Mehrheit der Kunden gegessen und es ist einfach leichter meiner Meinung nach und ein Tick spaßiger einfach die Papiertücher dort wo man sich befinden fallen zu lassen, nachdem man nach dem nächsten Pincho greift.

Hier auch ein Tipp meinerseits: Wenn sie auf der Suche nach einer Bar in einer komischen spanischen Stadt sind und Sie die haupt Pincho-Stunde gefunden haben und alle Bars voll sind, nehmen sie doch bitte eines mit vollgefüllten „Einheimischen“. Aber wenn sie vor zwei leere Bars stehen, so leer, dass man den Boden sehen kann, vielleicht weil die meisten Menschen schon nach Hause für das Mittag- oder das Abendessen gestartet sind, ist Ihre beste Wahl immer die Bar mit der unglaublichen Sauerei von Papiertücher auf dem Boden.

Erhalte Deine don Quijote Broschüre gratis nach Hause

El Instituto Cervantes celebra la primera gran fiesta mundial del español

Stacey — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:35:19 +0200

El próximo 20 de junio se celebrará, en todos los centros del Instituto Cervantes, el Día del Español (el Día e), una jornada de puertas abiertas que pretende incrementar la visibilidad de la lengua española en el mundo y crear un punto de encuentro para todos los hablantes de español.

Esta iniciativa del Instituto Cervantes quiere servir para conmemorar el valor del español como lengua de comunicación internacional. Para este día, se han organizado una serie de actividades que tienen como epicentro la palabra, tomando como base la manera en la que se percibe el español, una lengua de relación, alegre, cálida y diversa. El Día del Español se concibe como una jornada festiva para disfrutar en familia. Para mas información sobre el Dia del Español, visitar http://www.eldiae.es/

En Madrid, la jornada contará con diferentes actividades culturales y festivas, conciertos y sesiones de DJ’s al aire libre, la creación de un poema gigante en la ciudad y una lluvia de palabras que a las 11 horas inundará la calle de Alcalá.

El Instituto Cervantes enseñará español a los empleados de Starbucks en Estados Unidos

Stacey — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:52:01 +0200

(To read in English, click here)
Los cien mil trabajadores que tiene en Estados Unidos la cadena de cafeterías Starbucks aprenderán español con la plataforma del Aula Virtual de Español (AVE) del Instituto Cervantes, según se establece en el convenio que han firmado ambas partes.

El personal de la empresa podrá seguir los estudios de español a través del AVE, que estará disponible en la intranet de la compañía norteamericana, cuya sede central se encuentra en Seattle (Estado de Washington).

En Seattle se ubica también la primera Aula Cervantes que el Instituto abrió en Estados Unidos, alojada en la Universidad de Washington. El Aula de Seattle gestionará este programa formativo, que arrancará con un curso piloto impartido por profesores del Departamento de Español de dicha universidad.

Al terminar el curso, los alumnos podrán certificar sus conocimientos con la obtención del Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera (DELE) que otorga el Instituto Cervantes en nombre del Ministerio de Educación de España. El curso durará un año, y Starbucks tendrá acceso a los informes trimestrales para evaluar el avance de los estudiantes.

OFFER: Intensive Spanish and Accomodation in Salamanca for only 399 euros!

Stacey — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:49:00 +0200

The anniversary celebrations in Salamanca are not over yet!

Due to the festive mood following the 20th anniversary of our don Quijote school in Salamanca, our high-spirits have animated us to grant another offer - and this time, an "all-inclusive" one:

An Intensive Spanish Course (20 classes and 5 cultural classes a week) + Premium Accommodation complete with full board (3 daily meals) and your own private bath for only 399 euros per week!

It's a wonderful opportunity to live a ‘pure’ Spanish immersion in graceful Salamanca starting anytime you want between now and 31 December 2009. Just make sure to complete your booking before 29 June 2009!

Come celebrate with us, meet new people, experience the exciting Salmantinian life and learn Spanish... at a great price of course! Don't wait!

Request a free brochure!
Contact a Course Counsellor to request more information!

Conditions:
- Offer cannot be combined with other offers.
- Offer must be requested at time of booking.
- Applies to fully-paid bookings completed before 29 June 2009.
- Valid only for Intensive Spanish Course in Salamanca.
- Offer subject to availability. Expires 29 June 2009.

Exhibition: Joaquin Sorolla in the Prado Museum

Stacey — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:25:28 +0200

Valencia- born impressionist painter Joaquín Sorolla (1863-1920) is the star of a memorable retrospective exhibit currently being held by the Prado Museum in Madrid.

Not only is this exhibition the first for the Spanish art gallery representing the painter, but it is also the most important exhibition in -as well as- out of Spain.

Until September 6, you may delight viewing over 100 of Sorolla’s paintings. Among them are 14 of his magnificent panels painted for the Spanish Society of America in New York in which the painter carefully depicts the many aspects of Spanish Mediterranean life under the illustrative title “Visions of Spain”.

Want to learn Spanish in our don Quijote Madrid school (right in the city center) while discovering great museums and a vibrant nightlife? Then request your free brochure!

"Walk on the beach" (portrait of Sorolla's wife and daughter)

dQ Salamanca 20th Anniversary Offer: 15% OFF on Spanish Courses!

Stacey — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 10:26:16 +0200

The celebrations keep on happening at don Quijote...!

This time, it is don Quijote Salamanca school’s turn to celebrate its 20th anniversary!
Twenty years of hard work, much involvement and dedication have led to twenty years of success… and we want you to celebrate with us!

Get a 15% discount on any of our Spanish courses (to begin anytime between now and 31 December 2009) when you book before June 30th!

So get your traveling bags out, prepare your summer outfits and get ready for a fantastic time living “pure Spanish” in our Renaissance Ciudad Dorada (Golden City)!

¡No te lo pierdas!- Don’t miss out!

Request a free brochure!
Contact a Course Counsellor to request more information!

Conditions:
- Offer not cumulative with other offers.
- Offer must be requested at time of booking
- Subject to availability. Expires 30 June 2009

It is over! Health Warning for H1N1 Flu in Mexico is cancelled!

Stacey — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:58:27 +0200

LAST MINUTE NEWS:
As of May 25th 2009, all travel warnings to Mexico due to the outbreak of novel H1N1 flu in Mexico have been lifted!
This is great news considering that after taking all necessary health and safety precautions, our schools in Mexico did not suffer any incidents!

Why not take this opportunity to have an exotic cultural spanish-learning experience (and a wide range of courses to choose from) in warm and colorful Mexico?

Here's a quick snap shot of each of our Mexican destinations to help you start your planning:

A university city, small and peaceful, far from the coastal centers of mass tourism, Guanajuato seems made to welcome students of Spanish. You will find yourself enchanted by the lovely architecture and by the culture that breathes in every nook and cranny of this alluring colonial beauty.

Simply known as "Playa," this small Caribbean fishing village on the Mayan Riviera is Cancun's laid-back neighbor (approximately 35 minutes from Cancun's international airport). Playa del Carmen is a wonderful place to enjoy the cultural and historic richness of Mexico and the Mayan people. It attracts visitors from all over the world because of its relaxed, tropical atmosphere and its unmatched beaches.

With peaks of almost 10,000 feet high, caverns among the deepest in the world, unspoiled beaches, jungles and valleys, Oaxaca is an ideal place to experience the beauty of Mexico and its people. Oaxaca is protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site for its Spanish colonial buildings and nearby archaeological centre, Monte Albán.

The magical combination of mountains and beaches makes visitors fall in love with Puerto Vallarta at first sight. Aside from its beauty and amazing flora and fauna, this city also charms tourists with its colonial architecture and traditions, famous even in Mexico. Puerto Vallarta is the perfect blend of tropical waters and rich Mexican culture: a place to learn, relax, have fun and marvel at natural wonders.

Request your free brochure!

Save 20% on accommodation in Barcelona!

Stacey — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:46:56 +0200

Looking to learn Spanish in a big city while also having the beach nearby?
don Quijote Barcelona is an excellent destination... and you're just in luck!

Book your accommodation in our don Quijote Barcelona Residence before 30 June 2009 , and receive a 20% discount!

Did you know you can also combine this offer (20% off on accommodation) with our other offer "Living Spanish in Barcelona celebration" (10% off on Intensive Spanish course)?

It's a great combination deal!

So begin exploring Barcelona by booking now... space is limited!

Contact a Course Counsellor.
Get a free brochure of our programs and prices.

Conditions:
-Offer applies to accommodation in don Quijote Barcelona only.
-Offer is cumulative only with "Living Spanish in Barcelona" offer.
-Offer must be requested at time of booking.
-Offer subject to availability. Expires June 30, 2009.

Save with don Quijote's Online Booking!

Stacey — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:45:29 +0200

From now until June 30, when you register online for your Spanish courses through don Quijote's Online Booking, you’ll save yourself:

enrollment fee* or accommodation fee**

...depending on the destination you choose, which are listed on the registration form. Get to know all the details (and discover our other offers) in the Special Offers section!

Conditions:
- Offer only applies to one: Enrollment fee OR Accommodation fee, NOT both.
- Offer not valid for phone registrations or bookings done by post/mail.
- Offer not cumulative with any other offer.
- Offer not applicable to changes from one school to another.
- Offer subject to availability. Expires 30 June 2009.

* Enrollment fee savings: 65€ (Alicante, Marbella and Sevilla) or $100 (Guanajuato)
** Accommodation Fee saving: 30€ (Barcelona, Granada, Madrid, Salamanca, Tenerife and Valencia).

Request a free brochure too!

Special member offer: no enrollment fee!

Stacey — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:42:11 +0200

don Quijote is offering an exclusive discount for our members:
When you book a Spanish course with us, we´ll waive your enrollment fee saving you 65€/USD$100!!!
It’s our way of saying thank you for being a member!

This offer is valid for Spanish courses in the following don Quijote schools in Spain and México: Barcelona, Madrid, Salamanca, Granada, Valencia, Tenerife or Guanajuato.

To benefit from this special discount you must log into your member account and book your course online.

Contact your Course Counsellor now for information about our courses.
(Remember to request the member’s offer)

Book this offer online now! (Must sign in first!)

Conditions:
- Offer not cumulative. Cannot be combined with any other offer
- Offer available upon request
- Offer expires 30 June 2009

Experience Mexico for 15% less!

Stacey — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:38:35 +0200

Would you like to study Spanish this spring on the shores of the Pacific Ocean or on the warm waters of the Caribbean?

Now’s your chance! Learn Spanish and get to know Mexico at an exceptional price!

Plan your 2009 Spanish course to stay between now and December 28 of 2009 in: Guanajuato -- and get a 15% discount when you sign up before June 30!

Mexico's awaiting! Don’t wait to sign up!

Request a FREE brochure and shout “¡Viva Mexico!”

Conditions:
- Offer cannot be combined with any other offer.
- Offer must be requested at time of booking.
- Offer subject to availability. Expires June 30, 2009.

Living Spanish in Barcelona celebration: 10% DISCOUNT OFFER!

Stacey — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:27:53 +0200

The grand opening of our brand new school in Barcelona and the 2009 20th anniversary of the opening of the first don Quijote school in Spain are HUGE reasons to celebrate this year!

To get the party going, we’re offering away a 10% discount on our Intensive Spanish course in Barcelona!

Here's how easy it is to enjoy an unforgettable Spanish course in Barcelona at a discounted price:

Just book our most popular course, Intensive Spanish, with don Quijote accommodation and an arrival date between now and June 30 of 2009. Yep... that’s it!

So if you’ve been dreaming about a Spanish course in Spain, don’t miss this chance!
Where better to experience the thrill of learning this passionate language than in the pulsating, culturally explosive city of Barcelona? And in our state of the art, ideally located new school in the heart of Barcelona's L'Eixample district?

Start planning your stay in Barcelona today by contacting our course counsellors or requesting your copy of our free brochure!.

Act quickly to reserve your place and your first choice of accommodation! This special offer is subject to availabilty.

Conditions:
- Discount cannot be combined with any other offer.
- Discount must be requested at time of booking.
- Discount not applicable to changes from one school to another, with the exception of extending or lengthening your stay, prior to your arrival.
- Discount not applicable during June, July and August.
- Offer subject to availability. Expires June 30, 2009.

Save 20% on your Spanish Courses in Valencia

Stacey — Wed, 27 May 2009 13:01:47 +0200

This summer is all about learning Spanish in a warm, coastal Mediterranean city where the sun always shines and the nightlife goes on forever...Valencia for 20% less!

Take advantage of receiving a 20% discount on your Spanish courses with 3 easy steps:

1) Choose a Spanish course from our wide list of courses
2) Enroll before 30 June 2009 (don't forget to mention this offer!)
3) Start preparing to begin your stay in July (or later!)

Overall, if you're looking to learn Spanish in Spain's third-largest city dubbed "The City of Light" for its year-round mild-climate, innumerable sunny beaches and its modern "City of Arts & Sciences" cultural complexes, then Valencia is the ideal choice for you!

Contact a course counsellor now!
Request a free brochure!

Conditions:
- Cannot be combined with another offer.
- Offer must be requested at time of booking.
- Applies only to BOOKINGS made by 30 June 2009 (Madrid time).
- Valid for STAYS beginning in July.
- Subject to availability. Expires 30 June 2009.

USA students in Salamanca, Citrus College & others - Spring 2009

Stacey — Mon, 25 May 2009 17:40:07 +0200

U.S.A. students during their 3-month stay in Salamanca (11 Feb 2009- 15 May 2009)

This is the 12th year Citrus College and various other colleges members of the Southern California Foothills Consortium for Study Abroad have picked the Golden City of Salamanca as their study abroad destination and don Quijote Salamanca as their host Spanish school!

Why choose don Quijote to study Spanish? Find out!

don Quijote Salamanca: 20 años viviendo el español.

Agus — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:07:40 +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

Spanish in Granada... 4th week is free!

Stacey — Tue, 12 May 2009 16:18:53 +0200

Spend more time in Granada this summer... for a lot less!
Immerse yourself in the Spanish language and discover the history behind Granada's rich Moorish past:

Enroll before 31 May 2009 in a 4-week Intensive Spanish Course with a stay in June, July or August ...and get the 4th week free!

Where else can you relax in the nearby beaches, taste the refreshing drinks served in the numerous arab tea houses ("teterías"), stroll through the city's winding cobblestone streets, visit the legendary Alhambra Palace or Granada's many monuments?

Contact our course counsellor for information
Request a free brochure!

Conditions:
- Cannot be combined with another offer.
- Offer must be requested at time of booking.
- Applies only to BOOKINGS made by 31 May 2009 (Madrid time).
- Valid for STAYS during June, July or August only.
- Subject to availability. Expires 31 May 2009.

No enrollment fee for Summer Camps when booking before May 31!

Stacey — Mon, 11 May 2009 17:05:27 +0200

Save on your Summer Camp experience in 2 simple steps!

Step 1- Choose your favorite summer camp destination:

   Barcelona
   Granada
   Madrid
   Marbella "Albergue"
   Marbella "Alboran"
   Marbella "Aleman"

   Salamanca
   Sevilla
   Valencia
   Guanajuato (Mexico)

Step 2- Request your enrollment fee waiver (for an summer camp arrival in August 2009) when you book and fully pay before May 31, 2009).

That’s it!

Get a free Summer Camp brochure with all our programs and prices.
Contact our Course Counsellors to request more information.

Conditions:
- Offer is only available upon request.
- Offer not cumulative with other offers and subject to availability.
- Enrollment fee savings: 65 euros ($100 for Guanajuato only)
- Offer expires: 31 May 2009

Training for A1 Level DELE examinations

Stacey — Thu, 07 May 2009 13:36:23 +0200

Important DELE information:
As it has been previously published, the DELE examinations for the official Spanish language diplomas taking place next week on May 15 and 16 of 2009, will include for the first time, examinations for students at the A1 level.

Instituto Cervantes (the organization in charge of arranging the DELE examinations) mandates that members of the grading panel must possess thorough knowledge of the nature of DELE and that of the Spanish language.

In order to attain this for graders of A1 level, Instituto Cervantes has ultimately decided to provide the exam proctors/graders with formation courses in order to guarantee, with greater authority, the correct execution of the exams.

This 6-hour training course specifically designed for proctors of DELE A1, can be completed in 1 day in Instituto Cervante’s headquarters in Alcalá de Henares (Madrid). The next training course will take place on May 9th from 10:00 to 18:00 (10am-6pm). Interested Panel members of FEDELE must contact the Federation’s secretary.

Spaniards featured in TIME Magazine's "100 most influential of 2009"

Stacey — Mon, 04 May 2009 17:22:50 +0200

TIME Magazine has published it's famous issue naming the world's "100 Most Influential People for 2009"

Two Spaniards "se codean" (lit: rub shoulders) on this world list-- actress Penelope Cruz and tennis champion Rafael Nadal!

Read TIME's original articles about Penelope and about Rafa.

don Quijote Nederland

Stacey — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:46:08 +0200

Als u in Nederland leeft en gehouden van lerend het Spaans met don Quijote...

Visit don Quijote Nederland blog

don Quijote Nederland website

10 redenen om Spaans te leren met don Quijote.

Ontvang Onze Gratis Brochure per post!

News: Portugal seeks Spanish teachers

Stacey — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:41:38 +0200

The growing interest in learning Spanish by Portugal's public school students has left the country in serious need for qualified teachers.

The Portguese Ministry of Education found itself with no choice but to implement a controversial solution to this problem: to award 220 people (for now) with a Spanish teaching post until 2013 by means of a contest.

Participants do not necesarily have to be degree-holders in Spanish - those who have degrees in any language closely related to Spanish, or who have obtained the Diploma Español de Lengua Extranjera (DELE) level C2 from the Instituto Cervantes are eligible to apply.

This teacher shortage is due to the unexpected increase in Spanish learning among portuguese students. For the 2004/2005 year, only a little over 5 thousand portuguese students studied Spanish - a small number compared to this year's almost 50 thousand.

Good to know:
don Quijote also offers a course for Teachers of Spanish in Spain or Latin America.
Request a free brochure!

To great drinks... and learning Spanish in Valencia

Stacey — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:01:08 +0200

From April 25-27 of 2009, Valencia will host the Concurso Mundial de Vinos (World Wide Wine Contest Event). The very first time this event is taking place in Spain with over 50 countries in attendance to participate.

The event will also coincide with Vinoélite“la feria de los grandes vinos” (the Fine Wines Fair).

The fact that these 2 events coincide, will make Valencia the wine capital of the world… at least for a few days. Get more info in www.feriavalencia.com

Feel like studying Spanish in Valencia?
Request a free brochure now!

Semana Santa in Spain

Stacey — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:04:01 +0200

Semana Santa or Holy Week in Spanish, is an Easter tradition of street processionals which are repeated year after year in Spain and some parts of Latin America during the month of April.

It is a time when both the devout and the curious come together to participate in the religious processions passing through the streets and Plaza Mayores (Town Squares) providing an ambience and mystique of an open air temple. Large crowds gather to witness the processions, and it is hard not to be deeply moved, even if one is not religious.

The theatrical processions, which begin on Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday), consist of huge floats adorned with flowers and lit candles that carry lavish life-size statues of Jesus and Mary in tragic re-enactment of the events of Holy Week. The most dramatic and solemn day is jueves Santo (Holy Thursday) and viernes Santo (Good Friday), and the celebration ends on a joyous note on Domingo de Pascua o Resurreción (Easter Sunday or Resurrection).

Learn about Semana Santa in English and Spanish
Want more? Read other posts on Semana Santa!

Request a free brochure now!

Learn the art of flamenco dance now!

Stacey — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:31:16 +0200

Flamenco is a genuine Spanish art; to be more precise - a genuine Southern Spanish art.

Originating from Andalusia, flamenco is a passionate and seductive Spanish art form involving the guitar, song and dance. The interesting thing about flamenco is that its roots are a mystery. The general belief is that this art form was created before the Reconquest as the mix of Gypsy, Islamic, Sephardic and Andalusian cultures cohabited together in the south of Spain.

Our Spanish schools in Granada and Madrid provide you with a special course with classes starting every Monday, year round:

20 hours a week of Intensive Spanish + 8 hours a week of Flamenco Dance
So don't think twice! Learn to dance and live the Spanish passion, because in the flamenco world, words are not necessary to express yourself.

Contact us for more information or to book your stay!
Request a free brochure!

Por qué no puedes ¨coger el autobus¨ en latinoamerica!

Stacey — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 12:40:54 +0100

Como en casi todos los idiomas, hay varios dialectos, vocabulario diferentes, etc.
En español es igual, pero hay un factor muy importante en el que hay que acordarse. Ése factor es que en el español hay palabras que se dicen en un país que también se dicen en otros, PERO que tienen un significado MUY diferente. Hay que tener en cuenta las diferencias ya que una palabra puede tener un significado opuesto, completamente diferente o uno muy vulgar!

En españa por ejemplo, todos "cogemos" el autobus, pero en algunos paises de latino america, sería mejor que no lo "cojas" nunca. ¿Por qué?
Porque en españa, el verbo coger signfica "tomar" (como el inglés "to take", "to catch", "to get" the bus), pero en varios paises de latino america el verbo coger significa otro cosa... que es bastante vulgar y mejor no lo mencionamos.

Si te interesa aprender algunas otras palabras que tienen significado diferentes en varios paises, ver Curiosidades Jergales.
¡Aprende español en españa! (Learn Spanish in Spain!)
¡Aprende español en latinoamerica! (Learn Spanish in Latin America!)
¡Pide tu folleto! (Request your FREE brochure!)

Expolingua Lisboa promotes Spanish and Portuguese languages

Stacey — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 11:24:24 +0100

The19th edition of the Expolingua Portugal fair, which was celebrated from March 4-6 of 2009 in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon, actively promoted the Spanish and the Portuguese languages as international languages among the Portuguese public.

According to Expolingua’s president Renato Borges de Sousa, who spoke during the fair’s opening, one of the principal targets of this year’s edition was "to unite efforts between the eight Portuguese-speaking countries and have the (Portuguese) language gain international statute". However, Spanish-speakers also occupied an outstanding area in the fair: a total of 5 stands promoted Spain as a tourist, cultural and linguistic destination.

Portuguese youngsters between 10 and 16 years of age, mainly confused regarding what languages are spoken in the different Spanish autonomous regions, were those who approached the Spanish stands the most asking for promotional material and to find out how they can study in the Spanish universities.

The fair also included a Cultural Program, where conferences, debates and workshops gathered specialists, teachers of Spanish and students to debate varying themes relating to the world of languages.

Why should you learn Spanish?
Request a free brochure now!
Learn Spanish at home! Conquer the basic Spanish grammar and vocabulary

Read our Spanish and Latin Culture section... in English and Spanish!

Stacey — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:35:14 +0100

We are excited to announce that don Quijote's is updating and translating its Spanish and Latin culture section. Soon you’ll be able to read all of the English texts in Spanish and vice versa! To make up for the delay in this time-consuming task, we are including in each text a list of topic-related vocabulary and verbs we think will be useful to you in and out of class!

Discover our improved Culture section and begin your cultural reading with Spanish writers, Spanish painters or the magnificent Spanish sites! With new articles added and updated each week!

Make your reading experience a learning experience...
We would love to know what you're interested in reading, so leave us a comment!

Fallas and Spring in Valencia: 15% OFF on accomodation

Stacey — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 11:00:12 +0100

Celebrate the arrival of spring with Las Fallas in Valencia this month:
Stay in a shared student flat or a family residence between March 8 - April 4 and get 15% off on accommodation!

You can take advantage of this offer when you book a double room. Don’t miss out on seeing the Mascletá – the fireworks and firecrackers display. Come study Spanish in Valencia today!

Contact your Course Counsellor now to request more information.
Get a free brochure with all our programs and prices.
Check out the rest of our Special Offers!

Conditions:
-Discount excludes Galileo Residence
-Discount subject to availability. Expires March 27, 2009.
-Discount not cumulative. Cannot be combined with any other offer.
-Discount must be requested at time of booking.

Spanish Royal couple to promote “Made in /Made by Spain” in NY

Stacey — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:29:47 +0100

On March 16 -17 of 2009, the city of New York – also known as The Big Apple - will welcome future King and Queen of Spain, Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia. The royal couple will inaugurate the “Made in/Made by Spain” campaign, a project that is expected to run for 1.5 years.

The main objective of the campaign is to promote Spanish products and strengthen ties within the American market. The New York inauguration will continue in The Windy City of Chicago in May. Over 100 Spanish companies will participate in both events.

Keep yourself informed about Spain with updated Spanish News!

Penelope Cruz wins 2009 Oscar and becomes first Spanish actress to do so!

Stacey — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 17:00:10 +0100

This is the moment Spain has been waiting for...

Penélope Cruz, who was once nominated for the American Oscars in 2007 for her role in the movie Volver (and didn’t win) finally got her statue in 2009… and we couldn’t be happier!

Not only did she win, but Penélope Cruz made history when she became the first Spanish (female) actress to win an Oscar for her role as a crazy wife in the movie Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Her Vicky Cristina Barcelona co-star, Javier Bardem became the first Spanish (male) actor to win the coveted award last year.

Watch her Oscar speech (subtitled in Spanish):

Penélope’s road to Hollywood success...
Penélope Cruz Sánchez was born in Madrid, Spain, on April 28, 1974. Her father, Eduardo, was a retailer, and her mother Encarna, a hairdresser. They named their daughter Penélope after a song of the same name that was written by Spanish singer/composer Joan Manuel Serrat. The couple has two other children, Eduardo Jr. and Mónica, who is a dancer and also an actress and clothes designer for the brand Mango like her sister.

A ravishingly beautiful woman, Cruz established herself before age 26 as Spain's most popular actress of her generation. After years of intensive study in ballet and jazz, she broke into acting in 1992. Winning her country's coveted Goya Award for Best Actress was a powerful indication that Cruz is destined to enjoy the kind of extraordinary career -in Spain and abroad- that no other Spanish actress has ever achieved. Cruz and fellow Spaniard Antonio Banderas once presented the Oscar for best foreign film to Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar, for Todo Sobre Mi Madre (All About My Mother), which coincidentally starred her in one of the most difficult roles of her career. In this film, she plays a nun who falls in love with an AIDS-infected man and then dies from the disease. Her list of Spanish credits also include Jamón, Jamón and the Oscar-winning foreign film Belle Epoque that turned her into Spain's leading female actress.

In addition, she's appeared in Woman on Top, the romantic comedy about a Brazilian chef who becomes a famous TV personality because of her brilliant cooking and on-screen charisma. Penélope Cruz is also seen in Billy Bob Thorton's film, All the Pretty Horses, where she plays an aristocratic Mexican woman who falls in love with an American drifter played by Matt Damon. She also starred with Tom Cruise in Paramount Pictures' Vanilla Sky, a remake of Cruz's 1997 Spanish film Abre los Ojos (Open Your Eyes), Nicolas Cage in Captain Correlli's Mandolin and with Scarlett Johansson in Woody Allen’s 2008 film Vicki Cristina Barcelona - the film that garnered her the Oscar in 2009!

Penélope had a romance with Nacho Cano, member of the famous Spanish group Mecano, with whom she lived until they broke up and she moved in with fellow actor Gigi Sarrasola, a short-lived romance. In 2005, she was named one of People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People in the World." Today, having worked hard to achieve Hollywood success (not easy for a non-English speaker), she is a major Hollywood star who just won her first Oscar and has had the privilege to have dated famous actors such as Tom Cruise, Matthew McConaughey and her current Spanish beau Javier Bardem.

Penélope also speaks four languages: Spanish, Italian, French and English.