Spanish Teaching

Travel tips and a bit of Spanish language

Paqui — Fri, 09 May 2008 09:29:17 +0200

Every month in don Quijote's newsletter we offer you travel tips for Spain and Latin America as well as bits of Spanish language to practice and learn.

Subscribing is free and you will receive your newsletter in English and Spanish every month with: News about Spain and Latin America, a Spanish proverb, some Spanish slang to learn, a recipe, learning resources and information about offers in Spanish courses.

Have a look at our latest newsletters and start practicing now!

Teacher Appreciation Week 2008

Stacey — Thu, 08 May 2008 13:19:45 +0200

Teacher Appreciation Week in the United States is from May 6 - May 10. It's a week of honoring and thanking the special people that help to contribute in making a difference in the world by molding, guiding, enlightening and inspiring the minds of the future.

Today in Latin American and Spanish History: April 30th, 1492

Stacey — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:02:02 +0200

April 30th, 1492….what event happened 516 years ago today that played a key role in changing the history of the world?

If you guessed the discovery of the New World – well, that happened a little later on in October 12th of that same year - but you’re headed in the right direction. We invite you to read an in-depth article about the life, voyages and legacy of Christopher Columbus, since today marks the day he was granted royal commission to start equipping his fleet for a new voyage. So, let’s thank the Spanish monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella for ‘taking a chance’ so to speak.

And if you want to learn or improve your Spanish, don Quijote’s partner school is proud to offer Spanish courses in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), THE very place our dear Columbus built the first capital of the New World. The island is proud to boast that it is also home to the first university, the first cathedral, the first military fortress and the first hospital.

Or perhaps you rather study in Salamanca (Spain), the place where he consulted and ardently defended his argument? It too, is home to the first university… not of the New World, but of Old World Spain.

So request a free brochure to start your own journey of discovery!

Expo Zaragoza 2008

Stacey — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 10:40:46 +0200

If you’re visiting Spain anytime between June 14th and September 14th, you must make a pit stop in Zaragoza.

The reason?
The city is hosting this year’s International Exposition, under the title theme of ‘Water for Sustainable Development’. This is an inmense honor for Zaragoza since as of today, 106 countries have accepted the invitation to participate. No wonder the city is beaming with pride!.

Get all the details in Expo Zaragoza 2008
For additional info visit: Expo

P.S.- Did you know the Eiffel Tower was born at the same expo back in 1889?

What better practice than reading Pedro Almodovar's blog?

Erin — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:47:56 +0200

Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar is working on a new film, Los abrazos rotos. And in the process, he's created a wonderful opportunity for film fans and Spanish students to get an inside look at how a film is made: a blog, where he muses on the script, the best translation for an English title (he decided the title's abrazos are more "embraces" than "hugs"), Penelope Cruz's hairstyle and, seemingly, whatever crosses his mind.

Blogpedroalmodóvar is written in Spanish, with English and French translations. (Access the translations through the blog's main page, www.pedroalmodovar.es .) If you're an intermediate or high beginner student of Spanish, the translations will provide a quick way for you to understand vocabulary or colloquialisms new to you, before carrying on reading the blog in Spanish.

The bilingual advantage: a buff brain

Erin — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:00:00 +0200

El Castellano published an intriguing article a few weeks back about the effects of bilingualism on the brain. The article, titled "Los idiomas entrenan el cerebro" (Languages train the brain), describes the results of a number of studies on bilingualism. My favorite finding? It never is too late to learn a language. In fact, learning a second language late in life has beneficial effects beyond being able to communicate with a whole new crowd.

The studies shed some light on why young children learn multiple languages so effortlessly and completely, as well.

And the article is in Spanish, so reading it alone will be a good workout. :)

Poll Results: big city Spain, here we come

Erin — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:45:34 +0200

Results from our last poll are in!

Seems readers of this blog would choose to study in a major city in Spain (37%), a small town in Spain (21%) or a major city in Latin America.

The full results are below. (If you'd like to explore the cities and towns in Spain and Latin America, by the way, don Quijte's destinations page is a good place to start.)

Where would you study?

If you won a free course today, where would you study Spanish?

Latin America, in a major city

30 (20%)

Latin American, in a small town

21 (14%)

Spain, in a major city

53 (37%)

Spain, in a small town

31 (21%)

Nowhere. I'd keep studying in my home country.

8 (5%)

Total votes: 143

Was ist die Expo Zaragoza?

Brian Meyer — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 11:02:24 +0200

Auf der Weltausstellung in Zaragoza dreht sich vom 14. Juni bis 14. September 2008 alles um das Thema „Wasser und nachhaltige Entwicklung“.
Deutschland präsentiert auf der EXPO eine attraktive Mischung aus Information und Unterhaltung und zeigt innovative Technologien, richtungsweisende Entwicklungen und kreative Ideen.
Der Deutsche Pavillon nimmt Sie mit auf eine Reise in die wunderbare Welt des Wassers. Erleben Sie ein modernes Wassermärchen und entdecken Sie faszinierende deutsche Wasserlandschaften.

La lengua española más joven que nunca

Paqui — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:55:41 +0200

Ayer se inauguró en la Rioja el seminario el español de los jóvenes, en el que se debatirán las nuevas jergas y usos de la lengua Española.

Consejos de viaje y recursos gratis cada mes

Paqui — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:14:15 +0200

En el boletín de noticias de don Quijote te ofrecemos cada mes consejos y sugerencias para viajar por España y América Latina, además de recursos gratis para que puedas practicar y mantener tu español desde casa.
Suscríbete y te enviaremos gratuitamente cada mes nuestro boletín por email (en inglés y en español).

En el boletín mensual de marzo encontrarás:
Un refrán en español, información sobre la Feria de Abril en Sevilla, nuestra última oferta en cursos de español con descuentos. Un piropo en español, expresiones coloquiales para aprender, una receta de un plato típico, una noticia sobre nuestro último concurso en el que una lectora ha ganado un curso en España, y una recomendación de pagina web para visitar.
Suscribete ya para recibir el boletín de abril.

Heilige Woche - Semana Santa

Brian Meyer — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:20:04 +0200

Heilige Woche, auch auf Spanisch als Semana Santa bekannt, ist ein sehr wichtiges Ereignis und eine Tradition in Spanien. Jedes Jahr genießt jedes Dorf die Schönheit und das geheimnisvolle der Semana Santa. Sieben Tage lang, vergisst das Land die letzte Woche, in der Jesus Christus noch auf der Erde lebte, welches durch seiner Kreuzigung (am Karfreitag) und seiner Auferstehung am Ostersonntag beendet wurde.

Spanish actor Javier Bardem wins an Oscar

Paqui — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:45:09 +0100

Spanish actor Javier Bardem won an Oscar for his role in the film “No country for old men”.
Bardem's Oscar as supporting actor, is the 16th Oscar won a by a representative of Spanish cinema. Directors Pedro Almodóvar, José Luis Garci, Fernando Trueba and Luis Buñuel have already been awarded by Hollywood.
Watch this video of Bardem at the Oscar ceremony.

Read more about Spanish cinema and actor Javier Bardem.

Holy week (Semana Santa) in Spain

Celine — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:03:44 +0100

Holy week, known in Spanish as Semana Santa, is a very important holiday and national tradition in Spain. Year after year, each and every village proudly enjoys the beauty and mystery of Semana Santa. For seven days, the country stops to remember the last week of the earthly life of Jesus Christ which ended in his crucifixion on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Read this article to find out more about Spanish Semana Santa, and learn some words in Spanish (with pronunciation) related to this celebration.

10% discount on your Spanish course in Mexico

Celine — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:25:49 +0100

Check out our newest offer. If you have been thinking about studying Spanish in Mexico, there is no better time than the present. Escape the cold weather and enjoy a relaxing vacation while brushing up your Spanish.

Mexico offers the perfect blend of tropical waters, mountains and rich Mexican culture; a place to learn, relax, have fun and take in the natural wonders.

When you book your Spanish course in Playa del Carmen, Puerto Vallarta or Oaxaca for April and May before May 31^st, we´ll give you a 10% discount on the price of your course.

Whether you want an exotic cultural experience, deserted beaches, ancient ruins or vibrant cities, Mexico has is all.

Sign up now and receive your special discount today.

Ask for more details here

General Elections in Spain

Paqui — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:39:30 +0100

Spaniards voted yesterday in the General Elections to choose their President and representatives in the Spanish Parliament.
Jose Luís Rodriguez Zapatero, current President of Spain, won the elections and will be in office for another 4 years in Spain.
Mr. Zapatero, leader of the Socialist Party (PSOE), obtained 169 seats in the Parliament, short of the 176 needed for an absolute parliamentary majority. His main opponent, Mariano Rajoy obtained 153 seats with the Popular Party (PP).

Practice Spanish reading news about the Spanish elections and watching videos in Spanish here: http://www.rtve.es/elecciones/

The incredible Machu Picchu

Celine — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:48:01 +0100

Machu Picchu is a pre-Columbian city that was created by the Inca in the 15th century. Forgotten for centuries by everyone but the locals, the city remained 'lost' for over three centuries until it was brought back to international attention in 1911.

Virtual visit to Guanajuato, Mexico

Paqui — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 12:31:01 +0100

Travel with us to Guanajuato, a charming city in the heart of Mexico where we set our first Spanish school in Latin America, don Quijote Guanajuato.
Guanajuato is a quiet university town, rich in culture and colonial architecture and has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO; an ideal location for a Spanish course in Mexico.
If you are thinking about studying Spanish abroad but can't decide where? Maybe this video can help you to make up your mind.

Read more about Guanajuato
More information to study Spanish in Guanajuato

Winner of a two week Spanish course in Spain!!

Celine — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 13:10:31 +0100

Kamila Hazdrová from the CzechRepublic has won a free 2 week Spanish course with don Quijote.

In September 2007, we held a contest in our Monthly Newsletter offering a student the possibility to win a free Spanish course at don Quijote. We are very happy to announce our winner.

24 year old Kamila Hazdrová from the Czech Republic, a subscriber to our Monthly Newsletter, participated in the draw and won a free 2 week Intensive Spanish course with accommodation. The destination Kamila has chosen for her course is don Quijote Granada school where she will study for two weeks in May.

Congratulations once again!

We would like to thank all our participants and remind you to keep your eyes peeled for future contests.

If you have not yet signed up for our Monthly Newsletter sign up to find out all about our special offers, programs and contests.

Do you also want to study abroad with don Quijote? Order your free brochure to get more information about our courses

Check out a few video testimonials from our Study and Work Program

Celine — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 15:06:47 +0100

don Quijote offers a Work & Study program which combines a Spanish course in any don Quijote destination followed by a job placement in Marbella, a resort town in southern Spain. You won’t get rich, but you will earn enough to cover basic expenses. This is a great opportunity to get working experience abroad while learning or improving your Spanish and most of all to have a really fun time and meet lots of new people. This program has had great reviews from many of happy students.

Check out a few videos of our student testimonials and hear about their experience working in Spain.

If you book before March 31st you will get an incredible discount on our Study and Work program. Find out more about this offer.

Study and work in Spain - special offer!

Paqui — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 12:40:39 +0100

If you want to study and work in Spain, here is a great opportunity for you.

don Quijote's Study and Work program in Marbella provides students from European Union countries a unique opportunity to learn Spanish in Spain while working to cover their expenses and improving their CV.

And even better news is that you can now book your Spanish course and work placement in Spain for an unbeatable price.

Book before March 31st and get a special discount on the price of don Quijote's Study and Work program that will allow you to save 25% on the price of the course.

Read more about this offer here

Want more information? Ask for details now!

Click here to ask for a free phone call from don Quijote's course counsellors now!

Poll results: Passion wins!

Erin — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 15:43:05 +0100

Results are in from our latest poll and passion for Hispanic language, culture and literature is far and above the primary reason our readers are studying Spanish.

Darn good reason, too. Thanks for your participation! A new poll is up.

Here are the full results:

What brings you here?

What's your primary motivation for studying Spanish?

Other reason. Why didn't you include it?

15 (12%)

Work/business

13 (11%)

Travel

12 (10%)

Family reasons

8 (6%)

I plan to live in a Spanish speaking country.

9 (7%)

I am living in a Spanish speaking country now.

8 (6%)

Passion for Hispanic language, culture or literature.

52 (44%)

Total votes: 117

Love is in the air!

Celine — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 12:37:37 +0100

Valentines Day (el día de San Valentín in Spanish) is the perfect opportunity to let your loved ones know exactly how much you care! Send an electronic postcard to your friends, family and all the other special people in your life.

¡CARNAVAL! Carnival Cádiz and Carnival Tenerife

Erin — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 20:25:58 +0100

It's Carnival time in Tenerife and Cádiz!

If you thought that festive Carnival celebrations were the exclusive property of Brazil or Venice, you'll be in for a wild surprise during a February visit to Spain. The most famous Spanish carnival celebrations take place in Tenerife in the Canary Islands and Cádiz in Andalusia.

Tenerife’s Carnival is similar to that of Río de Janeiro, perhaps simply due to geography, since Tenerife is a tropical island with an average temperature of 22º Celsius throughout the year. For "Tinerfeños", Carnaval is the event of the year. Locals work diligently on their costumes for months before the start of the festivities. Dance, music and color take to the streets during the the island's Carnival parades. The most important parades take place in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the capital of the island. If you're eager to see local color and culture while you learn Spanish, Carnival is an ideal time for Spanish course at don Quijote Tenerife.

When: January 30 – February 9th, 2008

See some of our students' photos of past Tenerife Carnivals.

More detailed information: Carnaval Tenerife, the official website.

The Carnival of Cadiz is equally famous. Gaditanos have their own way of living Carnaval. Following more in the Carnival footsteps of Venice than Río, Cádiz revelers get together with a group of friends to dress up according to a theme and sing songs with lyrics written as a parody of current Spanish public events or news. The essential ingredients of the Carnival of Cádiz are fun, flamenco and "cachondeo" (joking). And yes, like the Carnival of Tenerife, with don Quijote, you can enjoy the Carnival of Cádiz from the comfort of a Spanish course and student accommodation.

When: main events from February 2 to February 10th, 2008

More detailed information: Carnaval de Cádiz, the official website.

Three great resources for intermediate and advanced students

Erin — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 13:00:00 +0100

I've just discovered three great resources for students and newer practicioners (like myself) of Spanish. All three are projects of Fundeú BBVA , a nonprofit organization formed to "collaborate in the good use of the Spanish language". All three are well worth a bookmark:

An excellent "dictionary" of dichos y refranes

Vademécum, where you can search for all sort of common mistakes and "made phrases" you may not recognize or be sure you're using correctly.

And the newest of the three, Wikilengua, a wiki of Spanish grammar, spelling, expressions and vocabulary. Here you'll find glossaries (of sports, "new" slang and extranjerismos, so far), a in-depth table of the words associated with places world-wide (ever wonder where abulenses live or what to call the residents of London in Spanish?), links to Spanish language dictionaries online, and lots more.

What's with all the napkins on the floor? Long overdue poll results.

Erin — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 13:58:02 +0100

Way back in September we presented this poll question to you:

Out for tapas lately? Honestly, how comfortable are you tossing your napkins on the floor in a Spanish bar?

Luckily the Spanish have yet to give up the habit of tossing their napkins to the floor while eating pinchos (tapas), usually standing and closely surrounded by dozens of other enthusiastic bar patrons. The custom makes sense to you from the moment you take your first bite of pincho moruno or lomo a la plancha while desperately trying to juggle a glass of Rioja or reach for a place to temporarily store it. Pinchos are eaten standing for the vast majority of clients in a small Spanish bar at tapas hour, and it's just easier and if you ask me, a whole lot more fun, to drop your napkin right where you are as you head for the next pincho.

From this tradition comes, usually, a period of discomfort for extranjeros who envision their mothers scowling in disapproval.

It also leads me to the best advice I can give you for picking out a bar in a strange Spanish town. If you've hit prime pincho hour and the bars are full, by all means pick an establishment packed with locals. But when you find yourself facing two bars empty enough for you to see the floor, perhaps because most folks have already headed home for the comida or cena, your best pick is always the bar with that incredible mess of napkins on the floor.

With sincere apologies for the delay then, here's how you answered that question:

Honestly, how comfortable are you tossing those napkins on the floor in a Spanish bar?

Are you kidding? I even throw the clean ones down there. What's your hang-up?

20 (18%)

I do it, but I'll admit I look both ways first.

13 (11%)

Takes everything I have to do it, still, but I do it. When in Spain...

19 (17%)

No way. What if my mother sees me?

13 (11%)

Throw the what? where? I need a trip to Spain, don't I?

46 (41%)

Total votes: 111

A quick lesson: expressions / Una lección rápida: expresiones

Erin — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 18:05:42 +0100

from the don Quijote weekly lesson:

Expresiones con partes del cuerpo: La cara

Tener cara de pocos amigos

(Tener aspecto serio o enfadado)
(To look sad or angry)

Ejemplo: Esta mañana he visto a Pedro y tenía cara de pocos amigos. No le gustó lo que le dijimos ayer.

Ir/andar a cara descubierta

(actuar públicamente, claramente, sin ocultar las intenciones.)
(To act or speak openly)

Ejemplo: Ana siempre tiene problemas con su jefa porque va a cara descubierta y a su jefa no le gusta escuchar ciertas cosas.

Caérsele a alguien la cara de vergüenza

(Salir los colores al rostro mostrando vergüenza ante una situación)
(To be ashamed)

Ejemplo: Anoche se me caía la cara de vergüenza cuando me contaron vuestro comportamiento. No volveré a invitaros.

Dar la cara

(Responder de los propios actos y afrontar las consecuencias.)
(To face the consequences of what one has done)

Ejemplo: Alberto siempre da la cara, así que no habrá problema para corregir esos errores.

Sacar/Dar la cara por alguien

(Apoyar a otra persona o responder por él)
(To stand up for somebody, To stick up for somebody)

Ejemplo: Estoy muy contenta con mi jefa. Ayer sacó la cara por mí cuando me acusaron de estropear los planes de la empresa.

Echar algo en cara (a alguien)

(Recordarle algún beneficio que se le ha hecho)
(To reproach, to throw something in somebody's face)

Ejemplo: Cuando pedí un aumento de sueldo me dijeron que no y me echaron en cara que era el que más cobraba de todo el grupo.
.
Costar un ojo de la cara

(Ser muy caro)
(To be really expensive, to cost an arm and a leg)

Ejemplo: No podemos comprar ese coche, cuesta un ojo de la cara.

Come on in and check out our new school building in MADRID!

Erin — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 17:36:48 +0100

On December 3, our don Quijote school in Madrid moves to a new location! We've moved the school to the same building as our student residence to facilitate access to our Spanish classes and to add to the general comfort of our students.

The building, located right in the center of Madrid has been completely renovated on this inside, while the charm of its typical Madrileño architecture has been faithfully maintained on the outside. It is surrounded by shopping and is just 5 minutes from Spain’s largest department store El Corte Ingles.

For entertainment, just cross the street to find a variety of bars and restaurants, from typical tapas bars to international cuisine. There is also a metro station right at the school's front door for easy access to the rest of the city.

Eager to learn Spanish expressions? Here's the blog you're looking for!

Erin — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 16:40:08 +0100

Every month I surf my way across the web and through the refraneros we keep around the office, searching for the "expression of the month" to be published in don Quijote's monthly newsletter.

Today I stumbled upon a fabulous resource: a blog of Spanish expressions and commonly heard idioms, entirely in Spanish.

The writing is clear and down-to-earth and, with archives from as far back as January 2007, the site offers an extensive library of Spanish expressions.

Another great online learning resource:

The blog: Expresiones españolas para Erasmus en apuros

URL: http://erasmusv.wordpress.com/

About bullfighting - and bullfighting vocabulary you are sure to hear

Erin — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 16:00:00 +0100

One of our interns prepared this article about bullfighting for the English language press in Spain. Much of the vocabulary of the corrida has made its way into everyday Spanish converasation, as colorful metaphor. The article explains the corrida, without condoning or condemning it, and gives you some of that corrida-inspired vocabulary, so you'll know recognize it when you hear it!

Bullfighting

Few modern day spectator sports provoke quite as much controversy as bullfighting and yet it would be difficult to imagine Spanish identity without it. To its supporters it is a way of life, an art form involving ceremony and ritual. To its detractors it amounts to little more than barbaric torture and slaughter. Yet to many foreigners, for whom the killing of an animal for sport in a ring is a totally alien concept, Spanish bullfighting is a complex tradition to understand or accept – both in physical and moral terms.

A bullfight it about many things – performance, bravery, skill and death. No doubt it is also bloody and shocking, but its supporters argue that a bull is better off dying on the point of a matador´s sword than in the abbatoir (matadero). To witness a bullfight might not necessarily mean to condone it, but it may provide an insight into this Spanish tradition and make parts of Spanish identity a little easier to understand.

Bullfighting's origins

Bullfighting of one form or another has been around for centuries and its precise..

El dia de los muertos

Celine — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 13:37:46 +0200

El dia de los muertos (day of the dead) is celebrated on November 1st, throughout Mexico with variations seen in other Latin American countries and other parts of the world.

It is a joyous holiday commemorating the lives of those who have passed away. It is part of a three-day celebration honouring the dead, who are believed to return to their homes on October 31st, Halloween.