Wednesday, December 19, 2007

DELE Test - Dates in 2008

These are the dates for DELE test for 2008 - if you need more information, go to

http://diplomas.cervantes.es/index.jsp

FECHAS DE LAS CONVOCATORIAS DELE 2008

Programación de fechas de examen para el año 2008.
La Dirección del Instituto Cervantes ha aprobado las fechas de las convocatorias de examen de los Diplomas de Español como Lengua Extranjera (DELE) para 2008, que se reparten en dos convocatorias ordinarias (mayo y noviembre) y una extraordinaria (agosto) del modo que sigue:

CONVOCATORIAS ORDINARIAS:

MAYO de 2008:
Días 23 y 24 de mayo, según países.
Plazo de inscripción: desde el 3 de marzo hasta el 11 de abril, ambos inclusive. En España, el plazo de inscripción se amplía hasta el 18 de abril.

NOVIEMBRE de 2008:
Días 21 y 22 de noviembre, según países.
Plazo de inscripción: desde el 1 de septiembre hasta el 10 de octubre, ambos inclusive. En España, el plazo de inscripción se amplía hasta el 17 de octubre.

CONVOCATORIA EXTRAORDINARIA:

AGOSTO de 2008:
Día 22 de agosto. Plazo de inscripción: desde el 14 de julio hasta el 1 de agosto, ambos inclusive. En España, el plazo de inscripción se amplía hasta el 8 de agosto.

Monday, December 17, 2007

BOOK: Ghosts of Spain

Hello friends,
I have been reading a book Dwight bought us. It is Ghosts of Spain, by Giles Tremlett. It is very good! I would recommend for you that want to learn more about the characteristics of this culture and why they are there. It has a bit of bad language in it as it is a secular book, but the content on history and sociology is great.

I will write the synopsis of the book below:

“Spaniards are reputed to be amongst Europe’s most forthright people. So why have they kept silent about terrors of Spanish Civil War and the rule of General Franco? … Tremlett (the author) embarks on a journey around Spain and its history. … Who cause the Civil War? Why do Basque terrorist kill? Why Catalans hate Madrid? Did the Islamist bombers who killed 190 people in 2004 dream of a return to Spain’s Moorish past? … Along the way Tremlett also finds answers to his worn questions about the Spanish temper. Why do they dislike authority figures, but cower before doctors? How have Spanish women embraced feminism without men noticing? What binds gypsies, jails and flamenco? Why do Spaniards go to plastic surgeons, donate their organs, visit brothels or take cocaine more than other Europeans? … all and more is explored as Tremlett pursues his curiosity down some strange and colorful byroads.”

As you can see it covers a lot of very basic things we live with day in and day out … it leads us to understand the background of this culture. It shows the depth of some customs and “creyencias” .

I have this book available for you. Let me know. It will be available shortly after the holidays as I am about done.
Thanks, Mara

Check this book review:

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Universidad Popular

Hello everyone,

Here in Alcobendas we received a brochure of the courses the local Universidad Popular has. One of them is offered for Spanish learners. It is for conversation in Spanish and it costs only about 40 euros. I am just thinking that some of you might be wanting to have more conversation oportunities. It seemed very interesting! If you are interested, check it out.

Universidad Popular is a municipal school. They are all over Spain and offer very interesting courses on culture, arts, language, etc ... They are now signing people in for the courses starting in January. They have courses that last a year, 6 or 3 months. Besides anything, it is a great place to meet people.

Have a great day!