40 de Mayo

"Hasta el 40 de mayo, no te quites el sayo."

Meaning one never know what May will bring in terms of weather. You better be safe until May 40th! A lady quoted this to me the other day because this month has been crazy ... lots of rain, sun, rain again, cold, warm ... one never knows what to wear. As I mentioned the next day we were supposed to get rain again, she said the expression above.

Ps. "sayo" is an old word for "abrigo" (jacket).

Discussing Price

"Te va a salir más caro el collar que el perro."

I went to buy a storage piece of furniture yesterday at a second-hand store. I saw one I kind of liked and it had an affordable price. It was a little short, so I said I would have to add some legs to it. AND, the handles were ugly, and I said I would have to change them as well.

The salesman looked at me and said the expression above. It means that if you are spending too much to fix a cheap piece of furniture, you will end up spending more money on the fixing up than on the furniture itself. Obviously, it can be said about any purchase.

The translation is: the collar will be more expensive than the dog. :)

You better watch out!

"Cuando vea las barbas de tu vecino pelar, pon las tuyas a remojar."

This means that if something is happening to someone, you better be watchful as the same can happen to you!

Spring Weather

"Marzo ventoso, abril lluvioso, mayo florido y hermoso."

It is a popular saying that refers to the weather and its consequences. If you have a windy March, you might just have a rainy April. This combination will make possible for a flowery and beautiful May!

Enjoy impressing your friends with this timely expression!

New Blog of Recipes

In Madrid, we are working an a new blog. You will find recipes adapted with Spanish products.

Check it out:

madridcooks.blogspot.com

Universidad Popular and DELE

Dear friends,

I just read on our local weekly news that our Universidad Popular is offering prep for DELE and it only costs 31,51 (2 months - every Friday from 9:30-11:30). It is not as intensive as other prep in private schools but it might be interesting to some of us. If you an Universidad Popular by you, why not check it out and see what they offer.

Check for addresses of Universidades Populares on these websites:

http://personal5.iddeo.es/feup/madrid.html (Madrid)
http://www.aupex.org (Extremadura)
http://personal5.iddeo.es/feup/andalu.html#sevilla (Sevilla)

UNIVERSIDAD POPULAR DE FUERTEVENTURA Dirección: C/ Dr. Fleming, nº 1. Puerto del Rosario. Teléfonos: (928) 85.24.50 / 85.03.46.

I would recommend you to take this course if:

1) You will take the DELE within a year. It may be all you need. And if it is not, you still have time to sign for a more intensive course later on, before you take the test.

2) You want to refresh your Spanish. It would be worthy and affordable for you personally if you do not have language funds.

Our local Universidad is also offering some other interesting courses:

1) História de España (De la Guerra de la Independencia a la época actual), 26 de marzo a 18 de junio, los miércoles, de las 19:00 a las 21:00 horas. 45, 93 Euros

2) Primeros Pasos en Photoshop: 22/abril a 22/mayo, los martes y jueves de las 11:30 a las 13:30. 20,85 Euros

3) Photoshop: del 31 de marzo al 11 de junio, lunes y miércoles, de 19:30 a 21:30. 63,02 Euros.

Please check your closest UP to see what is available. They usually have really interesting topics, from my experience in Asturias and Alcobendas. You can have the extra bonus of making new friends!

Mara

A Cooking Show, Carlos Arguiñano

I would like to recommend a TV show.
If you are interested in learning Spanish cooking, the kind people eat in their homes day in and day out, this is your show. Carlos Arguiñano is from San Sebastian, Pais Vasco. He is, on a nation wide level, recognized as one of the best cooks in the country. He has a restaurant in San Sebastian that one of these days I would like to visit.
His show is everyday at 2:30 on Telecinco. Just ignore some “dirty” jokes and focus on his cooking. It is easy, creative, cheap and healthy. Like I said, he cooks what most people around the country cooks each day, but with some creativity and many tricks.
Now, if you understand one of his jokes - a clean one, of course – give yourself a “10” on Spanish culture acquisition!
Enjoy his cooking!

Resources: PUNTOYCOMA Magazine

Language Resource Review: ; puntoycoma
http://www.pyc-revista.com/

About a year and a half ago, I discovered through a friend a language-learning resource called; puntoycoma, a bi-monthly magazine designed by Spaniards to help non-native speakers improve their Spanish.

Not only is each issue packed with articles, but an audio CD (featuring Spanish spoken in various accents to help improve listening skills) can also be purchased as a supplement to each issue.

While I didn’t have the time (or perhaps just wasn’t disciplined enough!) to make it through every issue, I was very pleased with what I read. Each edition of the magazine features a variety of articles on pop culture, current events and other relevant issues, often in Spain, but also in other countries around the world.

One huge plus about this resource is that no matter the language level of the learner (the site says the magazine is directed to those with an intermediate-advanced level of Spanish), there is always new information for the reader to glean from each issue. Each issue of the magazine mixes articles written at varying levels of difficulty for Spanish learners. The articles also highlight important or potentially new vocabulary and sayings and give a glossary listing of each featured term.

Another useful tool in the magazine is that reading comprehension can be checked by taking the content-related quizzes at the back of the magazine.

As a bonus, I will also throw in that my customer experiences with the magazine subscription personnel was excellent. Communication was extremely professional, and when I had questions about my subscription, the staff quickly responded to my e-mail with exactly the information I needed.

I highly recommend this resource to enhance the Spanish language learning experience. Mara W. now has the copies of ; puntoycoma in Madrid, or a number of subscription options (including digital versions) are available online at http://www.pyc-revista.com/ .

- Tep L., Madrid

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.

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:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/01/books/review/wildman.t.html

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!

A Never Ending Task ...

By the way, I am back in Madrid (just in case you read the post before this one!)

A Never Ending Task ...
Yes, that is what we have in our hands, a task that will take a lifelong commitment: learning a second or third language.
I believe the same is true referring to our first language. I feel I learn new things each day. Besides that side of the coin, languages are always evolving and adding new meanings to old words or new words to old meanings!
I do not mean to make you discouraged in your task of learning, more than anything, I would like you to know that you are not alone in this journey.
I have to say for myself that I feel comfortable in my level most of the time. The other day a friend asked me about the use of “leismos” and “laismos” in Spanish. I thought for a moment and could not remember the use of it! I use it day in and day out but do not know why. I decided to have goals for myself and recheck old lessons. More on my own goals later on … (please share some of your goals as well!)
Please feel encouraged that you are not alone. This is such a fun task: learning how our PGs think through their culture and language. It is a whole new world that opens up before you. It is a whole different way to understand life!
Be encouraged and share your thoughts and learned lessons in this space. Blog it yourself or send it to me and I will post it.

Bonos - revising an old lesson ...

“Uso de leismos y laismos”

1) Regla general: Objeto directo: lo/la. Objeto indirecto: le
2) "Debido a su extensión entre hablantes cultos y escritores de prestigio, (1) se admite el uso de le en lugar de lo en función de OD cuando el referente es una persona de sexo masculino.

El Museo del Prado

The other day Dwight and I spent some hours visiting the Prado. It was kind of a celebration of our time (5 years) here in Madrid that is coming to an end. It was so enriching! Visiting the expositions of several painters I realized how little I know of history and art.

That brings me to the point I would like to make, not as an expert, but as someone who is hoping to be better equipped to serve in Spain. This is a cultural aspect of living in Spain.

These are some questions one should always ask himself:

What are the people talking about today? Politics, social events, sports, etc
What is going on in Spain in general? Spain celebrates 400th Anniversary of Don Quixote, Madrid 2012, etc
What can be potential conversation topics among the people you know? Music, art, culture, food, etc

Spanish people, naturally, are very proud of their heritage. It is so important for us to also learn to appreciate what is important to them. Visiting the Prado the other day I realized once more how rich is their history and culture. There is so much for us to learn!

This will be a constant effort, but one should start from their first day in Spain. I, personally recommend a visit to the Prado, among other museums. These are some things I recommend you become familiar with:

1) History
2) Art (famous writers, painters, classical music, etc)
3) Music (folk, popular singers, etc)
4) Food (what is typical, what is your region specialties, what they produce, etc)

As I said, this is the very basic that can be also quite a bit to learn! You will find that people “te miraran con otros ojos” when they see your genuine interest in the various aspects of their life. And this also, is a labor of love!

Website for Catalán

Aquí te envio el enlace para una página que en ocasiones he usado para catalán:
http://www.intercat.gencat.es/Menu_english.html

Post by Dorcas Quiñones

Other Languages

If you are interested in Gallego, Asturiano o Euskara, this website can be helpful. They also have links to learn lots of other languages.

Here it is:

www.word2word.com/coursead.html

Thanks --

Learning Catalan?

Here are some web pages for you:

www.mylanguageexchange.com/Learn/Catalan.asp

www.word2word.com/coursead.html

languages.4status.net/english/ca.htm

http://www.languages-on-the-web.com/links/link-catalan.htm

Please let us know if you found something else that was helpful!

Also post your comments on these ones.

Thank you --

Web Sites for Spanish

A while back I asked some of the learners to share some websites they thought were helpful for helping the learning process.

Why don't you check these out and let us know your comments on them. That will be helpful for future learners. If you have one that does not show here, let us know and we will add to the list.

These are some that were recommended:

www.spanishunlimited.com

www.studyspanish.com

www.donquijote.org/lessons/

www.spanishprograms.com

www.learnspanishtoday.com

spanish.about.com

www.freetranslation.com

www.spanishromance.com

www.elemadrid.com/spanish_language

babelfish.altavista.com

www.lingolex.com/spanish.htm

www.work2word.com/coursead.html

www.learn-spanish.online.de

www.businessspanish.com

www.ciclapaz.com/spanishonline.html

Let us know any other you have used and would like to recommend.

Thanks --

So you are coming to Spain!

Considerations to set up a plan of language acquisition:
1) We take in consideration the learning style of each individual
2) For Spanish, we recommend that arrangements be made with schools that are recognized by "Cervantes" or DELE. Check their web site: www.cervantes.es
3) The final decision about the language will be made by the direct supervisor (TL or CS) in consultation with LRC (Language Resource Coordinator)
4) Other arrangements can be made if needed: personal tutor, Escuela Oficial de Idiomas, conversational partners - all with the direction of supervisor.
5) In general, it is expected than from day 1, you use what you get so you can build on it daily. You are not going to forget what you use. Language exchange partners are a good option.
6) There will be expectations when you arrive. In many cases, the superviser and LRC will set up a document with the plan for your language learning. It is a living document that can be changed as you experience life in Spain and progress in your language.
7) Other resources you will find:
- this blog will continually increase with new information for learning your language
- there are many web sites on learning a language
- reading and listening life in Spain (radio, TV, newspapers, movies, etc)
8) VERY IMPORTANT: learning a language also includes learning the culture of where you are. Be observant of things around you: the way the people interact, the way they dress, etc. You will find much more exciting living in a place when you feel you are part of it. We will try to have some information on it as well. Check this blog often!

Spain: Transnational Issues

Disputes - international:
since Gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by referendum in 2003 against a "total shared sovereignty" arrangement, talks between the UK and Spain over the fate of the 300-year old UK colony have stalled; Spain disapproves of UK plans to grant Gibraltar greater autonomy; Morocco protests Spain's control over the coastal enclaves of Ceuta, Melilla, and the islands of Penon de Velez de la Gomera, Penon de Alhucemas and Islas Chafarinas, and surrounding waters; Morocco serves as the primary launching area of illegal migration into Spain from North Africa; Morocco rejected Spain's unilateral designation of a median line from the Canary Islands in 2002 to set limits to undersea resource exploration and refugee interdiction, but agreed in 2003 to discuss a comprehensive maritime delimitation; some Portuguese groups assert dormant claims to territories ceded to Spain around the town of Olivenza

Illicit drugs:
key European gateway country and consumer for Latin American cocaine and North African hashish entering the European market; destination and minor transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin; money laundering site for European earnings of Colombian narcotics trafficking organizations
This page was last updated on 1 January 2003

Spain: Army

Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force (Ejercito del Aire, EdA), Marines

Military manpower - military age and obligation: 20 years of age (2004 est.)

Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 10,482,753 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 8,336,273 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 245,007 (2004 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure: $9,906.5 million (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.2% (2003)