Political Parties and Candidates

Do you know what is PP? PSOE? Are there other parties in your Comunidad o Provincia? Who are they presenting for their candidates on the next election for Presidente del Gobierno? Can you name the 3 last presidentes?

This is your conversation topic this week.

It seems we have been talking a lot about politics this month but that is the main topic on the news and out on the streets these days. We need to be up to date with what is going on.

Ask about the 2 main parties and what do they stand for (right, left, center). Ask about other parties. Ask about connection with the recent history of Spain (Franco, Civil War, etc).

Resources to give you some background:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_political_parties_in_Spain

http://countrystudies.us/spain/83.htm

El 15M and the Election results

What is this?

What does it represent?

Who is organizing it?

We all, leaving in Spain, should be up to date on the news. This movement is becoming quite strong and we should be informed about its roots and consequences.

Use these questions to talk to your tutor, English exchange or a friend.

You can post here your findings, the opinions you heard, etc.

Check this link in Spanish: http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2011/05/20/espana/1305914690.html

In English:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/22/world/europe/22spain.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=spain%20protest&st=cse

NOW, what have you observed about the elections' results yesterday. Use this topic for conversation.

Is 15M and the ellections' results related to each other?

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/23/world/europe/23spain.html?ref=todayspaper

Have fun with your findings!

Elections in Spain

May 22nd: will be municipal elections in Spain. Have you been hearing about it? Have you watched any debate? Have you seen the street tabloids?

Whatever level you are, you should be watchful of things that change from time to time and start asking questions about it. That will do a good thing to you. You will not feel like an outsider, you will feel part of the community and will not have that lost look in your face when people are excited or upset about what happens in your part of the world.

A good topic for this week with your language exchange friend is: Who are the candidates for my city? Who will most likely win and why they think that way?

Have fun with your findings!

España, Tierra de Contrastes

If you live in Madrid, you will notice people come from all over Spain to live here. This happens everywhere, but especially here. It is a good thing to be familiar with the political map of Spain. We should know:

1) What are the Comunidades Autonomas?

2) What are the provinces that form each Comunidad Autonoma?

3) What are the general geographical characteristics of each region?

4) When you meet someone, a new friend, make a point to check information about his/her province so you can talk to him/her about it. You will impress your friends and show you care.

I found this interactive website for my kids. Have fun learning!

http://www.xtec.net/~ealonso/flash/mapasflash.htm

Franco

Hey, do you really know who was Franco? We all hear about the Franco Dictatorship but do we know the history of this man and his lasting influence? We are not going to discuss our opinion about him but the mere facts.

It would be interesting for you to ask lots of questions and find your own conclusions. I personally have met people who miss those "old times" and others who strongly dislike this episode in Spain history.

Gather facts and find your own opinion!

Something to start with:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francisco_Franco

23 F

Antena 3 today will show a special on the 23 F (Veinte Tres de Febrero) at 22:45 ... it is a very important event in the Modern History of Spain. You can watch for your "listening" this week! Besides that, you will learn some more of Spain history.

A short version of the event:

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_special_day_is_it_on_23_February_in_spain

Garcia Lorca

Federico del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús García Lorca

(Spanish pronunciation: [feðeˈɾiko ɣarˈθi.a ˈlorka]; 5 June 1898 – 19 August 1936) was a Spanish poet, dramatist and theatre director. Garcia Lorca achieved international recognition as an emblematic member of the Generation of '27. He is believed to be one of thousands who were summarily shot by anti-communist death squads during the Spanish Civil War. In 2008, a Spanish judge opened an investigation into Lorca's death. The Garcia Lorca family eventually dropped objections to the excavation of a potential gravesite near Alfacar. However, no human remains were found.

For more information on this author, follow the link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federico_Garc%C3%ADa_Lorca

DELE dates for 2011

Please check the dates for registration for the DELE tests this year.

http://www.dele.org/?page=dele/registration-dates

Lola Flores

Lola Flores is an icon on the culture and art in Spain. To know more about her please follow this link. She is still very present in the artistic world not only through her artistic contribution but also through the heritage now carried out by her two daughters: Lolita and Rosario Flores.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lola_Flores

History ... La Republica

One of the best ways to know a people is trhough its history. I find myself looking for novels that can be also entertaining. I love movies and series as well.

TVE will have a special novel style series called La Republica. It is supposed to be a love story during those history episodes. It says it will cover that moment in history very well.

It looks really entertaining and good in quality. It is a sequel to La Señora that was very good as well, a period before. You can still watch it on this same link. What they call TVE a la Carta.

So, I am not totally recommending this as a learning tool but it can become one, as we saw in Cuentame como Pasó. We will have to wait and see. Please post your comments. It can be part of your listening and comprehension activity, even if it is not as informative on the historical and cultural side.

It starts this Friday as ¨preestreno¨. The normal episodes will be each Monday at 22 hrs. Follow the link for more information:

http://www.rtve.es/television/14-de-abril-la-republica/

BOOK ... listening

Follow this link, it is really funny! The man speaks in a very good pace for language learners:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwPj0qgvfIs

Spain is Different

I would like to recommend the book:

SPAIN IS DIFFERENT

By Helen Wattley

I just read some parts of it and could tell it is really relevant for any person coming from USA to live here. If you have a chance to get this book, it would be very helpful.

Lucy hires an English Tutor (I love Lucy)

This is one of our favorite episodes. Enjoy it!

Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hilcjMEqJRQ&feature=related

Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H56fUCULkvg&NR=1

Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QNILJvPUs0&NR=1

Spanish Love Song 2nd Semester

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNuGKbwRudE

Spanish Love Song 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngRq82c8Baw

Do you speak English?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBcwcejNrY0&feature=related

Learn a Foreign Language!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_4Q_N6J4xQ&feature=related

What are you "sinking" about?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH5sGa5WJWs

I would like to buy a hamburger

Enjoy it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLuc6rtWkrM

Ken Lee

Awesome!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNQLmHKlmiE