Spanish conversation classes

Spanish conversation classes begin again on Monday, January 9th (or Tuesday, 10th) at the same times as usual but at a different place: El Anón has kindly allowed us to use their premises on these days - in the 'bottom' room upstairs (if you don't know what this is, you soon will...) by the main bar. Alberto will try to get hold of everybody, but if you have any doubts about your attendance, please call him on 685 052 684. ¡Ahí nos veremos! (There are a couple of slots left, depending on your level, but if you want to join us, please let Alberto know as soon as possible)

The REAL question

As all of Alberto's Spanish Conversation students will tell you, there are two ways to say 'TO BE' in Spanish. They will also tell you that they are having fun while learning, that it is doing them good, that they knew a lot more Spanish than they thought, that they are getting more comfortable as they come along, that ... well, ask them, they'll tell you (probably tell you things they won't tell Alberto, too!) And, if you call him on 685 298 820, Alberto will tell you that he has a couple of slots for you to slip into, no matter what level you are. All of it for only €10 for an hour and a half of Spanish per week. A good deal? A GREAT deal! (You can put your hand down now, Myrtle, the word is not grande for great, it is buenísimo in this context. And no, I don't know why a table is feminine - I've looked, but I can't see.)

Pronouncing Spanish - starting from the beginning

In October last year we started a series that was titled Pronouncing Spanish - start at the beginning. This will probably be useful to the Spanish conversation classes now being held at Casa Henrietta (call Alberto on 685 298 820 for more info - there are a couple of slots left!). It makes clear that the alphabet is similar in both languages (the other being English, cara Signora), with the exception of the famous Ñ, which is unique to Spain. And, as opposed to English but making Spanish that much easier, there is only one way to pronounce the vowels (A, E, I, O, U), no matter what comes before or after (there are a couple of minimal exceptions). We will soon be putting up a widget link to the series, so watch this space.

Spanish conversation classes start today - but why bother?

You know more than you think!

Why study Spanish? If you speak Spanish, you can communicate with almost 500 million people worldwide. If you want to travel, a little knowledge of Spanish will go a long way. If you want to do more than just say "¡Buenos días!" to your neighbour or the girl in the supermarket, you can increase your vocabulary and knowledge, string words together more easily, getting it at least partly right - by joining our Spanish Conversation Classes for as little as €10 per week! (Call Alberto on 685 298 820 for more information. There are a few places left, and anyway, you can join at any time.) But here are some more reasons to learn Spanish:>>>

Spanish conversation classes starting in September

Spanish conversation classes

SPANISH CONVERSATION There is room for two more groups of three each. If you'd like to practice your Spanish using the words and sentences you need every day (and sometimes more), contact Alberto (956 648 169 or 685 298 820). Adults only, several levels (scale yourself from 1 to 10 when you call), at varying times and days. Or you can ask for one-on-one practice. It's up to you if you don't want to feel left out. (It's also a great way to learn about where you've chosen to live...)

Spanish conversation classes

SPANISH CONVERSATION There is room for two more groups of three each. If you'd like to practice your Spanish using the words and sentences you need every day (and sometimes more), contact Alberto (956 648 169 or 685 298 820). Adults only, several levels (scale yourself from 1 to 10 when you call), at varying times and days. Or you can ask for one-on-one practice. It's up to you if you don't want to feel left out. (It's also a great way to learn about where you've chosen to live...)

Pronouncing Spanish - start at the beginning (IS BACK IN PLACE!)

We know that many readers were following our series on CampoPulse that went through the Spanish alphabet with pronunciation aids and not a little humour. We are pleased to announce that the series is back in its place, and appearing daily on a computer near you. We have taken it up where we left off when we were so rudely interrupted by impecunity (a word you will find to mean penniless, which we still are as we are still offline). Back on November 11, we published the letter O, where we suggest you go to refresh your memory. Bet you can guess the letter illustrated by the image here...

Go back - start at the beginning!

Just as we are in the middle of our Start at the Beginning pronunciation series on CampoPulse, the Spanish guardian of all written Spanish, the Real Academia, goes and changes things. Those of our readers who are following the series -and there are some 67 regulars out there, plus another 50 or so who are less so, but are following it anyway- will be pleased to hear that those double/single letters CH and LL are no longer part of the Spanish alphabet. But we won't take them out of the series, as they are still pronounced the same way when combined though no longer classified as a single letter. There are lots of other changes that we don't need to deal with yet. In any case, when it comes to an end the series will be placed on a separate page that you can consult as needed.

Pronouncing Spanish - start at the beginning

One of the first things we learned at school was the alphabet (A is for Apple, B is for - what was it?). So we're here and now announcing a 'letter a day' pronunciation system. But to take advantage of it, as we hope you will, you'll have to go over to CampoPulse. Oh, you clever thing you - you've just realized that this is just a trick to get you to move over there, haven't you? Well, you're wrong. It's a trick with which you'll impress your friends by reciting the Spanish alphabet. No, seriously, give it a try here, and let us know there what you think of it.

Tomorrow is a National Holiday in Spain

Why? Because it is Día de la Hispanidad, which celebrates everything Spanish throughout the world (hence all the flags, with best wishes from Mafalda and her friends, one of South America's greatest cartoon characters). After Mandarin Chinese and English, Spanish is the third most-spoken language on the planet unless there are several billion people as yet undiscovered. Talking of discoveries, tomorrow, 12 de Octubre, used to be a celebration of the 'discovery' of America. As we said last year, the aboriginal peoples of what came to be called America, woulñd have been perfectly happy not to be discovered by the White Plague. Oh, it is also Our Lady of the Pillar (no kidding), the patron saint of the Guardia Civil, as well as of the lovely city of Zaragoza and other places we don't know. (Just noticed: the flag of Gibraltar is included amongt hose of the Spanish-speaking countries ... interesting!)

Spanish classes for foreigners: register now

The Xemina Adult Education Centre today opened their registration books for the 2010/2011 courses. Aside from other choices for Spanish speakers, there are also Inter-cultural Spanish Classes for Foreigners. Depending on the number registered, classes are organized in the morning or evening, in Jimena as well as in Castellar. If you are interested in learning Spanish, you can find out more at the centre on Calle Sevilla 77 (photo of plaque on door), or by phone on 956 641 196. As it is so often said: "It's never too late!" This is an opportunity not to be missed.

'Send in your favourite Spanish word' competition

(Press release) The Guadalinfo Centre of Jimena is celebrating Spanish Day (June 19) with a competition that consists of sending in your favourite Spanish word; it can be simply written, or a picture or even a video. 'Spell in Spanish' is a word game that challenges your knowledge of Spanish against other players in the municipality in a specific time frame. The rules are designed for three levels: Level A, Basic or initiation in the language; Level B, Intermediate or independent use; and Level C, Advanced or competent use of Spanish. Competition is therefore balanced according to your level. The idea is to promote interactivity among our residents as well as knowledge of the language. Send your favourite word to: http://www.guadalinfo.es/ficha_centro.php?id_centro=252. Spanish is one of the world's richest languages, spoken by 450 million people, and the official language of 21 countries. Find out more.>