Blogging Spanish

Living Spanish in Barcelona celebration: 10% DISCOUNT OFFER!

2008-07-04T10:59:00Z

The grand opening of our brand new school in Barcelona and the fast approaching 2009 20th anniversary of the opening of the first don Quijote school in Spain are HUGE reasons to celebrate!

To get the party going, we’re offering away a 10% discount on our Intensive Spanish course in Barcelona!

Here's how easy it is to enjoy an unforgettable Spanish course in Barcelona at a discounted price:

Just book our most popular course, Intensive Spanish, with don Quijote accommodation and an arrival date between September 1st and December 31st of 2008. Yep... that’s it!

So if you’ve been dreaming about a Spanish course in Spain, don’t miss this chance! Where better to experience the thrill of learning this passionate language than in the pulsating, culturally explosive city of Barcelona? And in our state of the art, ideally located new school in the heart of Barcelona's L'Eixample district?

Start planning your stay in Barcelona today by contacting our course counsellors or requesting your copy of our free brochure!

Act quickly to reserve your place and your first choice of accommodation! This special offer is subject to availabilty.

Conditions:
- Discount cannot be combined with any other offer.
- Discount must be requested at time of booking.
- Discount not applicable to changes from one school to another, with the exception of extending or lengthening your stay, prior to your arrival.
- Offer subject to availability. Expires December 31, 2008.

don Quijote Salamanca School in print

2008-07-01T07:17:00Z

don Quijote is BEAMING with pride!

Our Salamanca school has recently been featured in the July 2008 issue of the prestigious Italian magazine, Brava Casa!

The article titled “Lingue: Lezioni Con Charme” (Languages: Lessons with Charm) talks about various language teaching schools around the world in which the magazine considers to be of a charming nature, and our don Quijote Salamanca school made the cut!

You can visit Brava Casa’s official webpage to see a glimpse of the magazine. You won’t be able to read the entire magazine since it’s a preview-only online version of the printed magazine, but you’ll be able to skim through a few pages to get the general feel.

If you have access to purchasing the magazine at a newstand, then what are you waiting for? Go read about us!

Get to know our splendid school and see why it was dubbed by the magazine as “magical”.

Watch the following 2 videotours of our don Quijote Salamanca school:

don Quijote Salamanca Video 1

don Quijote Salamanca Video 2

And if you would like to see more of the city itself, here’s another Salamanca city video:

Special member offer: no enrollment fee!

2008-06-24T19:49:00Z

don Quijote is offering an exclusive discount for our members:

When you book a Spanish course with us, we´ll waive your enrollment fee saving you 95€/$US!!!
It’s our way of saying thank you for being a member!

This offer is valid for Spanish courses in the following don Quijote schools in Spain and México: Barcelona, Madrid, Salamanca, Granada, Valencia, Tenerife or Guanajuato.

To benefit from this special discount you must log into your member account and book your course online.

Contact your Course Counsellor now for information about our courses.
(Remember to request the member’s offer)

Book this offer online now! (Must sign in first!)

Conditions:
- Offer not cumulative. Cannot be combined with any other offer
- Offer available upon request
- Offer expires 31 December 2008

Courses in Spain for the official DELE certification

2008-06-23T14:27:00Z

The D.E.L.E. (Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera) is an internationally recognized diploma of great value if you want to study at a Spanish University or if you are going to work in a Spanish-speaking environment.

It is the only official accreditation that certifies the degree of mastery of the Spanish language for citizens of countries where Spanish is not the official language. You can obtain this internationally acknowledged diploma by taking one of the exams under the supervision of the Spanish Ministry of Education. The examinations take place once or twice a year at three levels: “Inicial”, “Intermedio” and “Superior”.

The "Inicial" exam lasts a total of 2 hours 50 minutes; the "Intermedio" lasts 3 hours 45 minutes; and the "Superior" lasts 4 hours. All three exams include reading comprehension, writing, listening comprehension, grammar and vocabulary as well as oral expression. All five parts of the exam are taken on the same day, so confidently preparing for it is the best advice that can be given to anyone wishing to take it.

don Quijote offers a special course to prepare you for any level of the D.E.L.E. exam. If you require a certificate that demonstrates your level of Spanish, this is the perfect prep course for you!

Just remember:
-   You can take this course in any of the don Quijote schools in Spain and Guanajuato (Mexico).
-   don Quijote class start dates for August and November are 2, 3 or 4 weeks before examination date…
-   …and the next official examination dates (in Spain) are August 22nd of 2008, and in November 21st of 2008.

SPECIAL NOTE:
For the August 22nd examination: Registration dates are from 14th of July to 1st of August.

For additional information such as the requirements and documents needed to register, visit this very informative page to learn everything about D.E.L.E.!

Obtaining this diploma will eliminate any doubt employers or anyone might have about your level of Spanish, and will definitely enhance your curriculum, aside from providing you with an inmense personal pride for having accomplished it! Take advantage of this summer and use it as an excuse to study Spanish in Spain and to reward yourself by obtaining an official certificate of your proficiency in Spanish as proof of your efforts!

Spanish class special offer: Book now for next year at this year’s prices.

2008-06-17T14:18:00Z

GREAT news!

If you're contemplating on taking up a Spanish class, then you're just in time to take advantage of this offer:

Only until November 1, 2008 you can book your 2009 course paying 2008 prices. Yes, that's right!

Book your 2009 Spanish language course by November 1st and we'll reserve your first choice of accommodation... and course... and destination, while we only charge you 2008 prices!

This offer is available for don Quijote destinations in Spain only.

Best of all, you can apply it to every don Quijote Spanish course you sign up for to study in Spain.

Contact our Course Counselors for more information
Request a Free Brochure

Conditions:
- Offer can't be combined with other offers.
- Offer available upon request and subject to availability.

NOTE: This offer ends on November 1, 2008!

Become a don Quijote member if you would like to receive our special offers! Sign up now!

Free Spanish literary text online

2008-05-16T12:20:00Z

Spanish Reading aficionados and lovers of anything Spanish: listen up!

You’ve probably heard at one point of your life about the literary novel ‘Don Quijote de La Mancha’ by Miguel de Cervantes. Or perhaps heard that it is the first novel ever published in the history of the world? Or that it is the 2nd most published book in the world etc. The important thing is, you’ve heard about it many times, yet you’ve never gotten around to reading it.

Well, guess what? don Quijote.org (the school) is proud to have available online a collection of works to read, print, or download in PDF format. These works include Cervantes’ satirical novel as well as some of the widely known Spanish literary novels, poetry, plays and mini-biographies. All for free!

We also have available an informative mini-guide of the History of Spanish literature (in Spanish), made especially for our Spanish students. Anyone interested in the background history of the Spanish literary world can get an inside glance at each era and how time has influenced the literary writing styles of each author. This seems to come in quite handy for a Spanish student who knows too well this is what makes up the bulk of their university studies.

Challenge yourself and learn more about the evolution of Spanish language!

And if you’re still interested in knowing more about the famous Don Quijote, then visit our Don Quijote Virtual Museum where you will find everything there is to know about this fictional character and how he’s influenced the world.

Gratis 3 hotelovernachtingen voor 2 personen in Spanje!

2008-05-09T09:44:00Z

don Quijote trakteert! Waarom? Omdat we graag wat extra doen voor onze cursisten. Als je in mei een cursus Spaans van 4 weken of meer boekt bij één van onze don Quijote scholen in Spanje ontvang je nu een gratis hotelvoucher! Met deze voucher kunnen 2 personen gratis drie nachten overnachten in één van de vele hotels die aan deze actie meedoen. De enige voorwaarde is dat je het ontbijt en diner nuttigt in het hotel waar je verblijft. De hotelvoucher is te gebruiken in meer dan 300 hotels door heel Spanje. Welke hotels het zijn vind je in de hotelgids die je krijgt toegestuurd met de hotelvoucher. In het hotel van je keuze kun je heerlijk een paar dagen ontspannen voor, tijdens of na je taalreis op kosten van don Quijote. De voucher is niet persoonsgebonden dus je kan er ook voor kiezen om de voucher cadeau te doen aan vrienden of familie die je in Spanje willen komen opzoeken! Maar wees er snel bij want we geven er maar 50 cadeau!

Voorwaarden:

De cursus moet geboekt zijn tussen 01/05/2008 en 31/05/2008.
De aanbieding geldt voor boekingen van cursussen op alle don Quijote scholen in Spanje in combinatie met huisvesting.
De minimale duur van de cursus is 4 weken.
De voucher wordt na betaling van het totale bedrag van de boeking verstuurd.
Bij wijziging of annulering van de cursus wordt er €50,- in rekening gebracht, ter compensatie van de hotelvoucher. De voucher zelf hoeft dan niet geretourneerd te worden.

Informatieavonden

The Spanish event of the year: Expo Zaragoza

2008-05-05T08:35:00Z

The event of the year in Spain will undoubtedly be the international exhibition to be held in Zaragoza from June 14th to September 14th.

The International Exhibition of Zaragoza will focus on the theme 'Water and Sustainable Development' and will present 5000 shows, 2000 exhibitions and 140 pavilions.

Among the most interesting events that will take place during the Expo we may highlight Iceberg. Visual Poetic Symphony, a multimedia show that will take place in a platform over the river Ebro built in the shape of an iceberg, the show Hombre Vertiente and The awakening of the serpent performed by Cirque du Soleil.

The program in the Expo's convention center will also be extremely interesting with a complete cultural program of conferences and artistic shows including a performance of Carmina Burana and Goya - a Spanish dance and multimedia show.

Additionally the Expo's auditorium will hold different concerts presented by some of the most important orchestras of the world.

All this, combined with the pavilions and exhibitions of the Expo Zaragoza 2008 make this a unique event that you cannot miss if you visit Spain this summer.

How to get to Zaragoza:

From Madrid or Barcelona you can easily reach Zaragoza taking one of the new Spanish speed trains (AVE). For more information on trains or to buy your tickets online go to: www.renfe.es

If your budget is tight you can also take a bus to Zaragoza, the coach company Alsa offers trips to Zaragoza from Madrid.

Practice Spanish with our free learning tools

2008-04-29T07:54:00Z

don Quijote offers a wide range of free language resources to help you learn and practice Spanish. Here is a summary of some useful tools and free resources to learn Spanish online.

Learn the Alphabet in Spanish: The Spanish alphabet is a good start for your Spanish and an excellent way to practice your pronunciation and spelling skills. With this free language tool you will learn how to pronounce all the letters with examples and audio.

Spanish numbers: Learn how to say the numbers in Spanish and how to use them in sentences with audio pronunciation.

Spanish phrases: A list of basic phrases that will help you to communicate and to understand basic Spanish. The phrases include translations in 4 languages and audio with the pronunciation each sentence in Spanish.

Common errors in Spanish: A complete guide to the most frequent mistakes in Spanish, with explanations of the correct use, examples and grammar references.

Spanish language games: Learn Spanish vocabulary the fun way! Play the hangman in Spanish or try our word searh. A great resource to use with children.

Spanish word of the day: A Spanish word to learn every day, with definition and pronunciation.

Meet our Spanish teachers

2008-04-16T13:43:00Z

Let us introduce you to Ana García Martín, she is one of our teachers of Spanish in don Quijote Salamanca school.

How long have you been teaching Spanish?
Since 1994.

What do you like most about your profession?
What I like most is seeing that the students are there because they want to be, that they really learn…and that in a certain way they are my “creation”, ha ha. Plus my work is always a mutual cultural exchange.

What do you do when you are not working (hobbies, etc.)?
I like music, reading, being with friends…of course my family. And I like sports, but not on television.

Have you ever studied abroad? A language? Which? Did you find it difficult?
I’ve studied English, but not abroad. Yet I can understand very well the different sensations the language student experiences: frustration, emotion, satisfaction…

What makes Salamanca the ideal place for a Spanish language course?
It’s not a very big city, which helps you feel more at home and less left to fend for yourself. Because Salamanca is a university city there’s a lot to do and enjoy. And you aren’t far from bigger cities, including the capital (Madrid).
What’s more, there’s got to be some reason they refer to our province (Castilla y León) and Salamanca in particular as the cradle of the Spanish language.

Do you have a key piece of advice for people who want to learn Spanish? Most of all excitement, but also a certain dose of patience, and confidence that the fluency will come eventually, though it’s sometimes difficult to convince students that it will come.

Will you tell us your favourite teacher’s anecdote?
There are always lots of anecdotes, although I prefer to stay with the wonderful experiences and the friends from all over the world with whom I am still in contact after years and years.

What book would you recommend to students (at the intermediate level, for example) who want to read their first novel (or first book) in Spanish?
One of my favourites is "Sin noticias de Gurb" by Eduardo Mendoza. It’s a small book, which makes it likely students will read and finish it, and it has an energy about it, and an amusing story that’s easy to understand. The fact that it is written in diary form helps the reader read it in little pieces without losing the story. In general all of the students to whom I have recommended the book have liked it a lot and haven’t had trouble reading it.

Travel tips and language resources

2008-04-10T13:08:00Z

In don Quijote's newsletter you will find every month the best tips for your trips in Spain and Latin America, as well as useful language resources to help up keep up your Spanish at home.

Subscribe now and you will receive our free newsletter in your inbox every month, in English and Spanish.

In March's newsletter: a Spanish proverb, information on Seville's famous April's Fair, our latest offer with discounts for Spanish courses, Spanish slang expresions to learn, a recipe for a traditional Spanish dish, volunteer programs in Latin America and news about the winner of a free Spanish course.

Subscribe now to receive April's newsletter, coming out next week.

Der einzigartige Machu Piccu

2008-04-08T14:17:00Z

Machu Picchu ist eine Präcolumbianische Stadt, die von den Inkas im 15. Jahrhundert erbaut wurde. Sie befindet sich 2,430m hoch, auf einer Bergkette in den Anden, in der peruanischen Uramabaschlucht, ca 70 Km nordwestlich von Cusco.

Für eine Ewigkeit, von allen außer den Einheimischen, vergessen, blieb die Stadt für über drei Jahrhunderte „verloren“, bis sie wieder von der ganzen Welt Aufmerksamkeit erhielt, nachdem ein Archäologe (Hiram Bingham) sie wieder im Jahr 1911 entdeckte.

Menschen glauben, dass Machu Picchu eine königliche und religiöse Stätte war, gebaut von Pachacuti Inka Yuapnqui, ein inkanischer Herrscher. Die Stadt besteht aus circa 200 Gebäuden und obwohl die Mehrheit von ihnen Wohnhäuser sind, gibt es auch Tempel, Lagerhäuser und andere öffentliche Gebäude. Es wird behauptet, dass um die 1,200 Menschen dort lebten, die meisten waren Frauen, Kinder und Priester.

Die Mehrheit der gefundenen Strukturen in Machu Picchu wurden aus Granitblöcken hergestellt, welche mit Bronze- oder Steinwerkzeuge geschnitten und von Sand geglättet wurden. Es ist so sonderbar weil diese handgeschnittene Steine perfekt zusammenpassen, obwohl keines der Blöcke die gleiche Größe weder die gleiche Form haben. Ein anderer wundervoller Anblick die magische Stadt zu bieten hat, sind die schmalen Acker-Terrassen, welche früher die Inka benutzten um Kartoffel- und Maisprodukte anzubauen, heute sind sie ein Zuhause für weidende Lamas.

Machu Picchu ist eine der wichtigsten archäologischen Stätten in der ganzen Welt und unter anderem Perus Haupttouristenattraktion. Heute ist diese besondere Siedlung weltbekannt durch seine imposanten Ruinen, so wie von seinem unvergleichlichem Standort, halb bis zum Andenplateu und sehr weit im Amazonbereich.

Momentan versucht Peru tausende der Artefakten welche „Bingham“ von der Stätte entfernte, wieder durch staatliche Mittel zu besorgen.

Präsentiert von der spanischen Sprachschule don Quijote, wenn sie ein paar zusätzliche Informationen zu Machu Picchu oder zu einer anderen spanischen Stadt mit Lernmöglichkeit wollen, klicken Sie bitte HIER.

Virtueller Besuch zu Gunajuato, Mexico!

2008-04-07T09:40:00Z

Reisen Sie mit uns zu Guanajuato, eine entzückende Stadt im Herzen Mexikos, wo wir unsere erste spanische Sprachschule in Lateinamerika setzten, don Quijote Guanajuato

Klima

Im Sommer ist es heiß, das Thermometer steigt meist über 35 °C und es kühlt dann nachts nur bis ca. 25 °C ab. Im Winter (ab November), wird es tagsüber immer noch oft heiß mit über 30 °C, doch nachts kann es dann mit bis gegen 5 °C empfindlich kalt werden. Ungefähr den ganzen Sommer über ist Regenzeit. Die heftigen Regenschauer können dann das zum Zentrum ausgerichtete Städtchen vollkommen überschwemmen, da es in der Mitte eines Tales liegt.

Die Stadt

Guanajuato ist eine sehr ruhige Universitätenstadt, reich an Kultur und koloniale Architekturen, sie wurde sogar als ein Weltkulturerbe ( 1990 ) von der UNESCO erklärt; ein idealer Ort um an einen Spanischkurs in Mexiko teilzunehmen.

Die alte Minenstadt lebt von den über 25.000 Studenten aus Mexiko und aller Welt, dazu kommen viele temporäre Sprachstudenten. Die Stadt verfügt über drei Universitäten: die Universidad de Guanajuato, die Universidad de Léon und die Universidad de Santa Fe.

Ein großer Teil des Autoverkehrs wird unterirdisch geführt, wobei alte Flussbetten und Bergwerkschächte als Tunnel ausgenutzt werden. Aufgrund der heftigen Regenfälle in der Regenzeit können die unterirdischen Verkehrsadern der Stadt derart überschwemmt werden, dass es zu einem Verkehrschaos kommt.

Falls sie daran denken spanisch im Ausland zu studieren, aber sie sich nicht entscheiden können wo genau, hilft Ihnen vielleicht dieses Video um ihre Entscheidung leichter zu fällen.

Zusätzliche Informationen zu Guanajuato

Zusätzliche Informationen um spanisch in Guanajuato zu erlernen

Living Semana Santa in Spain

2008-03-18T15:24:00Z

The Holy week (Semana Santa in Spanish) has begun and we have already seen the first Processions in the steets of Spanish cities.

Semana Santa is a very important tradition in Spain and also a national holiday. Every Spanish city enjoys the beauty and mystery of Semana Santa, the country stops to remember the last week of the earthly life of Jesus Christ. Solemn processions march through the steets, some accompanied by music, others in silence.

Even if you are not religious, it is difficult not to be moved, the atmosphere is so vital and poignant. For some this is fiesta time, for others a week of ritual and reflection.

Here is a small sample, watch this video of Semana Santa in Seville.

Get a 10% discount on your Spanish course in Mexico

2008-03-12T13:47:00Z

Come discover all that Mexico has to offer and SAVE on your Spanish course!

If you have been thinking about studying Spanish in Mexico, this offer is just for you. There is no better time than the present because if you book your course before May 31st, we´ll give you a 10% discount off the price of your course. Escape the cold weather and enjoy a relaxing vacation while brushing up your Spanish.

Mexico offers it all whether you are looking for tropical waters, mountains or rich Mexican culture; a place to learn, relax, have fun or just take in the natural wonders.

Book your Spanish course in Playa del Carmen, Puerta Vallarta or Oaxaca for April and May before May 31^st, we´ll give you a 10% discount on your course.

If you want an exotic cultural experience, deserted beaches, ancient ruins or vibrant cities, Mexico is your ideal destination.

Find out more about this special offer

Get more information about our courses and destinations