El Patio Spanish Language School

Elephants and light bulbs - why we fear grammar and how to learn to love it

Leaping out at us from the pages of our textbooks, grammar is often feared and is often the 'elephant in the room'. But grammar isn't meant to be scary. In fact, it's something we're naturally good at. Grammar is part of our daily lives and is part of what makes us human.

Which Course or Workshop for my Level in the Summer Intensives?

¡Yupi! 2019 is the year of learning Spanish! (well, every year is ... but this year is THE year). And the Summer Intensives are an excellent way to get things started. If you're wondering whether to take a Conversation Course or a few Workshops or are thinking about completing the next level up in two weeks, here's where to find out which options are right for you.

Take your Spanish further with an 'Improve' Workshop

If your Spanish is an ice-cream, the Improve Workshops are the extra toppings that really take things to the next level. But instead of chocolate sprinkles, we've designed the Improve Workshops to tackle KEY LANGUAGE SKILLS. These key skills - such as Listening and Speaking - are those essential aspects of language that always need extra work. The Improve Workshops are the chance for you to do just that.

Surrealist games and the wondrous creations of Upper Elementary 3 [A2]

In this blog, come discover the artwork and writings of Craig's Upper Elementary 3 class and a simple surrealist game, perfect for learning new vocab - particularly the parts of the body.

The 6 Scariest Spanish Verbs (A1/A2)

Spanish verbs are scary, right? Yes they are full of monsters and skeletons, but they are actually indispensable to being able to talk well, ie: in full sentences. They do seem to quietly unnerve all of us, so why not have some jump out of the cupboard and give us the full fright!

La maestra - a story for beginners! A1

Ana's latest story describes the daily grind of a high school History teacher. Pushed to the limit by the boredom of the curriculum and rebellious students, she decides to turn the tables, and invites the students to enact their versions of the past. Using Spanish idioms that involve the body, such as "cuesta un ojo de la cara" and "no tiene pelos en la lengua", and written entirely in the present tense, this story is perfect for students in the Elementary levels.

Discover the imperfect tense and the marvels of Tenochtitlán, city of the Mexicas (Aztecs) (A2-B2)

Tenochtitlán - a city of water and temples - lies buried under the immensity of modern day Mexico City. What was this incredible city like when the Spanish first set eyes on it in the 16th Century?

This article offers a glimpse of the wonders of this metropolis and is an excellent opportunity to brush up on your past tenses - particularly the imperfect (el imperfecto). So get your grammar-hat on and delve into a lost world!

The Surprising Benefits of Being a Beginner

What is it to be a beginner? Is it something we get to leave behind? And if not, then how might the attitude of being a beginner help us as we learn?

Hay vs Está/Están (A1-B1)

Is there any …? Where is the …?

Do you get confused when asking trying to ask either of these questions? Differentiating is easy when you know why to use either Hay or Está/Están.

Spanish through Song - Me gustas tú (A1/A2)

Music touches us. It's a universal language that needs no translation. Language and music share stuff - rhythm, melody, pitch, volume, tone, pauses, stops.

Spanish through Song explores the artist, the lyrics and why you should incorporate it in your learning routine.

Let's look at Manu Chau's "Me gustas tú" - perhaps THE MOST USED SONG in Spanish language classes all over the world.

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Spanish in a Suitcase, eBook for Apple devices

Pack your Spanish before you leave! If you're about to travel and would like to get talking some basic Spanish, consider this concise eBook with heaps of audio for your iPad, iPhone or iPhone Touch.…

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El Patio Spanish

Level A2