12 Essential Tips For Exploring Cuba Like a Pro
The smell of cigars, the sounds of salsa, the taste of rum surrounded by the gorgeous, crumbling buildings and cars, brace yourself; Cuba is going to knock your socks off. Yet Cuba isn't the easiest place to be at times, the bureaucracy, the shortages, the hustle can really wear you down. Nothing can quite prepare you for Cuba, but hopefully this article will give you a few pointers to make the most of your time.
Penny's been working behind the scenes at both centres in El Patio since 2014. Recently returned from her Caribbean adventure she shares her tips and travel pics!
Receta de escalivada (B1/B2)
Escalivada is a very traditional Spanish dish prepared along the Mediterranean coast of Murcia, Valencia, Catalonia, as well as in Aragón. It consists of roasted red peppers, eggplant, onion, tomato, zucchini, and any other veggie on hand. The name comes from the Catalan verb "escalivar" meaning to cook in ashes.
This recipe is not only healthy and delicious - it will also help you understand the tú form of the Imperative! Enjoy!
I Learn Spanish! ... Fiona Ernst
After hearing the passionate swearing of a Spanish tennis player, Fiona, impressed by such expression, quickly found herself enrolling in Spanish classes with El Patio! 9 years later Fiona has taken her Spanish around the world: to Cuba, Spain and Peru and beyond! Yet she shows no signs of slowing down her progress or her desire to travel further!
La acompañante del tren (C1)
Not everything is as it appears with a lost little girl on a train! This cuento by Ana Ruiz is designed not only to thrill... but to help C1 (Advanced) students with their tenses: pretérito indefinido, pretérito imperfecto, pretérito pluscuamperfecto, condicional y pretérito imperfecto de subjuntivo. This tale also comes with some helpful exercises and a translation at the end!
I Teach Spanish! … Beatriz Solera
Meet Beatriz; Spanish language teacher, intrepid traveller and proud new mother! Read about her pathway to Spanish language tuition along with her advice to new and continuing students.
Beatriz has also provided us with a fun song exercise to share!
El Encuentro - The Encounter (B1/B2)
Ever met someones eyes in a bar and thought "Where do I know you from?" Perhaps you've never met at all... Sometimes people just have one of those faces... Or perhaps you've known this person all along.
A short story for levels Upper Intermediate and Advanced (B1/B2) with help in the uses of "se" in all its forms.
Saber Vs Conocer and other Spanglish dilemmas ... (A1-B1)
The temptation to translate English directly into Spanish, or vice versa, is a strong one! But this can lead many Spanish students into nasty traps!
Learn about just some of the words you can't use interchangeably or translate exactly from English: Saber and Conocer, Ir and Venir, Traer and Llevar, Preguntar and Pedir. Use them correctly and get into a Spanish mind!
El camino de Santiago y otras aventuras en bici (The way to Santiago and other bicycle adventures)
¡Hola a todos! (Hello everyone!) I'm Rishi. I've been studying Spanish for 9 years, more or less 8 years at El Patio. Ana has asked me if I want to write a bit about my bicycle adventures in Europe, particularly those in Spain.
Soy Rishi. Hace 9 años que estudio español, más o menos 8 años en El Patio. Ana me ha preguntado si quiero escribir un poco de mis aventuras de bici en Europa, particularmente las de España.
Spanish Idioms - they "Crack us Up"! (A2-B2)
Idioms are often strange and unusual - yet sometimes the perfect way to express ourselves. Have you ever actually seen it "rain cats and dogs"? … in Spanish we'd say "llueve a cántaros" (it's raining buckets). Idioms are a great way to enter into a culture's unique way of thinking, a way to "get to the point". It really pays to learn one or two - you are so going to impress your Hispanic friends if you throw one in at the right moment. Read Ben Wright-Smith's amusing article with his illustrations - which "hit the nail on the head"!
I Learn Spanish! … Stavros Aivaliotis
Stavros is a well seasoned Northcote student! Having started in El Patio at Elementary 1 in 2009 and now at an Upper Intermediate level, his is a familiar face at our Northcote school. Stavros has made many friends with staff, teachers and fellow students, often finding time to practice with them outside of class. He attributes this aspect to his continued enthusiasm for learning!
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Gift Voucher $500
Easy! Surprise your Spanish-learning friends, family or colleagues with a Gift Voucher. This voucher could be used toward a course fee and even texts. Once you have purchased your voucher, please El Patio of the…
