¿Bailamos? - A Latin dance guide!

Dance shows how cultures from different corners of the globe have come together and intertwined, each leaving its mark on the others and creating the movements and rhythms we know today.

It is definitely one of our favourite things from the Hispanic world, and makes up an important part of the Spanish-learning experience for many students and teachers here at El Patio.

So take out your dancing shoes and get ready t0 practice with this guide we've prepared for you - and, most of all, don't forget to have fun!

APRIL - easy, flexible payment for your next course!

Read on for information about our new partnership with APRIL, giving you the option of secure instalment payments at El Patio!

¡Español en vivo! Melbourne-based Latin bands

Melbourne's Latin culture scene is great! There are many places to eat, spaces to dance, festivals to go to and live music to immerse ourselves in, so that we can stay in touch with our favourite culture until we are allow to leave the island.

This time we've prepared a guide to some of the amazing bands performing around marvellous multicultural Melbourne. Check them out!

New HYBRID Classes - Ultra flexible, modern and awesome!

We're now making it easier than ever to choose how you study - week to week! With our new HYBRID classes you can choose to attend the same class either Online or Face-to-Face in one of our centres.

Welcome to the 21st Century! Find out how it all works here.

"Los posesivos" and their place in the Spanish Language!

My, yours, his, hers... the posesivo (possessive) in Spanish will allow you to describe ownership and ask others questions about whether something belongs to them! Take a look at our quick grammar guide to get your posesivo skills ship-shape.

El caballo en América

How did horses get to the Americas? When did they arrive, and from where? With this blog, we open an exciting, new category entitled 'Things you didn't learn in history books'. This opens up a range of possibilities, so El Patio would like to invite both teachers and students to contribute. Read the blog and then find out how to participate - there will be cash rewards!

5 películas de Almodóvar para conversar

¿Te gusta el cine de Pedro Almodóvar? Ahora tienes la oportunidad de aprender más sobre sus películas mientras practicas la conversación. Cinco semanas, una hora a la semana para profundizar y disfrutar del cine de este maestro.

What is "el gerundio" and when do we use it in Spanish?

Gerundio is the "gerund", commonly known in English as the -ING form. It basically means to put -ING at the end of the stem of a verb. In Spanish it is used similarly as it is in English (with one good exception) - to express actions that are happening in the moment or to talk about temporary situations.
In Spanish, we add -ANDO at the end of the verbs that end in -AR, and -IENDO to the verbs that end in -ER and -IR. Read on ...

Nicaragua, Land of Poets

On of our admin team, Sasha, takes a look at how the tiny nation of Nicaragua has made itself known around the world for its poetry - famous figures, fascinating history and beautiful prose abound!

Patagonia, 1994

Need some distraction? Here Nick Tapp (a long-term El Patio student) tells the story of his amazing mountain climbing adventure in Patagonia in 1994. It makes us want to start planning the next trip!
(PS: if you need a very good editor, check Nick's site: www.detail-ed.com.au)

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