Artists Behind the Aulas - Celia Cruz
At El Patio Northcote, each of our classrooms (aulas) are named after an artist from the Spanish-speaking world. The classroom right down the back in our Northcote Centre is named after Cuban singer Celia Cruz, known as "La Reina de la Salsa" (The Queen of Salsa). Here we wanted to tell you a little bit about who she was and why we love her!
'Trick or Trial?' The Witch Hunt for Meigas and Sorginak
With the spooky season upon us, here are two bewitching tales from Northern Spain to get you in the Halloween spirit. Witches have always been a popular element of northern Spanish folklore, particularly in the regions of Galicia, Asturias and the Basque Country, a land where the mountains are high, the mist is thick, and there are plenty of caves for covens - the perfect recipe for witchcraft to thrive!
Tacos de Cochinita Pibil - Receta
This dish is one of the more iconic Mexican dishes. Straight from the Yucatán peninsula, its origin goes back to the pre-colonisation era, to the Mayan culture.
Spanish puns in images by Ingesman
Ingesman is one of our favourite Chilean illustrators - his work is so simple yet so funny. You might have seen some of his pieces on our Instagram account.
Here are some of our favourite Ingesman creations, with explanations and translations attached.
Enjoy the delightful world of Ingesman!
Robles' Revolution
Isidro returns to Australia with the fascinating story of Colonel Robles, a relative who lived a truly revolutionary life.
(In English)
La revolución de Robles
Isidro returns to Australia with the fascinating story of Colonel Robles, a relative who lived a truly revolutionary life.
(En español)
Mujer sin nombre (B1-B2)
España, principios de la década de los sesenta (Presente, Imperfecto e Indefinido).
"Mujer sin nombre" es una historia sobre el desarrollo turístico en la costa del levante español y las consecuencias que tuvo en su población y paisaje. A la par, se nos presenta una mujer cualquiera que se queda sin su medio de subsistencia, sin que se le ofrezca ninguna otra alternativa que la de ir a servir a la ciudad. Esta historia, aunque inventada, podría ser la vida de muchas mujeres que tuvieron que abandonar sus pueblos para ir a trabajar de sirvientas a las grandes urbes.
La alcahueta (B2-C1)
La alcahueta es un homenaje a la obra de "La Celestina. Tragicomedia de Calisto y Melibea" de Fernando de Rojas (siglo XV), figura que tiene su precedente en el "Libro de buen amor" del Arcipreste de Hita (s. XIV). El cuento también pretende ser una crítica a un tema muy de actualidad: los vientres de alquiler. *esta imagen es un retrato de la Celestina de Pablo Picasso
Puntos de vista (B1-C1)
La semana pasada, algunos vecinos del barrio de Malasaña presenciaron un curioso incidente en el supermercado "Compramás". La persona implicada en el caso ha puesto una denuncia demandando al supermercado una gran suma de dinero por daños y perjuicios. Los testigos son llamados a declarar a la comisaría, estos dan versiones tan diferentes del suceso que casi podría tratarse de casos diferentes. Toma nota de los diversos registros lingüísticos.
Little Lon (B2, C1)
Ana's story for advanced students explores the history of Little Lonsdale Street (or Little Lon as it was once called), where El Patio's CBD centre is located today. After leaving class one day, Andrea Rumbold unsuspectingly opens a door to the past and stumbles out onto the street - as it was in the 19th century. A time-traveller story based on early Little Lonsdale - if the SPANISH is too difficult, it's a GOOD READ IN ENGLISH!
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El Patio Tote Bag
What's cooler than a tote bag? A tote bag filled with your Spanish books - duh! But seriously, these bags are strong, made from natural canvas and built to last. Perfect size for your textbooks…
