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April 23rd, 2012
Most Spanish words have the same Latin-based form as their English equivalents Many words in both languages look almost the same.
It is easier to understand the word if you read it than if you hear it said. Consider these words:
doctor, profesor, altar, favor, chocolate, crisis, horror, similar, simple… and the list goes on. When you are learning Spanish, if you guess you are probably right!
But take note: You will embarrass yourself if you use the word “embarasada” which does not mean “embarass” but means “pregnant!”
Tags: Learn Spanish, Spanish fun, Spanish words
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April 16th, 2012
 Cinco de Mayo (the 5th of May) is a great excuse to celebrate Spanish culture. The date commemorates the victory of the underdog small Mexican army against the much larger French army during the Battle of Puebla in 1862, The date has come to represent unity and pride for the Mexican people. In the USA, it has become akin to St. Patrick’s Day for the Irish, where everyone celebrates the fun and culture of Latin America. What will you find to do this year for Cinco? Make it memorable for you and your family!
Tags: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo, celebrate Spanish culture, Cinco de Mayo, Spanish fun
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April 16th, 2012
One-liners are a good way to gain confidence when you are learning a new language – they are short and meaningful. Using them will make you feel more confident. Try adding them to your English conversation and you will be creating your own version of Spanglish (Spanish and English combined). Buena suerte (good luck!),
Viva Lesson of the Day
One liners -
Por supuesto – Of course! (por-soo-poo-ehs-to)
Quizás – Maybe (kee-sahs)
Me alegro – I’m so glad (meh ah-leh-groh)
Es verdad – That’s the truth (ehs ver-dahd)
¡Cómo no! – Why not? (koh-moh noh)
¡Claro! – Sure! (klah – doh)
Tags: Fun Spanish, Learn Spanish, Spanglish, Spanish in Cleveland
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April 6th, 2012
 The Easter Bunny made my father catch him My parents are from Paraguay and Venezuela. When I was just 3 yrs old my parents were baffled when my older sister, younger brother and I searched frantically for our Easter baskets that early Easter morning. ”Que pasa?” they asked. We cried, “the Easter bunny forgot about us! He is supposed to leave Easter baskets filled with candy!” My sister had just started in Kindergarten that year and learned about the famed “Easter bunny” and how he visited houses and hid Easter baskets for all the kids in the world.
We were so disappointed and my parents tried to console us. They then realized that our little “Latino” world had been influenced by forces outside of our little home.
In an effort to rescue Easter for us that year, my father left with the excuse that he needed to go to the store to buy groceries. He returned with 3 giant Easter baskets and this story: ”I was at the grocery store when I ran into the Easter bunny. I called over to him and asked why he forgot to leave Easter baskets at our house. He said that if I could catch him then he would give him 2 Easter baskets. So I chased that bunny all over the store, up and down the aisles until I finally caught him! He gave me 2 Easter baskets and then I realized that I have 3 children! So he made me chase him again! When I caught him that 2nd time he gave me another basket.”
I vividly and fondly remember that story and now realize how foreign that Easter bunny was to my Latino parents but how they wanted us to feel like we “belonged” as much as the American kids who found Easter baskets in their homes on Easter morning.
Tags: Easter bunny in Latin America, Latino parents, Spanish fun
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April 2nd, 2012
 I am told that filling eggs with confetti is a popular, fun activity in Mexico. While we here in the US boil eggs and then color them, in Mexico they hollow out the eggs and then fill them with confetti. They call them “Cascarones.”
Why confetti you may ask? Well…because it makes a mess when they are cracked on each other’s HEADS. I just love Mexico! They know how to crack me up!
Tags: Cascarones, Confetti Eggs, Easter eggs in Mexico, Fun Spanish, Mexico tradition, Spanish is fun
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April 2nd, 2012
This week is Semana Santa (Holy Week). The Crucifixion is quite graphic in many places in Latin America. Life is hard, struggle is celebrated. Crucifix scenes and symbols tend to be very bloody and distressing. Here is a picture of a re-enactment of the Crucifixion in Mexico:
 Re-enactiment of the Crucifixion in Mexico If you are wondering about how to say some of the vocabulary associated with Easter, here they are. Practice these Spanish Words this week:
- Ash Wednesday ~ el Miércoles de Ceniza
- chocolate egg ~ el huevo de chocolate
- colored egg ~ el huevo de color
- Crucifix ~ el Crucifijo
- Easter ~ la Pascua
- Easter bunny ~ el conejito de Pascua
- Easter Mass ~ la Misa de Pascua
- Easter Sunday ~ el Domingo de Pascua
- Good Friday ~ el Viernes Santo
- Happy Easter ~ Felices Pascuas
- Holy Week ~ la Semana Santa
- Lent / The Lent Season ~ la Cuaresma
- Palm Sunday ~ el Domingo de Ramos
- Passion of Christ ~ la Pasión de Cristo
- Resurrection ~ la Resurreccion
Tags: Easter Spanish, Learn Spanish, practice Spanish, Semana Santa, Spanish for adults, Spanish for kids, Spanish is fun
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March 28th, 2012
 Here is a lesson from the School Nutrition Association for you to enrich your students with history and food for Cinco de Mayo – (May 5th)
INTRODUCTION TO CINCO DE MAYO
• Are you looking for creative ways to teach students about countries around the world? This is a sample lesson plan on how to bring Cinco De Mayo to life for your students.
Lesson Overview:
This lesson is designed to introduce students to the Mexican holiday, Cinco de Mayo. Students will have the opportunity to learn about typical foods of Mexico and explore the history and origins of some authentic Mexican foods.At the end of the lesson, students can make their own healthy tortilla wraps.
Lesson Flow
The lesson plan contains:
• A Brief History of Cinco de Mayo (below)
• Mexican Food: Identifying regional foods and where they fit into the Food Guide Pyramid
• Tortilla Wrap Activity: Students can make their own wraps using flavored tortillas, salsa, cheese, beans, and vegetables
A Brief History of Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo which means Fifth of May in Spanish is a celebration commemorating a single historic victory of the small, ill-equipped Mexican army over the French force at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. However, the French ultimately conquered Mexico ruling the country until 1867, at which time they withdrew due to continued resistance of the Mexican people and pressure from the United States. You may wish to include some activity handouts, such as maps, puzzles or coloring pages. click here> http://www.schoolnutrition.org/Content.aspx?id=772
Cinco de Mayo – Check out these other websites for some great ideas!
http://seasonal.theteacherscorner.net/cinco-de-mayo/
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/cinco-de-mayo/ Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Cinco de Mayo, Learn Spanish, Spanish for elementary, Spanish for schools, Spanish lesson plan
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March 16th, 2012
I often hear about people who have studied a language but are losing it for lack of use. It is vital to locate ways to practice and converse with real speakers. The question is: if you know another language, how often do you identify and converse with other foreign language speakers? And if you do, how do you feel after you do?
I know that when I see/hear Spanish speakers, I see their faces when they hear me respond in Spanish – pure acknowledgement and appreciation. I always feel a sense of gratitude that I made someone smile and that I was understood.
I encourage you to not be shy about using what foreign language you know. It’s not so hard and it’s fun.
Tags: Foreign language, language is fun, learn a foreign language, Learn Spanish in Cleveland, practice Spanish, study language, study Spanish
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March 9th, 2012
 St. Patrick’s day is fast approaching and I thought to enlighten you about Irish Mexicans. The Irish have played critical roles in Mexico as well as in other Latin American countries such as Argentina and Chile. In fact Argentina boasts the 5th largest Irish community in the world.!
The majority of Irish Mexicans live in Mexico City and Northern Mexico and St. Patrick is known as San Patricio. St. Patrick’s Day also celebrates the St. Patrick Battalion’s contributions to Mexico. This battalion fought as a part of the Mexican army in the Mexican-American war when a battalion of U.S. troops deserted and fought alongside the Mexican Army against the United States in the Mexican-American War of 1846 to 1848. According tothis article, Catholicism and soccer played a part.
Famous Irish-Mexicans include Anthony Quinn (actor), Vicente Fox (Mexico President 2000-2004) and even Miss Mexico – Judith Grace Gonzalez.
Tags: Irish Mexican, Spanish culture, St Patrick's Day in Mexico
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February 29th, 2012
Did you know that there are over 400 million native Spanish speakers and over 500 million that learn Spanish as a second language? Spanish is the most studied language in the world next to English! I feel very fortunate that I was born into a Spanish family and learned Spanish before I even learned English. With every year that passes I am more interested and intrigued by the wondrous discoveries I make about the Spanish language and culture. I am happy to have an opportunity to share my passion with others through the classes and programs we offer for kids and adults.
Learning Spanish opens up your world and you can have fun getting to know all of those 900 million + people that speak Spanish!
Tags: Cleveland Spanish Academy, Cleveland Spanish School, Learn Spanish, Spanish for kids, Speak Spanish, Viva Spanish
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Welcome to our blog. Viva Spanish offers language programs to children and adults in the Greater Cleveland area.
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