Viva Spanish

Spanish is a lot like English

greilly — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:16:18 +0000

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!”

Celebrate Cinco!

greilly — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 19:23:56 +0000

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!

Spanish One-Liners for Confidence

greilly — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 18:59:09 +0000

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)

Easter Bunny was foreign to my Latino parents

greilly — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 16:16:55 +0000

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.

It Cracks me up!

greilly — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:22:02 +0000

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!

Easter Words in Spanish

greilly — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 16:41:06 +0000

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

Bring Cinco de Mayo to life for your students

greilly — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:59:36 +0000

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/

Don’t lose your FL skills

greilly — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 17:30:19 +0000

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.

Irish Mexicans?

greilly — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 19:58:26 +0000

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.

So many Spanish Speakers!

greilly — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 21:39:16 +0000

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!