Activities 17/12 - 20/12

Monday, 16th of December, 18:00: Movie: LA PRIMERA NOCHE DE MI VIDA. Miguel Albaladejo (1998) December 31, 1999, a group of people made plans to spend New Year´s evening, but are disrupted due to unforeseen events and setbacks. Location: Tia Tula - Movie length: 85 min.

Tuesday, 17th of december, 18:30: Bethlehem Town Hall + "The carpenter's son" Exhibition This exhibition consists of more than seventy square meters scenery of life at the time of the birth of Jesus Christ (Showroom San Boal) Location: Tia Tula - Approximate duration: 1h

Wednesday, 18th of december, 17:30: Ice Skating. Come skate with us on the ice rink assembled in the Plaza de la Concorde (behind el Corté Inglés) Price: 5 € (2X1 = € 2.50 per student) Location: Tia Tula - Skating Duration: 45 min.

Thursday, 19th of december, 18:30: Cooking Class: fideuà. You're going to learn how fideuà (typical Valencian dish) is made and enjoy your own meal.

Price: € 7 Location: Tia Tula - Approximate duration: 1h

Friday, 20th of december, 12:00: Christmas party. Sing christmas carols, we'll play the invisible friend, do various activities within the school and of course to celebrate the arrival of the holiday and Christmas.  ¡HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Remember to sign up for the activity at the reception beforehand (the minimum number of people needed for each activity is 3). If the cost is not stated then the activity is free. We recommend that our students participate in the activities so they can get to know other students in the school, so they can broaden their knowledge of Spanish culture and to practice and improve their Spanish in a fun way.

Activities 09/12 - 13/12

Monday, 9th of december: Holiday. The dogma of the Immaculate Conception, also known as Immaculate Conception, is a belief of  the Catholicism which holds that Mary, mother of Jesus, unlike all other human beings, was not achieved by original sin but from the first moment of conception, was free from all sin.

Tuesday, 10th of december, 18:00: Movie: El labirinto del fauno de Guillermo del Toro (2006). Set in 1944, features the exciting journey of Ofelia, a girl of 13 years with her mother, Carmen, convalescing because of a heavy pregnancy, moves to a small town, meet Vidal, a cruel captain of Franco's army, eventually Carmen's new husband but Ofelia feels no affection.

Location: Tía Tula - Film Duration: 112 min.

Wednesday, 11th of december, 17:30: Ice Skating. Come skate with us on the ice rink assembled in the Plaza de la Concorde (behind el Corté Inglés) Price: 5 € (2X1 = € 2.50 per student) Location: Tia Tula - Skating Duration: 45 min.

Thursday, 12th of december, 19:00: Nochevieja Universitario. Tía Tula recommends participation in the university nochevieja. From 19 pm, Plaza Mayor will host a show of light and sound with some of the best DJ's and national artists. The Fun Zone, at Plaza de Anaya, is a luxury setting with own programming to extend the fun.

Friday, 13th of december, 19:30: Costume party at Tia Tula. Come dressed to celebrate with us the joy of the arrival of the winter seasons. There will be a costume contest and games Location: Tia Tula - Approximate duration: 1:30

Remember to sign up for the activity at the reception beforehand (the minimum number of people needed for each activity is 3). If the cost is not stated then the activity is free. We recommend that our students participate in the activities so they can get to know other students in the school, so they can broaden their knowledge of Spanish culture and to practice and improve their Spanish in a fun way.

Frases en Español

Forgive and forget,

Listen, understand and learn

Appreciate and be thankful

Sleep less and dream more

Celebrate and have fun

Train your body and your mind

Love and pamper

Share and give

Fall in love

Speak less and say more

Evolve and be a little better every day

Imagine and create

Simplify your problems

Do it today, do it now

To be radiant, smile continuously 

Just try!

Activities 25/11 - 29/11

Monday, 25th of november, 18:30: Bowling. Bowling at Star Bowl, Avenida de los Cipreses. Price: bowling shoes included (€5), Meeting place: Tia Tula, Duratio: +/- 1h30

Tuesday, 26th of november, 20:00: Dancing Class: Flamenco. With dancing school Raquel Gómez. 8 students needed to guarantee this activity. Price: €4,- , Meeting place: Tia Tula, Duration +/- 1h30

Wednesday, 27th of november, 20:00: Movie: HECTOR. De gracia querejeta. (2004) Price -, Meeting place: Tia Tula, Duration: +/- 1h30

Thursday, 28th of november, 18:30: Exposicion. In memorian of the artist: Miguel Iribertegui. A demonstration of his written work at Santo Domingo de la Cruz. Price: -, Meeting place: Tia Tula, Duration: 1h

Friday, 29th of november, 20:30: Route de Tapas. Eat tapas with us in Calle van Dijck. Price: your consumption, Meeting place: Tia Tula, Duration: +/- 1h

Remember to sign up for the activity at the reception beforehand (the minimum number of people needed for each activity is 3). If the cost is not stated then the activity is free. We recommend that our students participate in the activities so they can get to know other students in the school, so they can broaden their knowledge of Spanish culture and to practice and improve their Spanish in a fun way.

Small get together

Friday night Josh (another intern at Tia Tula) organized our own intercambio activity. At 9/10 o clock we got together in his apartment with students from the Spanish and ELE courses.

ELE courses are for professors (whether native or non-native Spanish speakers) who want to improve their Spanish and their teaching skills.

Intercambios are activities involving a mutual exchange of knowledge. Normally an intercambio exists of speaking Spanish half of the time and the other half of the time the conversation will be in English.

However in this case we had the chance to practice Spanish with the ELE students all the time, in the case that they are not here to learn English. At the beginning it was a little awkward, but soon the students were mixed and trying to keep the conversation up in Spanish. This was a perfect opportunity to practice Spanish in a pleasant and natural way, in combination with homemade Sangria. We finished the night in the centre.

Liane - Student Tia Tula

Real Madrid – Real Sociedad: first experience

I spent my first weekend in Madrid instead of Salamanca together with other students of Tia Tula, to watch a game of football: Real Madrid – Real Sociedad. Saturday morning we left Salamanca by bus to the stadium ´Santiago Barnabeu´. (+/- 2,5h)

We went by metro to the centre to visit some of Madrid its attractions: Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol after which we went back to the stadium to watch the game. The atmosphere in the stadium was great, filled with all enthusiastic Real Madrid supporters. The game was perfectly selected and run ends in 5-1 win for Real Madrid.

After the game we ate Tapas in the centre, where after we went to our apartment (booked on www.airbnb.com). The metro network and all public transportation are very easy to use, anyhow we covered a lot of the city by feet. Sunday afternoon we left Madrid and went by train back to Salamanca. (+/- 2,5h)

Because of the great public transportation, it is possible to spend the weekends in different cities and places. This gives you the opportunity to discover more of Spain than only Salamanca. 

Liane - student of Tia Tula

Activities 18/11 - 22/11

Monday, 18th of november, 20:00: Tapas en las caballerizas. In the old stables of the palace Anaya, presently the facultidad of literature, we can try different pinchos (tapas). Price: your consumption (+/- €1,20), Meeting place: Tia Tula, Duratio: +/- 1h

Tuesday, 19th of november, 20:00: Billar. Play a game of billiards with us. Price: your consumption and €1,- per game, Meeting place: Tia Tula, Duration +/- 1h30

Wednesday, 20th of november, 20:00: Clase de cocina. Christmas menu, three courses: starter, main dish and dessert. Price €10,-, Meeting place: Tia Tula, Duration: +/- 1h30

Thursday, 21th of november, 18:30: Cine. Watch the movie: COLEGAS with us, from Marcelo Galvao (comedy 2013). Price: -, Meeting place: Tia Tula, Duration: 1h40

Friday, 22th of november, 20:30: intercambio de idiomas con juegos. Join our intercambio with spanish and english speaking students. Price: your consumption, Meeting place: Tia Tula, Duration: +/- 1h

Remember to sign up for the activity at the reception beforehand (the minimum number of people needed for each activity is 3). If the cost is not stated then the activity is free. We recommend that our students participate in the activities so they can get to know other students in the school, so they can broaden their knowledge of Spanish culture and to practice and improve their Spanish in a fun way.

¡Hola!

I am Liane and last week I started at Tia Tula as an intern for the administration and marketing department. I will keep you informed, at least for six months, about Tia Tula, Salamanca, the language and different activities during these months.


Why Tia Tula?

After I finished my Master in Science: Strategy and Organization, I thought it would be a great experience for me to apply my knowledge in a small company as an intern. I have been interested in the Spanish language since I was young and this combination of working and learning Spanish was a perfect opportunity for me. After reading numerous reviews, which were all very positive, I decided to apply for this internship at Tia Tula.


Why Salamanca?

Salamanca is a small city with loads of language schools and many students as a consequence. Salamanca has many bars and restaurants, which are full of life and sociability. Due to the small size of the city, every attraction and activity is close and the whole city can be explored by feet.


First impression

My first impression is in line with the expectations I had before I came to Salamanca. Tia Tula is a mid-sized school, and because of that, they provide a very personalized attention. They offer the possibility to get to know many students (even from other levels) by offering daily activities in the evenings.
Tia Tula attracts students of many nationalities. My class consists of students from Germany, Italia, Scotland, China, Korea and the United States. Here groups are kept small (with a maximum of 10 students). There is also a great diversity in ages, this makes the school qualified for everyone. I assume that my time on Tia Tula and in Salamanca will be great and full of new experiences.


Liane, student of Tía Tula

“Quien mucho abarca poco aprieta”

Do you know the meaning of “Quien mucho abarca poco aprieta”? It´s the same as the English saying of “Bite off more than you can chew".

¿Cuántas veces en vuestra vida cuando habéis intentado hacer u obtener muchas cosas al mismo tiempo os han dicho este refran: “Quien mucho abarca poco aprieta”? How many times in your life when you have tried to do or obtain too many things at the same time have you recalled or been reminded of this proverb: "Bite off more than you can chew"?

This expression seeks to remind that it is better to undertake only as much as you can handle instead of trying to do many things at the same time. Because in the end not only will you not be able to devote enough attention to the respective tasks but you will also not be able to give each task the attention that they deserve.

According to the Royal Academy of the Spanish language, the spanish verb Abarcar has many meanings such as: 

1.   To cover

2.   To include

3.   To embrace

4.   To undertake

5.   To monopolize

All these points refer to the actions that a person performs when they are responsible for taking or doing many things at a single time.

In short, if we want choose to do too many things, it is impossible to take care of all of them as it should be as we will cannot retain and control them. For this reason it is sometimes desirable to resign oneself to do certain things, limiting ourselves to only do what we can do and to not be frustrated with the things we cannot do.

This proverb refers to a series of aspects not only material objects but also for example jealousy, possessiveness toward someone etc. Sometimes in greed one tries to accumulate even more but not being able to focus can lead to neglect and in turn unhappiness.

Everyone should always remember this phrase “Quien mucho abarca poco aprieta” For many people it should not be forgotten as it can help to avoid an end result where the person feels like a failure because of the inability to carry out the task/s at hand.

That is why it is better to do a few things, but do them well. At the end you are satisfied! J

Valeria, Intern at Tía Tula.

Weekend in Madrid!

Living in Salamanca makes it very easy to journey to other places as it is affordable with good reliable transportation lines. I took the opportunity to go to Madrid for a couple of days. Getting to Madrid from Salamanca is very easy; you have the choice of either taking the bus or the train. It usually takes 2 ½ to 3 ½ hours depending on which you transport you choose and students usually travel to Salamanca via Madrid.

 

Madrid is a very interesting city and it is easily navigated. Armed with maps of the city and the metro, I and my companion set off to discover the charms of Madrid. We used taxis solely during our initial entry and departure from Madrid and the remainder of the time we used the metro which was clean, very affordable and with our maps handy we were able to get around easily. We bought our metro tickets at an automatic machine in the station and we were assisted by a very friendly attendant.

In our first excursion we visited The Retiro Park with its boating lake and took some time to just relax and look at the beautiful well-manicured surroundings with the lake. Our subsequent visits included visiting Madrid’s Plaza Mayor, other parks and stores, Real Madrid’s Bernabéu Stadium and Mercado de San Miguel. One of my favorite moments was during our visit to the Museo Reina Sofía in Madrid. I had the opportunity to view the world famous painting Guernica by world acclaimed artist Pablo Picasso! It portrays the devastation caused by the Nazi’s bombing the town of Guernica on April 26, 1937 during the Spanish Civil War. It was one of the most powerful statements in Picasso’s work and many people visit the museum today to catch a glimpse of this painting.   

Madrid is a very interesting city and there is so much to do and experience. I’m happy that I took the time to visit and I hope during my next visit I will have the time to visit some more of the historical monuments and museums in Madrid!

 

Debra, Student in Tia Tula

http://www.museoreinasofia.es/

http://www.mercadodesanmiguel.es/

http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jardines_del_Retiro_de_Madrid

http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estadio_Santiago_Bernab%C3%A9u

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plaza_Mayor,_Madrid

Stairway to Heaven… Scala Coeli.

If you are in Salamanca I recommend that you visit the Scala Coeli and climb the towers. You will be rewarded with some of the most spectacular views of Salamanca! This monument is located very close to Tia Tula. A mere two minute walk away and it opens daily. Upon arrival, the ticketing desk assistant gave us information on the cost and the next available tour.  I and my companion opted to wander leisurely through the building as the previous tour had already started and we were too excited to wait for the other to start!  After paying the entrance fee which is less than 4 euros each we started our exploration of the building. 
 

We entered different rooms filled with artifacts, preserved literature and there were also small models of the building. There was an amazingly view of the ornately decorated interior of the Real Clerecía de San Marcos which has a magnificent Baroque altarpiece. Afterwards we started our climb up the towers. The steps were narrow and wooden and we got an opportunity to rest on the way up by stopping off to view a projection giving details of the monument.

At last we arrived at the end of the stairs and entered the towers. The views are indescribably beautiful!! One has a panoramic view of the monuments and city of Salamanca. I especially loved the view of the Cathedrals of Salamanca. All the while we were busy admiring the architecture of the monuments and those huge bells in the towers and saying it was definitely worth the climb! 

 

Debra Student in Tia Tula

http://www.torresdelaclerecia.com/

Practice makes perfect…Poco a Poco!

In Tia Tula there are so many international students here and all of them focused on learning Spanish and improving their speaking, writing and reading capabilities. One of the most interesting things for me in interacting and getting to know all of these students is the sharing of the cultures. Not only am I learning about Spanish but I am also learning about so many other different cultures that it’s definitely adding to my experience while I am here!
 

I really enjoy speaking and practicing with various students. Even though I may be in a different class from some of my friends here it’s really easy to meet and make friends in Tia Tula as the school encourages mingling among the students during daily activities, as well the school has an intimate atmosphere so this makes it really easy to interact with each other.

The school encourages speaking Spanish both in and out of class and it’s definitely best to do so. When we are together we are always speaking Spanish and taking the opportunity to correct each other and this way I’ve learned a lot of new words or how to correctly phrase a sentence and conjugate a verb. Even when I am out in the city and interacting with locals in the stores etc. and I make a mistake or don’t know a word they help me by supplying the word or correcting my Spanish.
 

This is what I love about being in Salamanca because I have the opportunity to practice at class, with my friends, at my apartment, as well in the streets!  It’s a great opportunity to practice your conversational skills and if you are in Salamanca I would advise you not to be shy. It is expected that you will make mistakes as you are learning a new language, so laugh off the mistakes, they will make for a good story one day!

Debra, student in Salamanca.

 

Have some Paella!!

If you are in Spain or you’re still researching on what you are going to do when you get here, one of the things that you’ve undoubtedly read about would be the delights of the gastronomy. One of the most popular dishes is Paella. This would definitely be on your list of things to eat when you get to Spain!

 

To give you a little history on the origins of Paella, It is a Spanish rice dish which originated in Valencia in the mid-19^th century and is considered to be Valencia’s regional dish but it is popular throughout Spain. In typical Valencia tradition the dish is made with rice, vegetable, rabbit and chicken meat, beans, saffron, oil and seasoning. Other paellas are also made with Seafood or there may be a combination of both.

Paella is very popular here in Salamanca and can be eaten in restaurants by the plate or as a Tapa serving. As part of the extra-curricular activities at Tia Tula we have cooking classes and sometimes we will have a tutorial on Paella which the students always enjoy. I recommend when you get to Spain or if you are already in Salamanca that you try the Paella, I’m sure that you will love it!

 

Debra, student at Tia Tula

Do you know the meaning of "Siesta"?

Siesta in Spain refers to the time taken to relax in the afternoon, usually after lunch.  It is an afternoon rest or nap normally taken between 2:00pm and 5:30pm. In Salamanca, as well as in other parts in Spain, it is normal for some shops to close during this time as this is also the time to have lunch.

 

It is thought when there is siesta that working time is short. But in fact, one works on average 4 hours in the morning and another 4 hours in the afternoon sometimes even more, which is at least 8 hours daily.

 

To follow the rest of the European countries, in January 2006 large cities such as Madrid and Barcelona abolished siesta for public government offices and other public offices. And that is why in the larger cities there is only a short break for lunch.

 

It is said that human productivity increases throughout the day and reaches its highest levels at midday. Then, between 2:00pm and 3:00pm it decreases. At about 4:00pm in the evening it rises again and remains constant for several hours. At the end of the day it begins again to drop gradually and will reach its minimum levels at 2:00am to 3:00am in the morning, when one is asleep.

 

Personally, I think having a siesta impacts positively on the human body. It can be used to recover from the fatigue accumulated during the day and increase performance at work in order to be productive with the remainder of the daily activity.

I think it creates a healthy lifestyle for the body and spirit.

 

 

Noriko, student internship in Tía Tula

Back to the past ...

Salamanca is known as one of the most culturally rich cities of Spain. It’s known for having a wide array of monuments, churches, museums, ancient cathedrals and universities but it is also a city in where different famous persons have lived and passed along the story of the city. Highlighted in this article is Miguel de Unamuno, whose work is known and appreciated all over the world; a famous character who made a great contribution in the field of philosophy.

 

One of the most visited tourist destinations in Salamanca is the "Unamuno House Museum", in which the philosopher lived and today is open to the public. The house is in the old part of the city. At first it was owned by the University of Salamanca. Built in the eighteenth century, it became famous as the place where Miguel de Unamuno lived as Rector of the University of Salamanca and in the 50's it was converted into a museum dedicated to the writer's life. Today the house/museum is integrated into the Office of Archives and Libraries of the University of Salamanca.

 

In preparation to becoming a museum, work began in 1952 by adding furniture on the second floor and creating Unamuno's personal library (assigned to the University) with its 6000 books. Between 1976 and 1977 spaces in the house were adapted to create a historical spectrum which recreates the atmosphere of the writer; work would end in 1996 when the museum was officially opened to the public.

 

The house built between 1758 and 1762 by architect Andrés García de Quiñones, was converted into the house of the Rector of the University of Salamanca and used by the school Administration. Later on it was occupied by Unamuno when he moved to Salamanca in 1900 to teach Greek at the University. He took over the second floor of the house to devote himself to writing his works and poetry. The building is located on a street of booksellers, on the corner of Calderon de la Barca.

 

The façade of the building bears the shield of the University of Salamanca in quoting the following sentence: "OMNIVM SCIENTARVM PRINCEPS SALMANTICA DOCET” which loosely translated means Salamanca is the first in the teaching of all sciences. The building, rectangular in shape, is divided into two parts: the first floor is the Official Hall, while the second are offices. I advise those interested in philosophy and who are lovers of culture, to visit and to experience this journey to the past thanks to the perfect preservation and restoration of this building!

 

 

Valeria, student internship in Tía Tula.

Saturday adventures!

There is so much to do here while in Salamanca! I had a great day exploring the neighboring city of Avila with my fellow student Nari! On Saturday morning we got up early and headed off to the bus station. Bought tickets for the 8.30am bus and in no time we were on our way. Avila by bus is only one hour and a half away so in between chatting and having a cup of tea the time passed very quickly.

When we arrived we had breakfast at one of the many restaurants populating the city and then heading to the tourist office for a map and information on the city. The entrance to the Wall of Avila is actually in the tourist office so after paying a small fee we excitedly started our walk around the city on top of the Wall. The views were beautiful and the walls are well preserved. The weather in Avila was great, not too hot or cold so we had a good time leisurely strolling along the Wall, climbing the turrets, stopping to take photos and to read the plaques that are set in stone along the way.

After the Wall we walked through the streets of the city and stopped off at the Museum and the 17^th century Convent of St Teresa. Everything is well preserved and absolutely beautiful. I have to say though my favorite place that we visited was the Cathedral of Avila. It is suggested the building of the Cathedral started in 1091. It is a combination of Romanesque and Gothic architecture and it is stunning in person. After spending the day in Avila we returned to Salamanca on the train which has a shorter journey time.

Later that day with some of the other students from the school, I attended a concert in Salamanca featuring a group called The Rey Sisters from Ghana. The venue, Santo Domingo garden, was packed with locals and international students and the group didn’t disappoint! Tired but extremely happy from having such a great day I can’t wait to continue my adventures in Salamanca!

 

Debra, Student in Salamanca.

Unforgettable … My time in Salamanca.

I came to Salamanca for five months to learn Spanish, enjoy the city and maybe see some of the rest of Europe. I leave to go back to my country of Trinidad and Tobago fully satisfied that I have achieved my objectives.

When I first arrived in Salamanca I didn’t have much knowledge of the language beyond the very basics and I must say that while I have had some very frustrating moments I have also had a very rewarding experience.  Initially I was a bit shy to speak as I didn’t know the proper use of the grammar or have the vocabulary to adequately express myself. Surrounded by teaching Professionals like Vanessa, Beatriz, Alicia and the other staff has motivated me “Poco a Poco..”Now thanks to the dedicated teaching of the staff at Tia Tula, and from my time spent as an Intern being constantly encouraged by Ana and the rest of the Administrative staff, I am well equipped to communicate with other persons in the language. I also want to give many thanks to my room-mate Noriko and the many other students who I met while at Tia Tula who encouraged me and corrected me during our conversations.  Their input and motivating words really helped a lot. I now feel more confident in my ability to communicate in the language and I look forward to continuing my studies in my country.  My time here was well spent and I think that no other experience can top being immersed in the culture and language if you are trying to learn another language.

Salamanca is a beautiful city and this is an understatement. A well preserved historic city with truly stunning architecture and a wide variety of cultural activities keeps one from getting bored as there is always something new to do, discover or to see.  I felt warmly embraced by not only the school but also the city. The many events, concerts etc. that I attended in Salamanca showcases the city in such a positive way and it is heartwarming to see how proud Salamintos are of their city and its heritage.

When I came to Salamanca I was focused on experiencing Spanish culture but what I did not expect was to also become familiar with so many other different cultures as well. Being in Tia Tula I have met students from so many different countries and it has definitely improved my experience here.  One of the things I enjoyed the most was all the different foods that I learned to prepare from my international friends in Salamanca. I can’t wait to go home and show off my new found skills! To Noriko who taught me to make sushi, Nari who taught me Korean food, Valeria who taught me Tiramisu thank you for the pleasure! I also learned to prepare popular Spanish foods as part of the extra-curricular activities of Tia Tula. I’m going to be very popular when I get back home!J

This was my first time in Europe and being in Salamanca made it easy to travel around. I enjoyed visiting other parts of Spain and I also had the opportunity to visit Portugal, London and France.  All the countries were definitely beautiful in their own way and I will carry special memories with me from my first visits to these places.  I feel very blessed and as I embark upon another journey in my life I wish to truly thank the staff of Tia Tula for a phenomenal experience! You have added to the enrichment of my visit and I am grateful.

To everyone at Tia Tula, staff and students “Muchas gracias, buena suerte y mejores deseos!! Besos!!”

Debra, student at Tia Tula.

Salamanca’s Fiesta de la Virgen de la Vega!

Every year on the 8th September Salamanca celebrates the Feast of the Virgin de la Vega. It began long ago by the Roman Bridge as a simple agricultural and livestock fair but it has now changed into a time of Celebration for its Patron and is a tradition that has endured centuries.

Legend has it that the Virgin helped Salamanca  to defend the assault of the troops who wanted to invade in 1706 during the War of Spanish Succession. A statue representing the Saint was recovered from the former Monastery of Vega and was placed on the high altar in the Cathedral of Salamanca. la Virgin de la Vega has been the patron Saint of the city since 1618 and shares this patronage with San Juan de Sahagun. There have been several miracles and favors attributed to her intervention.

The festival will start on September 7, and on the 8th will be the feast of the Patron. During the festival there will be many shows in the streets, concerts, parties for citizens, students and tourists to enjoy. This year the many celebrations include: Etnohelmántica Festival, Street Arts Festival, Medieval Market, Fair Day, bullfighting etc. 

An explosion of music, fun and laughter!!

Valeria, Intern at Tía Tula.

Extra curricular Activities 2nd to 6th September

Monday 2, 18.00: Visit Salamanca. Get to know the history of the main monuments of Salamanca. Meeting place: Tia Tula. Approximate duration: 1h

Tuesday 3, 19.30: Salamanca Tapas. You will learn how to make some tapas and then you can eat them. Price €7. Meeting place: Tia Tula. Approximate duration 1h

Wednesday 4, 18.00: Billar. Come play a game of pool with us. Price +- €2 (your consumption + game) Meeting place: Tia Tula. Approximated duration: 1h30

Thursday 5, 17.00: Pelicula. The Secret of your Eyes – Juan Jose Campanella (2009) Argentina, 1970´s. Benjamin is an officer of a Court in Buenos Aires and is about to retire. Haunted by a brutal murder which occurred thirty years earlier, he decises to write a novel about the case which has a witness….Place: Tia Tula – movie length: 126 mins.

Friday 6, 18.50: Visit Scala Coeli. We will climb the towers of the clergy and enjoy the views of Salamanca. Price: €3,75. Meeting point: Tia Tula. Approximate duration: 1h

Remember to sign up for the activity at the reception beforehand (the minimum number of people needed for each activity is 3). If the cost is not stated then the activity is free. We recommend that our students participate in the activities so they can get to know other students in the school, so they can broaden their knowledge of Spanish culture and to practice and improve their Spanish in a fun way.

A student's experience in Tia Tula and Salamanca.

Today I decided to interview fellow student at Tia Tula Japanese national Miyuki, with whom I am sharing this experience of learning Spanish at Tía Tula. I asked about her experience in Tia Tula and her general experience in Salamanca. This is what she had to say.

Me: Why do you want to learn Spanish?

Miyuki: At the University I attended in Japan, one of the courses I took was Spanish. I wanted to learn to speak fluently and so I decided to further my studies, also I enjoy practicing the language with foreigners!

Me: How long have you been studying in Spain?
Miyuki: I have been here for one year.
 
Me: Why did you choose Salamanca?

Miyuki:  Salamanca is known as a place where persons speak fluent, clear Castilian and it is also a city where many foreigners study. For me it is ideal, I can focus on studying among other persons pursing the same goal. Also the price of living in the city is very affordable, which provides for a good quality of life.
 
Me: What is your objective during your time learning Spanish in Salamanca?

Miyuki: I want to pass the DELE B2 exams, as well I want to achieve fluency and to communicate in Spanish without any problems. In Spain I have many Spanish friends, which has helped me greatly in improving my communication skills.

 
Me: Do you want to leave a comment for prospective students who are thinking of coming to Salamanca and enrolling in Tia Tula?
Miyuki:  The atmosphere in Tía Tula is very intimate, I always feel like I am at home! The staff makes you feel very welcome and you will make friends with other international students throughout the school.  The teachers are very kind and patient and the school also offers a variety of activities each week. Personally I definitely recommend coming to study Spanish at Tía Tula!

Thanks Miyuki!!

Interview by Noriko, student internship in Tía Tula.

Presentation of the VI Congress of the Spanish Language.

On October 20 Panama will host the VI International Congress of the Spanish Language (CILE), dedicated to "The Spanish in the book: the South Atlantic Ocean”

 

This is an important event to be attended by President of Panama and the King of Spain Juan Carlos, as well as, famous Writers and Scholars like Mario Vargas Llosa, Sergio Ramírez y Jorge Eduardo Ritter, Héctor Abad Faciolince, Juan Villoro, Alonso Cueto, Abel Posse y Rosa María Britton and others. The conference can also be accessed virtually on the internet by attendees and by interested persons.

 

This sixth edition is part of the International Conference sponsored by the Cervantes Institute, the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE), the Association of Spanish Language Academies (ASALE), and the Government of Panama. The aim of this event is to reflect the current situation of Spanish language problems and strengthen the promotion and unity of language between citizens, institutions and governments. In addition there will be over two hundred Linguists and Academics from various countries including the Philippines, different states in the USA, Brazil, Japan, France, Italy and Portugal. Meetings are being organized between Ministers of Education and various Spanish speaking countries.

 

The conference is open to all persons who want to participate (with prior registration), so it will be a good opportunity for students and faculty of the University of Panama to join the event. This will be organized in two days, during which the public will be proposed various activities such as:

 

• Teacher training, to be held at the Escuela Normal Superior Juan Demóstenes Arosemena
• In addition, RAE y ASALE  will present the project Corpus of Spanish XXI Century 

(CORPES XXI), funded by the Bank of Santander and other academic portals providing new content and increased resources for those who speak Spanish as their first language.
• General Assembly of the International System of Certification of Spanish as a Foreign Language (SICELE), proposed by the Instituto Cervantes.
• Meeting to discuss future projects and outline future lines of work.
• Finally, it will discuss the theme that gives the name to the Congress: The book, i.e. everything that relates to communication, translation, the language checker, intellectual properties and copyrights among other.

 

It’s a perfect event for anyone who has a passion for Spanish!

 

Valeria, Intern in Tia Tula

Extra-curricular activities 26th - 30 August, 2013

Monday 26 August 18.00: Ice Cream and Garden visit. First we will go for ice cream in Plaza Mayor and then after we will visit and learn the history of the garden Huerto Calixto y Melibea.  Price: between 2-3€ (depending on your consumption). Meeting place: Tia Tula – Duration approximately: 1h

 

Tuesday 27 August 17.30: Movie – The Perfect Crime - Alex de la Iglesia (2004) Rafael is the best salesman in the biggest department store of Madrid. He is a fascinating man; all his colleagues fell in love with him. He tries to live a high-standard life. He is definitely ambitious and aspires to be the new head of sales on his floor. But he has to beat Don Antonio: the best salesman in the man wearing sector. Competition gets harder and harder, until Rafael kills Don Antonio but there is one witness to his crime.. Lourdes…Place: Tia Tula – Duration 106min.

Wednesday 28 August 18.00: Picnic. We will enjoy a picnic on the banks of Rio Tormos or in Park Jesuitas. Do not forget to bring your snacks and your desire to have fun during the games that will be proposed! Meeting point: Tia Tula – Duration approximately 1h30.

 

Thursday 29 August 16.30: Pool. Wear sunscreen, bring your towel and your swimsuit and let’s go chill by the pool San Jose. We will also enjoy a breathtaking view of Salamanca. Price: 3,29€. Meeting point: Tia Tula – Duration approximately 1h30

 

Friday 30 August 19.00: Spanish Tortilla. Come learn how to make Tortilla with potatoes and after you can eat it. Price: 6€. Meeting place: Tia Tula- Duration approximately 1h

 

Remember to sign up for the activity at the reception beforehand (the minimum number of people needed for each activity is 3). If the cost is not stated then the activity is free. We recommend that our students participate in the activities so they can get to know other students in the school, so they can broaden their knowledge of Spanish culture and to practice and improve their Spanish in a fun way.

Summer time and concerts in Salamanca

Last week Saturday I was out and about Salamanca enjoying various cultural events which the city has ongoing as part of its Cultural programs for the year.  This month Salamanca will be hosting two concerts every Saturday which gives me the opportunity to go out with my friends and enjoy the sights and sounds of the city.

The first concert we attended was held at The Cave of Salamanca and the group Tarantella Quartet played a mixture of Jazz, Classical and Modern renditions. The concert which started at eight lasted about an hour and we spent it taking in the sounds of Mozart and Beethoven. The venue though small had an intimate feeling and we had an enjoyable time.

After the first concert we decided to have dinner close to the Plaza Mayor while we waited on some other friends to join us for the second concert. After enjoying a delicious dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant (Salamanca has a bit of everything) we were on our way to the second concert.

The second concert was held in the Garden of Santo Domingo and started promptly at 10.30pm. The band played a mixture of Spanish music with reggae beats! They were so good that at the end of the one hour and a half performance the audience called for an encore and the band obliged!

We had an enjoyable evening attending these concerts and we are already looking forward to attending another, as well, I am looking forward to sampling some of the other events that Salamanca will be having for the summer!

 

Debra, student in Tia Tula

Salamanca and surroundings. Discovering Bilbao!

Since quite some time has passed since I'm in Salamanca, last weekend I decided to visit one of the many beautiful cities that are nearby: Bilbao. Many of the people I spoke with recommended Bilbao, as well Salamanca has good transportation links with other surrounding cities so it was very easy to get there. I decided to go by train because it was very fast and very affordable.

 

Although it is different than Salamanca, Bilbao is a very interesting and there are plenty of things to do! When I arrived on a Saturday I walked around the old town, where there are shops of all types. The streets have that style that is typically Spain: very narrow houses, closely built next to each other with small balconies where tenants had hung flowers of different colors.

 

There are many old stone churches and museums. I visited the most famous, the Guggenheim Museum. Despite the long time it took to get in as it was quite crowded, it was worth the wait! The exhibition is contained on three floors, and where there is displayed modern works and movements by Pop Art Andy Warhol (with the famous image of Marilyn Monroe) with Breton and Surrealism, Picasso and many others ... On leaving I also saw the famous sculpture that looks like a spider, with many tourists waiting around to get a chance to take a photo with it.

 

Another museum that I visited and which I recommend is the museum of local traditions, showing dances suits, dresses old fishermen, found objects belonging to the Paleolithic period.

 

On Sunday at midday I decided to eat in the main square, under the arcades where you will find there are many places that offer snacks and tapas of all types. What I loved most was the city at night, many places open late and the streets are all lit, creating a special atmosphere, a mixture of an ancient and modern city.

Before returning to Salamanca on Sunday via train, I took some final moments in the city to take a walk near the river and cross the famous bridge build by architect Santiago Calatrava. On the platform that runs along the river there are many tourists and locals who take advantage of the views to either take a walk or bike

Bilbao is a city suitable for anyone who is interested in going somewhere that is easy to get around on foot, has a festive nightlife, it’s cultural and I’m certain you will have fun! I did!

 

Valeria, student internship in Tía Tula.