Disguised Party at Tia Tula

On Friday 15 February, Tia Tula organized a disguised party. Everyone tried to dress up as original as possible.  Among the guests an Indian, a firefighter, a detective, a witch, a journalist, Batman and Catwoman were present. Everyone showed his outfit on our imaginary catwalk, of which I made a video that you can find down here.

I think this was a successful activity for everyone who was present. The Tia Tula Team thought about everything to make it a perfect evening. There was a large choice of snacks and drinks and this evening gave us the chance to get to know each other even better. 

Extra-curricular activities 25 February – 1 March

Monday 25^th, 19:00: Churros with chocolate. During this activity we will go to ‘El Valor’ to try their famous Churros with chocolate. Price: +/- € 3,50. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 1h

 

Tuesday 26^th, 19:45: Cinema. Today we will watch “SOBREVIVIR A PICASSO’’ (1996) by James Ivory in Teatro Liceo. Price: € 1,20. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 1h30

Wednesday 27^th,^,19:00: Exposition. During this activity we’ll visit “ERASE UNA VEZ… EL HABLA”. During this exposition we will discover the source of  ‘speaking’ with the help of some interactive games and audiovisual means. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 1h

Thursday 28^th, 19:00. Cooking class. On Thursday we will learn how to make Tapas Gallegas and after that we will eat them. Price: € 7,00. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 1h

Friday 1^st, 20:00: Tapas. We will go to various places in the Van Dyck-zone to try tapas. Price: +/- € 6,00. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 1h30

Remember to sign up for the activity at the reception on 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 our students to 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.

Changes in the spelling of Spanish

About 2 years ago, we published an article on our blog about the new spelling of Spanish that was introduced by the ‘Real Academia Española de la Lengua’. Later, in another post, we described one of the most important changes concerning the new spelling, presented by the RAE that also got a lot of attention. It can be quite interesting to read or reread this article.

Nowadays it’s recognition of the Real Academia that is attracting our attention. This institution has recognized that some of the adjustments, that they proposed, didn’t get the acceptance they expected. Some well-known writers and journalists - such as Arturo Pérez Reverte, Javier Marías, Antonio Muñoz Molina, José Emilio Pacheco and Antonio Coletas – agreed to express their mistrust about these changes publicly or to simply refuse to apply them. We can conclude that the topic which causes the most resistance is the removal of the accent mark in words such as "guión" / "guion", "sólo" / "solo" and "éste" / "este".

Below you can find a short explanation, presented by the Real Academia and elaborated by one of their members, named Salvador Gutiérrez. In this image, he describes the grade of acceptance of the most important changes in the spelling of Spanish.

Salvador Gutiérrez (coordinator of the project that instituted the changes) confirmed publicly that there is a possibility that the Real Academia doesn’t carry on with some of these changes. In the end it is the speakers, and not the Academy, that make the choice to apply the changes or not.

Extra-curricular activities 18 February - 22 February

Monday 18th, 18:00: The cave of Salamanca. During this activity we will visit the cave of Salamanca and we will get to know its mysterious history. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 30 minutes

Tuesday 19th, 19:00: Exchange project. Today we will play some board games with Anthony while talking in Spanish and English. Price: Your consumption. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 50 minutes

Wednesday 20^th,^,19:00: Exposition. During this activity we’ll visit an exposition of Ángel Luis Iglesias, called “ENCONTACTO”. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 1h

Thursday 21^st. 19:30. Tapas. On Thursday we will explore some nice tapas bars in the city. Price: +/- € 6,00. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 1h30

Friday 22^nd, 17:30: Movie. To finish this week we will all watch a Spanish movie together.

Remember to sign up for the activity at the reception on 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 our students to 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.

Carnaval del Toro in Ciudad Rodrigo

On Saturday we went with a group of 8 students of Tía Tula to ‘el carnaval de Ciudad Rodrigo’. It was amazing! A lot of people were dressed up in a really original way, so for us it was an nice opportunity to take lots of pictures.

I think it’s amazing how the people who were at the event were dressed. I really loved the group which consisted of dices and other casino accessories! The second best dressed group for me were the price tags! They showed so much enthusiasm and be honest, who of you would ever think about dressing as a price tag during the period of sales?

The donuts were also pretty cool, but I felt a bit sorry for them, because I’m sure that it was so hard to walk with the box around them. I do admire them though because they really stood there as a team.

The people in the third picture were really like a big family. I’m not sure I counted right, but I think they were a group of 21 persons. I saw them walking on the street, and they all seemed so happy. The kids were also incredibly proud walking around in their cute little suit.

 

I would give the price of the most funny duo to the 2 ‘abuelitas’ (= grandmothers). When our group was looking for some food during the afternoon, we spotted them dancing and entertaining all the people around them! We just adored them!

Next to all the people who were dressed as those amazing characters, we also saw a bull fight and for the most of us, it was the first time that we saw something like that!

 

Four bulls were killed during the fight that lasted almost 2 hours. Every time the animal was dead people started cheering of happiness. It felt a little weird for us, because we actually felt sorry for the bull, but we could have expected that on beforehand! We surely don’t regret going though!

 

After the fights they also let some bulls running freely through the streets and when that happened, people went crazy! We didn’t stay for watching them because we had to take our last bus home.

 

In the bus there were a lot of Spanish students singing and laughing, so it was actually a nice ride home too.

I’d like to thank all the students who came for making this day so amazing!

 

Extra-curricular activities 18th - 22nd February

Monday 18th, 18:00: Cave of Salamanca. We are going to visit the cave and learn about its mysterious history. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 30mins

 

Tuesday 19th, 19:00: Intercambio. With Anthony, we are going to speak Spanish and English whilst we play games in the Alcarabán. Price: Your condumption. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 50 mins 

 

Wednesday 20^th, 19:00: Exhibition. Encontacto by angel luis Iglesias. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 1h

 

Thursday 21^st, 19.30. Tapas route. We will try tapas in the bars in the centre of Salamanca. Price: + - 6,00 euros. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 1h30

 

Friday 22nd, 17:30: Film. A brilliant opportunity to immerse yourself in Spanish cinema. Meeting place: Tía Tula.

 

Remember to sign up for the activity at the reception on 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 our students to 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.

Extra-curricular activities 11 February - 15 February

Monday 11th, 17:00: Movie. During this activity we will watch a Spanish movie.
 

Tuesday 12th, 19:00: Movie debate. Today we’ll discuss the movie we’ve seen yesterday. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 1h
 

Wednesday 13th^,19:00: Karaoke. During this activity we’ll go to karaoke bar “Belle Époque” where we will sing songs in Spanish or other languages. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 1h30
 

Thursday 14th. 19.00. Wine tasting. On Thursday we invite you to a night of wine tasting (1 Rioja, 1 Ribera and 1 Blanco). We will also try some kinds of ham and cheese and we’ll get a little file at the end in which we can find the things we tried out during the night. Price: € 11,00. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 1h
 

Friday 15th, 20:00: Disguised party. To celebrate carnival we organize a disguised party at school. We’ll also have a little contest, so try to put on your nicest carnival costume! Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 1h30
 

Remember to sign up for the activity at the reception on 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 our students to 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.

The Instituto Cervantes celebrates the culture that will spread throughout 2013

The Instituto Cervantes has presented a program that seeks  "excellence and quality"

The Instituto Cervantes has introduced its cultural program for this year in an act of "celebration of culture" which has involved numerous artists and creators. A program of activities aims to show the world the best of the Spain’s culture and Spanish, which has "an extraordinary wealth and is one of our best resources".

The presentation was attended by representatives of the most important cultural institutions and relevant cultural personalities, writers such as Lorenzo Silva Fernando Savater, the musician Antón García Abril, theater director Jose Luis Gomez, the singer Juan Carmona, soprano Pilar Jury, actor Francis Lorenzo, designer Modesto Lomba, among many others. This "party culture" concluded with a recital by acclaimed pianist Rosa Torres-Pardo and singer Rocio Marquez, who played pieces by Falla, Albéniz and Granados in a short recital.

"They are not easy years," acknowledged the director of the Instituto Cervantes, Victor Garcia de la Concha. "Budget constraints have forced us to think hard about" the development of a "excellent" program, he said, which exists across five Hispanic continents, and in which the Latin American presence is essential.

The director of the Institute of Culture, Montserrat Iglesias, has shelled the main lines of 2013 programming in more than 80 cities in which the Instituto Cervantes has centres or classrooms.

Artists of all genres and specialties starred in various acts, including names such as Mario Vargas Llosa, Kenzaburo Oe, Antón García Abril, Ainhoa ​​Arteta, Maria Bayo, Pedro Halffter, Fernando Iwasaki, Jorge Edwards, Lorenzo Silva, Luis Landeros , Rosa Montero, Carlos Nunez, Concha Buika, Cesc Gelabert or Pilar Jurado.

Literature, film and music, theater, dance, art, history and popular science are some of the areas that cover the cultural activities which the Instituto Cervantes "pursues excellence and quality."

Each centre of the Instituto Cervantes will host a wide range of activities with clear teaching, and from which numerous courses will be taught along with workshops and seminars. This is in close collaboration with other Spanish and local institutions and Spanish embassies in Spanish-speaking countries. The latter fits with the mission of "latinamericanize" the Instituto Cervantes.

In short, throughout 2013, the Institute will show the cultural heritage of Spain.

Text translated from the Instituto Cervantes website.

Win free courses at Tia Tula!

Tia Tula gives you the opportunity to participate in a contest in which you can win a two-week course at our language school for free!

 

The only thing you have to do for getting those free classes is completing the next 2 steps.

 

1. Like our Facebookpage

(https://www.facebook.com/colegiotiatula)

 

2. Share the picture

(https://www.facebook.com/colegiotiatula#!/photo.php?fbid=10151233541405443&set=a.469711855442.257666.103343270442&type=1&theater)
 

We will contact the winner as soon as our page has 800 likes.

Extra-curricular activities 4 February - 8 February

Monday 4th, 17:00: Movie. During this activity we will watch a Spanish movie.

 

 

Tuesday 5th, 19:00: Picnic. Today we’ll go to El Mandala, where they offer a great variety of sweets, just like cakes, tea and pastry. Price: Your consumption. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 1h

 

 

Wednesday 6th^, 18:00: Exposition. UNAMUNO Y LA FOTOGRAFIA. During this activity we’ll go to an exposition about the life of Miguel Unamuno at the exposition room, named Patio de Escuelas. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 1h

 

 

Thursday 7th. 19.00. Bowling. We’ll go bowling together at Star Bowl. Price: 4€/game + 1€ for the rent of the special shoes. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 1h30

 

 

Friday 8th, 17:00: Movie. During this activity we will watch a Spanish movie.

 

 

Remember to sign up for the activity at the reception on 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 our students to 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.

Extra-curricular activities 4th-8th February

Monday 4th, 17:00: Film. A brilliant opportunity to immerse yourself in Spanish cinema. Meeting place: Tía Tula.

Tuesday 5th, 19:00: Afternoon snacks. We will go to the café El Mandala and enjoy the shakes, cakes and juices. Price: Your consumption Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 1h

Wednesday 6th^, 18:00: Exhibition. We will go to the Patio Escuelas to see the exhibition: ‘’Unamuno y la fotografía".. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 1h

Thursday 7th. 19.00. Bowling. An evening in the Sala de Juegos Start Bowl. Price: 4€ + 1€ shoe hire. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 1h30.

Friday 8th, 17:00: Film. A brilliant opportunity to immerse yourself in Spanish cinema. Meeting place: Tía Tula.

Remember to sign up for the activity at 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 our students to 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.

The world speaks English and Spanish

During the Instituto Cervantes’s recent annual presentation, they gave information about their annual report in which they talked about the state of Spanish in the world. The Instituto Cervantes is responsible for the international diffusion of the language. The annual’s conclusions couldn’t be more positive. We can conclude that Spanish is and will stay the second language of the world.  

In the annual report they talked about the following topics:

• ·   Spanish is the second most spoken mother tongue (almost 500 million people have this language as their mother tongue, after Chinese.)

• ·    It’s the second most studied language, after English, and it’s really ahead in comparison to the following languages such as French and German. At the moment, there are more than 20 million students who are studying Spanish.

• ·   Spanish is the second most used language in international communication (in the commercial, economic and political area), after English.

• ·   It is already the second language in several internet fields: on Twitter it just became the second most used language and on Facebook it already was, with more than 80 million users. In general we can say that Spanish is the third language on the Internet, after English and Chinese, but it’s clearly the Spanish language that can count on a better growth: it increased with a percentage of 800 in the last 10 years, in respect of for example the rise of 300% of the English; in certain large language regions such as Latin America, there was already a growth of 1200% in the last 10 years. In fact, because Latin America presents 90% of the Hispanic speakers and because the introduction of the Internet (the part of the population that has access to the Internet) is much lower over there than the European average according to what people expect of Latin America (40% in Latin America in relation to 75% in Europe), they hope that this international growth keeps being as strong during the following years.

• ·   The Spanish language can count on a huge advantage in respect of it’s two competitors, namely English and Chinese: it has a great stability and equality, which is the result of, on the one hand well organised work and on the other hand the good language academies in the Hispanic countries. This allows each Spanish speaking person to understand and to be understood perfectly.

• ·     They have calculated that by 2030, an estimated 7,5% of the population will speak Spanish. This percentage is more remarkable than the ones of the other languages: 2,2% for Russian, 1,4% for French, 1,2% for German… In 3 or 4 generations 10% of the world population will communicate in Spanish.

• ·    In 2050, the United States will be the country with the largest number of Spanish speaking people in the world. Today Mexico is the largest Spanish speaking country.

After reading this text we can clearly conclude that Spanish is, after English, the most important language in the world. In addition to this fact we can also determine that Spanish is the second language for the English speaking population.