The legend of the garden of Calixto y Melibea

Last week, after having an ice-cream at the famous "Novelty" glacier, located in the Plaza Mayor, we visited the garden of Calixto and Melibea. This excursion was one of Tia Tula’s cultural activities which are offered on a daily basis. Katy, the person who accompanied us, briefly told us the story of the garden which is related to a book named "La Celestina". The story interested me and since I wanted to know more, I did some research and here's what I found.

 

The original title of "La Celestina" is "The comedy of Calixto and Melibea" title given to the book in its first edition in 1499. There is also a longer version titled "The tragicomedy of Calixte and Melibea" published in 1502. This is one of the most read and most commented upon book in the Spanish literature books. It was written by Fernando de Rojas while he was studying at Salamanca.

 

This work tells the story of Calixto, a young nobleman who falls for Melibea, but she rejects him. On the advice of his servant, Calixto asks for help from Celestine, an old ex-prostitute and witch who was used to playing matchmaker. Celestine called the devil to bewitch Melibea and makes her falls in love with Calixto… However, I will not reveal to you the end of the story for those that have not read the book and want to J
 

As the legend became very popular, people started looking for the specific site where the story could have taken place. As the author wrote the book while living in Salamanca, people decided that the garden of history was that of Salamanca, which is why it is now called Garden of Calixto and Melibea!

 

I invite you to read the book, and if you are student at Tia Tula, you can find it in our library.

 

 

Claire, Intern at Tia Tula

 

E Day – the celebration of all who speak Spanish

More than 500 million people speak Spanish. It is the second language in the world in number of native speakers and the third most used language on the Internet.  To celebrate this vast wealth of Spanish culture, the Cervantes Institute organizes a day that aims to establish itself as the celebration of all who speak this language.

E Day, or as it is also known, Day of Spanish,  is the festive commemoration hosted by Cervantes Institute since 2009 to celebrate all those who speak Spanish. It took place on Saturday 22nd June, and aimed to spread the culture of Spanish, and celebrate it’s importance in the world.

The Cervantes Institute in Madrid celebrated by hosting a program of activities. Some of its activities were aimed at children. Among them was “Cuentacuentos”.  Stories rich in cultural heritage were read on various folk tales and legends of Spanish and Latin American countries such as Mexico, Cuba or Paraguay.

There was a magic show named “La magia de las palabras”, created by the Illusionist Peter Volta where the words took on a new dimension in the art of magic.  Other themed activities were “Taller de letras creativas”, “Letras que vuelan” and “Visita a la Caja de las letras.”

Cervantes Institute in Alcala de Henares also celebrated E Day with an open day and activities such as “Visita la exposición - Places of inspiration." Persons enjoyed a set of pieces by some of the most prestigious Spanish artists and Hispanic Americans in the second half of the twentieth century, among them, Antonio Saura, Luis Gordillo, Andreu Alfaro, Eduardo Arroyo, Eduardo Chillida, Miquel Barceló, Lucio Muñoz, and Roberto Matta. 

The prints are inspired by paintings and literary works such as "Don Quixote" and the poetry of Lorca, and the great masters of the Museo del Prado (Goya, Velazquez, El Greco and Rubens). Cervantes Institute in Alcala de Henares also hosted “Taller infantil: Graba y estampa” which invited children to work with words in a dynamic and fun way.

All scheduled activities were free, open to the public and did not require previous registration to attend.

Debra, student of Tia Tula

Extra-curricular Activities 24th – 28th June

Monday 24^th, 19:30: Churros. We will go and try the famous “chocolate with churros” in the cafeteria El Valor. Price: entre 3 y 5 euros. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 1h 

 

Tuesday 25^th, 19:30: Ice cream and Huerto de Calixto y Melibea. We will take advantage of the sun to buy ice cream in the cafeteria Novelty and then visit the Calixto and Melibea Garden. Price: your consumption. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 1h. 

 

Wednesday 26^th, 19:30:  Monastic craft market. We will visit the market proposing all kinds of products made by monasteries of Spain. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 1h

Thursday 27^th, 19:30: Tapas tour. To start the week we will go to some bars in the city center to eat tapas. Price: +/- € 6,00. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 1h

 

Friday 28^th, 16:30: Movie. We will watch a film so as to practice our Spanish. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 2h.

 

 

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.

 

 

Debra, student of Tia Tula

 

Make the most of your immersion experience in Salamanca!

There are many opportunities open to you on a daily basis now that you are in Salamanca, to improve your Spanish Language skills. Take as much advantage as you can in your new country by putting yourself in situations where you have to speak the language. Instead of reverting to your native tongue, practice with your fellow students after class. You may stumble across the words but this is part of the journey to improvement!

 

Stop off at a fruit stall and have a conversation with the seller on the produce for sale or go to the grocery store, where you have to read labels and talk to cashiers. Think of as many public situations as you can that will compel you to interact with locals so that you can practice speaking to help expand your vocabulary. It may seem intimidating or frustrating at first but the more you practice the better you will get.

 

 

Keep a small notebook handy to make notes of new words or frequently used phrases. Use it as a reference guide. Eventually you would keep referring to it less and less.

 

Label up! Using some brightly colored Post It Notes, walk around your apartment or your room and label the things you use or see. Constantly seeing the labels in Spanish will help to imprint the names of these objects in your memory.

 

Keep a record of your daily activities by writing in Spanish what you’ve done or experienced and how it made you feel. This will help improve your writing skills and expand your vocabulary.

 

There are plenty of different ways to maximize your language learning skills while studying abroad but the most important thing to remember, however, is to step out of your comfort zone. Language learning necessitates making mistakes constantly, but this is all a part of the journey to improvement. If you have any tips that have worked for you and you would like to share with the other students feel free to leave a note in the comment section. Buena suerte!

 

 

Debra, Student in Tia Tula

Second Edition of the cultural program “Plazas y Patios”.

This year, for the second time, the cultural and tourist program “Plazas y Patios” will take place during the summer and it will focus on the fifth anniversary of the New Cathedral.

 

The program began this Saturday, June 15th and will last until September 1st. The shows will be staged at the Patio Chico, the Courtyard of Schools, the Patio of DA2, Plaza de Anaya, Plaza Juan XXIII, the interior of the Cathedral, the Garden of Santo Domingo and the Cave of Salamanca. There will be performances in music, theatre, markets, audiovisual projections and tours of the Cathedral. All these activities are free and will take place on weekends.

 

The program was presented by the Mayor of Salamanca last Tuesday during a press conference. He announced that there will be a total of 28 events, divided into four sections: "scenic squares and courtyards," "music of squares and courtyards ", "audiovisual projection" and "monastic Market".

 

Last year 30,000 people enjoyed these activities and this year even more people are expected.

If you want to know about all the activities planned, please visit the Tourist Office located in Plaza Mayor or the Liceo Theatre box office for a copy of the program. You can also access the program through the following link: www.vcentenariocatedraldesalamanca.es

 

The plays offered to the public will be: “Salmántica el año trece una catedral merece” on June 21st and 29th and also on July 6th, 13th and 20th at Plaza de Anaya, at 20:00. “Lo que cuentan las piedras” will be on every Saturday in August at the Patio Chico, at 20:00. “Suena que algo piedra” every Friday and Saturday from July 5th to August 31st at 21:00, 21:30 and 22:00, “Y que cumplas muchos más” on Saturdays and Sundays in July and August at 12:45 and "Happy Birthday" on July 27th at 20:00 in the Plaza de Anaya.

 

The music will also have a lot of importance this year with various types of music: jazz, roots music, classical music and contemporary music.

 

In Plaza de Anaya during the period June 25th and 30^th there will be a daily monastic crafts market. The market will offer for sale sweets and spirits from over 30 monasteries of Castilla y León, Cantabria, Navarra, Asturias and Galicia. Additionally, every Friday and Saturday from June 15th to September 1st the video "500 years is nothing" will be screened on the facade of the cathedral in Plaza Juan XXIII.

 

Tía Tula encourages you to take advantage of your free time to attend these activities!


Claire, Intern at Tia Tula

 

My stay in Salamanca

I have been in Salamanca for a little more than one month and here I am, already halfway through my internship. Time goes by so quickly here! Between work, activities and travel, I do not have time to get bored. 

 

My internship in the office is very interesting and rewarding. My colleagues always take the time necessary to show and explain new things to me and the work matches well what I have to do as part of my studies of personal assistant. What I also appreciate is that there are always things to do, whether ad frequent tasks as welcoming new students, responding to emails or going to send mail or tasks over the long term as marketing tasks ...

 

Regarding activities, Tia Tula offers a variety of activities every week. These are always a good opportunity to spend time with other students and to get to know new ones that have just arrived. During these activities, we speak in Spanish, which allows everyone to practice outside of class; those who have a good level helping those who have more difficulties. 

Last week, I enjoyed climbing to the Clerecia towers. We were eight students of Tia Tula and got to see the whole city from the top of the towers, a gorgeous view! 
 

I also take the weekends to visit this region of Spain: on Saturdays I go visit surrounding cities or villages. As you will see if you search a bit on the internet, there are many places to go by bus. The rest of my free time, I hang out with students of Tia Tula or with other people I've already met. 

 
It is impossible to come to Spain and miss the famous Tapas, which are a very friendly way of eating. There are also regular events in Salamanca which you can attend for example these days there was the FACYL festival, you can also watch film in VO subtitled, or go to listen to concerts in bars ... 

 

For me, Salamanca is a city where you never get bored. As a foreign student, it is very easy to meet people and there is no better way to improve in Spanish!

Claire, Intern

Extra-curricular Activities 17th - 21st June

Monday 17^th, 19:30: Tapas tour. To start the week we will go to some bars in the city center to eat tapas. Price: +/- € 6,00. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 1h

Tuesday 18^th, 17:00:  Movie. We will watch a film so as to practice our Spanish. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 2h.

Wednesday 19^th,18:30: Guided tour. Someone from the school will show you the beautiful city of Salamanca during a guided tour. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 1h

Thursday 20^th, 19:00: Cooking class. During today’s cooking class you can learn how to make ‘croquetas y gazpacho’. Price: € 7,00. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 1h

Friday 21^st, 19:00: Exposition. During this activity we’ll go to an exposition that shows bride gowns from the ultimate VII centuries. Price: 2euros. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 1h

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 June 10th – June 14th

Monday 10^th, 19:00: Concert in the street. We will go to the Patio Chico to listen to artists and bands who will take advantage of an Open Mic Night to present their music.  Meeting point: TíaTula. Approximate duration: 1h

 

Tuesday 11th, 16:45: Guided Tour of the New Cathedral.  Music in the New Cathedrals archives. To celebrate the V Centenary of the laying of the stone foundation of the New Cathedral, the tourist office offers themed tours to rediscover the temple. It is necessary to sign up before Monday 10th, 12:00. Meeting point: Inside the New Cathedral. Approximate duration: 1h. *Tia Tula advises you to watch the Fireworks starting around 22:45 on Tuesday 11^th near the Puente Romano.

Wednesday 12^th, Public Holiday San Juan de Sahagún. Patrón de Salamanca.

Thursday 13^th, 19:00: Cooking class. During today’s cooking class you will learn how to make ‘paella’ and then you’ll eat it. Price: € 7,00. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration:1h.

 
Friday 14^th, 19:00: Boat ride. We will go making a boat trip on the Tormes today (if it doesn’t rain!). There will be 2 persons in every boat. Price: € 3,50. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 1h30

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.

Festival of San Juan de Sahagύn

On June 12, 2013 Salamanca will celebrate the feast of their patron Saint, San Juan de Sahagύn. The patron Saint of Salamanca and the town of his birth, in both places he was known for carrying out his humanitarian aid work and major miracles.

As part of the city’s celebrations En esta ocasión, los festejos comenzarán el día 11 de junio, casi al mismo tiempo que finaliza el Festival Internacional de las Artes (FÀCYL 2013), con un concierto del famoso grupo Love of Lesbian , que tocarán a partir de las 22:00 horas en el Multiusos Sánchez Paraíso. a concert will be held featuring the well-known band Love of Lesbian. This concert will be held at the Paradise Multipurpose Salamanca Sanchez on June 11 at 22.00. Also as part of the celebrations atA las 22:45 horas tendrán lugar los tradicionales fuegos artificiales en los alrededores del Puente Romano. 22:45 on the night of June 11 there will be a Firework show around the Puente Romano. La empresa valenciana Pirotecnia Global Foc estará a cargo de este espectáculo que durará, aproximadamente, 20 minutos. The show will last for 20 minutes.
 

On June 12 several sports activities take place: the International Trophy Salamanca City Athletics, "Urban Quarter Mile West" Neighbourhood Making - Making city! and Day of the Dugout.

 

Latter activity will allow all stakeholders to practice free and safe canoeing on the river Tormes between 11:30 and 15:30 hours and 16:30 to 20:30 hours. For further information please visit the website link http://www.salamancaciudaddecultura.org

What is FACYL (besides Arts Festival of Castilla y León)?

Today starts in Salamanca the Arts Festival of Castilla y León (FACYL) that sets up in the streets of our city until June 11. It will last a few days but it will be intense. This festival is a unique opportunity to see the works of local and other Spanish artists, famous or unfamiliar.

 

The festival will include concerts, workshops, exhibitions and conferences pertaining to the arts. This edition aims to have a younger approach and will be more family-oriented than previous ones.

The festival seeks to attract people from all over the country and to this end it is supported by the main local and regional tourism organizations, which offer promotional packages including tickets for the events and hotel booking.
 

Regarding the music, the program includes two types of concerts: first there will be concerts by famous artists (for which you will need to buy a ticket): Juan Perro - National Award for Contemporary Music 2011 - Mika, Begun, Supersubmarina, among others. There will also be concerts in the street during the morning or afternoon periods, these are free and everyone is invited to attend. These concerts will be held in the Plaza de Anaya and the Patio Chico.

The festival also innovates in this edition with the programming for the first time of two 'Open Mike' evenings bringing together groups and soloists of Salamanca. On the other hand, conferences will be organized for professionals, to discuss various topics related to the actuality of the arts sector (audiovisual and musical).

 

There will also be exhibitions in DA2, with works by José Luis Pajares and Juan Perez-Fajardo and educational workshops aimed at students between 10 and 17 years.

The audience will also enjoy theatre plays, presented by companies Luceafarul, The Freak Cabaret Circus & Hopscotch and the duo Ravi Prasad and Monica de la Fuente.

The aim of this festival is to strengthen the image of Salamanca as a city of culture and tourism adapted to the youth and families. We encourage you to come to Salamanca, or to go out if you're in town and check out the various activities. If you do send up some pictures or leave a comment on your experience! We’d love to hear from you! For further information on performances and activities please visit website http://www.facyl-festival.com

DELE EXAMS MODELS

Continuing the theme of the DELE exams, and in response to requests from many of our students, you will find here, so that you may download and work with them, the tests for every levels of DELE: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2. We have obtained those tests, from the Cervantes Institute, who are responsible for these tests and for the diplomas that are given to those who pass the exams (For more information, you can visit the Institute's web area dedicated to DELE diplomas). However, we have simplified them in their presentation for ease of use:

- DELE A1 (session of May 2009)

- DELE A2 (session of November 2010)

- DELE B1 (session of May 2009, this level of exams was formerly known as “initial”)

- DELE B2 (session of May 2009,  this level of exams was formerly known as "Intermediate")

- DELE C1 (session of November 2010)

- DELE C2 (session of May 2009, , this level of exams was formerly known as "Superior")

We remind you that you can send us any questions (whether whether they are about DELE Examination in general or more particularly about our courses to prepare the DELE exam) to info@tiatula.com. As usual, we will reply as soon as possible.

Some 43,000 candidates chose the Diplomas de Español como Lengua Extranjera (Diplomas of Spanish as a foreign language) in the first half of the year

About 43,000 candidates have registered during the first half of the year to sit the exams to obtain the Diplomas of Spanish as a Foreign Language (DELE). The exams of the May session have been held on May 24^th and May 25^th in 537 centers across 95 countries.

The DELE diplomas are official qualifications accrediting the degree of knowledge of the Spanish language. They facilitate access to employment and to the academic world. They are issued by the Cervantes Institute on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports of Spain.  They have indefinite validity and enjoy wide international recognition.

The May session is the one that has the largest volume of applicants, with two-thirds of the annual amount of candidates, well above those held in August and November.

Distributed by country, the largest number of candidates -37% - was registered in Italy, it has increases by two points compared with last year's figures. Italy is followed by Spain (7.8% of all applicants), Greece (6.5%), France (5%), China (4%), Brazil (3.7%), South Korea (3.2%), Germany (2.7%) and Japan (2.2%).

The countries that have most increased the number of candidates are China (almost 50% more), Brazil and South Korea (more than 20% each), reports the Cervantes Institute.

SIX LEVELS

There are six levels adapted to the Common European Framework of Reference and seven Diplomas of DELE: DELE A1, A2, B1 (formerly Initial), academic B1, B2 (formerly Intermediate), C1 and C2.

The most requested levels are intermediate: almost two thirds of the candidates (64%) aspire to obtain a diploma B, compared to diplomas A (24%) and C (11%).

This month of May marks the end of the life cycle of the DELE beginner and intermediate exams, whose format and features have been in place since almost 20 years. From the sessions of next August, examinations for diplomas B1 and B2 will have new formats of tests and tasks.  The rating systems will also be modified.

Extra-curricular activities June 3rd – June 7th

Monday 3^rd, 18:00: Guided Tour. To start the week we’ll show you the beautiful city of Salamanca during a guided tour. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 1h  

Tuesday 4^th, 20:00: Cinema. We will watch the movie Matador of Pedro Almodovar (1986). It is necessary to sign up before 11am. Price: € 1,20. Meeting point: Teatro Liceo. Approximate duration: 1h45. 

Wednesday 5^th,18:00: Visit of a monument. We will climb the Clerecia Towers to see a view of the city. Price: € 3,75. Meeting point: Tía Tula - Approximate duration: 1 hour.
 
Thursday 6^th, 19:00: Cooking class. During today’s cooking class you will learn how to make ‘tortilla de patatas’ and then you’ll eat it. Price: € 7,00. Meeting point: Tía Tula. Approximate duration: 1h
 
Friday 7^th, 19:00: Concert in the street. We will go to the Patio Chico to listen to Sr Chinarro, a Sevillan Artist who will present his last album “Enhorabuena a los cuatro”.  Meeting point: Tía 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.