Extracurricular activities 28.09.2015 - 2.10.2015

One more week, here are the activities we have prepared for you to have fun and keep practising your Spanish outside the classroom. 

Monday 28, 4:00 pm: Film – Enjoy a great film in Spanish. 

Approximate duration: 2 h.

Tuesday 29, 5:30 pm: Quiz – Show what you know (and learn some more) about Spanish and Latin American culture in this workshop with teacher Beatriz.

Approximate duration: 1 h

Wednesday 30, 6:20 pm: Chocolate con churros – Your Spanish experience isn't complete if you don't try this delicious snack.

Approximate duration: 1 h

Thursday 24, 4:30 pm: Plaza Mayor – Discover all the secrets of Plaza Mayor with a game of questions and challenges.

Approximate duration: 1 h

Friday 25, 7:30 pm: Tapas tour – How many tapas have you already tried? Well, here's your chance to try some more and enjoy really nice conversations.

Duración aproximada: 1 h

Saturday 26 and Sunday 27: Excursions – Please ask at the reception desk for more information.

Please don't forget that you need to sign up for each activity at the reception desk (in order to reserve your place). The minimum number of participants required fro each activity is usually three. Also, unless otherwise stated, the meeting point is Tía Tula school. Lastly, if there's no price mentioned in the description, the activity is free of charge. 

Try to participate in as many activities as you can; they are designed not just for you to have fun, but also to improve your knowledge of Salamanca and Spanish culture, and to put into practice the Spanish you have learnt in class. 

Extracurricular activities 3.08.2015 - 9.08.2015

August's just started with a lot of fun activities to keep enjoying summer.

Monday 03, 4:00 pm: Film – Let's start the week with a spanish film session to improve our Spanish.

Tuesday 04, 6:00 pm: Guided Tour – Our Spanish Teacher Nela will take us to some of the most symbolic places of Salamanca and will tell us their history.

Wednesday 05, 5:00 pm: Horse riding – We'll enjoy a horse riding through charro fields. It's going to be a great experience!

Thursday 06, 4:30 pm: Padel – We're going to play padel with our Spanish teacher Pablo, who will teach us some techniques.

Friday 07, 7:30 pm: Cinema – We will take you to the cinema to see the film you prefer on the billboard.

Saturday 08 and Sunday 09 – Would you like to go to an excursion this weekend? Come by the reception desk to check the destination available.

Please don't forget that you need to sign up for each activity at the reception desk (in order to reserve your place). The minimum number of participants required for each activity is usually three. Unless otherwise stated, the meeting point is Tía Tula school.

Try to participate in as many activities as you can; they are designed not just for you to have fun, but also to improve your knowledge of Salamanca and Spanish culture, and to put into practice the Spanish you have learnt in class.

Extracurricular activities 27.07.2015 - 2.08.2015

This week we bid farewell to July with some great extracurricular activities that will get you to practise your Spanish and dive into our culture. Are you going to miss out?

Monday 27, 5:00 pm: Film - Spanish cinema session. Great for improving your listening skills.

Tuesday 28, 4:30 pm: Theatre workshop - We are heading to espacio al_margen for some theatrical exercises. You will have fun and gain confidence in expressing yourselves.

Wednesday 29, 5:00 pm: Conversation workshop - Teacher Cristina will suggest some topics and help you get better at speaking Spanish.

Thursday 30, 7:30 pm: Tapas tour - Here comes again, a great chance to meet people, practise what you learn in class and savor some delicious Spanish tapas.

Friday 31, 7:15 pm: Cinema - We will take you to the cinema where you will watch a film of your choice.

Saturday 1 y Sunday 2 - One-day or two-day excursions to several destinations. Further information at the reception desk.

Please don't forget that you need to sign up for each activity at the reception desk (in order to reserve your place). The minimum number of participants required for each activity is usually three. Unless otherwise stated, the meeting point is Tía Tula school.

Try to participate in as many activities as you can; they are designed not just for you to have fun, but also to improve your knowledge of Salamanca and Spanish culture, and to put into practice the Spanish you have learnt in class.

__________

Cinema picture: "Cinema" by Leo Hidalgo under CC BY 2.0 via Flickr.

La Fiesta del Cine. Go to the movies for less than 3 euros!

Watching Spanish movies helps you improve your listening skills and identify the natural rhythm of the language, discover new vocabulary and gain a deeper understanding of the culture and customs of the country. You have got the chance to enjoy this experience at the cinema for less than 3 euros until Thursday (included). Yes, you heard right!

Fiesta del Cine, an event aiming at promoting the advisable habit of going to the cinema. Take advantage of the special price (2.90 euros per movie) from today, Monday May 11th, until Thursday. Here are five Spanish movies curently screening. Find out below how to get a ticket at only 2.90 euros.

Five movies you can watch during Fiesta del Cine

A cambio de nada
Genre: Drama
Biznaga de Oro to the best film at Festival de Málaga.

Synopsis: Darío got away from home, running from his familiar hell. Luismi, his unconditional friend, Caralimpia, a poor looser in a winners suit and Antonia, an old lady that collects abandoned furniture in her three weeler will become his new family. Three generations meet in city thats too big to be alone. Its summertime (IMDB).
Theatres and times: You can watch it at Cines Van Dyck Monday through Thursday at: 5:30 pm | 8:10 pm | 10:30 pm.

 
Tiempo sin aire
Genre: Thriller / drama
Synopsis: María, a Colombian nurse who lost her daughter at the hands of three militiamen, travels to the Spanish Canary Islands accompanied by her youngest son to find one of the killers and get her revenge. She keeps with her a picture that she found in the ruined home, showing a face, an inscription and a name: Ivan. Gonzalo, a school psychologist whose existence changes dramatically the moment he meets Maria, joins her incessant and obsessive search. Meanwhile, in their little corner of the island, Ivan and his girlfriend Vero are unaware that their lives are about to change forever (IMDB).
Theatres and times: You can watch it at Cines Van Dyck Monday through Thursday at 10:30 pm.

Felices 140
Genre: Black comedy
Synopsis: On her 40th birthday, Elia gathers together a few select relatives and friends at a luxury country house to tell them some extraordinary news: she has won the EuroMilions jackpot! From that moment onwards, as the guests become aware that Elia has come by 140 million Euros, the atmosphere becomes increasingly tense and what started off as shared happiness gradually transforms into greedy plotting to take Elia’s fortune (Cinando).
Theatres and times: You can watch it at Cines Van Dyck Monday throught Thursday at 5:30 pm.

Perdiendo el Norte
Genre: Comedy
Synopsis: Two young Spanish men, with a university education, are tired of unemployment and decide to move to Germany. But soon they will find out that finding a better living is not as easy as they expected (IMDB).
Theatres and times: You can watch it at Cines Van Dyck Monday through Thursday at 8:10 pm; or at Cines Van Dyck Tormes (in El Tormes shopping mall, bus number 20) Monday through Thursday at 8:10 pm and 10:30 pm; or at Megarama Salamanca (Vialia shopping mall) at 8:30 pm yand 10:45 pm. 

Cómo sobrevivir a una despedida
Genre: Comedy
Synopsis: The film revolves about a group of 27-year-old friends who, as teenagers, aspired to finding a well-paid job, getting a Christian Grey-like boyfriend and living in a big appartment in the centre of Madrid. What they got is a shared flat, jobs as interns that only allow them to buy new clothes at the sales and dating guys who are allergic to commitment. Never ones to give up in the face of adversity, they decide to set up a bachelorette party for the more responsible member of the gang, Gisela, inGran Canaria when she is about to become the first of the group to get married (Wikipedia).
Theatres and times: You can watch it at Cines Van Dyck Tormes (in El Tormes shopping mall, bus number 20) Monday through Thursday at 8:10 pm; or at Megarama Salamanca (Vialia shopping mall) at 10:45 pm. 

It goes without saying that there are many more movies screening. These are some: Avengers: Age of Ultron, The Water Diviner, The Longest Ride, Woman in Gold...

How to get a ticket

In order to get a ticket at 2.90 euros you need to register. Fill this form in and you will be sent your accreditation by email (if you need us to give you a hand, drop by the reception desk). There is no need to print the accreditation out if you have a smartphone: you can show it on your mobile phone.

Just take your accreditation and your ID card or passport to the ticket office and buy your ticket at 2.90 euros.

Enjoy!

Read this article in Spanish.

Let's go to the cinema: Cines Van Dyck's original version series

So you are trying to immerse as much as possible into Spanish culture and that includes watching films in Spanish. Great, that's a really effective way to boost your learning. But you may miss watching something on your language and that's understandable. From March 9th until March 26th you have got the chance: take a break with Cines Van Dyck's original version series. These are the films to be shown:

The Imitation Game - March, 9th | English

During World War II, mathematician Alan Turing tries to crack the enigma code with help from fellow mathematicians. (Source: IMDB)

Qu'est-ce qu'on a fait au Bon Dieu? - March, 10th | French

A catholic French couple sees their life upside down when their four daughters get married to men of different religion and origins. (Source: IMDB)

Flores raras - March, 11th | Portuguese/English

A chronicle of the tragic love affair between American poet Elizabeth Bishop and Brazilian architect Lota de Macedo Soares. (Source: IMDB)

The Theory of Everything - March, 12th | English
A look at the relationship between the famous physicist Stephen Hawking and his wife. (Source: IMDB)

Still Alice - March, 16th | English
A linguistics professor and her family find their bonds tested when she is diagnosed with Early-onset Alzheimer's Disease. (Source: IMDB)

Whiplash - March, 17th | English
A promising young drummer enrolls at a cut-throat music conservatory where his dreams of greatness are mentored by an instructor who will stop at nothing to realize a student's potential. (Source: IMDB)

Viaggio sola - March, 18th | Italian
Forty-something Irene had a dream job that made her life easy: she was indeed a luxury hotel inspector and her work got carried out in a wonderful ever-renewed setting, from Paris to Gstaad to Berlin to Morocco to China... But does a dream job necessarily mean a dream life? Irene tried not to ask herself the question too openly. Yes she was single but she had manged to remain on good terms with Andrea, her former life companion. For sure she was childless but she occasionally took care of her two little nieces. And it was such fun to play the mystery guest in those magnificent hotels... Things could have gone on that way hadn't one day Irene met Kate Sherman... (Source: IMDB)

Birdman - March, 19th | English
A washed-up actor, who once played an iconic superhero, battles his ego and attempts to recover his family, his career and himself in the days leading up to the opening of his Broadway play. (Source: IMDB)

Mr. Turner - March, 23rd | English
An exploration of the last quarter century of the great, if eccentric, British painter J.M.W. Turner's life. (Source: IMDB)

Deux jours, une nuite - March, 24th | French
Sandra, a young Belgian mother, discovers that her workmates have opted for a significant pay bonus, in exchange for her dismissal. She has only one weekend to convince her colleagues to give up their bonuses so that she can keep her job. (Source: IMDB)

Im Labyrith des Schweigens - March, 25th | German
A story that exposes the conspiracy of prominent German institutions and government branches to cover up the crimes of Nazis during World War II. (Source: IMDB)

Magic in the Moonlight - March, 26th | English
A romantic comedy about an Englishman brought in to help unmask a possible swindle. Personal and professional complications ensue. (Source: IMDB)

   
All the films are shown with Spanish subtitles. 

Screening times: 5.30 pm | 8.10 pm | 10.30 pm

Price: 5,50 euros. 
Three-film special offer: 10 euros
Five-film special offer: 15 euros
Eight-film special offer: 20 euros

Enjoy!

Activities 19.1.2015 - 24.1.2015

This week you will have the chance to contemplate a spectacular view over the city from the towers of La Clerecía, learn how to cook paella and converse with Spaniards in a relaxed ambiance in a language exchange. But there is more. Check all the activities we have prepared:

Monday 19, 17:00: Monument Scala Coeli: We will climb the towers of La Clerecía to delight ourselves with its spectacular panoramic views over Salamanca. Approximate duration: 45 min.

Tuesday 20, 18:30: Cookery class – We will learn how to cook a delicious paella. Approximate duration: 1 h.

Wednesday 21, 18:15: Cinema – Come with us to Cines Van Dyck to enjoy a film of your choosing at a reduced rate. Duration depends on the film you choose.

Thursday 22, 18:50: Exhibition - We will visit the exhibition "Destierro/Des-cielo. Unamuno, de París a la República. 1924-1930" on the famous writer Unamuno, very connected to Salamanca. Approximate duration: 45 min.

Friday 23, 19:45: Language exchange - Practise the Spanish you have learnt in class at our language exchange. We will go to a bar where you will meet Spaniards who are learning English. Approximate duration: 1 h.

Saturday 24: Excursion - Sevilla, Granada or Portugal, which one do you prefer? Further information at the reception desk. Don't forget to sign up by 14 h on Wednesday.

Please don't forget that you need to sign up for each activity at the reception desk (to reserve your place, the minimum number of participants required is usually three). Also, unless stated otherwise, the meeting point is always the same, Tía Tula school. Lastly, if there's no price mentioned with the activity, it means it is for free.

And don't hesitate to participate in as many activities as you can; they are designed not just for you to have fun (that is guaranteed) but also to improve your knowledge of Salamanca and Spanish culture, and to put into practice the Spanish you learn in class.

Activities 25/08/14-31/08/14

We have another programme filled with great activities for you to enjoy this week. Come and learn about and enjoy some of the city's history at the beautiful gardens of Calixto and Melibea. Come and watch a Spanish film with us on Tuesday, a great way to practice listening skills outside the classroom. We also have some cultural events, with a 'croquetas' cooking class and a Latin dance class. Come and relax with us in one of the city's parks on Friday afternoon, or come with us to Madrid on Saturday for our excursion.

Monday 25th: Gardens of Calixto and Melibea. We will go to visit the cathedral gardens of Calixto and Melibea to find out about its romantic history and the great views it has to offer. Meeting place: Tía Tula 18:45. Approximate duration 45 mins.

Tuesday 26th: Cinema. 'La Gran Familia Española' (Family United)-Spanish comedy from director Daniel Sánchez Arávalo-2013. During the final of the world cup in South Africa there is a wedding. This same day, while the Spanish team freezes, a family with five children with biblical names (Adán, Benjamín, Caleb, Daniel y Efraín) also face the biggest game of their life. Meeting place: Tía Tula 19:30 (we will take you up the 'Van Dyck Cinema' to watch the film). Approximate film time: 113 min.

Wednesday 27th: Cooking class. We are going to learn how to make the popular tapas dish 'croquetas', and afterwards we will try what we have made! Meeting place: Tía Tula 18:45. Approximate duration 1h.

Thursday 28th: Dance class. We are going to learn the first steps of the Latin dance together. It is important to let the receptionist know before Tuesday at 14:00 if you are interested in this activity. Meeting place: Tía Tula 19:30. Approximate duration 1h.

Friday 29th: Games in the park. We will pass the afternoon in the fresh air in one of the city's best parks playing different games between us with Spanish cards. Meeting place: Tía Tula. Approximate duration 1h30.

Saturday 30th: Excursion. This weekend we will be taking you to Madrid for the day. For more information about price and meeting place please contact reception. It is important to let the receptionist know before Wednesday at 14:00 if you are interested in this activity.

*Note: Please contact reception for information about prices for any of the activities. If you are interested in any of the activities, it is helpful if you contact the reception to let them know beforehand. Minimum 3 people for each activity unless otherwise stated.

Activities 11/08/14-17/08/14

We have another great timetable of activities planned for you this week. Come and soak up some Spanish culture with a trip to see a Spanish film on Tuesday or a paella and tapas cooking class on Wednesday. Enjoy one of the best views of Salamanca from the top of the clergy tower on Monday, or come and sample some of the local tapas delicacies in some of the best bars in the centre of the city on Thursday. We are making use of the national holiday this Friday by offering you an excursion to visit three cities of Portugal on a two night trip, as well as a trip to France on Saturday and the chance to relax on the beaches of Portugal on Sunday. Plenty to keep you busy this week!

Monday 11th: Cathedral Visit. We will visit the 'Scala Coeli', going up the tower of the cathedral to enjoy the great views it offers over the city from above. Meeting place: Tía Tula, 18:45. Approximate duration 45min.

Tuesday 12th: Cinema. We will take you to see the Spanish film '3 Bodas Más' (Three Many Weddings) at a local cinema. Ruth, a young researcher in a university, attends the weddings of her ex-boyfriends who were the 'men of her life' at one stage, but without finding the soul mate she is looking for. Is there something bad about your ex getting married and inviting you to the wedding? Yes, if it happens to you three times in a month, and you don't know how to say no, and if the only person who is persuading you to go is the new man in your life. Meeting place: Tía Tula 19:45 (we will take you to the cinema). Duration of the film, 94min.

Wednesday 13th: Cooking class. We will go to learn how to make the famous Spanish dish Paella and one other tapas dish, and afterwards we will eat what we have made. Meeting place: Tía Tula 18:45. Approximate duration 1h.

Thursday 14th: Tapas tour. We will go to 2 or 3 of the best tapas bars in the centre of the city to try some of the typical Salamancan tapas on offer. Meeting place: Tía Tula 19:30. Approximate duration, 1h30.

Friday 15th: Excursion. We will be running a trip to Portugal visiting the cities of Lisbon, Sintra and Cascais. The trip includes 2 nights in a hotel and breakfast each morning. For more information contact reception. It is important to let the secretary know if you are interested by Wednesday 13th at 14:00.

Saturday 16th:  Excursion. We will be taking you to the French Sierra to experience some of the culture there for the day. For more information contact reception. It is important to let the secretary know if you are interested by Wednesday 13th at 14:00.

Sunday 17th: Excursion. We will be taking you to the city of Aveiro in Portugal to enjoy a day relaxing on the beach. For more information contact reception. It is important to let the secretary know if you are interested by Wednesday 13th at 14:00.

*Note: Please contact reception for information about prices for any of the activities. If you are interested in any of the activities, it is helpful if you contact the reception to let them know beforehand. Minimum 3 people for each activity unless otherwise stated.

Activities 14/07-20/07

We have another great week full of activities for you to choose from. Take a trip to see one of the best views of Salamanca from the clergy tower on Monday, or come along for a friendly game of basketball in the sun after class on Tuesday. Come and immerse yourself in some Spanish culture with a trip to the cinema on Wednesday, or  with a paella cooking class and Latin dance classes on the following days. After a full week, enjoy your weekend in Valencia or head to the beaches of Portugal with either of the two excursions we have on offer.

Monday 14th: Visit to a monument: We are going on a trip to view the 'Scala Coeli', or the clergy tower to enjoy the fantastic views available there over the whole of Salamanca. Duration approximately: 40min.

Tuesday 15th: Sports: We will go to one of the cities many outdoor courts to enjoy a game of basketball. Duration approximately: 1h30.

Wesnesday 16th: Cinema. We will be taking you to watch the Spanish film 'La vida inesperada' (Life Unexpected) from director Jorge Torregrosa at a cinema in the city. In the film aspiring actor to be Juanito goes to New York in search of his dream. However without much success he spends his time moving from job to job to get by. One day he gets a visit from his cousin, who seems to have success in everything he does and has everything a man could want. However the coexistence of both brings the truth about each to the surface. Duration of the film 108min.

Thursday 17th: Cooking Class: Today we are going to learn how to cook the famous Spanish dish Paella, plus another tapas dish, then afterwards we will get to eat what we make! It is important to let reception know if you are interested in this class before Wednesday 16th at 14:00. Duration approximately: 1h.

Friday 18th: Dance Class. We will be going to learn the first steps  of the Latin Dance, which gives you the base steps for many of the famous Latin American and Spanish dances. It is important to let reception know if you are interested in this class before Wednesday 16th at 14:00. Duration 1h (minimum 15 people).

Saturday 19th: Excursion. This week we will be taking you to see the beautiful city of Valencia for two nights over the weekend (18th-20th). We will be staying in a hotel with bed and breakfast. It is important to let reception know if you are interested in this trip before Wednesday 16th.  For more information about prices and meeting points, please contact reception.

Sunday 20th: Excursion. This Sunday we will be taking you to the beaches of Portugal to spend the day relaxing in the sun and soaking up some rays. It is important to let reception know if you are interested in this trip before Wednesday 16th.  For more information about prices and meeting points, please contact reception.

*Note: Please contact reception for information about prices for any of the activities. If you are interested in any of the activities, it is helpful if you contact the reception to let them know. Minimum 3 people for each activity unless otherwise stated.

Cinema

Let´s see what we can watch during this week. Here we have some films that could be interesting for you:

The first in my list is “Divergent”.  I watched it in Spanish to practice and I think it’s a good idea because you don’t need a perfect language in movies with all that action. The movie is based on the book by Veronica Roth. The film takes place in a post-apocalyptic Chicago where people divide themselves into five groups based on their talents: Abnegation, Amity, Candor, Dauntless, Erudite. The main character is Beatrice sixteen-year-old girl. After the Choosing Day she became the one of the Dauntless. So she has to live without her family. But a good point that she meets her instructor and falls in love with him. Beatrice needs to practice more to stay in, otherwise she’ll be homeless.  And more she has to survive and save people. Guess what happens in the end and why the film is so famous by going to the cinema.

And the second one is a world-wide famous, dramatic and historical. It won an Oscar. It’s titled "12 Years a Slave". The film is based on an incredible true story of a man’s fight to win his freedom. Three prizes were taken merited because of its talented cast, director and soulful, heart-rending story.  No doubt, it’s very hard to watch especially some of scenes of cruel behavior of humanity. Its striking deep history will force you to reflect. No words, just… bravo!

 

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.