6 tips to boost your memory and learn new words fast!
Here are my top tips for learning and retaining words in another language and some proven ways to boost your memory:
1) Learn with pictures. Instead of learning endless lists of vocabulary, make you own picture dictionary. Seeing the word with an image will definitely help you to remember it for longer. Label household items and rooms in the house (as long as this doesn’t annoy the people you live with!) Continue reading
Receta para Sangría (Sangría Recipe)
Get a feeling of summer with this traditional recipe for Spanish sangría:
Aquí tienen una auténtica y tradicional receta española para sangría.
(Here you have an authentic and traditional recipe for sangría.)
Ingredientes (cuatro personas): Ingredients (four people)
1 litro de vino tinto (1 litre of red wine)
2 naranjas de zumo exprimidas (juice of 2 oranges)
4 melocotones troceados (4 diced peaches)
5 cucharadas de azúcar (5 spoonfuls of sugar)
2 cortezas de limón (2 lemon peels)
2 pellizcos de canela molida (2 pinches of ground cinnamon) Continue reading
How NOT to learn Spanish! – 10 tips
1. Don’t rely on online translators. They are good for quick translations of words and expressions but don’t expect to type in a whole paragraph in English and have it translated into perfect Spanish. Online translators cannot understand the context. For example, in Spanish to say “What is Madrid like?” the correct translation is “¿Cómo es Madrid?” [Literally “How is Madrid?”] but if you put this into an online translator it comes out as “¿Lo que se desea Madrid?” – incorrect. [Literally, “What does Madrid like?”] Continue reading
Tips on helping your child learn a foreign language
Why should my child learn another language?
Research shows that children who speak another language perform better across all academic subjects. They are more confident, creative, have better problem-solving skills and more cultural awareness – invaluable in today’s multicultural society. School leavers with knowledge of foreign languages stand much better chances of getting better jobs as today’s global marketplace means multilingual staff are in great demand. Continue reading
Why is “red wine” in Spanish “vino tinto” and not “vino rojo”?
When learning Spanish words for foods and drinks people often ask why red wine in Spanish is called “vino tinto” and not “vino rojo” when the Spanish word for “red” is “rojo”. The answer relates to the Latin origin of the word “tinto” and also to the process of wine making. Continue reading
Making a phone call in Spain
Often on holiday you need to make a phone call; to book a table at a restaurant, book a taxi or hotel room or call a local tradesman. Maybe you deal with colleagues and clients in Spain and regularly make calls abroad. It is a good idea not to rely on all Spaniards speaking English and more importantly it is good to offer at least a few words in Spanish. Here are a few key words and phrases to learn before making a phone call in Spain:
Dígame / Diga: Hello. [Literally, “tell me”]
¿Está Juan?: Is Juan there?
Sí, soy yo.: Yes, speaking.
No, no está. No, he’s not here.
Soy Carmen.: It’s Carmen. Continue reading
Los Juegos Olímpicos, Londres 2012
Aquí tienen una lista de los deportes de los Juegos Olímpicos (en inglés y español):
Here you have a list of the Olympic Games sports:
[English and Spanish]:
Athletics – Atletismo
Badminton – Bádminton
Basketball – Baloncesto
Handball – Balonmano
Boxing – Boxeo
Cycling – Ciclismo
Fencing – Esgrima Continue reading
Tareas domésticas (Domestic jobs) [Ringing an electrician / plumber etc.]
A lot of people that I teach Spanish to are learning because they own properties in Spain and therefore sometimes need to communicate with local people. I am often asked to teach useful phrases when calling local tradesmen such as plumbers, electricians and builders. Here are some key words and phrases to start you off.
Necesito hablar con un electricista / un fontanero / un albañil. I need to speak to an electrician / plumber/ builder.
Busco a un electricista / un fontanero / un albañil. I’m looking for an electrician / a plumber / a builder. Continue reading
I’m learning a foreign language but my English grammar is letting me down!
With the recent news from the government that as from next year all 11-year olds will be tested on basic grammar this can only be a good thing. It is particularly important when learning foreign languages to understand key grammar terms and how your own language is made up, because if not, this will create obstacles when studying a new language. Many people that I have taught languages to find that the problem isn’t learning the new language, but the real stumbling block is understanding key grammar terms. Even simple grammar terms such as nouns, adjectives and verbs can be confusing if you have not already studied them.
In this blog article I will explain the key grammar terms to understand which should help when learning a foreign language. Continue reading
Spanish Greetings
Hola: Hello / Hi.
Buenos días: Good morning. [Use this until 2 p.m. (Spanish lunchtime)]
Buenas tardes: Good afternoon/evening. [Use this from 2 p.m. until 9 p.m.]
Buenas noches: Good night. [Use this after 9 p.m.] Continue reading
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