7 Common Uses of the Spanish Verb “Pasar”
The verb pasar in Spanish is one of the most used verbs in Spanish. It is used in many different situations so can seem tricky to use and therefore cannot be translated in one word easily. However, the good thing is that it is a regular verb, so it is easy to conjugate in any tense.
In this blog post we will look at the 7 most common uses of pasar:
1) To spend time
2) To happen
3) Relating to a place
4) Change of state or condition
5) Accepting and adapting to a situation
6) To pass an object to someone
7) Experience something good or bad Continue reading
7 Ways to Overcome Your Fear of Speaking a Foreign Language
Xenoglossophobia (also known as foreign language anxiety) is “the feeling of unease, worry and apprehension experienced in learning or using a foreign language.”
The main reason people decide to learn another language is to speak to native speakers in the target language. Most people spend a long time learning a language through apps, podcasts, books, online grammar exercises, flashcards amongst others to reach a good level, however, once they come to actually start speaking to someone in the language, they can feel an overwhelming sense of fear and anxiety. Some people find they freeze and cannot utter a word.
If this sounds familiar then do not worry, it is completely normal to feel like this. Learning to speak in a whole new language is a huge challenge for most people but something definitely worth doing.
In this blog post we will give you tips to overcome this fear of speaking in a foreign language so that you can speak freely and without fear next time you come to speak to a native speaker. Continue reading
25 Essential Spanish Phrases for Tourists
We understand that it can be daunting going to a foreign country without knowing how to speak or understand the language. It can be tricky even with hand gestures and miming to get local people to understand you. The good thing is though that just by learning a few of the basic words and phrases, you can make yourself understood and find out what you need to know. This can make your experience abroad much more enjoyable and stress-free.
In today’s blog post we have put together a list of 25 key Spanish words and phrases that would really help you get by on a holiday in a Spanish-speaking country: Continue reading
How to use “Cumplir” in Spanish
Cumplir is one of those verbs that keeps cropping up but can mean different things depending on the context. In general it can mean “to comply”, “to fulfill”, “to reach a certain age” or “to stick to”. In this blog post we will look at how to use cumplir with many examples and common expressions.
What does cumplir mean?
Cumplir can mean:
1) To fulfill
2) To comply
3) To reach (an age, anniversary)
4) To stick to
Let’s look at each one in more detail and offer some common examples of how it is used. Continue reading
Spanish Football Phrases
Join in with the locals by discussing football!
With the Euros just underway now is a great time to learn some football lingo! What better way to strike up conversation with the Spanish people than to discuss football! It is worth pointing out to start with that some football related words vary depending on country and region.
Here are some key words and phrases to start you off.
Remember, some of the endings will change depending on whether they are male or female.
Spanish positions / titles:
football player – el/la futbolista
coach – entrenador/a
captain – el capitán
goalkeeper – portero/a / el guardameta Continue reading
How To Prepare for the GCSE Spanish Listening Exam
One of the most daunting parts of the Spanish GCSE is the listening exam. In this blog post we will give you tips and advice as to the best ways to prepare for it and the techniques you need to make sure you do the best that you can in the exam to get the best mark you possibly can. Continue reading
How to Tackle the GCSE Spanish Reading Exam & Get a Top Grade
The Spanish GCSE exam is worth 25% of the overall marks that make up the final grade therefore it is worth doing your very best. The exam is one hour long and is split into 3 sections:
- Section A you answer the questions in English.
- Section B you answer in Spanish.
- Section C is a short passage in Spanish that you translate into English.
In sections A and B you are given texts such as emails, letters, surveys, articles and literary texts to answer questions on.
In today’s blog post we will give you tips and advice as to a few simple things you can do to help you prepare for the reading exam and get the best mark possible. Continue reading
6 Great Reasons to Learn Dutch
Dutch is a fairly easy language to learn for English speakers as it is classed as a ‘Germanic language’ it is similar to English and German. So if you already know German and would like to learn another new language, then Dutch would be a good choice. What is more, Dutch words are spelled exactly like English words! In fact, Dutch is number 4 on Babbel’s list of easiest languages for English speakers to learn
How many people speak Dutch worldwide?
Approximately 28 million people speak Dutch in the world today. It is spoken by people in the Netherlands as well as a large proportion of the people in Belgium. It is the third most spoken Germanic language after German and English therefore Dutch words sound like a combination of German and English.
Here are 6 reasons to learn Dutch: Continue reading
Group and Individual English Lessons Online
Learn and improve your English from anywhere
If English is not your first language and you want to improve your speaking, listening, grammar, reading or writing then these lessons will help you achieve just that.
Why learn English online?
- Study in small groups or on your own
- Learn with a CELTA qualified tutor
- Learn from the comfort of your own home
- 100% interactive, teacher-led lessons
- Tutor is professional, yet relaxed
- Lessons are adapted to the learners specific needs
Icebreaker Questions in Spanish
When you first meet a Spanish-speaking person it can be hard to know what to say and how to ask questions in the right way. To help you overcome your anxiety and to strike up conversation with a native speaker in this blog post we have put together a set of questions you could learn and adapt to a variety of situations. Continue reading
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