Archive for September, 2011

Traditions in Spain for Spanish classes: The siesta, a habit to learn

Friday, September 30th, 2011

If a student takes something away from his stay to learn Spanish in Spain it is the siesta. This habit is popular and loved within our country and by foreigners who visit the peninsula and is ideal to have a moment of relaxation after food or before going to your lectures in the Spanish school.

This habit, named only in Spanish, is practised not only in Spain but in many countries such as Germany, Austria or France. Many businesses in United States and Japan have even introduced a short time in their employees’ working days for them to practice this habit as it increases performance.

Two students napping

Two students napping

►…continue reading about the siesta, a habit to learn

Spanish Schools and gastronomy: The Iberian ham, king of Spanish gastronomy

Monday, September 26th, 2011

The Spanish product by excellence, the best delicacy for the palate, the king of Spanish gastronomy, beneficial for the health…is the Iberian ham. It is possibly one of the most consumed products in Spain and the most searched for by tourists coming to our country.

To understand the differences between hams is not easy and one of the first things to know is to differentiate jamón ibérico and jamón serrano. The jamón ibérico or dry-cured ham is the one made from native swine from the Iberian Peninsula and it has a minimum content of 50% pure Iberian pork, while the Serrano ham refers to meat from a white race of swine, which is cured in a cold and dry climate. When you go to eat out in a restaurant after your Spanish class in the Spanish school, do not get confused when ordering the ham, which can be identified by its dark skin and its black foot (pata negra).

Iberian acorn ham

Iberian acorn ham

►…continue reading about the Iberian ham, king of Spanish gastronomy

Practical vocabulary to learn Spanish: Speak at the restaurant

Friday, September 23rd, 2011

In today’s post, we teach a series of words and phrases to practice everything you learned in your Spanish courses in Spain. It is very important to be able to speak in public without fear of failure and practice and practice Spanish at any time will help you in your learning.

Go to lunch or dinner at a restaurant is very common in your stay in Spain, so knowing the words and phrases used in a restaurant is critical. Here are the most necessary for a good meal in Spain:

General vocabulary

Ingredients: ingredientes Waiter / Waitress : camarero/ camarera

To order: pedir Meal: comida

Starters: entrantes Main course: plato principal

►…continue to learn Spanish with our vocabulary practice

Learn Spanish and discover the culture: The snack

Monday, September 19th, 2011

Spain is a country with many traditions, from which we highlight one, the aperitivo. The Royal Spanish Academy defines it as the drink and food taken before a main meal and that opens the appetite, an acceptable definition but one that does not explain its meaning.

The aperitivo is more than just a drink and something to eat. It is a way to get together with friends, as a couple or with family before the meal and have a chat, to have a laugh and have a good time, leaving problems and the week’s stress aside for a moment. Also, for students undertaking a Spanish course in Spain it is a way to learn Spanish outside the classroom.

Typical snack in Spain

Typical snack in Spain

►…continue reading about the snack