I love Spanish. I’ve been studying the language and loving the language since I was eleven years old. Admittedly, I was a bit different in the sense that I loved verbs and conjugations, something that frustrates many new learners. For me, I liked the formulaic system behind conjugations. We have our ‘ar’, ‘er’ and ‘ir’ verbs and each type has its corresponding verb endings. Just…
Aren’t waterfalls beautiful? Or perhaps you’d use the words majestic and powerful? The word awe-inspiring is my pick to describe Angel Falls, the tallest waterfall in the world. Angel Falls is also known by its indigenous name, Kerepakupai Merú, and stands at 979 m (3,000+ ft) high. This amazing natural wonder was brought to the world’s attention in the 1930s by an air-borne American gold prospector,…
Inside: 10 educational Cinco de Mayo resources about the history of the day, perceptions and some fun activities too! It’s that time of year again when talk of Cinco de Mayo starts up. In some cases, the conversations and activities will be educational and will cover the true significance of the event. There’ll also be a proliferation of Cinco de Mayo themed advertisements for a…
Struggling to learn Spanish? You’re not alone. Many beginner (and higher level) Spanish learners struggle at times to get a grip on their language learning journey. For some, time is a major constraint, others don’t know where to start, maybe you have no one to practice with, or perhaps you’re a bit shy and nervous to practice speaking. My biggest challenge was definitely confidence! However,…
Semana Santa in Latin America is an incredible affair. The week immediately precedes Easter and is observed through an array of events. In this predominantly Catholic region, celebrating the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is a rich annual tradition. Not all customs associated with the observance are religious, and for those not engaging in any of the many prayer vigils and masses, the…
Valentine’s Day in Latin America isn’t very different from celebrating in the United States. However, in some countries the sentiment may be slightly different and more all-encompassing. In other places, the idea of Valentine’s Day is not celebrated on February 14, but on another date more relevant to the host country. In several South American countries, Valentine’s Day is celebrated later in the year. Read…
Fun Facts about Latin America continues today with what might sound like a trick question. Is Spanish really the most popularly spoken language in South America? I know, I know, you want to shout at me, “Of course it is!” Out of 422 million people in South America, 210 million speak Spanish and 206 million speak Portuguese! Portuguese speakers are almost as populous as Spanish…
Inside: Workbooks for beginner Spanish learners using Latin American celebrations. Looking for information on Cinco de Mayo, DÃa de Muertos or Nochebuena? I’ve got you covered! You can check out the aforementioned links to find out how each of those festivities are celebrated in Latin America. For many Spanish learners, understanding the culture within which the language is spoken allows them to make deeper connections…
Thank you for journeying over the Andes with me during this crazy 2020. As the year that shall never be forgotten comes to close, I wish each of you and your loved ones: Season’s Greetings. Happy Holidays from my family to you!
Nochebuena celebrations are no joke in Latin America. Here, fun is serious business! Nochebuena literally translates to ‘good night’ and is the Spanish expression for Christmas Eve. It is a major festive celebration within Latin American culture. For many, December 24 is a much bigger event than December 25. In fact, Christmas Eve is the big day for most folks across the region and for…
