Archive for April, 2008
Las tareas/los quehaceres Posted by Transparent Language on Apr 28, 2008
Our post today will be about useful vocabulary at home. Here´s a useful list, be sure to write it down in your vocabulary notebook! Actions hacer los quehaceres – do the chores lavar los platos – wash the dishes barrer el piso – sweep the floor fregar el piso – mop the floor lavar la…
Common Challenges Posted by Transparent Language on Apr 24, 2008
I just found and read a really terrific post on South American Adventures that speaks to some common challenges that language students encounter when studying abroad. There is no doubt that most students struggle with the tendency to spend their time with their cohort, as opposed to really committing to reaching out and making friends…
Chilean Writer: Isabel Allende Posted by Transparent Language on Apr 23, 2008
Ever heard of Isabel Allende? She´s my favorite author in Spanish. Isabel was born in the early 40´s and was the daughter of Francisca Barros and Tomás Allende, who was Chilean ambassador to Peru. For political reasons, she lived in Bolivia and Lebanon until 1958, when she moved back to Chile to finish her secondary…
Ser vs Estar II Posted by Transparent Language on Apr 17, 2008
The difference between SER and ESTAR in Spanish is really subtle and there´s a big difference when an adjective is used with one or the other. Take a look: Ser agarrado: be cheap, a tightwad Estar agarrado: be tight (clothes)-LaAm Ser alegre: be happy Estar alegre: be a little drunk Ser atento: be friendly, thoughtful…
MOVIES IN SPANISH Posted by Transparent Language on Apr 14, 2008
Have you ever felt frustrated when you were looking for movies in Spanish and came across some really weird stuff? Well, I´m a real fan of movies in Spanish as well as telenovelas, and I decided to make a list here of some interesting titles I have watched throughout the years. Check them out and…
Keep an eye on that! – Expressions with “ojo” Posted by Transparent Language on Apr 7, 2008
Hello there! Let´s have a look at some idioms with the word “ojo” (eye) in Spanish. Ojo a la virulé – black eye Su hijo se peleó y le pusieron un ojo a la virulé. – His son got into a fight and got a black eye. Ojos como platos – wide open eyes (because…
LEARNING LANGUAGES: BRAIN WORKOUT! Posted by Transparent Language on Apr 4, 2008
Everyone knows that knowing a second or third language boosts your brain activity, but do you know to what extent that happens? If you have intermediate to advanced Spanish, read this article from La Vanguardia, a Spanish newspaper. If you don´t, let me sum it up for you. First, kids who grow up bilingual have…