https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZKw5IldE9Y

Monday, January 27, 2025

Feliz Año Nuevo

 

Bienvenidos a los clases de Español 2025




Four common New Year's traditions in Spain

1. Eating 12 Grapes

Perhaps the most common New Year’s tradition in Spain is eating 12 grapes on the 12 chimes before midnight.  

If you manage to eat them all in time, Spaniards believe you’ll have a lucky and healthy new year.

 It’s harder than it looks though! Especially if you’re trying not to laugh at everyone else’s hamster cheeks.

In the days leading up to New Year’s Eve, you’ll see huge amounts of grapes in every supermarket. 

Some sell special packets of 12 grapes, and you’ll also find peeled grapes for kids (or first-time adults) which are easier to swallow.

No one is 100% sure where this tradition comes from, but there are possibilities. The first is that wine growers in the Alicante region of Spain had a particularly bountiful harvest in the late 1800s. To encourage people to buy more grapes, they made an advertising campaign to eat grapes for luck on New Year’s Eve. From then on, the tradition stuck and spread to almost every region of the country!

2. Drink Cava

Cava is a sparkling wine originally from Catalonia. It’s light and refreshing and something that almost all alcohol drinkers enjoy on New Year’s Eve. 

There are more and more alcohol-free versions of the drink, too!

If you go to someone’s house on New Year’s Eve, it’s customary to bring some cava to enjoy together.

Likewise, if you go to one of the street celebrations in a square, you’ll hear bottles popping all over the place as the bells chime at midnight.

3. Wear Red Underwear

If you’re hoping for Cupid’s arrow to hit you in the upcoming year, then it’s tradition to wear red underwear on New Year’s in Spain.

 It’s thought that the romantic colour will help you to find love!

4. Start The Year on the Right Foot

Another ‘lucky’ New Year’s tradition in Spain is starting the year on the right foot. Quite literally. When eating your grapes, you should have your right foot forward, ensuring you’re looking toward the next year with hope and positivity.

Friday, April 26, 2024

Cinco de Mayo


Cinco de Mayo






Cinco de Mayo, which translates to “Fifth of May,” is a holiday that commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. 

Despite being a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, it has evolved into a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, especially in areas with large Mexican-American populations in the United States.

Here are some key points about Cinco de Mayo:

  • Date: Cinco de Mayo is observed annually on May 5.
  • Historical Context: It does not mark Mexican Independence Day (a common misconception). Instead, it commemorates the single battle where Mexican forces, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, successfully defended against a well-armed French fleet in Puebla de Los Angeles.
  • Symbolic Victory: Although not a major strategic win in the overall war against the French, the Battle of Puebla represented a symbolic victory for Mexico and bolstered the resistance movement.
  • Celebration: In the United States, Cinco de Mayo is a day of Mexican pride and heritage, celebrated particularly in regions with Mexican origins.

In 2024, Cinco de Mayo falls on Sunday, May 5. It’s a time to appreciate Mexican culture, enjoy festive food, music, and perhaps even raise a glass of agua fresca or margarita!

Monday, August 14, 2023

El Horario

 El horario escolar es un documento donde se describe la programación de tus clases y actividades curriculares en orden cronológico

Look at the following timetable and explain to your partner what classes you have on what days.

Ahora, este horario. Lee y responde a las preguntas. 

1. ¿Qué clase tiene los martes, a la una y media?    

     Tengo -----------------

2. ¿Qué clase tiene los lunes, a las nueve?

     Tengo ----------------

3. ¿Qué clase tiene los viernes, a las doce y media?

     Tengo -----------------

4. ¿Qué clase tiene los jueves, a las diez?

     Tengo -----------------

5. ¿Qué clase tiene los miércoles, a las once y media?

     Tengo ----------------
6. ¿Cuántos veces tiene lengua cada semana? 

     Tengo lengua _________  veces. 

7. ¿Cuántos veces tiene conocimiento cada semana?

     Tengo conocimiento _________ veces. 

(¿Cómo se llama 'conocimiento' en ingles?)

Friday, April 15, 2022

Cinco de Mayo

 





Click on this link for Cinco de Mayo information


Mexican Hat Dance music

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo by making tacos!

                                  Video on making Tacos
Recipe:
Beef Tacos

1 lb (1/2 kilo) ground beef
1 cup water
1 package taco seasoning mix  (approx 2-3 tbsp)
12 hard or soft taco shells
Toppings like:  shredded cheese, chopped tomato, shredded lettuce, chopped onion, salsa, chopped green onions


Brown ground beef in a non-stick skillet.  Drain.  Stir in water and seasoning mix.  Simmer uncovered for 5 -10 minutes, until slightly thickened.  Serve with warmed soft or hard taco shells.


If you want to be really clever, you could make your own taco seasoning:
Mix all the ingredients together and hey presto!

  • 1 TSP  CHILE POWDER
  • 1 TSP ONION POWDER
  • 1 TSP PAPRIKA
  • 1 TSP SALT
  • 1/2 TSP CUMIN GROUND
  • 1/2 TSP GARLIC POWDER
  • 1/2 TSP OREGANO 
  • 1/2 TSP CORIANDER GROUND
  • 1/4 TSP BLACK PEPPER 
  • Monday, April 11, 2022

    Saturday, January 29, 2022

    Bienvenidos a 2022




    Click on the link below para ver unos de los celebraciones del mundo, incluido Nueva Zelanda (4:12). Can you count backwards in Spanish with the people of Mexico?

     fireworks fuegos artificiales
    new year - año nuevo