Spanish Facts
Spanish people refer to their language as Espanol ('español') when contrasting it with languages of other countries, but call it Castilian ('castellano') if comparing it with other languages and dialects of Spain
Up until 1987, Spanish was the official language of the Philippines
Spanish is the second most widely-spoken language in the USA
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Valencia es una de las ciudades más importantes de la costa este de España. Bañada por el Mediterráneo, esta ciudad se ha hecho famosa por las fiestas que allà se celebran, las Fallas.
Al principio, para celebrar el comienzo de la primavera, se encendÃan hogueras para quemar muebles de madera y ropas viejas.
Con el tiempo, la tradición ha evolucionado y ahora se construyen estatuas de cartón piedra muy elaboradas que forman grandes monumentos de carácter artÃstico. En ellos se percibe el espÃritu crÃtico y burlesco sobre diferentes temas de actualidad y gente famosa.
Además, son famosos los fuegos artificiales, los ruidos de las tracas y los petardos, los pasacalles, los concursos, las cabalgatas, los trajes tradicionales, las bandas de música, los bailes, las cenas en la calle y las verbenas hasta la madrugada.
Por estos dÃas, Valencia se llena con miles de personas, cientos de fallas, desfiles, floresÂ…
También es curiosa la costumbre de reunirse en medio de la calle y cocinar paella para más de 500 personas. La paella es uno de los platos más tradicionales de esta región, hecho a base de arroz con verduras, pescado, marisco o carne.
En la actualidad, las Fallas se celebran entre el 15 y el 20 de marzo, coincidiendo con el dÃa de San José (19 de marzo), patrón de la ciudad, pero se preparan durante los 365 dÃas del año.
Uno de los actos más colorido y esperados es la ofrenda de flores a la Virgen de los Desamparados, llegando a construir un precioso tapÃz alrededor de esta.
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Your colleagues and yourself can be trained by our native-speaking fully-qualified Spanish tutors at a time and location to suit you. Classes can take place any day, even weekends, and can happen in the morning, afternoon or evening. If the case may be that your home or office is not convenient, there is always the option to take your classes at the office of your teacher. Study books for the course are provided.
Book now / EnquiryThese courses in Spanish are meant for those that feel that learning Spanish would make a change in their work. For starters, it is expedient to learn how to say hello/goodbye, as well as basic business protocol; once the basics have been mastered, reading and writing come to the fore. Students who have greatly benefitted have been involved in import/export, international negotiations and acquisitions, jobseekers in multinational companies where another language is required, and those working in the international academia and government circuits. Even on our most fundamental beginner's course, students can anticipate ending the course with basic telephone Spanish and e-mail Spanish skills for communicating, as well as survival Spanish if a short visit to the country is needed.
Book now / EnquirySpanish courses of this type are broader and are aimed towards students with a variety of requirements. While all beginner level students will cover survival Spanish - needed for short visits to countries where English isn't widely spoken, or if you wish to 'go local'; those studying Spanish usually go in different directions at this point, depending on what they need. Those who have benefitted from these Spanish classes have been those investing in or buying property overseas, those married to overseas nationals, people setting off on a round-the-world trip, enthusiasts in Spanish culture, and those enthusiastic to pass a specific exam in Spanish.
Book now / EnquiryCourses in Spanish are also accessible for 2 or more studying in tandem (Two-to-One Spanish Course or Small Group In-Company Spanish Course). All those involved must have around the same experience of the language, similar needs of areas of proficiency, and must be able to work at the same time and place. Bookings must be made for all students at the same time. Listen & Learn do not advise classes of more than 6-8 people, although In-Company Taster Spanish sessions can be run with as many as 12 people.
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Bristol
With a population of 400,000 people, Bristol is not only a city, but also a unitary authority and ceremonial county in southwest England. For 5 centuries it was the second or third largest city in England, until the Industrial Revolution sparked many other cities to grow exponentially. Bristol remains one of the centres of culture, education and employment in the region. Traditionally gaining economic success via its nautical connections, Bristol has extended its industries to aerospace (playing host to the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, a major annual hot-air ballooning event) as well as finance, IT and tourism. Being in the south of the UK, Bristol is one of the warmest cities in the UK.
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"I have been very happy to learn Spanish with Paloma. She makes the lessons interesting and relevant to my needs. A mixture of teaching/learning styles keeps the lessons varied, and is happy to vary the pace as required. She is always well prepared and punctual for the classes, and also flexible for my changing schedule."