Language Link Online

Spanish Language Immersion Programs
www.langlink.com  Toll Free 800.552.2051
Full details of all programs on our website

March 2001 Online Newsletter
Welcome to our fourth newsletter - tips and information about learning Spanish and the people who speak it. If you have any insights or comments to share with us, please send them. Personal attention is what has made Language Link grow, and we're real people who like to listen to you. If you have received this newsletter and would like to be removed from our mailing list, please email us at info@langlink.com and put Remove in the subject line. If you or a friend would like to be added to our online or postal mailing lists, email us at the same address. If you like your information by printed word, we have just mailed our Spring-Summer 2001 regular mail newsletter, circulation over 10,000.  Send us your regular mail address to be included.  We are now including Canada in our postal mail list.
What's in this edition
On Line Lesson, Cocina Cooking
Culture Clips, Language Link's Latest
OJO (special deals), Rhythm & Book Blurbs
Been There, Done That (reports from participants), Likeable Links
On Line Lesson
LO AND BEHOLD
The little word lo in Spanish is a very handy one and is used in a variety of ways.  One use is as a direct object pronoun, replacing a masculine singular word and meaning "it".  Always remember to put it in front of conjugated verbs, attached to infinitives.  (el libro) Lo tengo.  Quiero comprarlo.  Another use is when you want to use the word "what" as a subject, not just as the question asking word. (A question asking word would be asking for a definition - Qué es esto?)   In English anytime you can use "that which", you can use lo que in Spanish.  What (that which) I need is more time - Lo que necesito es más tiempo.  What's (that which is) important is the cost -  Lo que es importante es el precio.  And there's even more!  You can take an adjective and turn it into a noun meaning a thing by adding lo.  Lo bueno - the good thing, lo malo - the bad thing, lo mas necesario - the most necessary thing, lo bonito - the pretty part (or thing).  Another use of lo is in the common expression to express probability, and it doesn't even need a subjunctive verb.  A lo mejor, Pablo no necesita más dinero - Pablo probably doesn't need any more money.    A lo mejor, Juan viene mañana - Juan's probably coming tomorrow.  Contrast this with the more complex construction of - Es probable que Pablo necesite más dinero.  Es probable que Juan venga mañana.
Cocina Cooking
Mexican Mice - yield about 3 dozen
2 sticks butter (1 cup), softened, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 cup powdered sugar plus additional for dusting, 2 cups flour, 1 cup finely ground pecans, 1/4 teaspoon salt, chow mein noodles, mini chocolate chips, sliced almonds
1.  Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Beat butter and vanilla in bowl of electric mixer until light and fluffy.  Add sugar and combine.  Mix in flour, pecans and salt.
2.  Shape dough into 1 inch ovals, tapering one end.  Bake 15 minutes.  Remove from oven.  Insert noodle at tail end and 2 almonds about a third of the way from the pointed end for ears.  Return to oven, bake until slightly browned (about 12 minutes).
3.  Remove from oven.  Immediately place two chocolate chips in front of ears for eyes.  (Chocolate will melt slightly and stick to cookie.)  Dust mice bodies with powdered sugar.  Cool on wire rack.
Culture Clips
Costa Rica is one of the most interesting Central American countries.  Its people are known as "ticos", as that is a diminuitive commonly used there.  You will hear, for example, momentico instead of the momentito heard in the rest of Latin America.  Another specifically Costa Rican expression is "Pura Vida".  It's a difficult expression to translate, but it means a sort of combination rolled up phrase of...it's a great life, no worries, enjoy life, take it easy, good luck and have a good day!  It is commonly said as a closing statement, a response to how are things, and a country slogan.  This small country, rich in natural wonders and biodiversity, is also known for its high literacy rate, its peaceful political situation, and the amazing fact that it has no army.  With no military expense, the national money is spent on social programs and education.  This oasis of tranquility has one of the world's best records in conservation, and its rain forests, cloud forests, volcanic peaks, and beautiful beaches attract thousands of visitors each year.  Canopy tours in the rainforest, sea kayaking, volcano climbing, jungle adventures...Costa Rica has it all.  And their coffee is the best you will ever taste!
Language Link’s Latest
A reminder that we often have wait lists for study in the summer months of many of our programs.  We hate having to tell you that there's no room for you to study in the program you want, so please do register early.  At this time all dates are still open in all programs.

If you haven't already done so, now's the time to put together a group for studying in one of our programs.  If you have a group of 15, your study and accommodations are complimentary.  We often organize groups for high schools, college groups (academic credit available!), and various like minded cultural groups. "To be sure your friend is a friend, you must go with him on a journey.  Travel with him day and night.  Go with him near and far." - Angolan proverb
OJO! (a commonly used symbol in Latin America for Keep an Eye Out!)
This will be our corner for bargain announcements.
1. Intercultura of Costa Rica now has a new beach location, Playa Sámara in the Guanacaste region.  Students will live and study in a lovely, air conditioned hotel.  In 2002 there will be additional cost to participate in this program, but for the current year, Intercultura is keeping the same price as it is to study and live in their Heredia location.  This is the cheapest luxury beach study-vacation you will ever get! See details in the Costa Rica section at www.langlink.com.
2.  Starting September of 2001, tuition fees per week at the Spanish Language Institute of Cuernavaca, Mexico, will increase from $150 per week to $175.  Plan your study before that date to receive the lower tuition.  And remember that if you're a returning student to that program, your $100 registration fee is waived. See details in the Mexico section at www.langlink.com.
Rhythm & Books Blurbs
Recommended CD - A resident of Montreal, born in the US to a Mexican father, Lhasa de Sela, sings passionately in the style of traditional Mexican ballads on the album La Llorona.  Sung in Spanish, there are also accompanying written English lyrics in the CD jacket.  The array of textures even includes the sound of falling rain.  La Llorona is the wind that glides between earth and sky, sighing and crying.

Recommended book - Aztec and Aztec Autumn by Gary Jennings.  Available in paperback.  These are fictional accounts of Aztec characters before and after the conquest of Mexico.  They are written in the style of a Mexican soap opera, with requisite sex and violence, but they will give you an overview and feel for life in that culture.  Perfect for a fast moving summer beach book.

Costa Rica, A Traveler's Literary Companion, paperback, by Barbara Ras.  This anthology brings together 26 mostly modern stories by Costa Rican writers, a wonderful introduction to the character of the people, culture and land.
Been There, Done That
Our students are so helpful to us in sending in evaluations of the schools they visit. We'd like to share these with you...
    ILISA of San José, Costa Rica  "A wonderful experience!"  Shaye Loughlin, Americorps Volunteer, Maryland
    Intercultura of Heredia, Costa Rica  "The significant improvement in my ability to speak Spanish was only a small part of what I Iearned in Costa Rica.  I left with an understanding of the culture and many new friends!"  Anne Bell, Personal Trainer, Massachusetts
    CLIC of Seville, Spain  "I had a wonderful time in Sevilla.  CLIC was great.  My teacher was fantastic.  I looked forward to class every day!"  Alexa Stevenson, Recent College Graduate, Georgia
    Becari of Oaxaca, Mexico  "Becari is an excellent language school, well-run, with a pleasant learning environment.  The directors and efficient, courteous and helpful."  Christy Nichols, Retired, Michigan
Likeable Links
Lots of valuable information on Costa Rica:
www.costanet.com
www.tourism-costarica.com
All you need to know about Monteverde and surrounding areas (Arenal Volcano, Santa Elena, Butterfly Farm, Ecological Farm, and Canopy Tour Sky Trek, pictured above):
www.monteverdeinfo.com
Costa Rica newspaper:
www.nacion.co.cr
One of the best coffees in Costa Rica:
www.cafebritt.com

We hope you enjoyed our news. Please visit us at www.langlink.com.
Or if you like the sound of a live voice, call us at 800.552.2051. We're on Central Standard Time.
Kay G. Rafool, Executive Director/Marcy Slane, Assistant Director
Language Link, P.O.B. 3006, Peoria, Illinois 61612 USA
Fax 309.692.2926 Worldwide telephone 309.692.2961 Toll free 800.552.2051 info@langlink.com
Hasta luego!

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