Language Link Online
Spanish Language Immersion Programs in Latin America and Spain
www.langlink.com  Toll Free 800.552.2051   info@langlink.com
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July 2002 Online Newsletter...sent every other month
Tips and information about learning Spanish and the people who speak it.  Personal attention is what has made Language Link grow, and we value your contributions.  Please send an email to the address above to remove if you do not want to receive our news.  If you or a friend would like to be added to our online or mail list, email us at  info@langlink.com.  If you have problems with this format, please inform us and we will send a text only version.
What's in this edition
Online Lesson, Cocina Cooking, Culture Clips, Language Link's Latest, OJO (special deals), Rhythm & Book Blurbs, Been There, Loved That (reports from participants), Likeable Links
Online Lesson
Quick tip…to yell Help! in Spanish, yell - Socorro!  (like the English word succor).  Ayudar is the verb for help, and you can expand your plea by saying Ayúdeme, por favor, but Spanish speakers think socorro is easier to shout out.
Reflexive verbs
Think of these as the action coming back to the speaker, or reflecting back as in a mirror.  This works most of the time, and remember to always match the little pronouns of me, te, se, nos, se with the subject pronoun.  Lavarse - to wash oneself, me lavo, te lavas, él se lava, ella se lava, usted se lava, nosotros nos lavamos, ellos se lavan, ustedes se lavan.  Other frequently spoken verbs used this way are bañarse (to bathe), arreglarse (to get yourself ready, as in to put on makeup and get dressed), cuidarse (to take care of oneself), lastimarse (to hurt oneself), sentarse  (to sit oneself down)  Sometimes these have the feeling of to get, such as emborracharse (to get yourself drunk).  Ever wondered how to say "I wonder" in Spanish?  Use the reflexive verb preguntarse, me pregunto.  Me pregunto si eso va a ser posible.  I wonder if that’s going to be possible.  Some exceptions which are reflexive are the verbs: Enamorarse de (to fall in love with, but not with yourself) Me enamoré de él el año pasado. Sentirse (ie) (to feel in terms of health or emotions). Me siento muy triste hoy. Irse (to leave)  -Te vas ahora?  Sí, me voy.  - Are you leaving now?  Yes, I’m leaving.  Be on special alert for reflexive verbs dealing with parts of the body or clothing.  In English we would always say something such as I wash my hands or I put on my hat.  The "my" is necessary because the verb in English doesn’t indicate possession.  In Spanish, however, the verb shows who is receiving the action, so it would be considered redundant to use a possessive pronoun.  Examples:  Voy a lavarme las manos.  I’m going to wash my hands.  Notice you don’t say mis manos, as it’s clear whose hands you’re washing by the reflexive verb.  Voy a ponerme el sombrero.  I’m going to put on my hat.  Same idea, just as long as it’s your own hat.
Cocina Cooking
Homemade Tortilla Chips
This isn’t trying to re-invent the wheel, as these are on every supermarket shelf.  But this is very easy, and so much better than the purchased ones.  It also is lower in fat and salt when prepared this way.  Simply buy the freshest kind of thin corn tortillas you can find (Kay recently returned from the Mexican border with 40 dozen of these in her suitcase!).  Cut into wedges, spray them with a vegetable oil spray, sprinkle with a little salt if you like, and toast them in a preheated 350 degree oven for 10 to 15 minutes until crisp.
Use for dipping with…
Cilantro Mojo, a garlicky, bright green sauce which is a favorite condiment in Spain.  You can also use it to liven up grilled chicken or fish or serve it with goat cheese.  Makes one half cup.
4 large cloves garlic (peeled), green bell pepper (cored and seeded and cut into large chunks), 1 cup tightly packed fresh cilantro leaves, tsp. Salt or to taste, 3 tbsp good olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice.  Place all ingredients in food processor or blender and process until smooth.  Will keep up to 6 hours before serving.
Culture Clips
Costa Rica (rich coast) wasn’t discovered by Columbus until his fourth voyage to the New World.  When little to no gold was found, the country turned to agriculture, and its development was slow in contrast to other countries of the colonial period.  The country’s true riches are in its geography and biodiversity.  You can find giant blue morpho butterflies, enchanting beaches, rainforests, cloudforests, active volcanos, and green mountainscapes dotted with coffee plantations.  Twelve percent of the land is set aside as national parks or reserves.  Thirteen percent of its 12,000 species cannot be found outside the country.  Agoutis or sloths, anyone?  It has more species of butterflies than in all of Africa.  A recent U.S. report said that the amiable lifestyle of Costa Rica should have as its motto, "No sweat."  However the Ticos (the nickname for Costa Ricans) like to use the term "Pura vida", used for everything from a greeting to a comment on life.  The warm and friendly people of this small country have the highest literacy rate in Latin America and are very proud of their stable country with its long democratic tradition.  The military was abolished many years ago, and all those funds go toward social programs, the environment and education.  (The high level of education is quite evident in our two programs in Costa Rica, ILISA in San José and Intercultura in Heredia, found at www.langlink.com under the Costa Rica section.) The vast majority of the population are of Spanish descent, with only 1% of the population direct descendants of the pre-Columbian groups.  A unique Costa Rican word is the "soda".  This is a place which offers light meals.  Another is the "casado", a combination of rice, black beans, salad, meat or egg, and fried plantains.  Addresses are quite curious in Costa Rica.  They sound as if you are giving someone directions about how to get somewhere.  Most addresses don’t have street numbers, but they will mention a major landmark and then state how many meters and in which direction from that place.  It makes for very long addresses, but this is the accepted norm.  When you receive your family assignment from Intercultura or ILISA, you will see it written this way.
Costa Rica has it all…beauty, diversity, and friendly people.
Be not afraid to explore other pastures.
            - The Tao of Cow:  What Cows Teach Us by Dolly Mu
Language Link's Latest
Our director Kay will be making a trip in September as a guest of the Spanish government, and she plans to investigate two new possible destinations for Language Link students, Barcelona and San Sebastián in the Basque region of Spain near France.
ILISA of San Jose, Costa Rica, has had a busy year catering to many specialized professions.  We’ve received pictures of law enforcement personnel practicing polygraph exams they will conduct in Spanish, as well as a group of M.B.A. students making class presentations in Spanish on special projects.  ILISA is also in the planning stages of a year round beach program which will be located in Tamarindo, a lovely area.
Due to rising print and postage costs, in the fall we are going to start posting our Language Link former print newsletter (we have more extensive articles in that one) on our website, www.langlink.com.  We’re in the process now of a facelift for easier navigation, convenient online registration with return forms, and secured encrypted sites for credit card information. The new look should be finalized by mid August.
OJO (Special Deals)
On September 1 the cost of the registration fee for PLFM of Antigua, Guatemala, will go up to $50.  It is currently $40.  Even if your study is on a later date, if you register before that Sept 1 date, you can save enough money for a few Gallos (the local cerveza) in Antigua. To access information on PLFM go to our website to the Guatemala section. www.langlink.com
Rhythm & Book Blurbs
Afro-Peruvian Classics, The Soul of Black Peru, compiled by David Byrne.  Music of the black Peruvian communities, this is not the Andean folk group flute music, but a collection of beautiful songs and infectious grooves that were hidden for years in the barrios of Peru.

Gabriel García Márquez is one of the world’s leading writers, but reading him in Spanish is challenging due to his vast and rich vocabulary.  One of his books, however, is a non fiction work, and its vocabulary is more accessible.  If you want to tackle it in Spanish, you will find it easier to read than his other works, Noticia de un secuestro.  In English it is titled Notice of a Kidnapping.  It’s a dramatic portrayal of an actual political kidnapping in Colombia.
Been There, Loved 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...
    Intercultura of Heredia, Costa Rica  "Overall I would rate my experience as :10 (out of 1-5)!  I came home with a very different spirit than I left with...almost ashamed of all I have materially.  Realizing that true happiness is not in what we have externally, but rather what we possess internally.  "Ticos" are generally so happy and tranquil.  I really was touched by their peacefulness and satisfaction with what they have within themselves and their families.  Our "familia" made us feel so part of their family--we were so comfortable in their home even though they may have lacked conveniences--they more than made up for in graciousness.  I cried when we hugged goodbye.  The dad woke up singing each morning and came home in the evening the same way.  What a wonderful "Tican spirit!"   Jo Hendricks, Florida
    Intercultura  "This was my first experience with Language Link.  Everything was so totally positive I can't wait for my next trip."  Olivia Andrew, New York
    Intercultura  "An experience of a lifetime!  Costa Rica is a wonderful place to learn Spanish.  My family was warm, kind, supportive, encouraged conversation, wonderful!  We miss them!  Language Link's pre-trip info was sufficient and helped me pack my bags appropriately."  Bryan & Cindy Sims, Colorado
    ILISA of San José, Costa Rica  "Two to three max in my class was great, and ILISA was much more professionally run than any school I've ever done.  Great building, excellent staff, and cafeteria with a wonderful view.  Instructors were very professional.  My house mother was a great lady--a 77 year old ball of fire.  Very helpful and accommodating."  Dr. Greg Powell, Ohio
    ILISA  "Our experience in Costa Rica was outstanding.  ILISA provides quality classes, the homestay was most accommodating, the support system was strong.  The entire three weeks were beyond our expectations.  My host mother was a fantastic person and a marvelous hostess.  She made us feel like a member of the family.  We were also well prepared thanks to Language Link."  Joan van Vliet, Virginia
Likeable Links
Many sites out there on Costa Rica...
www.tourism-costarica.com  The official site of the Costa Rica Tourist Board"
www.1costaricalink.com
www.costaricamapguide.com  Has great fact sheets for general info and trip planning
www.costanet.com   Very informative guide to each area of Costa Rica
www.cafebritt.com  Café Britt coffee plantation.  A perfect place from which to order coffee, and a must-see for when you visit Costa Rica.
We hope you enjoyed our news. Please visit us at  www.langlink.com. Or if you like a real voice, call us at 800.552.2051. We're on Central Standard Time with office hours 9:00 to 5:00.
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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