Language Link Online
Spanish Language Immersion Programs in Latin America and Spain
www.langlink.com  Toll Free 800.552.2051   info@langlink.com
Full details of all programs on our website

May 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 would like to be added to our online or printed mail (newsletters twice a year), email us.  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
Some common errors to avoid -
    When wanting to express "another", this is simply expressed as otro.  The phrase un otro doesn't exist in Spanish.
    When wanting to express "actually", don't use actualmente.  This seems like it would work, but it really means "currently". It's better to substitute en realidad.  Also, the phrase los números actuales would mean current numbers, not actual numbers.
    When wanting to express "more than" followed by a number, say más DE cinco.  If you're trying to say something such as "I have more than you," then use the phrase más QUE usted.
    When wanting to express "which" in front of a noun, such as "which book", it's preferible to use qué libro instead of cuál.  Save the cuál to express which one.
    When expressing your nationality, remember that you don't say un or una in front - Soy norteamericano.  Soy mexicana.
    When expressing something which will happen very soon, don't use the future tense.  If it's fairly immediate such as "I'm going to give you the information tomorrow, or I will give you the info tomorrow", and this will occur soon, use the present tense.  Te doy la información mañana.
    When expressing a command, understand what a command is and use the proper form.  You can't just substitute the present tense and make good sense.  You're issuing a command (even if politely done) if you are saying things like "Be careful.  Have a nice day.  Come back soon."  In Spanish, Tenga (for usted, ten for tú) cuidado.  (Que) tenga un buen día.  Regrese (or regresa for a tú command) pronto.
Cocina Cooking
Sample a taste of Spain and summer with some White Sangría.  This wine cooler needs several hours of melding and chilling before serving.
Cut into very thin slices 3 oranges, 3 lemons and 3 limes.  Remove seeds and place slices in a 4 quart pitcher.  Peel and cut into segments 4 ripe peaches or nectarines and add to the pitcher.  Add 1/2 cup of sugar and let stand for half an hour.  Then pour in 3 bottles of chilled dry white wine and 1/2 cup of brandy.  Cover with plastic and chill 3 or 4 hours.  Taste for sweetness and add more sugar (dissolved in wine) if needed.  Serve over ice in generous, stemmed glasses.  For an authentic drink, head to Spain and study in Madrid, Seville or the small village of Vejer de la Frontera.

Culture Clips
Some students like to arrange their study around local festivals.  Two outstanding ones are coming soon.  The week of June 24th is the festival of Inti Raymi in Cusco, Peru.  You won't get to see the bloody sacrifice of the sacred llama that was a standard feature in ancient days, but Inti Raymi is still almost as good a spectacle as the original.  Watch descendants of the mighty Incans, dressed in wild turkey feathers, re-enact the timeless sun dance to the throbbing rhythms of lambskin drums.  Be there as a cast of hundreds celebrate the winter solstice attired as kings, courtiers, chiefs and warriors, pay homage to Inti, the Incan sun god.  The festival takes place at the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, an impressive place on its own.  To combine this with study in Peru, check out the information on that country on our website.  www.langlink.com

Another intriguing festival is one called the Guelaguetza (the Zapotec word means gift) or Lunes del Cerro, held on the last two Mondays of July, in Oaxaca, Mexico.    The festivities take place on top of the Cerro del Fortín in an immense stadium, and thousands of Oaxacans and tourists come to view and perform the folk dances representative of the seven regions.  The dancers wear costumes and personal adornments typical of each region, dancing to some rhythms which have their origins in pre-Columbian times.  The dances represent various themes such as the hunting of a jaguar, the contest between the devils and the blonds, and other themes demonstrating the religious syncretism which comes from the early religions and Christianity from the 16th century.  At the end of many of the dances, the dancers throw out into the audience representative products of their area.  (When Kay, our Director, was there, she caught enough bread, cheese, and fruit for an entire meal!)  What makes it exceptional is that it is not a carefully staged and choreographed performance, but a true representation of the local people.  The weeks before the performances are filled with music, parades and cultural events.  This is indeed a unique experience, and a highlight of this area which is one of the richest in Mexico for popular arts and crafts.  Study in Oaxaca during the Guelaguetza for a colorful experience!  www.langlink.com

Language Link's Latest
We knew it would happen soon!  Our list of closed out dates has already started at PLFM of Antigua, Guatemala.  We can't take any more registrations there until July 8, as the school is completely booked.  So far we have available capacity in all other programs in other countries, but it's always hard to predict when that cut off number will start happening.

We still have capacity in our teen programs, and an exciting one is in August at Intercultura of Heredia, Costa Rica.  This year's program includes a comprehensive excursion package with weekend trips to exciting locations filled with natural wonders...rain forests, tropical beaches, volcanos....Costa Rica has it all, and what memories for a teen!   Full costs and details under the Teen section at www.langlink.com.

If you've always wanted a real adventure, why not travel to "the end of the world" to study Spanish?  This is the nickname of the Patagonian region of Argentina.  Our program there has just opened a branch school in Bariloche.  The natural beauty of the area is stunning.  Check out the details under the ILEE information found through the Argentina connection on our website.  www.langlink.com

OJO (Special Deals)
Prices in Argentina have dropped even lower due to the devaluation of the currency there.  This is a wonderful opportunity to experience a fascinating country at the lowest prices in years.  And if you're a skier, our summer months are their best ski season.

Rhythm & Book Blurbs
An interesting approach to reading in Spanish is to tackle one of the pop psychology books such as John Gray's Venus and Mars series.  The vocabulary is current, the reading level is not difficult, and even if you don't agree with the psychology, it's an enjoyable way to increase your Spanish emotional vocabulary.  The concepts are repeated so often that it's easy to remember new words.  "Marte y Vénus Hacen Las Paces" by John Gray is available through amazon.com.

If you like romantic ballads, one of the most popular singers in Mexico is Luis Miguel.  His album "Todos Los Romances" covers all the classics, and his voice is clear enough to distinctly hear all the words at a slower pace.  The CD liner comes with all the words in Spanish.  When you sing along, the words give you superb practice in grammatical examples which become quite effortless when you sing them repeatedly.  What better example of a command than...Love me, don't leave me!
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...
    This is a pre-study comment.  "When I decided which program to use to go to Ecuador, I thought choosing a bigger organization located in the US would give me a sense of trust and confidence, but you exceeded all my expectations.  You are very fast and very competent, and if this is an indicator of how it will work in Ecuador, I feel very confident about the success of my trip. " Ines Langrock, Minnesota
    Don Quijote of Cusco, Peru  "All arrangements happened as planned!  Teaching staff, culture lectures, new friends from around the world--these were the high points of the Cusco school.  It was fun, living with extended family from first grader to grandfathers."  Elfriede Rieger, Illinois
    From a student who has attended several of our programs  "A note to thank you so much for your newsletter and email.  It doesn't take much to remind me of the wonderful experiences I have had in part to your good works.  Having gone to school in Mexico, Peru, and Ecuador, I can't wait to go back and plan to return early next year.  Thanks again for keeping us in touch."  Charles Stark, California
    PLFM of Antigua, Guatemala  "My compliments on PLFM.  We had such a great time last summer.  We really hit it off with the teachers and found our exchange with them to be very professionally rewarding.  Mil gracias."  Gloria Delany-Barmann (director of a group from Western Illinois University), Illinois

Likeable Links
Information and pictures on the Guelaguetza festival...
http://www.oaxacainfo.com/guelaguetza.htm
http://oaxacalive.com/guelaguetza.htm
http://zapotec.agron.iastate.edu/guelaguetza.html
http://www.elbalero.gob.mx/kids/about/html/holidays/guela_kids.html
And some on the festival of Inti Raymi...
http://gosouthamerica.about.com/library/blIntiRaymi.htm
http://www.enjoyperu.com/magazine/cp6/fdir/
http://www.cusco.info/inti_raymi.htm

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.
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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