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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September  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
Really?  How to really say really in Spanish -
This is one of those all encompassing words in English which is expressed in many ways in Spanish.
To ask for verification that something is true, such as at the end of a sentence, the word "verdad" is said as a question.  An alternative expression is "de veras?"  Note that in Spain this is more often expressed by "vale" stated as a question.  This "vale" is almost as big a catch all work as the English okay.  When it is said not as a question, it means that everything is all right, as in "está bien".  You don't know that it's Spanish as spoken in Spain without constantly hearing this word added to everything.
Another use of really is when you want to emphasize an adjective.  This is really interesting.  "Realmente" is used in this sense in Spanish.  What you need to watch out for is to NOT use "actualmente", as you would use actually in this same sense in English.  Actualmente in Spanish means currently.  For instance, "los números actuales" would mean the current numbers, and not the real or actual numbers.
There are other times when you want to use really to emphasize something such as an action or a verb.  One way is to use the expression "tener ganas de".  Pablo tiene muchas ganas de viajar a Barcelona.  Pablo really feels like traveling to Spain or really wants to do it.  A stronger way is to use the expression "a fuerzas".  A fuerzas Tita quiere viajar a Sevilla.  This has the meaning that it is all important to her.
Cocina Cooking
Paella is Spain's most famous dish.  There are special pans created for it and restaurants specializing only in this dish.  There are many complicated ways to prepare paella, but this is a simple one which serves six.
1/3 C. olive oil, l small minced onion, 3 crushed garlic cloves, 5 T. minced fresh parsley, a generous pinch of saffron (This is a very expensive ingredient, so use sparingly, but it is what gives the dish its characteristic color and flavor.), 2 T. chicken bouillion, 3 skinless chicken breasts cut in chunks, 2 sliced green peppers, 1 sliced red pepper, 8 oz. tomato sauce, 1 tsp. sugar, 4 C uncooked rice, 7 C water, pinch of salt, 1/2 to 1 lb. shrimp with shell on, l lb. scallops
In wide saucepan with a lid, saute onion, parsley and garlic in olive oil until onion is transparent.  Add saffron, bouillon, chicken, peppers and saute until chicken is white.  Add tomato sauce, sugar, and stir.  Add rice and water and bring to boil.  Salt to taste.  Boil 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add shrimp and scallops, boil additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Simmer 10 minutes covered.  If rice appears to be getting too dry during the last 10 minutes, add more water.  If rice is too wet at the end of the 10 minutes, uncover and evaporate unwanted liquid with a little more cooking time.
Culture Clips
Tapas...the essence of Spain and becoming fashionable around the world.  (We do have to mention the humorous story about the mother who was quite concerned that her son in Spain was spending a lot of time in what she thought he said were topless bars.  He really was saying tapas bars, and she was quite relieved to reinterpret his actions!)
Generally eaten in bars, there are several versions of the origin of tapas. Some insist that the tapa was born when the Spanish King Alfonso X The Wise, had to take small bites of food with some wine between meals due to an illness.  Once recovered from the disease, the wise king ordered that in all inns of his realm,  wine was not to be served if not with something to eat.  Another version is that it refers to a sausage slice that used to be placed on top of a wine glass to keep flies out, while still another is that it simply comes from the verb "tapar" to cover.  Note that in the Basque region tapas go by the word pinchos. Whatever they are called, they are tasty bites of all kinds of food such as seafood, meat-filled pastry and small salads.  These are typically accompanied by wine, a sherry (manzanilla) or a beer.  It's sort of a "grazing" style of eating and can easily consitute an ample dinner.  The waiter will first say to you "Digame".  Simply order your drink and then get started.  Sometimes you can simply point to what you want.  There is also usually a menu.  You could start by asking for alcaparrones (olives and capers).  If something seems particularly good to you, you can order a racion, which is more like a full dish.  It's usually a large serving which will cover the entire plate.  But most of all, have fun!  That's what tapas bars are all about.  See our tapas links at the end of this newsletter, or if you want to eat the real thing, see our programs in Spain (Barcelona and San Sebastian information available soon) at www.langlink.com.
Language Link's Latest
Oh, how we're being noticed!  The September issue of National Geographic Traveler had a wonderful article on Seville, "Seville is synonymous with flamenco, bullfights, jasmine and orange blossoms, tapas and siestas.  And I was happy to join in," says Christopher Hirsheimer.  On page 77 there's a reference to Language Link in an article about ways to dive into the true culture of a country.  We also had a mention in an article in International Travel News, October 2002.  Thanks to Deanna Palic for such nice comments about our Guatemala program.

Our biggest news is that we now have two new programs in Spain, and they're both terrific!  Barcelona and San Sebastian are wonderful destinations, both quite different in appeal.  San Sebastian is very near the French border, is a medium sized city with an exquisite bay and ocean location.  Barcelona is eye-poppingly big, energetic and avant garde in art and architecture, as well as having the largest original medieval quarter of any European city.  We have full information prepared to send out on these programs, and they will be on the website soon.
To travel across Spain and finally to reach Barcelona is like drinking a respectable red wine and finishing up with a bottle of champagne. - James Michener
ILISA of San Jose, Costa Rica, is building a new guest house quite near their school for those students who want this option instead of a host family stay.  The rooms will be equipped with internet access and are well suited for those who have to bring their work along while they study Spanish.   This facility will be completed by January 2003.

December is a time when many people can study, but often, schools are not open.  Those which do remain open are PLFM of Antigua, Guatemala; Academia de Espanol Quito, Ecuador; SLI of Cuernavaca, Mexico; Becari of Oaxaca, Mexico; El Bosque del Caribe of Cancun, Mexico; ILISA of San Jose, Costa Rica; ILEE of Buenos Aires, Argentina; Bridge-Linguatec of Santiago, Chile.  All programs in Spain are closed with the exception of a special Christmas program at La Janda of Vejer de la Frontera (near Cadiz).  The dates for this program are Dec. 22 until January 3.
OJO (Special Deals)
Costa Rica is beautiful in the "green season" when the country shows off its vast variety of vegetation.  Enjoy the natural beauty and study at Intercultura of Costa Rica with a 10% discount when study is done in October or November of 2002.  This special offer only applies to new registrations of study during these months.  On a four week study you would save over $100!  See details of this popular program under the Costa Rica section at  www.langlink.com.
Many schools are raising costs for 2003, although most increases are small.  A few  schools will give 2002 prices if registered by mid November - La Academia de Espanol Quito, Ecuador; El Bosque del Caribe of Cancun, Mexico; ILISA of San Jose, Costa Rica (by Nov 1).
Rhythm & Book Blurbs
Shakira is a blonde bombshell from Colombia who sings in two languages.  While she has her own style, she has absorbed the influences of key rock singers and groups such as the Beatles and Nirvana.  She is doing cross over music as well (Laundry Service), including Andean flutes and Brazilian drums.  "The world has become so small and music so eclectic that it's almost predictable that this cross cultural process is going to occur," according to the artist herself.   Dónde están los ladrones is her most popular Spanish album.
If you're a serious student of Latin music, explore the site www.descarga.com.
For those of you interested in creating an international life and career either as a student, professional, or retiree, we recommend a new book The Global Citizen by Elizabeth Kruempelmann, Ten Speed Press, Berkeley, California.  www.tenspeed.com.  It has very practical advice about living and working in other countries, as well as a reference to Language Link on p. 104.
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...
PLFM of Antigua, Guatemala    "My teacher's name was Ediberto who was a superior teacher - knowledgeable, funny, and patient.  Thanks again - I'll be returning!"  Tom Doyle, Medical Student, Providence, RI
CLIC of Seville, Spain    "I rate my experience in Spain as the highest.  I truly had an enjoyable stay in Seville.  I couldn't have asked for better in a family, the school was very user friendly, everyone was nice and helpful, and the activities that they planned were great!  I would love to use Language Link again to travel and study.  I'm trying to think of where I would like to go next!"  Kelly Pace, Teacher, Wilmington CA
Becari of Oaxaca, Mexico    "I want to tell you what a wonderful time we spent in Oaxaca this year.  Becari was a very good school for two ancianas like my friend and I!  The family was very pleasant and my room was positively four-star.  So thank you for arranging it for us."  Kate Stubbs & Valerie Weddup, Retired, Bermuda
Likeable Links
Information on Spanish tapas...
www.arrakis.es/~jols/tapas
www.spaintour.com/tapas.htm
General information about Spain...
www.okspain.org
www.andalucia.org
www.bcn.es
www.tourspain.es
www.sansebastianturismo.com
www.donostia.org
Email address for a U.S.Tourist Office of Spain-- losangeles@tourspain.com

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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