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November 2005 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 list, email us at info@langlink.com.
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

Old Friends Are the Best Friends, But Watch Out For False Friends

Cognates are a great shortcut to learning Spanish, as Spanish and English have thousands of these words that are basically the same in both languages.  Most words that end in English in tion can be changed to Spanish by ción.  An example is the solution to la solución.  (And we laughingly add that an easy way to remember these are all feminine words is to remember that solutions are feminine, and problems are masculine.  El problema is one of those words ending in ma, pa, ta, which entered Spanish through Greek.)  But beware of these common false friends.  They look and sound like an English words, but have a completely different meaning.

            Actual – means current, at the present time, as in actualmente.   Use real or verdadero for real or actual.

            Asistir – means to attend.  Asisto a la escuela.  Use ayudar for to help or to assist.

            Carpeta – means a file folder.  Use alfombra for carpet or rug.

            Constipado – refers to cold congestion, doesn’t mean the obvious.  Use estreñido for constipated.

            Decepcion, decepcionar – means disappointed.  Estoy muy decepcionada.  Use engañoso for deceptive.

            Delito – means a minor crime.  Use un encanto for something very nice.

            Desgracia – means a misfortune.  For a real disgrace use una vergüenza.

            Embarazada – means pregnant, not embarrassing.  (This is a common mistake, and I once overheard a priest state Estoy embarazado.  Very amusing!)  Use tener vergüenza or sentirse avergonzado.

            Emocionado (a)  – means thrilling or exciting, not just emotional as in a mood.  Estoy muy emocionada.

            Exito – means a success, as in tener éxito.  Use la salida for the exit.

            Largo – means long.  Use grande for large.

            Molestar – means to bother without any sexual meaning.  Me molesta mucho el humo (smoke).

            Pretender – means to try.  For pretense use fingir.

            Recordar – means to remind or remember.  Use grabar to make a recording.

            Sano – means healthy.  Use en su juicio for sane.

            Suceso – means the event.  Use éxito for success.

            Tuna – means either a cactus fruit or a university choral group.  Use atun for the fish.

            And don’t forget those basic words of ropa – meaning clothes, not rope, and sopa – meaning soup (jabón is soap).

Cocina Cooking

A new twist on your leftover Thanksgiving turkey – Turkey Tortilla Soup     Serves 6 to 8

2 T. vegetable oil, l small onion chopped, one 4 oz. can chopped green chiles, 2 chopped garlic cloves, 1 C. diced carrot, one 8 oz. can chopped tomatoes, 3 C. chicken stock, 1 C. water, 2 C. spicy vegetable juice, 1 tsp each of cumin, chili powder, salt, ½ tsp pepper, 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 T. steak sauce, 2 C. cooked turkey cubed, 4 oz. shredded cheddar or Mexican cheese and tortilla chips for garnish

            Saute onion, chiles, garlic and carrot and cook about 10 minutes.  Put in large kettle and add tomatoes with can juice, vegetable juice, stock, all spices, Worcestershire and steak sauces.  Bring to boil, lower heat and simmer 45 minutes.  Add turkey and heat through.  Serve in bowls topped with cheese and chips. 

Culture Clips

            The impossibly intense blue of the giant Morpho butterfly lands on my outstretched hand as I stand awestruck with wonder.  I’m in the Butterfly Garden, one of the world’s largest mariposerías, in the Peace Waterfall Park in Costa Rica and find it thrilling to be surrounded by beauty, color and fragility.  I’ve just come from the Hummingbird Garden, where close up looks revealed hundreds of tiny wings, moving so quickly that they appeared as a blur.  The iridescence of the feathers magnificently outshines any jewelry store window as the guide illuminates me with formerly unknown facts about these delicate birds.  My camera is still switched on from asking my friends to take my photo in the Orchid Garden.  What woman wouldn’t want a picture of herself surrounded by orchids!  We’re off next to take the walks which explore the four waterfalls in the park, and I’m entranced to find that I can walk directly under one of them, giving the feeling of being in an immense, heavy cloud.  Once again, the natural beauty of Costa Rica wows me, and I hear the same comment by the visiting ticos….íguaú!

I am also so grateful that this country is quite serious about protecting its natural environment.  When you observe Costa Rica’s true commitment to ecology, it’s quite easy to get caught up in the spirit and want to combine volunteering with Spanish study.  A fine opportunity is presented for volunteers at Playa Grande Beach near Sámara Beach, location of the Intercultura school.  This is a new project designed to protect marine turtle species such as the Olive Ridley and Leatherback turtles.  Costa Rica is home to six of the eight world-wide turtle species in existence.  The Olive Ridley is two to two and a half feet in carapace length, with a dark olive green to black color.  The total population is estimated at 750,000.  Increasingly, however, the turtle is threatened by capture in shrimp nets and through the illegal poaching of the eggs.  On the beach where solitary nesting takes place, it is estimated that poaching results in the destruction of between 80 to 100 percent of the nests, depending on the accessibility of the beach.  The Leatherback turtle is the largest marine turtle in the world, with some specimens reaching nine feet and weighing 1,900 pounds.  Its back is not hard, but pliable like thick leather.  A significant cause of Leatherback mortality is caused by the ingestion of clear plastic products, since to the turtles, they appear as jellyfish in the ocean.  The population of Leatherbacks has diminished drastically in the last ten years.

            The arrival on the beach when females come ashore to lay their eggs is called an arribada.  In the beaches in this area there are as many as a million sea turtle eggs laid in the beach nesting areas each year.  Although some believe that arribadas are correlated with moon phases and tides, there are turtles laying eggs at these beaches throughout most of the year.  The largest recorded so far took place in nearby Ostional in November, 1995, when 500,000 females came ashore.  Days or weeks before the event occurs, you will see an increased number of turtles swimming close offshore.  At first, a few hundred turtles will come out on the beach, followed by a steady stream for the next three to seven days.  The marine turtles are not easily disturbed and are almost oblivious to sounds and man.  They bump into and crawl over each other with their mission upmost in mind – lay those eggs!  What an interesting way to do your part in protecting the biodiversity of our world.

In an average lifetime, a person walks about 65,000 miles.  That’s two and a half times around the world.  I wonder where your steps will take you.  I wonder how you’ll use the rest of the miles you’re given. – Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers)

Language Link’s Latest

            We are very saddened to announce the death of Pamela Hirst-Prins, Dean of Students at PLFM of Antigua for more than twenty years.  She lost her battle to cancer early this month.  For many of you who have studied in Guatemala, she was a great spark of life in your experience.  We at Language Link, at PLFM, and the entire city of Antigua will greatly feel the loss of her vibrance and commitment to others.

New carefully chosen schools!  International House in Mexico City, ECELA of Buenos Aires, Sámara Beach Language School (Intercultura) in Costa Rica, and Conversa of Santa Ana, Costa Rica.  IH Mexico City – because despite rumors to the contrary, we think it’s a marvelous place and perfect for urbanites.  We have worked with ECELA in Santiago formerly, and have added their Buenos Aires school because it’s in a great location (near Evita Perón’s grave of the famous Recoleta cemetery), and also offers even advanced Spanish credit through a local university.  Sámara Beach Language School (Intercultura) has now developed into a year round program with a solid academic program, a rarity among beach schools.  It’s right at water’s edge on a tranquil unspoiled beach.  Conversa in Santa Ana (10 miles from San José) has a prestigious reputation and an exceptional mountainside campus with on site lodging.  We have our first family (mother and three children) scheduled there in December before their holiday vacation to explore the country.  Details of all these programs are either already posted on our website or will be coming quite soon.

            We’re announcing a new teen program in Costa Rica (both beach and central highlands) this summer, as well as continuing with several in Spain.  These programs are one of the best life opportunities you can give your teenager.  We will have full details soon on our website under the Teens section.

             Academic credit is now available in almost all our programs for lower level undergraduate courses through a college in Dallas, Texas.  There are also several of our programs where advanced credit is also available, notably CLIC in Seville through Benedictine University.

            The Oaxaca contest for a free study trip has ended, and the winner was randomly chosen (blindfolded pick from the pile) from over 1,000 entries, one coming from as far away as Albania.  We wish we could grant the prize to all who entered, as your enthusiasm level was routinely high. However, congratulations to the one winner, Chuck Kapelke of San Francisco, California, a 31 year old writer.  He says that his Spanish is at a basic conversational level now, but he wants to increase that to a more professional, fluent status.  His plans include taking his wife and young baby with him during his study, and we always like to see early starts of exposure to the language!

OJO (Special Deals)

            A NEW contest!  We have had so much interest in our website contests that we are now offering a new one to Cuernavaca, Mexico, a grand opportunity!  Enter your name through the contest box on our website.  You can win two free weeks of group classes (6 hours daily), as well as two weeks of a host family stay in a private room with two daily meals, in Cuernavaca, an hour and a half from Mexico City.  The Spanish Language Institute is one of our highest rated schools and consistently receives top evaluations from students.  In more than 15 years we have had top corporate executives study there, as well as high school and college groups.  The administrative staff, teachers, and host families are all simply wonderful people and offer the finest of Mexican hospitality.  The mountain climate is delightful year round, and the city has been a playground for many groups, dating back to the Aztecs.

            Check out the 2006 prices on our website for our schools in Spain.  They’re lower than 2005 due to the weakening euro. 

Rhythm & Book Blurbs

Purchase these selections easily through the Language Link Shop

A legendary voice and iconic figure from South America is Mercedes Sosa of Argentina.  She is a leading figure in the nueva canción  movement.  Her latest release, Corazón Libre, finds her rich contralto voice in fine form, and the acoustic guitar is exceptional.

Gabriel García Márquez, after a ten year span, shows once again that he is among the greatest writers.  Memories of My Melancholy Whores is a novella of 115 pages and is a beautiful tale of unplanned self redemption, told in his inimitable style of magical realism. The Spanish edition is titled Memoria de mis putas tristes.  (And this is a good time to remind you that only the first word is capitalized in Spanish titles.) Some of García Márquez’ other novels such as One Hundred Years of Solitude (many people’s most favorite book) and Love in the Time of Cholera are so rich in words that they can be challenging to read in Spanish unless one has a very advanced vocabulary. This latest book is one which you can easily read the Spanish version concurrently, a great exercise in increasing advanced vocabulary, while enjoying the fragrance of García Márquez’ intoxicating language.

Been There, Loved That

An assortment of quotes from past students among our last group of contest entries -

I fell in love with Mexico the first time I went to the school in Cuernavaca and I renewed that love affair in Oaxaca a few years later.  I have never had a problem with anything arranged through Language Link.  I have recommended Language Link many times to many people.  It won’t be long before I am taking my grandchildren to Mexico.  I can’t wait to share my adventures with them and to help them experience the Mexico I love. ESL Teacher, Patricia Crane, Washington

The two weeks I spent at PLFM in Antigua will always remain in my memory!  My instructors were excellent, and my ability with Spanish skyrocketed.  Immersion is the way to go!  Antigua is such a small, beautiful city, entirely walkable with cobblestone streets older than the ones in Europe.  Did I mention the three volcanoes overlooking the town?  I met many wonderful people, several of whom I still stay in touch with.  Thank you, Language Link! Paul Penfield, Ohio

Traveling with Language Link is like having a good friend in the country.  The very helpful staff at the schools in Antigua and Cusco made it very easy for me to learn about local cultures. Teacher, Robert Ashley, Illinois

            I love Language Link.  My trips to Peru and Argentina were unforgettable.  The Language Link staff is always so helpful, accommodating, accessible, and professional.  You guys are the best. Educator, Mia Henry, Illinois

I have taken trips with Language Link and have found them culturally enlightening, enjoyable and more than expected in terms of helping me expand my knowledge of Spanish.  I only await the word.  My bags can be packed in a matter of hours. L. Porter, Texas

            I have studied through Language Link in Spain and Costa Rica and loved it!  What a great way to continue to learn about the language and culture.  As an elementary Spanish teacher, my classes are much more vivid and exciting as I share my travels through Language Link.  Teacher, L. Griswold, North Carolina

Having a one-on-one experience with a teacher was a fantastic learning experience!  The teachers and the school were all so professional!  Walking about Antigua made the learning so much more interesting and valuable.  S. Benedetto, Educator, Connecticut

Likeable Links

http://www.angelfire.com/bc/gonebirding/crnps.html

A very informative page covering the Costa Rican National parks, including their history, climate, etc.

http://www.interlog.com/~rainfrst/wildlife.html

An article on the biodiversity of Costa Rica

http://www.cccturtle.org/sat20.htm

Information on a Costa Rican Sea Turtle tracking project

http://www.inbio.ac.cr/en/default.html

The National Biodiversity Institute in Costa Rica, which has a wealth of information on the biodiversity in 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 Time with office hours 9:00 to 5:00.  
Kay G. Rafool, Exec. Director/Christina Henderson, Asst. Director, Language Link, P.O.B. 3006, Peoria, Illinois 61612 USA, Fax 309.692.2926 Worldwide 309.692.2961 Toll free 800.552.2051
info@langlink.com        ¡Hasta luego!

Contact Language Link: Kay Godfrey, Director Latin American Office Meredith Butler, Director US Office 2008 W Kellogg Avenue West Peoria, IL 61604 USA

Toll free: 800.552.2051 World telephone: 309.673.9220 Fax: 309.673.9221 email: info@langlink.com

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