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Language Link
http://www.langlink.com
Your Pass to
Spanish Learning
No Cost Call: 800.552.2051
Email: info@langlink.com
Full details of all programs on our website including fees and dates:
www.langlink.com
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OJO (Real Deals!)
It is no wonder that everyone who comes to Mexico is fascinated by its cuisine. The colors, flavors, and spices, the trademarks of Mexican culinary masterpieces, are nowadays in virtually every corner of the world, but never the same as the genuine article. IMAC of Guadalajara is the only school in Mexico to offer its students no cost cooking classes from the very masters of Mexican cuisine, the host mothers! Through IMAC’s home-stay program, students can join the host family in preparing a full Mexican feast any day of the week with traditional cooking instruments unique to the Mexican culinary art, such as the molcahete or molinillo.
To celebrate our new partner school in Valencia, España, be among the first 10 students to register for classes there and receive a 10% discount on tuition. See our website for a full description of this new program.
Eureka of Madrid, Spain – one of our favorite programs in Spain because their classes are smaller than the average number for Spanish schools - Study with your friends (groups of at least three people) and receive a 10% tuition discount. Valid offer year round.
Cuernavaca – The Spanish Language Institute of Cuernavaca, Mexico, is celebrating twenty years of very successful Spanish teaching to thousands of very satisfied students. To mark the event they are making a unique offer. It’s really meant for only past students, but we have received permission to offer it to anyone through Language Link. Here’s the deal. If you recommend two people who officially enroll at SLI through Language Link, then you receive one complete week of instruction..gratis. If you recommend a third person, then you get another no cost week. If you have a lot of friends, you could earn up to 3 months of no cost study! The offer does not include anything for homestay, but if you share rooming in this program, you can do this for only $140 per week, including two meals daily. This school has been one of our highest rated programs for 20 years, and you will be doing your friends a wonderful favor, plus getting incomparable benefits for yourself. The offer is good until June 1, 2010.
Rhythm & Book Blurbs
Music - Bajo el signo de Caín by Miguel Bosé.
Bosé has been a force in Latin rhythms in a career that has spanned years. His artistry is full of emotional and sensual energy, but it's conceptually rich as well. The search for faith in God, the longing for independence, the anguish of lost love, the environmental crisis--these are some themes addressed here. This is an older issue, but considered his best.
Books - Oaxaca: Great Destinations Mexico ~ Paige R. Penland
A complete lead to this UNESCO World Heritage site, renowned for its cuisine, museums, and incredible fiestas. Neighboring Zapotec ruins, traditional arts, and grassroots ecotourism all entice the adventurous. This is Mexico at its most authentic and impressive, a feast for the senses.
Find both of these in our Language Link Store at www.langlink.com
Been There, Loved That
Amauta of Cusco, Peru
My experience was very good+. I found the instructors quite good, particularly one of my two. I had a great experience with my host family, and they were very helpful with my Spanish. – Derek Vann, Retired, Victoria B.C., Canada
(from a high school group) It was phenomenal! It was the best experience for both the teachers and the students. Everything went so well and the Amauta School in Cuzco was fantastic. All the kids loved their host families and the guinea pig was delicious. Machu Picchu was so beautiful. J. W., high school teacher, Olentangy, Nebraska
PLFM of Antigua, Guatemala
This was my fourth time at PLFM. I really enjoy those 2 weeks that I pass there every time. Antigua is such a livable town; the school is excellent; the grounds are so
beautiful and relaxing. My teachers were both excellent with great personalities for all that chatting I like to do now. – Sieglinde Lug, Professor Emerita, Denver, Colorado
I had a wonderful time in Antigua, Guatemala! Being able to practice and study Spanish in a beautiful town nestled between three volcanoes was a lifetime experience for me. Interacting with the locals was the icing on the cake for me. I also enjoyed my home stay, making new friends, going to many cultural sites, and taking post card perfect photos. The instructors at P.L.F.M. were amazing. - Lindsey Mercer, St. Charles, MO, College Student/Writer
Spanish Language Institute of Cuernavaca, Mexico
I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Learning from a native of Cuernavaca, we learned the accents and nuances, not just the English take on words. Also, being surrounded by the culture, you learn more about it. My host mother was absolutely amazing. I don't think she could have done anything better to make it more enjoyable. - Amanda Bigalk, Green Bay, Wisconsin, University Student
(from a week long customized class for diabetes educators) It felt like a vacation, the classes were fun, full of energy and entertaining. The instructor was extremely well prepared. I am an educator and therefore can be critical, but all the instructors seemed to be versed in grown up learning principles, they involved self direction and keep participation high. The excursions were all interesting and fun and I never felt herded just taken care of. Everyone at the school went all out for us. – Debra Norman, Woodland Hills, R.N. Diabetes Educator
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Language Link Online
March 2010
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Tips and information about learning Spanish and about the people who speak it. Personal attention is what has made Language Link grow, and we value your contributions.
What's in this edition
Online Lesson, Cocina Cooking, Culture Clip, Language Link's Latest, OJO (real deals), Rhythm & Book Blurbs, Been There, Loved That (reports from participants), Likeable Links
Online Lesson
Vocabulary Report from the Every Day Mexico
This is my third year of living in Mexico and directing Language Link's Latin America office. Even though I have spoken and studied Spanish for many years, I have discovered through daily life here that there are many words and phrases which I had never seen in books or heard in roaming or business conversation. It's been a great learning experience for me to note these usages. Some of these may be quite Mexico oriented, and some may be just the normal evolvement and trend of a language. So if you're interested, here are a few words which I have found necessary not just to survive in Mexico as an outsider, but to run a house and work here.
el croquis - a small map (usually hand drawn) which shows directions to your house or to a store
tardar - to take time to do something, for instance, saying to a driver you've hired by the hour - No tardo mucho, meaning I won't be long
Con ella (él) habla - to identify yourself when someone asks for you on the phone
Porfa - short for por favor
un puente - a 3 day weekend due to a national day of no work
La Hacienda - when capitalized, this means the IRS of Mexico
dedicarse a - ¿A qué se dedica? This has the meaning of what do you do professionally or as work.
¿Tendrá cambio de un billete de 200? meaning I wonder if you might have change for a 200 pesos bill.
Lo siento, está equivocado (a). On the phone when you want to say the caller has a wrong number.
Sale. Andale pues. Okay, okay then.
Estar de oferta - to be on sale
¿Desea un recargo? This is asking if you want to buy more time on your cell phone.
el guerito - the little fair one (not necessarily blond), what everyone called my grandson
el enganche - the down payment (literally the hook!)
la profe, el arqui, el inge - all short casual forms for the teacher, the architect and the engineer
el mugre - bathroom grime
The point is learning how your Spanish vocabulary grows - by being very observant in situations, listening carefully (even to annoying commercials) and noting high frequency phrases.
Cocina Cooking
Chipotle Meatballs – From El Naranjo, Oaxaca, Mexico
These meatballs are richly flavored with chipotle chiles and capers. This is traditionally served over rice, but it can also be served alone as cocktail appetizers. Serves 6 – 8.
3 lbs. plum or roma tomatoes, coarsely chopped, 1 med. white onion, coarsely chopped, 2 large garlic cloves, 2 tsp. minced canned chipotle chiles, ½ tsp. ground cloves – 2 T. vegetable oil
1 lb. ground beef, 1 lb. ground pork, ½ C. fresh breadcrumbs (best is from crustless French bread), 1 large egg, 1 ½ tsp. dried oregano, 1 ¼ tsp. salt, ¾ tsp. black pepper, 3 T. drained capers
Puree first 5 ingredients in blender in batches until almost smooth. Heat oil in a heavy large deep pan over medium-high heat. Add tomato mixture. Cover and boil 10 minutes to blend flavors and thicken slightly, stirring occasionally. Salt and pepper to taste. (Can be prepared 3 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
Combine ground beef and next 6 ingredients in large receptacle. Add 1/2 C. of cooled tomato sauce and stir until well mixed. Using hands, form 1 rounded tablespoonful meat mixture into ball. Insert 1/4 t. capers into center of meat; reshape meatball. Repeat with remaining meat mixture and capers.
Bring sauce to simmer over medium heat. Add meatballs to sauce. Cover and simmer until meatballs are cooked through, about 20 minutes. Serve over rice or with toothpicks for appetizers.
Culture Clip
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. – Maya Angelou
Oaxacan Moments
It’s a lazy spring afternoon in the main square of Oaxaca City, Oaxaca. The large old trees have burst into bloom, staining the perfectly clear blue sky with bright patches of pinks and yellows. The marimba sound is wafting out onto this completely pedestrian square, and it just may be the most perfect place in the world to people watch. I’m here just for a few days to set things up for a group from Nebraska arriving in May. They will be here for two full weeks, and I’m envious just thinking about everything which awaits them. This is an amazing part of Mexico in which to study, and it’s no wonder that it’s one of Mexico’s most popular destinations for people in the know.
It’s been several years since I’ve been here, and on that occasion I was fortunate enough to attend a wedding in the exquisite Santo Domingo Church, with a reception following at the Camino Real Convento. It was the most remarkable wedding and reception venues I have ever experienced. Because of the wedding activities I didn’t have
much time on that date just to roam the streets, so I’m making up for it
now. Oaxaca City(simply called Oaxaca) is a superb town for walking – wide sidewalks, flat stone paved streets, and no hills. You just get to visually enjoy the mountain views at the end of many streets. Quite impressive is the spiffying up and makeover of the downtown streets, all in preparation for this year’s Mexico Bicentennial 2010 (200 year anniversary of independence from Spain and 100 year anniversary of the Mexican Revolution).
I stroll over to the Centro Cultural which is located inside the Santo Domingo convent, a 16th century one built by the Dominicans. The award winning restoration project has much to admire, and I adore looking out the arched windows at the cacti botanical extravaganza just behind the convent. The contents of Tomb VII of the Monte Alban archaeological site are inside, and the pieces take my breath away every time. Most tombs in Mexico had only everyday objects in them, but these are abundant and exquisitely worked pieces of gold and stones such as jade, coral and pearls. It is so emotional to walk the structures of Monte Alban and then come here to see what lay beneath.
Just outside Santo Domingo there are so many stores that it is dizzying. They are all filled with great handmade rugs (my companion gifts me one for my birthday!), the carved wooden fantastical figures known as alebrijes, lovely hand embroidered clothing, and just a beautiful riot of the creative arts. It must be the most fun place to locate goodies in all of Mexico. And the employees everywhere have that typical Oaxacan personality – laid back, gentle, helpful…just nice. I think Oaxaca (Wahaca) Warmth would be a good way to describe it.
My time here is running out, and I think about all the things in store for the Nebraska Nice people! They will trek to other archaeological sites such as Mitla, drop in to a project for street children, see a 2,000 year old Tule tree, see all the artisan villages and enter the homes of well known artisans, then even enjoy a weekend in the spectacular mountains outside the city. I’m turning jade green with envy. Oaxaca is simply too wonderful a place for only a few days. It has too many of those breath taking moments to savor. And it’s a perfect place to study Spanish!
Language Link's Latest
We're not there yet, but we often have waiting lists at some schools for summer study. Don't delay, please. Make your reservation early so that we can ensure you get the date of your choice.
We can't see upcoming summer vacations without thinking of all the entire families who have studied with Language Link. Many repeat the experience in a different country each vacation. It can be a life changing experience, and what a wonderful time the whole family has! Many of our programs are suitable for all ages, and the included thrills will fill your memory books. Please contact us to learn about the possibility. And don't forget about college credit available for your university student!
And if you want to escape the heat of summer, think below the equator for reversed winters - Argentina? Chile? Peru? They're all waiting with cooler climes. Many of our other locations are cooler in summer than some U.S. cities due to their mountain altitudes.
Our contest for two gratis weeks of Spanish and homestay in Antigua, Guatemala, continues. Enter through our website contest box. Our latest winner recently claimed her prize to Cuernavaca and also enjoyed a gratis dinner at famed El Madrigal.
We are answering many phone calls and emails asking about safety to venture into Mexico. The following are quotes from a respected columnist on Latin America, and we think he says it quite well.Yes, violencia in Mexico rising -- but it's less than in Washington D.C.
By Andres Oppenheimer
Many of you have written to me wondering whether it is safe to go to Mexico. The answer is: If you are courageous enough to go to to Washington, D.C., you can safely go to most parts of Mexico.
Despite the escalation of narco-related violencia in several Mexican cities, a dispassionate look at Mexico's homicide rates shows that some parts of the country are indeed dangerous, but the country as a whole is safer than what the latest headlines suggest.
Comparatively, while the United States homicide rate is lower than Mexico's, Washington, D.C., has a homicide rate of 31 people per 100,000 inhabitants.
``Violencia in Mexico is concentrated in a few cities, mainly in Sinaloa, Chihuahua and Baja California,'' Casas Zamora told me. ``In Ciudad Juárez, it's out of control. But in the country as a whole, it doesn't come even close to Washington, D.C.'s.''
My opinion: Mexico is facing a dangerous rise in violencia, and I would not advise you to book your next vacation in Ciudad Juárez or any other place where the narco-related killings are taking place.
But Mexico is a huge country. To say that it's unsafe to go to Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta or Cancún -- or that you wouldn't allow your children to go for spring break in that country, as Fox News' right-wing Bill O'Reilly said last year -- is as irresponsible as saying that it's unsafe to go to some of the biggest U.S. cities.
The State Department's alert, while correctly pointing out that the violencia is concentrated in some Mexican states, should have put Mexico's national figures in perspective. It wouldn't be a bad idea if, from now on, it compared them with other countries' homicide rates, and with that of its own home city -- Washington, D.C.
(Oppenheimer’s columns can be found on the Miami Herald website.)
Likeable Links
http://www.visitmexico.com/wb/Visitmexico/Visi_Estado_Oaxaca
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oaxaca
http://www.monte-alban.com/index.htm - a site about Monte Alban with explanation of Tomb VII
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alebrije - comprehensive explanation of alebrije wood carvings
We hope you enjoyed our news. Please drop in on us at www.langlink.com. Call us at 800.552.2051, Central Standard Time 9:00 - 5:00
Meredith Butler, Director U.S. Office / Kay Godfrey, Director Latin America Office, 2008 W. Kellogg Ave., Peoria IL 61604
Worldwide 309.673.9220, No Toll 800.552.2051, info@langlink.com, www.langlink.com
¡Hasta luego!
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