The title of this fantastic song by Paco de Lucia, a Spanish master of the guitar, literally means: “in between of two waters”. We hope you enjoy it and helps you to start the weekend in a good mood despite the weather in Scotland!
Knowing more than one language is great for your brain. But what’s the best way to learn? TED’s Open Translation Project volunteers share 7 tips:
1. Get real. Decide on a simple, attainable goal to start with so that you don’t feel overwhelmed.
2. Make language-learning a lifestyle change. […] Find a language habit that you can follow even when you’re tired, sick or madly in love.
3. Play house with the language. The more you invite a foreign language into your daily life, the more your brain will consider it something worth remembering.
4. Let technology help you out. […] “A funny thing like resetting the language on your phone can help you learn new words right away,” […] Duolinguo for its approach to grammar…
5. Think about language-learning as a gateway to new experiences. […] Think of fun things that you wanted to do anyway, and make them into a language-learning opportunity.
6. Make new friends. Interacting in the new language is key — Find native speakers near you. Or search for foreign penpals or set up a language tandem online, where two volunteers help one another practice their respective languages.
7. Do not worry about making mistakes. Native speaker will appreciate your effort and even help you. And be patient. The more you speak, the closer you’ll get to the elusive ideal of “native-like fluency.” And to talking to people your own age.
We hope this may be useful, and we assure that all these tips are truly helpful, sowhy don´t you start applying some of them?
For reading the whole article in the TED-Ed Blog, click here.
So you have always had the intention to learn a foreign language but never quite got around to doing it? Well, you know what they say; it is never too late to start something new! Here are 8 impressive reasons as to why mastering a foreign language really would change your life…
1. Cognitive benefits
Our brain is like a muscle. In order to strengthen it, we need to exercise it. Learning a foreign language is an excellent mental exercise, because it allows us to think in a different way. Through learning a language, you learn new vocabulary and new grammatical structures. This in turn has been shown to greatly improve problem-solving skills, decision-making skills and overall memory. So if you want a sharper than Inception memory, learning a language is the way to go!
2. Social benefits
Learning a language reaps many rewards socially. If you sign up to a language course, you will integrate with like-minded people who have the same interest as you i.e. a shared passion for a foreign language. This environment is the perfect place to practice and show off your fancy new lingo skills with your new social circle. Over time, speaking in a different language not only enhances your communication skills but it also boosts your confidence. Amazing!
3. Experience a new culture
Any language you decide to learn automatically gives you access to its culture and history. For example, I am a speaker of German, and I have learnt all about Germany’s traditional Weihnachtsmärkte (Christmas markets). The best- and arguably most appealing- aspect of a language is learning about the food & drink culture. If you go abroad, use your practiced-to-death menu knowledge, so that you can order confidently and sophisticatedly. If you are going to Spain, order some Paella and Sangria. If you are going to Germany, order Currywurst and Glühwein. Whichever country in the world you decide to go to, try out the country’s signature dishes and beverages, in true traditional fashion.
4. Career Prospects
Many of us are perpetually asked by relatives, friends, even strangers “…and what do you want to do after uni?”, to which we often reply “I’m not sure yet!” and swiftly divert the topic. You will be glad to hear that speaking another language is hugely valued in all fields of work. This is a highly valued asset to any employer, particularly international companies. Knowing another language opens up many doors – including doors abroad!
Continue reading… Eight Reasons Why You Should Really Learn a Language | Alexia Cowley.
This 4 week free course of Cultural Studies and Modern Languages – University of Bristol starts on the 22nd of February and may be of interest for both, students or parents.
This webpage – Future Learn – collaborates with many universities and hosts lots of very interesting and useful courses.
Have a look and challenge yourself to learn new things!
Although the pupils have already been personally informed of this information, here are the dates of the Higer Spanish Prelim exams:
Monday 1 February – Periods 5 & 6 – Spanish: Higher (Reading & Directed Writing)
Tuesday 2 February – Periods 5 & 6 – Spanish: Higher (Reading & Directed Writing)
Thursday 4 February – Periods 5 & 6 – Spanish: Higher (Listening & Short Writing)
Friday 5 February – Periods 3 & 4 – Spanish: Higher (Listening & Short Writing)
Although the pupils have already been personally informed of this information, here are the dates of the National 5 Spanish Prelim exams:
Monday 18 January – Period 6 – Spanish: Reading (Mrs Dolan/ Ms Prieto / Ms Carreño)
Tuesday 19 January – Period 5 – Spanish: Reading (Mrs Fagan)
Wednesday 20 January – Period 4 – Spanish: Reading (Mrs Dolan/ Ms Prieto / Ms Carreño)
Wednesday 20 January – Period 5 – Spanish Reading (Mrs Fagan)
Thursday 21 January – Period 4 – Spanish: Writing (Mrs Fagan)
Thursday 21 January – Period 6 – Spanish: Writing (Mrs Dolan / Ms Prieto / Ms Carreño)
Friday 22 January – Period 1 – Spanish: Listening (Mrs Dolan / Ms Prieto / Ms Carreño)
Friday 22 January – Period 4 – Spanish: Listening (Mrs Fagan)
11 January 2016 (TES)
Parents should consider sending their child on a school foreign exchange rather than spending money on a week in Majorca, a headteacher has suggested.
Young people are likely to learn more on a cultural break in a city such as Madrid or Barcelona than they are sitting on a beach, according to Caroline Jordan, headmistress of Headington School in Oxford and the new president of the Girls’ Schools Association.
Setting up a foreign exchange for students did not have to be expensive, Ms Jordan said.
“It’s trying to convince the parents that that’s good use of their finances as opposed to a foreign holiday to Majorca, where they may well be in a Spanish environment but they’re less likely to be experiencing Spanish as they would be if they were in somewhere like Madrid or Barcelona on exchange,” she said.
“Exchange is very important and we know that languages is a real area of concern in this country. The government is doing quite a lot about this by trying to encourage all children to take a language through the English Baccalaureate.”
A powerful curated selection of short films, all with English subtitles, as well as networking breaks for the enjoyment of both the Ibero-American community and cinema lovers alike.
CinemaAttic’s focus this month is on the consequences of overlooking. Fear in its broadest sense tends to allow people in more or less explicit ways to hide feelings and secrets. The resulting frustration gives us a cocktail of stories moving from thrills to laughter. Argentina, Mexico and Colombia contribute to this winter programme, as well as the work of some of great masters like the Alenda Brothers, Toni Bestard and Eduardo Chapero-Jackson, giving you nothing but the best short film selections coming from Spanish and Lusophone countries.
Follow the link to see the original websiteCCA.
From the Modern Languages Department we wish you a very happy new year. We hope this 2016 our students will continue learning languages and enjoying new cultures.
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