July, 2010

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A new side to Salamanca!

Monday, July 12th, 2010

Salamanca is an incredibly popular choice for students wanting to study Spanish in Spain – the thriving university atmosphere (Salamanca is home to Spain’s oldest university), the beautiful architecture (two cathedrals, a Roman bridge, the stunning Casa de Las Conchas), the buzzing life 24/7 (Spain’s party doesn’t start until at least midnight!)…Furthermore, now the weather’s hot, students here are able to take advantage of the outdoor swimming pools, of which there are several throughout the city, and spend the day there.

A brave jump!

However, what is less known about Salamanca is the wonderful opportunities available to enjoy nature along the small towns running along the River as it leaves the city, examples being La Alberca (a favourite with Mester students and Salmantinos alike), San Martín del Castañar (where American teacher Smokey enjoyed a trip with his group just recently) and Las Batuecas.

Enjoying the water

In these zones, given the good summer Spain’s enjoying (as always!), students can take advantage to have a dip in the water, sunbathe, relax, picnic and take some great photos (those which Smokey took of his group in San Martín del Castañar are especially impressive, check them out on our Facebook group!).

It’s a nice chance to escape the city, see something different and pass a slow afternoon.  None of the villages or towns being far away, they are easily reachable with a hire care on on a Mester trip, organised as part of the popular activity programme which the school runs to complement its Spanish classes.

Fun on the river

These trips and excursion are great way to see a side of Spain which isn’t as known as the famous Costa del Sol and islands.  It’s also a great way for groups to bond, make contacts for the future and consolidate the Spanish they’ve learn on their course in a relaxed, social atmosphere.

The Mester activity really is a complete one, with trips to the surrounding villages throughout summer, as well as visits to the Portuguese beach of Aveiro.

Enjoying the Spanish sun

Consider a trip to Salamanca, you won’t have a chance to be bored and you’ll keep the Spanish you learn for life! A perfect holiday!

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Teaching Spanish as a foreign language – conference in Salamanca!

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

Through the Comunidad ELE, a very special event is coming to Salamanca from 30 June to 2 July, continuing from the conference about the Value of Language which was celebrated in 2008.  The event will bring together Spanish as a foreign language teachers from all over the world.

The programme for Spanish teachers

It’s a push to promote the teaching of Spanish from the Junta de Castilla y Leon and they’ve taken on many important people from the world of teaching to help them out.

The Spanish teachers coming to the event, which will take place in Palacio de Congresos, will not only get the chance to hear some great speeches and learn about what’s new in their professional world, but will also have the chance to explore and get to know Salamanca, a beautiful, historic city of Castilla y Leon, famous for it’s Spanish courses thanks to the lively student atmosphere, elegantly accented spoken Spanish and an impressive cultural history.

Spanish Academy Mester have a stand and are present at the conference, promoting Spanish in the USA as well as the new technologies in education, something in which the school has made great investment, putting digital boards in the class rooms and installing computer labs for their students.

An example of the day's plans

Details started falling into place on 28th April when the organisers met to discuss how to make the event a successful as it is set to be.  Amongst others, at this meeting  representatives of the Instituto Cervantes, SOTUR, the University of Salamanca, Travel and Education and Mester were present.

Taking complete advantage of the advanced resources of the Palacio de Congresos in Salamanca, the conference will comprise 32 stands of editorials, universities, Spanish schools and Spanish institutions.  Ready to attend the event, over 600  Spanish as a foreign language teachers will be  present, making it the biggest European meeting of its kind.

Speakers include Robert J Blake, an American university professor from Texas who has worked with Mester and the online Spanish course Tesoros and currently works as an organiser for the Universities of California.  Furthermore, he’s just published the book “Brave New Digital Classroom”, showing that he, too, appreciates the value of technology when teaching.

Other prominent speakers will be Prof. Alfredo Miguel from Colegio Unamuno, Patrizia D’Adamo Roldan from Travel and Education and Emilio Prieto de los Mozos, from the University of Salamanca.

So on seeing just how important Spanish is becoming, why not look into a course today?


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