Category: High School Spanish
Saber vs. Conocer – they both mean “to know” in Spanish?
Did you know…there are two verbs in Spanish to express what you or someone knows. Saber versus Conocer. Do you know when to use each one? These verbs are not interchangeable – their use depends on the context. Do you know which verb to use in the following sentences? Saber or Conocer? So how did…
It’s over, finished, ruined or I just did that! Acabar is the Spanish verb you need!
Have you ever gotten stuck trying to express sentences like these in Spanish…? Acabar is the verb you are looking for! Acabar can be a tricky verb – it has subtle differences depending on how you use it. You can use it with prepositions, reflexively or all by itself and its meaning changes. If you’ve…
How to say something or someone is lacking or missing in Spanish: 5 Uses of the Spanish Verb Faltar
Do you find yourself wondering how to express that something is lacking or missing in Spanish? The verb faltar might be the perfect solution for you. Do you ever find yourself wanting to say things like… The verb faltar might seem complicated at first as it has an array of meanings depending on how you…
Las Posadas: Tradición de la Navidad
Different Christmas Traditions: Las Posadas December 16th marks the beginning of Las Posadas, a Christmas tradition that originated in Spain and is now celebrated throughout Latin America. This tradition consists of 9 consecutive nights of candlelight processions re-enacting Mary and Joseph’s search for lodging in Bethlehem. This celebration is full of symbolism beginning with 9…
Is the Earth Round?
I will never forget my first flight into a foreign country. As I leaned against the window, our plane descended into the Lima airport, the sun was just beginning to poke through the horizon. I gasped as I saw the curve of the earth. For the first time I knew the earth was round, not…
Tell me how to give commands in Spanish!
Tell me how to give commands in Spanish! Raise your hand! Don’t eat that! We give commands and instructions everyday…so how do I give commands in Spanish? Read these instructions carefully! Whether you are a teacher instructing students, a doctor instructing a patient, or a big brother bossing your little sister, it is important that…
5 Simple Tips to Impress Your Spanish Teacher
How can you get your Spanish Teacher on your Side? We meet hundreds, maybe thousands, of Spanish teachers every year through our language training and Spanish immersion business. By and large they are a decent crew of people. Maybe we’re biased (because we’re Spanish teachers too) – but I don’t think so. Of course you…
Spanish Help: 4 Strategies for Success in Spanish Class
You know your student needs Spanish help – but you’re not quite sure how to help them….What can you do? Helping your student be successful in Spanish class is just like anything else, there are probably things you can do as a parent (or student) to improve before you look for formal Spanish help. Keep…
6 Easy Steps to Improve your Spanish Grade
Are you struggling to thrive in your Spanish class like you do in others? There are several things you can to do help improve your Spanish grade – keep reading! Disclaimer: If you’re a difficult student you’ve got an uphill battle to try and improve your Spanish grade. You know you’re a difficult student if:…
Spanish Comes Alive on Spanish Immersion Trips to Costa Rica
Classroom Spanish comes alive when you give your students real Spanish opportunities. Spanish Immersion trips to Costa Rica: we deliver communication skills for the future! Do your Spanish students know how to communicate out of the classroom and in real life? Give them the opportunity to acquire Spanish while living and experiencing language and culture…
3 Christmas Traditions from Central & South America
And you thought that Christmas and Navidad were basically the same thing! A large majority of the Spanish-speaking population around the world celebrates Navidad (in lieu of Hanukkah or Kwanzaa) – but for many it is a very different celebration that what you might expect. It turns out that your Christmas traditions might be more culture-specific than…
Online Spanish Tutors
Our online Spanish tutors are ready to work with you! Common Ground International has recently invested in an online Spanish tutoring system to provide extra contact time with professional Spanish instructors from Central America. The benefits are obvious: Convenience: You don’t need to drive anywhere No one has to come into your home You can…
2 Effective Tips for How to Study Spanish (and really learn it!)
Two easy tips for how to study Spanish! Almost all Spanish tests, when you break them down to their most basic components, are a combination of vocabulary and grammar. If you can make sure that you know well and can confidently use the vocabulary and grammar that will be covered on the test, you will…
Spanish Research & Presentation Topics
Need some interesting, relevant Spanish class presentation topics? Let us help you get started with unas ideas: Light Topics: Common Slang Expressions Every day you say things that don’t translate well, they are the things that come out totally wrong when you run them through Google Translate or another online translation tool. “Sick” and “Phat”…
Day of the Dead: An old tradition updated
Day of the Dead: A Tradition of Celebrating Deceased Loved Ones The Day of the Dead (celebrated Oct. 31 – Nov. 2) is one of the most colorful and meaningful Mexican & Central American traditions. It’s an opportunity for people to honor and celebrate the lives of their deceased loved ones, and comes laden with…
Top 5 ways to prepare for study abroad in Latin America
I’m going to study abroad in Latin America! What now? Once you’ve made the decision to study abroad, what you do in the months leading up to your departure can make a huge difference in the kind of experience you have. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your program:…
Out of the classroom and into the world: Formal Spanish greetings
Formal Spanish Greetings- Getting Started Whether you’re traveling to Costa Rica with us this summer or working with Latinos in your own community, properly greeting and conversing with the people you meet is crucial to getting off on the right foot. We’ve talked about the importance of greetings in Latin culture, but it’s also important…
Beyond Hola: Spanish Greetings in Costa Rica (and beyond)
Informal Spanish greetings If you’re traveling to Costa Rica with Common Ground this spring or summer, you’ll be greeted a lot of different ways by Ticos (Costa Ricans). Greeting people is extremely important in Latin culture – you’ll do it dozens of times a day – so you’ll want to diversify your repertoire. Here’s some…
Ok, so I take another grammar quiz…then what? Tips for aspiring bilingual students
What’s in store for High School Spanish students who stick with the language…stay on that path bilingual students! Start studying Spanish in high school – and stick with it – and you’ll have an edge that will last a lifetime. Here’s a little taste of the advantages that aspiring bilingual students will encounter, in the…
Saying “for” en Español: Por vs. Para
If you’ve ever had trouble saying “for” in Spanish, you’re not alone! Let’s talk about por vs. para: The key to understanding por vs. para is to think of the meaning you want to convey. If I use a phrase such as “three for a dollar” in English, the “for” has a different meaning than…
Day of the Dead – What is that?
Day of the Dead- A celebration of loved ones who have passed on The Day of the Dead, El día de los muertos, is one of Mexico’s most important holidays. It spans three days, from October 31 to November 2, and is a time to remember loved ones now gone. Families prepare favorite foods of…
Texting in Spanish…Ayuda! Cómo se dice LOL?
Abbreviations for texting in Spanish Ever wonder how to spice up your text messages with some Spanish abbreviations? Here are a few to help you stay on the cutting edge of texting in Spanish. tas OK? = ¿Estás bien? — Are you OK? k/q = que, qué — that, what por ejemplo: ¿k pasa? –…
