A BIT ABOUT THE COUNTRY…

• Language

Although Venezuela is mainly monolingual, there are approximately thirty other languages spoken in the country. Immigrants speak their own languages and there are large communities of Portuguese and German people too. English is the most widely spoken foreign language and there are a number of private Italian institutions. Other languages spoken my large areas of people are Chinese and Galician.

• Miss Venezuela

Dayana Mendoza won the title of Miss Venezuela 2007 and Miss Universe 2008. Mendoza had to outshine 27 other contestants in order to win Miss Venezuela on the 13^th September 2007 and on the 13^th July 2008, she was crowned Miss Universe at a pageant in Vietnam. Mendoza was the first Venezuelan woman to win the pageant since Alicia Machado in 1996. The 2007 winner crowned Miss Mendoza with a tiara, $120,000 worth of prize money, world travel, a luxury New York City apartment and a lot of designer dresses, shoes and beauty products. Mendoza was a contestant on the 2012 season of Celebrity Apprentice.

• Biodiversity

Venezuela is one of 17 Mega Diverse Countries. These are a group of countries considered to be extremely bio-diverse since they accommodate most of the world’s species. Venezuelan animals include anteaters and jaguars, dolphins and crocodiles. The latter have been reported to reach up to 22 feet in length (that’s almost 7 meters!) Venezuela is home to almost 1500 different species of bird including kingfishers and ospreys (fish-eating birds of prey).

WHY STUDY SPANISH IN VENEZUELA?

Over the years, Venezuela has transformed into a popular learning destination and it’s hardly surprising… with its lively, spirited people, beautiful scenery and delicious food – what’s not to like about this country? If you are interested in studying in South America, then you should know that Venezuela offers some of the lowest accommodation and course fees on the continent.

Venezuela attracts tourists from Germany, Italy, Spain and North America with its year-round tropical climate. Approximately half of the country is covered by rainforest. Venezuela has numerous paradisiacal islands located along its coastline. Additionally, the country boasts 35 National Parks and Angel Falls (the highest waterfall in the world).

CARACAS

Santiago de León de Caracas in Venezuela was founded in the 16^th century. Surrounded by forested uplands, the city of Caracas is located under the Avila (a 7800 foot mountain). The Humboldt Hotel is located on top of the Avila and can be reached by cable car. This is a popular activity for tourists because of the stunning views from the top and the cool breeze offered by the swift ride. If you’re the adventurous type, then you can dedicate 3 or 4 hours to climbing up the mountain and then return by cable car. Caracas is the largest, most highly populated zone in Venezuela. Additionally, it is the capital city with many restaurants, theatres, museums and shopping centers. In Caracas, the majority of the city revolves around the Plaza Bolivar, named after Simon Bolivar, a Venezuelan military and political leader.

The major airport of all Venezuela is located in Caracas. The airport is named after Simon Bolivar and offers the only route into Venezuela from abroad. The rest of Venezuela is connected by buses and trains. No trip to Caracas would be complete without sampling the local cuisine. The capital city of Venezuela is famous for a savory snack called Reina Pepiada which consists of a corn meal bun filled with avocado, chicken, mayonnaise and spring onions. Pabellon Criollo is another Caracas classic. It comprises a plate of shredded beef with a fried egg on top, served with white rice and a black bean stew.

Gaucho is a Spanish term used in reference to the men who worked with the cattle in Uruguay and Argentina. Gaucho may be roughly translated as Cowboy. At one time, Gauchos made up the majority of the rural population in Uruguay. Although the origin of the word is not known for sure, it is thought that it may have evolved from either of the following South American words: Huachu (orphan) or Cauchu (Vagabond). Either of these words would fit in well with the transient, lonely life of many Gauchos. During the 18^th and 19^th centuries, the Uruguayan Gauchos drifted from one ranch to another, herding cattle, never staying still for long. However, they spent some time in the fertile lowlands of South America known as the Pampas that extend from Patagonia to Uruguay. An explorer called Juan de Garav bought cows from Paraguay during the late 16^th century. By the 1700’s, the wild cattle had begun to roam the countryside and men called Gauderios made their living by hunting and herding cows.

In the late 1700’s, Cattle Ranching achieved commercial status and the Uruguayan Gauchos were officially recognized. The majority of Gauchos were called Mestizos because they were descended from a mixture of Spanish, Portuguese and Native American ancestors. Others were a mix of black and white ancestry, for this reason, they were called Mulatos. The gaucho image is seen as symbolic of the regions of Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. Gauchos are seen to be quiet, proud and honest people and many people of Uruguay see these men as their heroes. Writers have used the image of the gaucho in the past to personify the fight against corruption. Gauchos are also seen as courageous with a tendency to lose their temper and be violent when provoked. They carried a large knife known as fácon which they used for eating as well as violent confrontation. Like cowboys, gauchos were and still are great horse riders. More often that not, a gaucho’s horse represented all he had in the world.

The gaucho diet was composed almost entirely of wild cattle that they caught and slaughtered themselves. Yerba Mate is a species of holly native to Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay and the source of the mate beverage. Argentinean food today is still heavily influenced by the simple recipes of the gauchos. For example, the word gaucho is often used in reference to a special steak sauce. Gauchos wore loose fitting trousers known as bombachas and heavy wool ponchos to protect them from the cold in the wintertime. In terms of weaponry, besides a knife, gauchos carried a leather whip. The gauchos popularized clothing such as hats, berets, ponchos and Gaucho Pants (high-waisted trousers with a hem that fell just below the kneecap). Uruguayan people pay tribute to the Gauchos once a year at the annual Gaucho Festival. The event involves a number of contests including horseback riding and Calf Roping. The latter is an event featuring a horse rider and a calf. First lasso the calf, then jump down and tie three of the calf’s legs together as quickly as possible in order to win the game.

Amerispan is offering you the once in a lifetime opportunity to study Spanish in San Juan, the second oldest city in the Americas and the capital city of Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is a small Caribbean island (only 100 miles long by 35 miles wide), characterized by sparkling white, sandy beaches, tropical rainforests and long coastal plains. Puerto Rico’s four major exports are coffee, sugar, tobacco and tropical fruits. Of all the economies in Latin America, Puerto Rico’s is the most stable. San Juan’s tourism industry is booming as a result of, beautiful beaches, a vibrant array of nightlife and entertainment choices and an average annual temperature of 26°C.

The Spanish School in San Juan is located in the business district of Hato Rey. The school is air-conditioned throughout with a computer room and free Wi-Fi access. There are bus stops and train stations within a short-walking distance of the school so downtown San Juan is easily accessible. The school is situated within close-proximity to a warm sandy beach, the perfect place to watch a sunset with new friends.

Class size never exceeds 8 students per teacher to enable a personal learning experience. Teachers are native speakers and experienced in the field of teaching Spanish as a foreign language. There is 3 hours worth of classes each day, so students have plenty of free time to explore the magnificent and unique island of Puerto Rico. The school organizes a guided tour of the city to enable the new arrivals to familiarize themselves with essential amenities such as supermarkets, restaurants, banks, doctors etc. The school also organizes activities for the students to get to know each other, a great opportunity to make friends from other cultures. Optional added extras include: a pick-up service from San Juan International Airport, one-to-one language lessons and weekend breaks to places of interest. 

Summer is a lovely time to visit St. Petersburg in Russia. Some people call it the “Venice of the North” due to its network of canals. Arguably, the best time to visit is in May/June before the tourists start pouring in. Besides being busy, the months of July and August tend to be the wettest. Having said that, the weather in St Petersburg tends to be varied, combining elements from all four seasons: even in May/June, many wise locals still carry their umbrellas. Don’t let the temperamental weather put you off though, St Petersburg is home to the Hermitage, the oldest and largest museum in the world, which is a great rainy day activity. Its complete art collection (comprised of 3 million pieces) is displayed in a number of historic buildings along the river including the Winter Palace, a former home of the emperors of Russia.

The city maintains a certain level of humidity at all times due to its location on the Baltic Sea. High winds are not uncommon either. Not to worry though: the warmth of the St Petersburg people more than makes up for the lukewarm temperatures outside. On another positive note, a day in St Petersburg during the summertime is virtually everlasting as night hardly falls. During the seemingly ceaseless days, known locally as White Nights, a warm glow transcends upon the city energizing the people with a zeal and zest for life. The White Nights festival is renowned as one of the best classical music festivals in the world. If you are among the millions of people worldwide who suffer from the “winter blues”, a trip to St Petersburg may be just what the doctor ordered.

Although experts are not sure what the causes of the disorder are, they believe that a lack of sunlight has something to do with it. Insufficient sunshine has been scientifically proven to reduce serotonin levels in the brain, a chemical thought to be a contributor to feelings of happiness and well-being. If you are planning a visit to St Petersburg in the summertime, it is necessary to book flights and accommodation in advance given that this is by far the busiest time of year tourist-wise. Plenty of low-priced activities such as picnicking in the park or engaging in a white night walk mean that St Petersburg isn’t an expensive place to visit. However, as mentioned above, the months of July and August can be extremely busy. Therefore, if you are hoping to take part in some slightly more sophisticated activity such as the ballet at Mariinsky Theatre or a guided tour of the Hermitage, you must be prepared to deal with crowds. 

Spring or autumn would be the optimum time to visit for culturally minded visitors given that most museums close from the end of June onwards. As cultural season draws to a close, the festival season begins with the White Nights festival running from May to June. The International Music Olympus Festival takes place simultaneously, providing young musicians with unique opportunities to perform alongside big name bands and artists. The famous Peterhof fountains, comprised of over 200 bronze statues, are turned on at the beginning of June. They are one of St Petersburg’s main tourist attractions, drawing millions of visitors annually. At the end of July, there is nothing of particular interest going on since the majority of the locals tend to leave for their holidays. It may be advised to dress conservatively when visiting St Petersburg in the summertime, avoiding shorts and skimpy t-shirts. If not, you will a) be eaten alive by mosquitoes and b) mark yourself out as a tourist.

Brazilian and European Portuguese are quite different, from spelling and grammar to terminology and tenses (past, present, future). Very often, the word choice of a Brazilian would sound funny to a European. Similarly, in Portugal, Brazilian Portuguese would carry a lot of errors. A Brazilian can read a European book fairly easily. Equally, a Brazilian would be able to listen to European radio or watch European television. However, there are certain differences regarding spelling and word meaning which make Brazilian and European Portuguese incontestably different. Some of these differences are explored below…

Spelling Differences…

1.    Some European Portuguese words such as ato (action/deed), exceto (except), ótimo (great) are spelt slightly differently in Brazilian Portuguese:  acto, excepto, óptimo. In other words, the Portuguese spelling retains some consonants that have been eliminated from the European language form.

2.    Certain Portuguese words are spelt using open vowels by Europeans (á, é, ó) and close vowels by Brazilians (â, ê, ô). The simplest definitions of open and close vowels are as follows: during the articulation of an open vowel, the tongue is far from the roof of the mouth whereas the tongue is positioned high in the mouth during the enunciation of a close vowel.

3.    The Brazilians distinguish between the spelling an open diphthong (éi) and a closed diphthong (ei). The Portuguese however, do not make this distinction given that both diphtongs are pronounced in the same way. A diphthong is a single syllable, made up of one or more vowels, in which there is a noticeable sound change. Another name for a diphthong is a gliding vowel since gliding is the word used to describe the action of moving from one vowel to another. As you say the words flat and chip, you can hear that each word only contains one kind of vowel sound. However, as you say the words cruel, blouse and foil, you can hear that each word contains two different kinds of vowel sound, even though those vowel sounds are restricted to one syllable.

Word Meaning…

Certain European Portuguese words mean something totally different in Brazilian Portuguese:

1.    RAPARIGA: in Portugal, Rapariga is an innocent term meaning young woman or girl; however in Brazil Rapariga is an offensive word meaning slut or whore.

2.    GAROTO: in Portugal, Garoto is a term used to describe coffee with milk; however in Brazil Garoto means boy. 

3.    FATO: in Portugal, Fato means suit or clothing; whereas in Brazil Fato is an event or an occurrence.

4.    APELIDO: in Portugal, the word apelido means surname; whereas in Brazil it means nickname.

A couple of other differences…

1.    Days of the week and months of the year are written using a capital letter at the front in European Portuguese but a small letter in Brazilian Portuguese.

2.    A few words (particularly clothes) are plural in European Portuguese and singular in Brazilian Portuguese e.g. calças  calça, (trousers), sapatos  sapato (shoes).

In conclusion, there are enough differences between Brazilian and European Portuguese to say that they are not exactly the same language. However, they are clearly similar enough that Brazilian and European Portuguese people could converse relatively easily.

Amerispan, being one of the leading agencies in North America, has helped the students with great experience in study abroad education for almost 20 years. This year, we  are proud to receive “Star Agency North America” award for the fourth year in a row. The awards, which are held by the acclaimed Study Travel magazine, are honorable for the actors in this industry to keep the quality in study abroad education and value the work of the companies.

Learning a language can take a lifetime or you can start speaking with an incredible pace. All depends on the willingness of the student and selecting the right elements.

During this selection process, our counselors are the chief guides to assist the students for choosing the right education type for their needs. We will offer the best available and realistic options among the many and make it easy to reach a conclusion in a short period of time. The quality of the language course is the most crucial feature for a student. The experience of the school, the educational materials they provide and the international credibility are the top three features for a successful study abroad experience.

The location is another important factor. You can learn a language in your home country yet can't be efficiently immersed and somehow acquired. If you really want to speak the language, you should stay/live in a native speaker atmosphere. Amerispan will give you all details about the climate, culture and socio-economic life of the countries. Since our counselors themselves have lived the study abroad experience before or at least they have the chance to check the schools, will serve as the most reliable source.

Students have chosen Amerispan, because they receive exactly what they look for. Keep that in mind that the choosing a good agency, is the first step of going into a wonderful study abroad life.

While in the USA we have been celebrating Halloween for years, in Latin America, it is just a new tradition that will need time to be acepted as a part of latin culture. Many latin holidays are based on the calendar and we present you some of the most popular ones:







On November 2nd, Mexico, like many Latin American countries celebrates the Day of the Dead. Latin American people believe that death is a transition from one life to another. Therefore, the Day of the Dead in Mexico is not a morbid affair, rather a happy and colorful celebration. Indigenous people believed that souls did not die, that they rested in a special place until the day they could return home to visit their relatives.

One of the main Latin American holidays which takes place in Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Venezuela and Uruguay is the festival of the “Virgen de la Candelaria”. It is celebrated every February 2^nd and involves a parade where dancers follow a statue of the Virgin Mary through the city. The dancers stop in front of the cathedral to be blessed and then continue on their parade meanwhile being cooled by people throwing water from their balconies.

Carnaval is a 4-day celebration that takes place in South America. Mardi-Gras or Fat Tuesday is always the 4^th day of carnival and refers to the entire period between Epiphany or Twelfth Night and Ash Wednesday. In southern Peru, it is traditional during Carnival for children to throw colored flour at each other. There are foam parties on the streets afterwards to wash away the flour. Many adults also get involved in this part of the celebration.

5^th May is an important date in the Mexican calendar as it commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Unsurprisingly, the town of Puebla celebrates this holiday more than anywhere else with Mexican food, drink and music on the streets. In most parts however, it is just a regional holiday.

15^th September marks the anniversary of independence for 5 Hispanic countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile achieved independence just days later. Chile celebrates Independence Day with month-long festivities whereas other countries plan their entertainment around harvest and the welcoming of spring.

The Snow Festival is a religious festival held annually in late May or early June in Peru. 30,000 pilgrims of different faiths come together to worship the water supplied by the ice capped mountains. The legend of “The Snow Lord” originates from an old folktale: a young shepherd, Mariano, makes friends with a mixed race boy, Manuel. Thanks to Manuel, Mariano's herd prospers. To say thank you, Mariano´s father wants to buy clothes for Manuel but doesn´t know what material Manuel likes against his skin. When Mariano and his father go to find Manuel to ask him, he is injured and Mariano dies of a broken heart and is buried under a rock. The Snow Festival consists of parades and dances in and around the “shrine” of the Mariano AKA “The Snow Lord”. Some pilgrims bring back blocks of ice from the festival because they are said to have healing properties.

If you are considering a study placement abroad to improve your Spanish, then look no further than Spain. With 10 vibrant cities to choose from, each with their own university, all you have to do is to decide where you want to go!

Below, we have listed the top 10 Spanish university cities, not according to the rank, but merely alphabetically so that nobody feels offended:

1. Barcelona

The other capital of Spain

Barcelona is the perfect city for anyone who wants to experience as much as possible in a short space of time and feels at home in big cities. There is nothing you cannot do in Barcelona! Also the university choice, both public and private, is very broad and covers all courses you can imagine. Some of the most popular places for students are without doubt the Ramblas, the Parque Guell and the Puerto Olímpico.

2. Granada

The city with two seasons

In comparison with the relatively small city of Granada, the university is one of the most important ones in whole Spain, ranking among the top schools in the country with a very international atmosphere. The city is populated by students who are hanging out in the inner city, enjoying the historic atmosphere and enjoying the free tapas. Granada also offers the strongest difference in temperatures: You can go skiing in Sierra Nevada just 40 minutes away and the same day enjoy a swim at the tropical coast of Salobreña, Motril and Almuñécar.

3. La Laguna

The Spanish city with a Caribbean touch

La Laguna, situated on Tenerife is possibly the most beautiful city to study in. The colonial streets invite students for relaxing walks along impressive monuments. La Laguna is a melting pot for students from all Spanish-speaking countries. The strong influence of the Caribbean brings about a much softer accent, more warm-heartedness and an affinity to the fiery rhythms of Salsa. If you are interested in spectacular nature then this island will impress you.

4. Madrid

Experience the whole of Spain in one city

Madrid is the heart of Spain, not only due to its central location, but also because of its many universities which attract students from all over the country. Madrid is without doubt the cultural, political and economic center of Spain, but still conserves the charm of a small town, where walking through the neighborhood is still a pleasurable experience. Almost everybody in Madrid comes from somewhere else meaning there is no caginess between natives and foreigners. This means that you will have no problem finding somebody to talk to in one of the charming cafés in the historical city center.

5. Malaga

The International fishing city

Malaga also offers some great study opportunities. All over the city can be seen the influence of former citizen of Malaga, Pablo Picasso. If you want to enjoy impressive views of the city then you should take a walk to the Arab fortress. At Malaga´s international fishing port you can eat fresh sea food and chat with the Malagueños. If you want to improve your Spanish a little, you can take Spanish classes in Marbella.

6. Pamplona

The city with two faces

Pamplona is not only famous for San Fermin, the bull run in the streets, but also for the University of Navarra offering one of the best private health centers in Spain. Furthermore, the city famously has the best gammon and the most delicious vegetables in all of Spain. The wine, like the people of Pamplona, is robust, aromatic and not easily forgettable.   

7. Salamanca

The city of time travel

Salamanca is arguably the most elegant and historic city in Spain.  The city is internationally renowned for Spanish studies due to the pure form of Spanish spoken there. The city has more to offer than Spanish lessons though! The museums, monuments and the cathedral make the city a cultural treasure. The numerous authentic bars in the inner city are a popular meeting place for international students to meet each other.

8. Santiago de Compostela

 The city of saints

Santiago is a very warm and welcoming city: from the musicality of the Galician language to friendly people who, due to their long history of migration, know exactly how to welcome foreigners. Santiago offers many different sights like the saint’s tomb, the jar of Ribeiro as well as the impressive university building.

9. Seville

The city of flamenco

Seville, with its warm winters, the delightful orange blossom that appears in springtime and the Feria in April are just a few of the many reasons to study Spanish in this city. Seville is well known for its long standing tradition of Flamenco. Seville is home to the biggest gothic cathedral in the world as well as the royal tobacco factory.

10. Valencia

AmeriSpan Study Abroad has recently received Language Travel Magazine’s 2012 award for “best agency in North America” for the fourth year in a row. After being named a finalist in 2008 and a winner every year since, Amerispan´s reputation now precedes it.

Whilst offering exceptional opportunities for students overseas, AmeriSpan also ensures to realistic with its students in terms of what they should expect. For example, they don´t only highlight the good points. Therefore, there are no surprises when students arrive at school in another country. This is possible because AmeriSpan representatives study overseas themselves so they have been in your shoes before! The Amerispan website is abundant with resources for students before they jet off such as videos and photos from a variety of destinations as well as feedback from students in previous years. 

AmeriSpan has evolved beyond recognition between 1993 when it sent its first student to Latin America and today when it has the capacity to send students to 15 different countries to choose from a variety of 45 languages! Who knows, in another twenty years, maybe AmeriSpan will have reached their goal of "Every Language, Every Culture, Everywhere".

What do you know about latin music? and about latin dance? Many offers are out there so we want to help you to make the best choice. Here you have a sort introduction about latin dance and music. And if you want to practice we recommend you do so in the country that these dances come from. Check this out: language and fun programs.

The term Latin American as used here encompasses the Americas south of the United States, as well as the entire Caribbean. Latin dance originated in Africa. Immigrants brought it to Latin America and then it interacted with local folk dance fusion.  Gradually it formed, as we often see today, the cha-cha, rumba, cowboy, samba, salsa and some other new dances. Shoulder, abdomen and waist movements contribute to the art of Latin dance. The most represented Latin dance is the rumba, which has become the most classic of all Latin American dances. It is known as "Latin Soul". Cha cha cha, originated in Mexico, follows a 4/4 beat, with a speed of about 31 sections per minute. Cha Cha Cha, an interesting music, with its strong sense of rhythm, is widely popular all over the world!

Samba, originated in Brazil, has a 4/4 beat or 2/4 beat, with a speed of about 51 sections per minute. Samba music is very warm and dynamic! Paso Doble originated in France and was developed in Spain. The music follows a 2/4 beat, at about 62 sections per minute. Paso majestic music, uninhibited and with a powerful pace, is an exciting style. Cowboy originated in the United States and evolved from a dance called "jitterbug". Salsa means sauce in Spanish and in this case the sauce can be hot and spicy! Like many dances, the creation of the dance followed the creation of the music. New Yorkers of Cuban and Puerto Rican ancestry are credited as the pioneers of Salsa music - a music that grew out of Mambo and Cuban Son roots. Some of the basic steps in Salsa dancing are from the Mambo basic. Salsa soon became popular in Puerto Rica, Cuba and Columbia. Simultaneously, the popularity of Salsa music and dance spread across North America and the West coast of North America, where they developed their own brand of Salsa dancing.

There are International Ballroom Competitions where dancers from around the world compete and there is an exclusive category called International Latin. Of these dances, the most popular Latin dance for competition is the Pase Doble. The Pase Doble is derived from the bullfights in Spain and in the dance the Man is the bullfighter and the woman is his cape. It has a kind of marching rhythm and is danced to traditional bull-fighting music - Espana Cani. Usually the dancers will wear a traditional Spanish costume for the woman and the bull-fighting costume for the man. It is a very exciting dance. You can imagine you are at a real bullfight when watching the dancers perform.

Another dance I want to talk about is the Merengue, which is a Latin dance of social style, originally from the Dominican Republic, often considered the National Dance of D.R. It was named after meringue, a dessert made from egg whites and sugar. Merengue's early years began in brothels and bars in the valley region around Santiago.  However, Latin dance, which also blends African and European traits, has been a great influence on popular music and dance around the world.

We’ve already heard it a million times before...and it´s true: Spanish is one of the most important languages in the world and it’s even on its way to be as well the most spoken language worldwide. In consideration of these facts, we are constrained to become aware of the diversity of the Spanish language, which is the mother-tongue of around 370 million inhabitants of almost all Latin American countries, Spain, the Caribbean islands and some parts of Africa.

If we regard the situation in Spain, we soon discover the huge range of predominant language varieties in this country. Beside the official language, el castellano or español, there actually exist 5 further co-official languages spoken in some of the Spanish autonomous communities. Hence, bilingualism is considered as normal and common practice of everyday life in some parts of Spain.

Taking on the other hand a look at the diversity concerning the Spanish language spoken in Latin America, it seems like entering in a new world of different conventional expressions in Spanish, vocalisms and phrases. The Latin American Spanish derives from the Spanish conqueror’s language, spread among the citizens of the so called “New World” from the 15th century onwards. Due to this influence, the Spanish language evolved in different ways, according to the cultural level of each Latin American region.

In general, we can distinguish between the linguistic features of the castellano spoken in Spain and the Spanish of Latin America. Especially in the field of translation it is usual to differentiate three types of Spanish language: Spanish of Spain, Spanish of Latin America and Neutral or Standard Spanish. Thus, the South Americans are rather used to the Indefinido to describe recent actions, while the Spaniards prefer the Pretérito Perfecto for this kind of purpose. In addition to the grammar facts, we notice a diversity regarding phonetic aspects, like accents and pronunciation of words. Furthermore, the vocabulary used in South America tends to be more archaistic than the Spanish in Spain, mostly due to the fact, that historical worlds were replaced by new expressions, which are more appropriate to the modern castellano of Spain.

Another significant difference between the two “Spanish Worlds” is the use of the 2^nd person plural (vosotros). This grammatical form doesn´t exist in Latin America and is therefore substituted by the 3^rd person plural (ustedes), without distinguishing between familiar and formal forms. Moreover, it’s very common in Latin America to use the so called voseo between family members (use of “vos” instead of “tu” and “ti”). As a consequence, it wouldn’t be surprising to hear a sentence like “vos te debés lavar mejor”.

In the presence of such diversity, it turns out to be really difficult for students to master the Spanish language and to know about all its particularities. The Spanish language school don Quijote offers Spanish classes in 12 cities all over Spain and disposes of several destinations in 10 Latin American countries. With don Quijote you’ll have the chance not only to increase your Spanish skills, but also to experience Spanish or Latin American culture and to get to know its tradition and lifestyle!

Watch the video: Qué difícil es hablar el español

So with the summer finally upon us, why not celebrate Spanish style! Spain is a great vacation destination at any time of year, but during the summer the paella, sangria and flamenco are accompanied by some of Spain´s best festivals! Here are some of the fiesta´s well worth checking out if you´re in Spain over the summer.

The San Fermin fiesta in Pamplona, Navarra is the most famous running of the bulls worldwide. In early July, this small city in northwest Spain lets a bulls out onto the street of a designated route for the typical enciero, and participants of age 18 and over run in the same direction as the bulls, and try not to get hurt! It´s actually not as dangerous as it sounds; there are a lot of safety precautions taken, such as the blockade of the chosen street, which has gaps large enough for a person to squeeze through, but too small for a bull. A definite for all true adrenaline junkies!

The Fiestas de la Virgen Blanca, Vitoria, Basque Country.  Every August, this normally tranquil city is home to a six day long non-stop party! Concerts, performances, processions, dancing and traditional Spanish bullfights all contribute to the fiesta, that is renowned for the amazing food and drink. La fiest de la Virgen Blanca (party of the white Virgin) is officially started by the mayor, when he lets off a firework. After this signal, Celedón, an effigy holding an umbrella, descends on wires from a church tower high above the main square, Plaza de la Virgen Blanca. And then the party carries on for nearly a week!

While you may have heard of Ascot or the Kentucky Derby, Andalucia in the south of Spain is home to horse racing as well. Races on the beach at Sanlucar de Barrameda, Andalucia is an annual event, which has been attracting visitors from all over the world since it began in 1845. The prizes for the winners are usually between 2 and 3 million Euros! For those not competing, there is a fantastic atmosphere, so much food and drink to try, as well as the beautiful Spanish coastline to enjoy.

The Basque country in the northwest of corner of Spain celebrates its unique heritage in the third week of August. The Semana Grande or Aste Nagusia, Bilbao attract over 100,000 people for this “big week”, which actually runs for 9 days. Fireworks displays every evening, streets lined with marquees, live performances and the famous Basque party spirit make this a really exciting fiesta.

All of these amazing festivals (plus the many more Spain celebrates throughout the year) are just some reasons to visit here. They enjoy the beautiful Mediterranean climate, relaxed and welcoming locals, plus you get the chance to practice your Spanish!