Monday 12 December 2011

Spanish Christmas "La Noche Buena,"

One of our country's most traditional desserts is marzipan , made of almonds and sugar. You will usually find it in "shapes" or as the basic ingredient for a host of different sweets. Each region has its own typical recipe and the sweetest delights appear in every corner of Spain. There is no excuse for not dipping into this world of sweet sensations. These are a few of the most typical: polvorones from Andalusia and Toledo, neulas from Alicante, mantecados and pestiños from Andalusia and Extremadura, guirlache from Aragón, casadielles from Asturias, Basque cake , intxaursalsa, goxua and panellets from Catalonia and paparajotes from Murcia. Not forgetting of course, the traditional Christmas ring, a cake eaten on 6 January, the popular feast of the Three Wise Men. This is the most exciting day of Christmas for the youngest members of the family.



Spain's gastronomic wealth comes to its pinnacle at Christmas time. It is a time for parties and celebrations, and also for big meals with, of course, typical Christmas sweets. These are exquisite, traditional recipes, many of which have centuries of history - something not to be missed at this time of year. Come and spend a few unforgettable days in our country and discover a world of unique, smooth flavours, a real treat for the taste buds.
Spanish cuisine is rich in flavours and smells and is very deep-rooted in the country's culture. At Christmas, culinary delicacies, and especially desserts, become par for the course, covering tables all over Spain with colour and sweet tastes. Discover these authentic, traditional desserts - sweet treasures made with almonds, honey, sugar, chocolate and fruit, among other things, with world-renowned quality.

There are a huge number to try. There are many different Christmas sweets available all over Spain. The star at Christmas time, however, is surely turrón . This is a sweet of Moorish origins that can be found in most homes over the festive season. Try it and you will be captivated by its flavour. There are many different types of turrón. Not to be missed are the Jijona variety, with a soft texture and the Alicante variety, which is hard. Their exquisite taste will captivate you for ever.

Spanish Christmas Eve is called "La Noche Buena," literally translated as "The Good Night." In Spain it is celebrated with a large family feast, which is eaten late in the evening and can last a couple hours. Some families attend midnight mass before or after, although many families are still finishing dinner around the table at midnight! In Spain, Christmas Eve is a time for celebrating in neighborhood bars and cafes, and around the table with family and friends. It is not a time for gift exchanges or Santa Claus. That must wait until January 6th, which is Epiphany, another religious holiday.



Make the most of the Christmas break to come to Spain and enjoy one of its most deep-rooted celebrations. You will, of course, be able to sample some of the country's most authentic and highly valued desserts. They are sugared delights with a thousand and one flavours that sweeten mealtimes all over Spain at this time of year. Fall into temptation and try some of these extraordinary sweets. There is no time like the present. 
 

Saturday 3 December 2011

Are You Wondering, What Is the Mediterranean Diet?

Whenever you feel that you should take a step forward in gaining better health, you probably access the internet, check out news, and do a lot of research about the best diet there is. If you have already done that, then you must have come across the Mediterranean diet, which is being followed by a lot of people today. But what is A Mediterranean diet? You probably see yourself asking this question, especially when you come to realize that a lot of people are now living healthier lives with it.

First and foremost, a Mediterranean diet is not considered as a diet by a lot of people, especially those who are living in the countries that surround the Mediterranean region. Instead, they see it as a way of eating, which has been followed by people in the region for countless years. This is basically the reason why there are a lot of people in the region who are able to enjoy better health and fitness, than people in other parts of the world.
Many studies have actually been done regarding this type of diet plan. Through studies done by researchers as well as nutritionists and dietician's, they are able to conclude that most of the foods involved in such a diet program are those that really promote better health. Although they do not entirely discourage foods that are high in salt and sugar, the Mediterranean way of eating sees to it that foods containing such substances are eaten in controlled amounts.
One of the best ways that you can do in order to understand the Mediterranean diet better is to check out its diet pyramid. Through the pyramid, you will be able to check out certain food items on it. Such food items are actually posted on the pyramid in such a way that they take up certain amounts of space on it. The bigger the space they take, the more they are recommended to be included on a person's diet.
When you check out the pyramid or certain recipes of the Mediterranean diet, you will find out that most of the time, they are cooked with the use of olive oil instead of vegetable oil. Olive oil actually contains mono-unsaturated fats, which will not raise the levels of cholesterol in your blood. This is actually one of the reasons why there is low incidence rate of heart disease for the countries in the Mediterranean region compared to certain countries around the world.
Fruits and vegetables are also highly recommended by the diet plan, which contains the essential vitamins and minerals to facilitate improved bodily functions.
These are the things that you will find out more about, when you get to know what a Mediterranean diet is. Keep in mind though that in order to achieve better health you should also get a good amount of exercise on a regular basis, aside from providing your body with adequate amounts of rest.
My name is Al James. I am a 56 year young freelance writer with a renewed passion for fitness. I live in Central Oregon with my wife of 32 years, my two grown sons also live in Central Oregon and have given me three beautiful granddaughters (with a fourth grandchild due in February 2012). Certainly a huge motivation for my fitness passion.
I am also a champion for A Mediterranean Diet after losing 34 lbs. between May 1st and August 31st, 2011. I am truly "Eating" my way thin. The Mediterranean Diet Recipes are healthy, taste great and are filling. Best of all I never go hungry. If you feel like you have tried every diet on the planet and have given up, please consider exploring the Mediterranean Diet Plan. It works for me and it will work for you. I highly recommend it.
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Friday 11 November 2011

3 Great Reasons Why You Should Learn the Spanish Language

Learning Spanish can be Fun


If you are interested in learning a foreign language, but aren't sure of which one you want to learn, consider learning Spanish. There are many good reasons to learn Spanish language. There are also several good courses out there that can teach you the Spanish language. Keep reading this article to discover why you should learn the Spanish language.

1. The first reason that you should learn Spanish is because it is the second most spoken language in the United States. No matter where you go, from a big city to a small town, you can find Spanish speaking people. A lot of the Spanish have also learned English, but there are a few that can only communicate in their native language.

2. Another great reason to learn Spanish is that it will give you an edge when you apply for a job. Many employers are looking for people who are bilingual and being able to speak fluent Spanish will look great on your resume.

3. What if you want to travel to a foreign country where Spanish is the dominant language? Spanish is the fourth most spoken language in the world, so the odds of you needing it on vacation are pretty good.

Learning Spanish has its rewards. You not only can land a better job, you can also speak the native language while on vacation. If you want to dive into Spanish right away, check into purchasing an online Spanish course. If you are motivated and able to do self-study programs, you can find yourself fluent in the Spanish language in no time at all! 

Thursday 10 November 2011

Ways To Spice Up Learning Spanish

Learning Spanish is a worthwhile goal, but will need some work. But that's ok because achieving any goal has its difficulties. The real challenge is in making the work fun and enjoyable so you feel like continuing.
Your textbooks will give you all the Spanish verb conjugations. You'll get reading practice from short stories. You'll get listening practice from CDs and audio tapes. And, if you follow the 400 page Spanish book from page 1 to to the end, you will fall asleep from boredom and learn no Spanish.

That why, you should consider some professional guidance as part of your learning strategy, If you live in the Blackpool area why not take a look at  https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Spanish-Learning-Centre/124590390912698

It's important to get some type of studying in everyday. In the end, 5 minutes everyday is more valuable than 2 hours one day a week. So, in order to get those 5 minutes in, why not subscribe to Spanish Word of the day by sending a blank email to
join-wordoftheday-es@lists.lexico.com

YouTube, it's the website where you can view videos online. Most videos are only 3-5 minutes long and can give you a great lesson that you weren't  expecting. And, once you find a series of videos that you like, for example http://www.youtube.com/user/languageno.
But be aware! Just like there are thousands of websites that are worthless, there are a lot of videos that are also worthless. Take your time and look for something that appears professional.

Just keep in mind that these videos are not going to teach you the language in 5 minutes. They are meant to use when you need a break from your daily routine. You have a daily study routine, right? No? Well you need to develop one.

There may be a Spanish Group in your area that meets once a week aor months, why not try to find out and join. in the Blackpool area you can join in a Spanish Group at http://spanishlearningcentre.yolasite.com/

So no excuses please!

"Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little."
      
- Edmund Burke


Posted for Ruth Cunningham Spanish Learning Centre Facebook.

Monday 19 September 2011

Ruth with some of her A level students


great exam results once again everybody passed most achieveing grade C or above at both GCSE/AS and A2 level. so proud of all our students very well done!!

Sunday 18 September 2011

When to Use the Present Perfect Spanish Verb Tense

In this article, we will discuss the present perfect tense in Spanish. As in the English language, in the present perfect Spanish verb tense is a compound tense. In fact, the present perfect tense is one of several compound tenses of the English and Spanish languages. You will find that depending on the Spanish speaking country or region, the present perfect tense may or may not be frequently used.
Many Spanish speakers will use the preterit tense instead of the present perfect tense. This also occurs in the English language. For example, one person may prefer to say "I didn't eat today." On the hand, another native English speaker in the same situation may prefer to say "I haven't eaten today." Experts of English grammar may tell you that the two phrases have two completely different meanings.
For instance, the "experts" may say that one should only say that "I didn't eat today" when the act of "not eating today" is no longer continuing in the present. For example, the act of "not eating today" is not continuing into the present because right now you are eating a big bowl of spaghetti. The same "experts" may say that one should use the phrase "I haven't eaten today" when the act of "not eating today" is continuing in the present. For example, "it is now 1:00 PM and I still haven't had anything at all to eat today."
Some native English speakers will make this distinction when engaged in normal or everyday conversational English. However, others will not make this distinction. By the same token, some native Spanish speakers will make the distinction and use one tense instead of the other and others will not.
Much of this confusion is caused by one of the main definitions or explanations of when to use this tense. The present perfect tense is used to communicate an event that is initiated in the past but is continuing in the present.
As in English, when speaking Spanish, if you decide to use this tense more often than the preterit tense, it is often a matter of personal choice. However, there are clearly instances in both English and Spanish where only one tense will suffice. In such instances, if the speaker selects the wrong tense not only will his speech not make sense, but he also runs the risk of not being understood.
Patrick Jackson is the founder of Learning Spanish Like Crazy. If you would like to learn more about the Spanish Present Perfect Verb tense, then sign up for our FREE online interactive weekly Spanish Verb Conjugation classes or get a FREE interactive demo copy of the Verbarrator. The Spanish verb conjugator that is so fun and easy that it is addictive, go here now: http://verbarrator.com/.
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(just as a final note, from this blog publisher Ian. When I was in the Canary Isles, I used both the preterite and the present perfect to express the same thing and the native speaker told me that both satements had exactly the same meaning)

Saturday 10 September 2011

How To Speak Spanish - 10 Brilliant, Essential Phrases

Among the many qualities greatly valued in individuals all over the Spanish speaking world is to be educado. This doesn't allude to someone who has a high-quality level of education rather somebody who is courteous and respectful, one who treats folks civilly and with due respect. Educado is paramount to many Spanish and Hispanic persons, and in this article, you'll discover how to speak Spanish with a touch of class with ten awesome Spanish idioms you can sprinkle into your spoken Spanish to help you make a endearing impact when chatting in Spanish with the locals.  

The very first educado phrase concerns the word gusto - pleasure. On those occassions when you meet someone for the first time, I'm sure you already know the saying "mucho gusto" - good to meet you - but you can additionally use gusto when you meet friends and acquaintances, with this especially streetwise Spanish saying:

¡Qué gusto verte! - Nice to see you 

Por ejemplo:

¡Hola Peter, ¿cómo estamos hoy? - Hello Peter, how are we today?

¡Qué gusto verte Sylvia! Todo va bien gracias. - Good to see you Sylvia. Everything is well thanks.

One thing I've noticed here in the cultivated city of Barcelona is that colleagues typically say "¿cómo estamos hoy?" or "¿Qué tal?" and rarely the more informal "¿cómo estás?", especially so between the sexes.

Speaking of ¿cómo estás?, frequently when we meet someone, in addition to asking them how they are we will in addition inquire how their family are faring too. Generally people studying spanish will say a phrase along the lines of:

¿Cómo está su/tu familia? or ¿cómo está su/tu hermano/a? - How's the family or how is your brother/sister?

Such phrases are suitable certainly but here's another canny Spanish phrase that is a more desirable substitute, it's just dripping with educado:

¿Qué sabes de...? For example:

¿Qué sabe usted de su familia? - How's your family?

¿Qué sabes de tu hermano/a? - How is your brother/sister?

Moreover we are able to develop on this to produce a favorable impression. Once the speaker has finished speaking, in English we say sayings like: Pass on to them my best or send them my best wishes. Wish to say this in Spanish? It's so easy check this:

Dale/s saludos de mi parte  - Give him/her/them my best wishes

It really is such a smart saying to sprinkle to your Spanish toolkit.

Bueno, it may be that your friend or acquaintance has some great news to reveal to you Here's how you can reply to good news with the crucial characteristic of educado:

He conseguido un trabajo nuevo - I've secured a new job

¡Felicitaciones! ¡Cuánto me alegro! - Congratulations! I am really glad!

Another educado Spanish expression I really like is about responding to invitations, principally when you are not able to accept the invite because you have preceding arrangements. It's crucial not to cause offense, and although one is able say:

No puedo asistir, tengo otros compromisos - I can't attend, I have prior engagements

I much prefer this cool Spanish saying which will be received well by Spanish and Hispanic people throughout the Spanish-speaking world:

Lo siento, no puedo, he quedado - Regrettably I'm not able I'm occupied.

This is also another functional idiom if you would like to preserve your privacy, and I have no doubt this will earn you an awful lot of esteem when you're speaking Spanish.

However if you would like to accept, how about this little diamond to not just accept but moreover to show your enthusiasm:

¡Sí, sería genial! - Yes, that would be cool!

I think that is  a better alternative than ¡qué bien! or ¡qué bueno!, yes?

To finish, here's one more classy Spanish expression that's bound to come in really handy. You know the way occasionally you're ambling along lost in your own thoughts and you by mistake bump into somebody? You could potentially say disculpe or perdona, both all right but much better is this:

Disculpe, sin querer - Pardon me, it was unintended

Introduce these Spanish phrases into your regular Spanish and you'll demonstrate you possess the infulential value of educado and you'll create a favorable impression when chatting in Spanish with Spanish and Hispanic people undoubtedly!

Sunday 28 August 2011

Spanish Verb Conjugations -- Present Tense

 
This is a great video describing the conjugation of regular AR, ER and Ir Spanish verbs.
Youtube Videos can be a great way to learn.  Watching and replaying a spanish video as many times as you need is a good way to learn spanish.
You can see more of these videos on our video blog page

Spanish Past Tense Verbs - How to Conjugate the Present Perfect Tense

The present perfect tense is used to describe actions and events that started in the past and that are still continuing in the present. Let's take a look at how this tense is conjugated.
To Have (Present tense) plus Past Participle
Take a look at how this tense is used in the English language:
Mike has played well this season.
In this instance, the verb "has played" is conjugated in the present perfect tense. That's because it illustrates an action or event that began in the past. But it also illustrates an action or event that is continuing in the present. In other words, "this season" is not over.
You will also find that this tense s used to express an action that has commenced in the past but does not refer to a specific or concrete time. To illustrate, let's take another look at an example using this tense.
Roberto ha estudiado muy poco.
(Robert has studied very little. )
In the above phrase, the English verb "has studied" is in the present perfect to indicate that Robert studied in the past. But it is also implied that a specific and concrete time as to when this has occurred has not been determined. To increase your understanding of this tense, let's take a look at the present tense forms of the verb "haber" which is used to form the present perfect tense:
Yo he (I have) nosotros hemos (we have)
tú has (you have) ellos han (they have)
él ha (he has) ellas han (they have)
Ella ha (she has) ustedes han (you have)
Usted ha (you have)
However, keep in mind that in addition to the verb "haber" conjugated in the present tense, you will also need to include the past participle of the target verb to form the present perfect in Spanish.
Patrick Jackson is the founder of Learning Spanish Like Crazy. If you would like to learn more about the Spanish Present Perfect tense verbs, then sign up for our FREE online interactive weekly Spanish Verb Conjugation classes or get a FREE interactive demo copy of the Verbarrator. The Spanish verb conjugator that is so fun and easy that it is addictive, go here now: http://verbarrator.com/
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Saturday 27 August 2011

How to Learn Spanish Quickly and Easily?

Are you looking for some tips on how to learn Spanish quickly and easily? Is there any way to become fluent in Spanish even in six months? If you are asking yourself these questions, keep reading, because you are in the right place. In this article I'm going to show you the most effective way to learn Spanish quickly. Here it is!
Let me answer the second question first - yes, it's possible. It's even possible to become fluent in Spanish within less than 6 months. Yes, I'm serious. The key is to practice regularly and instead of studying Spanish (like studying languages in school which is the worst way to learn a language), use it in the real world, that is with native speakers.
Okay, so now you know that you can do it. Now - how to do it? Here are three simple tips.
1. Nothing will happen if you believe in...
...no pain, no gain. It's not about hard work, it's about smart work. Instead of trying to learn hundreds of useless Spanish words, learn the most common ones. Instead of trying to memorize every rule of grammar, learn it step by step while using Spanish (for example writing in a journal or to a pen pal). Identify the most important things and focus on learning them.
2. Make it natural
Don't spend time studying Spanish, spend time WITH Spanish. What do I mean by it? Well, how do you use your mother tongue? In a natural way - by speaking with your friends in it, watching movies, listening to music and so on. Why don't use Spanish in the same way? It doesn't even feel like learning when you start treating Spanish as your another language, not as a "foreign language".
3. Practice every single day
Looking for the quickest and easiest way to learn Spanish? It's simple: use it all the time (or as much as you can). How to make time to do it? You don't need to sacrifice anything, you just need to start doing everything that you can in Spanish instead of doing it in your first language.
Spanish Learning Centre Blackpool, the Original and Best Spanish Centre in Blackpool

Here you go - the most important tips on how to learn Spanish quickly and easily. I know that about 95% people won't put these tips to use after reading this article. Do you want to be in the top 5% that will become fluent in Spanish even in six months? Then follow these tips. Buena suerte and have fun while speaking fluent Spanish!
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Thursday 25 August 2011

Spanish Schools - What is Education in Spain Like?

Obviously, if you have children and you wish to move to Spain, then the schooling of your children will be your most important priority.
In fact, the overall welfare of your children will probably be the deciding factor as to whether any move to Spain is actually possible and their educational needs may define where you live. Certainly it is true to say that the happiness of your children in Spain will be critical to the success of your relocation. If children are unhappy then this can place tremendous stress upon the adults within a family - to the point at which it can strain a previously good working relationship.

Fortunately, education in Spain is good, albeit that (like the UK) considerable care is required if you are to obtain the best possible results. Of course, the big difference in Spain for a child is that they will be taught in Spanish (and sometimes in a regional dialect, such as Valenciano). As few North European children speak Spanish, it makes their entry into the Spanish schools system sensitive and it can mean that it takes a while for your child to settle. That said, it is extraordinary how fast children pick up a new language and I have only ever known one child unable to learn Spanish.
Of course, timing has a huge part to play when it comes to placing a child into normal (not international) Spanish schools. Without doubt, the younger a child the easier it is for them to assimilate Spanish and to therefore get to grips with education in Spain and the academic work itself. A far greater problem is faced by older children and experience has shown that there is an age at which children find it, to all intents and purposes, impossible to both learn a new language and deal with the demands of increasingly complicated academic work. In essence, the danger time for moving a child into Spanish schools (if they speak no Spanish) is when they are around 12 - 13 years old. Earlier than that and most children will easily learn the language and be able to catch up with the academic work. Older, and it will become difficult (to impossible), for them to keep up with their peers - and not to be able to do so will be demoralising and damaging during a vulnerable time of their lives.
Education in Spain for children is compulsory from the ages of 6 to 16, with primary education lasting 6 years - followed by four years of compulsory secondary education at the end of which a Certificate of Education is received. State Spanish schools are free and normally school uniform is not worn. However, the purchase of school books is the responsibility of parents and can be quite costly (around 300 Euros per child per year). After the age of 16, children can continue with their education in Spain and go to vocational institutes or study for the academically demanding (and highly regarded) Bachillerato. The latter takes two years and is needed should a child wish to attend university.
State schools tend to be as variable as in the UK and much depends upon the precise intake area. It is therefore always wise to check very carefully the reputation of what may become your local Spanish school. Of course, there are private Spanish schools which can often be a very wise choice. These can provide a superb education in Spain within environments that are controlled, safe and that have high aspirations for their students. They provide terrific value for money compared to the cost of their UK (for example) counterparts and, if you can afford it, are well worth using for your children. Fees (2008) vary considerably but can be around 350 euros per month (10 months).
Equally, Spain has a scattering of international schools which provide, in English, a British curriculum. Oddly enough, these Spanish schools frequently have a high proportion of Spanish children, as the wealthy Spanish have a strong urge to ensure that their children are completely fluent in Spanish. They are particularly pertinant if you wish to move to Spain and your children are over the age of 12. As a parent with two children, I have been very impressed by the standard of education in Spain - and my son now is attending university having passed the Bachillerato. This has been a tremendous success (he started Spanish schooling when he was 13) and proof that the existing system of education in Spain works for foreigners!
Nick Snelling is the published author of three books on Spain including 'How to Move Safely to Spain' http://www.movesafelytospain.com. He also maintains an authoritative Blog on Spanish culture, life in Spain and moving to Spain - which you can see on http://www.nicholassnelling.com
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learning Spanish is so important

Thinking about learning a second language? Spanish might be a good choice, especially if you live in the United States where there is an ever-growing population of Spanish speakers.

A lot people speak Spanish. In fact, it's one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. About 400 million people speak Spanish, including nearly half of the Western Hemisphere. Spanish is spoken in more than 20 countries including Mexico, Spain, Argentina, Cuba and Costa Rica.
But there are more reasons why learning Spanish is worth the effort.
First of all, Spanish is easier to learn than most other languages. The reason why is that Spanish shares many words with English. English speakers find the grammar easier than Slavic languages like Russian or Asian languages like Japanese or Mandarin. And it's easy to pronounce. While students learning English may struggle to pronounce difficult words like "pneumonia", you will have no such problem with Spanish. Spanish is a phonetic language and you pronounce the words as they are written.
Spanish is a great language for travel since it's spoken in many of the popular travel destinations like Cancun, Punta Cana, and Ibiza. Being able to speak the local language and communicate with the native population makes travel easier and provides a more fulfilling travel experience.
Did you know that learning Spanish will sharpen your mind? Learning a new language is good for the brain. You may have seen articles in the news about how older people can prevent mental aging and retain their mental acuity by learning or speaking a second language.
Speaking a second language feels good. It makes you feel smart. It makes you feel like you accomplished something valuable and important. It gives you self-confidence.
It's also a great way to make new friends. You'll meet new study partners. You'll meet teachers and tutors. You'll practice your Spanish by chatting with people by email or instant messenger or Skype.
Learning Spanish could be could for your pocketbook too. It could help you get a job. Being able to speak a second language looks good on your resume and could open doors for you in a globalized economy.
After you learn to speak Spanish, why stop there? Once you know how to speak Spanish you will find it easier to learn other Romance languages like Italian and French. The grammar and much of the vocabulary are similar. Also, Portugese will be a breeze.
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Spanish Prepositions "Por and Para" - The Easy Way to Use Them Perfectly

When it comes to mastering the uses of POR and PARA in Spanish, there is a very simple, yet powerful approach that can help you in 95 to 98% of the cases and even more.

Rather than teaching all the uses of POR and PARA as all teachers do, I prefer to narrow down my teaching. Does that mean I am teaching "less" than I should? I don´t think so.
After all, my experience has clearly shown me that students are presented with so many rules, patterns and uses that they are not able to use them well in most cases. What do I do? I cut to the chase as I am going to show you.



See more Audio at TeacherTube.com.

When do we use PARA?
1. To express PURPOSE: Any time that in English you can use "in order to," in Spanish you must use PARA.
I work to make money (or.. in order to make money)
Trabajo PARA ganar dinero.
2. To show who the recipient of an action is:
I bought these flowers for you.
Compré estas flores PARA tí.
3. To show destination:
I am going to Spain.
Voy PARA España.
4. When I want to say BY or FOR a SPECIFIC TIME.
I need your answer by Monday.
Necesito tu respuesta PARA el lunes.
These are all the instances when PARA is used. When do you use POR? In all the other cases. Just that! Any time you want to say something and doubt whether to say por or para, just go through this checklist mentally: a) IN ORDER TO b) RECIPIENT c) DESTINATION D) SPECIFIC TIME.
If what you want to express fits any of these possibilities, then the word to use is PARA. If it doesn´t, use POR.
Simple enough, right? I challenge you to try to find and do as many exercises on the Internet as possible and see for yourself how useful and accurate this approach is!
http://mld.ursinus.edu/~jarana/Ejercicios/self-check/por_para.html
Enjoy!
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Why Is Mastering Spanish Verb Conjugation So Important?

Learning Spanish is an enjoyable experience however it can take a good deal of time to achieve a good working knowledge of the language. One area of learning Spanish that often causes more problems than most and is, in part, responsible for many individuals taking the decision to quit learning the language is Spanish verb conjugation.

Verbs are a vital part of every language and being able to use them correctly makes the difference between being understood and confusing whoever you are speaking to. Spanish verbs are conjugated in such a way that they can express who is performing an action and when they are performing it in a single conjugated verb.
There are three reasons why Spanish verb conjugation is so difficult and they are:
1. There are three different groups of verbs, those that end in -ar, -er and -ir. Although, -er and -ir verbs share a lot of similarities in how they are conjugated, -ar verbs are completely different.
2. There are many different tenses, at least twelve that you will use regularly, all having their own specific formation and all of which you will need to learn.
3. Finally, just when you think it cannot get any more difficult there are irregular verbs. In Spanish, there are a large number of Spanish verbs, some books and courses state that you will only need to learn about twenty or so, but believe me when I tell you that you will need to learn many more than that during your studies.
Irregular verbs, or rather, the learning of the conjugation of irregular verbs, is the most difficult part of learning Spanish. Not only are there many highly irregular verbs that have totally unique patterns of conjugation but many of them are also used in regularly used idioms and expressions that to an English speaker make absolutely no sense at all!
So...having explained why learning Spanish verb conjugation is so difficult and why having a good working knowledge of them is so important, you may be wondering if there is an easy way to learn them?
There is only one way to learn the conjugation patterns of Spanish verbs and that is to memorize each of them which will require a lot of hard work. Ever since languages first started being studied the only way to perform this mammoth task was to continually recite each verb conjugation until they were etched into the memory, which was a long and laborious task.
As it was impossible to make this task any smaller or make the conjugations any less complicated to learn the only way to learn them more efficiently was to look at new ways of memorizing them and this is where verb training software has made a huge difference.
There are now software programs that will speed up the process of learning Spanish verb conjugation and that make the task of doing so far less arduous and much more enjoyable and if your goal is to learn Spanish as quickly and with as few hiccups as possible then verb training software is an absolute necessity.
For a detailed report on the most popular verb training software currently available check out this Verbarrator review. You can also click on Spanish verb conjugation for extra help with the conjugation of Spanish verbs.
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