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!!
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.
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/.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Patrick_V._Jackson 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!
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!
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