Español En Vivo Instructional Spanish Workbooks

03/25/2024

Teachers will always play a key role in language learning ❤️

Artificial Intelligence cannot hope to capture the complexity of human language and falls short as a teacher.

03/18/2024

In Mexico, March 18th is a Civic Holiday known as Aniversario de la Expropiación petrolera (Anniversary of the Oil Expropriation). This date commemorates March 18, 1938 when President General Lázaro Cárdenas authorized the nationalization of all petroleum reserves, facilities, and foreign oil companies in Mexico. The picture of the fountain celebrates this date and is located in Mexico City.

The next stage of this announcement occurred just three months later. On June 7, 1938, President Cárdenas issued a decree creating Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), with exclusive rights over exploration, extraction, refining, and commercialization of oil in Mexico. On June 20, PEMEX started operations.

Things have changed in the last decade. In December 2013, Mexico amended its constitution to allow both local and foreign private investment into the energy sector for the first time since its nationalization in 1938. PEMEX is still operating and produces a majority of all oil products in Mexico.

03/11/2024

One final post from our most recent trip to Mexico. Had a chance to take in La Luche Libre event and it was thrilling! The lights, costumes and pageantry combine to form an unforgettable evening.

And please remember, if your class would enjoy an exercise involving La Lucha Libre, our Level 4 Short Story Reader has exactly that! Send us a message if you are interested in learning more.

03/04/2024

With a population of over 21 million, the Greater Mexico City (Ciudad de México) metropolitan area is the sixth largest in the world. For cities with such large populations it can be difficult to find safe recreation options for residents.

To help alleviate this situation a program called Muévete en bici ("Get around by bike”) was developed, and is used in many large Latin America cities. This program is incredibly popular as it provides access to open roads for bikers, rollerbladers, skateboarders, and runners. Find out more about this program on their FB Page - https://www.facebook.com/MueveteEnBiciCDMX/

Salud Spanish Programs

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02/28/2024

Phew! We're back from a delightful trip to Mexico and wanted to share some of the highlights with our readers. Our first stop is Tlaquepaque (translation "place above clay land") is a city of over 600,000 just south of Guadalajara. Considered to be a Pueblo Mágico, this charming city boasts countless artists and craftspeople producing pottery, textiles and handblown glass.

Curious what exactly a Pueblo Mágico is? These cities have recognized by the Mexican Secretary of Tourism as cities that offer visitors "cultural richness, historical relevance, cuisine, art crafts, and great hospitality". It was designed to increase tourism in Mexico as a whole, especially in smaller communities that are can gain huge benefits from exposure for artists and local traditions. As of August 1, 2023, there are 177 Pueblos Mágicos, located in each of the 31 Mexican States.

Salud Spanish Programs

02/18/2024

Piggybacking off the previous article we posted. Texas faces one of the highest demand for bilingual teachers. This is a look at how the school district in Elgin, TX has helped fill that need.

Elgin ISD turns to Spain to fill teacher vacancies

02/18/2024

The demand for bilingual teachers is growing annually. This article dives into the experiences of several teacher as they chose to go into education and some of the hurdles they faced.

At the beginning of her now nearly 30-year career, Leslie M. Gauna was given a warning: Bilingual education wouldn’t be a viable career option in the ...

02/09/2024

¡Salud! Looking for a delicious wine to enjoy this weekend? Make sure you consider some of these tasty options.

Spanish-speaking countries produce wine that encompasses a diverse range of styles and flavors, reflecting the unique terroirs and winemaking traditions of each region.

Spain: Spain is famous for its robust reds like Tempranillo, Garnacha, and Monastrell, as well as crisp whites such as Albariño and Verdejo. Iconic regions like Rioja, Ribera del Duero, and Priorat produce some of the world's most celebrated wines.

Argentina: Argentina is renowned for its Malbec, which thrives in the high-altitude vineyards of Mendoza. These wines often exhibit deep, dark fruit flavors with velvety textures. Additionally, Argentina produces excellent Torrontés, a fragrant white wine.

Chile: Chilean wines are known for their purity and consistency. Carmenère, once thought to be extinct but rediscovered in Chile, has become the country's signature grape. Other popular varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc. Regions like Maipo Valley and Colchagua Valley are particularly acclaimed.

Mexico: Mexico's wine industry is growing, with regions like Baja California producing high-quality wines. Mexican wines often showcase unique varietals like Nebbiolo and Grenache, as well as blends influenced by Spanish and Italian winemaking traditions.

Hope this helps when you're picking out your next bottle of vino!

02/03/2024

Candlemas, known as "Día de la Candelaria" in Mexico, is celebrated on February 2nd. It marks the end of the Christmas season and commemorates the presentation of Jesus at the temple. Many Mexicans participate in the tradition of Rosca de Reyes, a sweet bread with hidden figurines during Dia de Los Reyes which occurred on January 6th. If you find the figurine in your slice, it symbolizes the responsibility of hosting a celebration on February 2nd, where tamales and atole (hot drink) are commonly served. This day combines religious customs with vibrant cultural festivities.

02/01/2024

The Mexican Constitution of 1917, a pivotal document in the nation's history, emerged from the tumultuous aftermath of the Mexican Revolution was first signed on January 31, 1917. It was then enacted on February 5, 1917, this constitution aimed to address longstanding issues of land reform, labor rights, and social justice.

One of its landmark provisions was Article 27, which outlined the concept of ejidos—communal land holdings meant to distribute land more equitably among the rural population. This marked a significant departure from the previous system of large haciendas and played a crucial role in reshaping Mexico's agrarian landscape.

Additionally, the constitution enshrined labor rights through Article 123, establishing the foundation for workers' rights and the regulation of labor conditions. The focus on social justice extended to education, with Article 3 emphasizing the importance of secular and free education.

The 1917 Constitution also addressed issues of political representation, limiting presidential power and incorporating provisions for social and economic rights. This was a response to the authoritarian rule that had characterized Mexican politics in the past.