IECR Instituto de Español "Costa Rica"

Dear Students and Friends,

noreply@blogger.com (Instituto de Espanol) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 22:15:00 +0000

today we like to provide you with the third and last part of the most frequently used Costa Rican expressions, called Costarriqueñismos. As explained before, there are much more words and expressions. However, these are the most common ones which you can hear every day. Take note of them!

Costarriqueñismos q - y

noreply@blogger.com (Instituto de Espanol) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 22:14:00 +0000

**q**

quedar como culo de chango quedar mal ante los demás, perder la reputación
quitarse un peso de encima liberarse de algo
¡quien quita! expresión que se usa para amenazar

**r**

rajar fanfarronear
regalarle a una dar a luz
romperse la jupa pensar mucho en algo
ruliar dormir
regalar dar, traer
relajo conducta desordenada
rojo:
un rojo mil colones
rompope bebida preparada con leche, huevos, azúcar maicena, vainilla, canela y alcohol fundamentalmente

**s**

sacarse el clavo vengarse
salir el caldo más caro que los huevos expresión que se usa cuando algo costo mucho dinero
salir hasta en la sopa se usa cuando uno se encuentra a una persona o cosa por todas partes
ser cagadito/a ser parecido a alguien
ser muy jupon/jupona ser terco, obstinado
ser pelota grande ser influyente
ser sapo ser soplón
ser un pulpo ser acaparador
ser un queque ser fácil algo
ser bino ser curioso
socar la línea apresurarse
ser un ayote ser tonto
salado inafortunado, desgraciado
sombrilla paraguas para mujer
suave despacio, lentamente
tamal masa de maíz que envuelve diversos ingredientes; todo se encierra en hojas de plátano bien amarradas; plato típico navideño
tata papá
tatas padres, papás
tico(adj., sust.) costarricense
tiquicia costarricense /costa rica
torta: problema
jalarse torta ¡que problema!
tortillera lesbiana
tugurio casa de lata o madera de gente muy pobre
tanate montón
tener concha no tener vergüenza
tener pinta de parecerse, tener apariencia de
tener chispa ser listo e inteligente
torta problema, dificultad
tortòn problema grave
tortero que hace problemas
tuanis bien, bueno

**u**

¡upe! expresión con la cual se anuncian las visitas, los vendedores ambulantes, etc.
untar la mano sobornar

**v**

verla peluda encontrar problemas
versela de palitos hallarse en apuros
volar lengua hablar
volar pata caminar
volverse pura bulla no cumplir con lo prometido
volverse puro cuento no cumplir con lo prometido
vaina problema, cosa
vacilar oscilar, contar chistes, bromas
vainicas judías verdes
valija maleta
vos sustitución de tù

**y**

yuca tipo de raíz blanca y de piel dura
yodo café
yegüada tontería

**z**

zaguate perro sin pedigree
zarpe el último trago de alcohol, la última copa
zafar soltar

Dear students and friends of IECR:

noreply@blogger.com (Instituto de Espanol) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 19:40:00 +0000

We would like to invite you to visit our new Website:

www.costaricaspanishschool.com

In this website you will find attractive offers like Blog, Tutorial and Forum.
The Blog provides you with important information about latest events, the history of Costa Rica, cooking recipes, photos, videos and much more.
With the Tutorial you can improve your Spanish through grammar and vocabulary exercises, music, games and similar items that will help you improve your Spanish even after your lessons with us.
With the Forum you get in touch with Alumni, present and future students and have the opportunity to exchange or talk about experiences you made in Costa Rica and at IECR.
COME ON AND VISIT US!
We see you in the Web! ¡Hasta pronto!
www.costaricaspanishschool.com

Your IECR team

Estimados estudiantes y amigos del IECR:

noreply@blogger.com (Instituto de Espanol) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 19:38:00 +0000

Les invitamos cordialmente a visitar nuestra nueva pagina Web
www.costaricaspanishschool.com
En esta nueva página ustedes encontrarán nuevos atractivos como Blog, Tutorial y Forum.
En el Blog encontrará información importante sobre eventos actuales, la historia de Costa Rica, recetas, fotos , videos y muchas cosas más para su disfrute.
Con el Tutorial seguirá practicando español mediante ejercicios, música, juegos y otros que le ayudarán en su aprendizaje del español aún después de concluir el curso.
El Forum le conecta con estudiantes anteriores, actuales y futuros para intercambiar información importante sobre Costa Rica, el Mundo y el IECR.
ANíMESE A VISITARNOS
¡Nos vemos en la Web! Hasta pronto!
www.costaricaspanishschool.com

Su equipo IECR

12 th of October – Day of the Race / Day of the Cultures / Columbus Day

noreply@blogger.com (Instituto de Espanol) — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 21:59:00 +0000

12th of October is holiday in Costa Rica. Do you know what we celebrate this day? We celebrate the discovery of America because of the fact that Christopher Columbus put his foot on land that day in the year 1492, namely on an island in the Bahamas, which he called San Salvador. Columbus (who was of Italian origin) wanted to proove that it was possible to reach the Indies by sailing west around the world. In that time the Portuguese were already working on a way to reach the Indies and therefore Christopher Columbus needed support to proove his theory. He found support by the Catholic Monarchs of Spain who promised him riches and nobility. Sponsored by the Spanish monarchs, Columbus left the Spanish coast with three caravels and 120 marines and after about 6 months he reached land, which was declared Spanish terrority.
The natives must have been very surprised as much as Columbus and his men because before this time the Spanish hadn´t seen indigenous people nor viceversa. This historic meeting was a mutual discovery and the beginning of the mixtures of races at least on this continent.
By the way, Columbus died two years after his discovery, convinced that he had discovered the Indies.
Today the 12th of October is conmemorated in schools and colleges by presentations of the students representing the meeting of two totally different cultures.

VERBOS IRREGULARES EN PRETÉRITO SIMPLE

noreply@blogger.com (Instituto de Espanol) — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 20:25:00 +0000

Dear Students,
all those of our students who have intermediate level know that the past tense, especially the Pretérito Simple, has many irregular verb forms. Therefore we offer you the following exercise to practise these irregular forms. Good luck! You will find the solutions in the next days here in our blog.

VERBOS IRREGULARES EN PRETÉRITO SIMPLE

noreply@blogger.com (Instituto de Espanol) — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 20:18:00 +0000

Llene los espacios en blanco, conjugue el verbo que está entre paréntesis.
1. Mario ………………………… (tener) una entrevista la semana pasada con la directora.
2. Elena ………………………… (estar) el año pasado en Grecia.
3. Nosotros ………………………… (andar) en caballo en una finca en Cartago.
4. Yo ………………………… (saber) del IECR por un amigo alemán.
5. En el concierto de Natalia ………………………… (haber) mucha gente.
6. Qué lástima, no ………………………… (poder) ir a la Romería de Cartago anoche.
7. Daniel no ………………………… (poner) atención cuando le ………………………… (decir) los requisitos.
8. Anoche el niño ………………………… (tener) mucha fiebre y tos.
9. El huracán César …………………… (producir) daños terribles en la zona sur de Costa Rica.
10. Dejé mi libro en casa porque no ………………………… (caber) en mi salveque.
11. La semana antepasada nosotros ………………………… (ir) al Volcán Arenal y ………………………… (poder) ver varias erupciones.
12. Ayer después de clases ………………………… (andar) en una bicicleta que me ………………………… (prestar) mi hermana tica.
13. Frank ………………………… (estar) un poco enfermo la semana pasada.
14. Yo ………………………… (mantener) correspondencia, por casi 3 años, con un amigo que conocí en Ecuador.
15. Un joven danés ………………… (construir) en la zona sur más de 10 puentes de hamaca.
16. Él ………………………… (creer) que yo era casada.
17. Los estudiantes ………………………… (leer) un artículo sobre la discriminación racial.
18. Laura ………………………… (concluir) sus estudios universitarios en 1994.
19. Yo no …………… (querer) ir a la playa porque tengo otro compromiso este fin de semana.
20. Hillary ………………………… (hacer) unas galletas muy ricas la otra noche en casa.
21. Nadie ……………………… (traer) nada para comer y ahora todo el mundo tiene hambre.
22. La compañía ………………………… (despedir) a la mitad de sus empleados.
23. El profesor nos ………………………… (corregir) los errores uno por uno.
24. Yo ………………………… (tener) una gripe terrible la semana pasada.
25. Una vez Mariano ………………………… (construir) una casa muy bonita.

costarriqueñimos

noreply@blogger.com (Instituto de Espanol) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:01:00 +0000

Dear Students,
We hope the list of costarriqueñimos we provided was helpful! Therefore we continue with the list starting from I to P today.

costarriqueñimos I - P

noreply@blogger.com (Instituto de Espanol) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:00:00 +0000

**I**

itabo (m) árbol de flores blancas que se puede comer
irse a freír churros se usa para despedir a alguien indeseable de un lugar
írsele a uno la onda olvidarse de algo
írsele a uno la pajarita olvidarse de algo

**J**

jalar tirar; tener novio /a
jalarse irse
jalarse una torta meterse en un problema
jamar comer
jetón (m) patón
joder molestar
juma borrachera
jumarse emborracharse
juetazo golpe, trago de bebida alcohólica
jupa cabeza

**L**

los lunes ni las gallinas ponen se refiere al poco deseo de trabajar ese día
lo que no mata engorda se usa para indicar que se come algo por primera vez o que es desconocido
largo lejos
leche(f) buena suerte
limón agrio limón ácido
llanta neumático
luz:
se fue la luz hay un apagón

**M**

macho, a
maje = mae tío, hombre
malcriado maleducado
mamacita piropo para una mujer
maní cacahuete
manigordo felino más pequeño que el tigre o jaguar, pero no menos atrevido o feroz
mazamorra átol de maíz tierno preparado con leche
mecate cordel
mejorarse dar a luz
muerto de hambre (sust.) glotón
maicero /a campesino
macho /a rubio. a
maje hombre

**N**

nica nicaragüense
ni papa nada
no ser chicha ni limonada se usa para expresar algo que no es una cosa ni es otra. indefinido. a

**ñ**

ñame tipo de raíz

**P**

pájaro homosexual
palo árbol
papa patata
pejibaye fruta crónica de color anaranjado hasta verde, contiene una almendra, de carne fibrosa parecida a la de la papa; se hierve en agua como una papa
pendejo cobarde, majadero (muy despect)
pipa expresión usada ante una labor concreta
parar la oreja oír con atención
parar las patas caerse
pasearse en todo echar a perder algo
pegar los ojos dormir
pegarsele a uno la cobija levantarse tarde
pegarse una juma emborracharse
pelar las guayabas abrir bien los ojos
pelársela hacer el ridículo
pensar en los huevos del gallo estar distraído
ponerse colorado/a sonrojarse
planchar la oreja dormir
por lo que potis por si acaso
por si las moscas por si acaso
pachanga fiesta
pendejo/a miedoso. a
pesado/a antipático. a
polo/a desentonado. a. que generalmente viene del campo
pulpería tienda de comestibles
pura carnita muy bien, muy bonito
pura guaba suerte
pìnche tacaño. a
pajoso que promete y no cumple
playo homosexual
pozol sopa de verduras con carne
pachuco(sust.) persona de hábitos sociales y de habla no aceptadas por la población; maleante

Listen to Music in Spanish and practise your listening skills!

noreply@blogger.com (Instituto de Espanol) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:04:00 +0000

We invite you to visit the following site if you love music and wish to combine this passion with the one for the Spanish language. It´s one of the most popular songs of the Colombian Rock musician JUANES. The text of the song is integrated so this an additional help! Enjoy this song. We´ll soon suggest you more!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEf-iuPmIww

Costarriqueñismos

noreply@blogger.com (Instituto de Espanol) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:02:00 +0000

Dear Students,
On request of our students we open this Spanish tutorial for FREE. You will find vocabulary, conjugations of verbs, exercises, games, texts as well as music in Spanish. Keep visiting our blog and you will keep in touch with the Spanish language in a funny and of course free way!

Costarriqueñismos

As you know, there are words and expressions used in Costa Rica which cannot be found in dictionaries and often are subject to confusion. In order to help you understand this specific vocabulary we have collected the most important ones and offer them in the following. You will find the meaning of each of the words/expressions in “official “ Spanish next to the expression itself, which will facilitate your understanding.
This list is published in alphabetic order and today we start with A to G.

COSTARRIQUEÑISMOS A - G

noreply@blogger.com (Instituto de Espanol) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:55:00 +0000

**A**

acuantá hace poco, hace un rato, poco antes
ahuevado aburrido, desanimado, enojado
al propio intencionalmente, al propósito
anona chirimoya
anteojos gafas
¡a mi qué! ¡a mí qué me importa!
amor piropo unisex
apearse bajarse de un objeto que tenga altura, p.ej. un árbol
auto=carro automóvil, coche (España)
achara ¡que lastima!
a la puña frase exclamativa que denota sorpresa, enojo
a la puta frase exclamativa que denota sorpresa, enojo
andar gallina con huevo estar intranquilo, inquieto
agarrado tacaño
andar jumado estar borracho
andar bolo estar borracho
agarrar de chanco tomar el pelo, ridiculizar, engañar
amarrar el perro no pagar una deuda
a la hora del burro tarde. se usa con: ir, venir, llegar, regresar.
a paso de tortuga hacer algo lentamente
armar la gorda empezar una pelea

**B**

bajar el piso hacer algo malo para quitar la posición del piso
bañazo vergüenza
biscocho (m) galleta de maíz en forma de anillo
binear fisgonear
boca tapa (españa)
bolado negocio, asunto, encargo
boleto billete (de avión)
bomba gasolinera
botar echar, tirar, arrojar
bravo enojado
bruto (adj.) (1) patán, brutal
(2) bruta: imponente, guapa
batear adivinar
bateador persona que no está segura de lo que dice, que adivina.
batazo cuando se responde al azar correctamente
breteador/a trabajador, a.
bretear trabajar

**C**

caballo pantalón
cabrearse enojarse
cacho cuerno, zapato
caer mal no simpatizarle a alguien. hacer daño
caite (m) zapato viejo
cajeta dulce moldeado en varias formas, de leche y azúcar con frutas picadas
caldo jugo (de frutas o verduras)
calzón (m) calzoncillo para mujer, bragas (esp.)
camote (m) loco, caprichoso
cambiarle el agua al pajarito orinar
canfín (m) kerosén
cangrejo (m) cuernito (arte culinario)
canela bonito
corrongo guapo
carajada cosa (coloquial), problema
carajillo chico
¡caramba! exaltación para la atención
¡caray! “ “ “ reflexión
carne molida carne pasada por una máquina de moler
carro automóvil
casado (arte culinaria) frijoles y arroz son la base, pueden ir acompañados por tomate, chile dulce, chayote, alguna raíz, plátano maduro, huevo, un trozo de carne, etc.
cascarudo desvergonzado
celular teléfono móvil
cobija manta, frazada
coger agarrar, tomar, coger un fruto de café = bajar el fruto de la planta del cafeto; hacerle el amor a alguien (vulgar)
cojer de mona tomar el pelo
como una uva muy bien, muy bonito
cielorraso techo
cochinada cosa, vaina, situación difícil
coco cabeza
codo tacaño /a
colocho rizo
comal disco de barro o de hierro para hacer tortillas de maíz
¡como no! por supuesto
concho (adj.) rústico, palurdo, p.ej. alguien que dice cosas feas a otra persona
(sust.) hombre sencillo del campo
cuadra (sust.) manzana urbana, lado de manzana
cucurucho cima, cumbre, cúspide
cuijen calificativo para las aves de color oscuro o ceniciento con pinta blancas: “gallina cuijen”; viene del azteca “cuixin”, gavilán o milano, por el color de éste.
es el diablo, especialmente el que asusta a la gente en las fiestas
cubaces habas más pequeñas que las españolas y de varios colores
chancho = cuche (sust.) cerdo, cochino
chicha (adj.) enojado de mal humor
chicha (sust.) bebida de los indios a base de maíz fermentado
chichí (m/f) niño, a; bebé
chile (m) (1) pimiento
(2) broma, chiste
chillarse enojarse
chinear mimar
chingo (adj.) desnudo, en pelotas
chiquito /a niño/a, hijo /a
chiva = tuánis, pura vida super, excelente, buenísimo, muy bien
chunche (m) cosa
chunches (m) cachivaches, trastos, trebejos, baratijas, etc.
cortar el rabo despedir del trabajo
carajada cosa, problema
carajillo/a niño, a
carambada cosa, problema
clavárselos tomar licor
clavo tacaño, a.
chanear limpiar, lustrar
chichero borracho, consuedutinario
chocho /a descompuesto
chonete sombrero
choricero el que hace negocios ilegales
chucheca molusco comestible
chunche cosa
chunches cachivaches, trastos, trebejos, baratijas

**D**

duro fuerte
dar cuerda coquetear
darse de vergazos pelear
de los dientes para afuera decir algo hipócritamente
de pocas pulgas de mal carácter
de tiro dispuesto siempre a hacer algo

**E**

enagua, enaguas falda
entre en lugar de “cuanto más”..., tanto más...” se dice “entre más..., más...”
estampilla sello de correos
echar la chayotera firmar
echarle a uno los muertos culpar a uno de algo
embarcarse meterse en problemas
en paleta mucho, a
estar de cabanga estar nostálgico
estar chiva estar enojado
estar chonete no tener dinero
estar de espanto estar muy bien algo
estar de película estar muy bien algo
estar de horror estar muy bien algo
estar de goma tener malestares después de una borrachera
estar de luna estar de mal humor
estar en la luna estar distraído
estar fregado /a estar en malas condiciones
estar en cama estar enfermo y acostado
estar hasta el copete estar harto de algo
estar hasta el pescuezo estar endeudado /a
estar feo estar en una situación difícil

**F**

faltarle a uno el tornillo estar loco, a
flojo miedoso, cobarde
fósforos cerillas
fregar molestar
fresco refresco
frijol en España prefieren decir habichuelas y “judías negras”. los frijoles son el plato nacional costarricense y constituyen el principal cuando no él único alimento de gente pobre

**G**

gallo un pequeño plato de comida, un almuercito; tortilla doblada con carne, frijoles o cualquier otra comida
gallo pinto arroz y frijoles negros mezclados
goma liquido adhesivo
gringo (adj; sust.) norteamericano
guaria orquídea o parásita bastante, la guaria morada es la flor nacional
guaro aguardiente de caña
güila (m/f) niño, niña, algunos consideran esta palabra despreciativa y evitan el uso
guindar colgar
guineo pertenece a la familia de los plátanos; más pequeño que un banano, más gordo, de piel gruesa y fibrosa, de carne blanca o amarillenta; para cocinar o para la fabricación de vinagre
güevon hombre, muletilla que se intercala en la conversación.
güevaso golpe
guaro bebida alcohólica

**H**

hijo de papi hijos de ente mimada, de mucha plata
hablar más que una lora hablar mucho
hablar paja hablar de algo sin importancia
hablar yeguadas decir tonterías
hacer burradas hacer tonterías
hacer cerebro pensar sobre algo detenidamente
hacerse el maje fingir ignorancia
hule (m) goma elástica o caucho

Independence Day

noreply@blogger.com (Instituto de Espanol) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 21:43:00 +0000

Yesterday we offered a cultural activity in order to celebrate Costa Rica´s Independence Day.
At first all our teachers song the national anthem and our students received a copy of the text of the anthem. Then the teachers provided information regarding the history of the text of the national anthem as well as the independence process, the national symbols (flag and emblem) and their significance, typical Costa Rican folcloric dances as well as national costumes. Last but not least we all tasted a typical Costa Rican beverage called “agua dulce” (sweet water) and eat “pudín” (type of cake). Everybody enjoyed this activity!
The official independence date is 15th of September however this important date in Costa Rica is conmemorated every year the 14th of September at 6.00 p.m. by an official act which takes places in the central park of San José. So if you are interested in joining this celebration, the meeting will be on 14th at 6.00 p.m. at the central park. Join us!

Graduation

noreply@blogger.com (Instituto de Espanol) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 22:00:00 +0000

Today we celebrate the graduation of two of our students: Mrs. Klimisch and Mr. Lombre. Mrs. Christi Lee Klimisch of Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Yeshiva University, Bronx, has received three weeks of Medical Spanish, which was combined with shadowing a physician at our children´s hospital. We wish her good luck with her patients at Oakland children´s hospital!
Mr. Lombre had also participated in three weeks´course!
We wish them both all the best for their professional live!

Isla del Coco

noreply@blogger.com (Instituto de Espanol) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:03:00 +0000

Vote for Costa Rica´s treasure island to be declared one of the New7Wonders of Nature!

Are you really interested in preserving nature and helping Costa Rica by a vote? Then vote for Costa Rica´s treasure island as one of the new seven wonders of nature.
Voting for nominees will continue through 31.12.08. A New7Wonders Panel of Experts will then select the 21 finalists, from which voters worldwide will elect the New7Wonders of Nature.

Fore more information please visit the following website:
http://www.new7wonders.com/nature/en/nominees/northamerica/

Cocos Island, Island
COSTA RICA
Cocos Island, located off the shore of Costa Rica, measures 23,85 square km and is a national park. Many hammerhead sharks, rays and dolphins live in the deep waters with counter-currents that surround it.

Aromatic Theatre

noreply@blogger.com (Instituto de Espanol) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 21:57:00 +0000

La rosa de dos aromas (The rose of two scents), play of the theatre Vargas Calvo, tells the story of Marlene, interpreted by María Chaves, and Gabriela, interpreted by Alejandra Portillo.

Marlene is single mother with two children and Gabriela is the other side of the coin: a married woman, mother of three children, with a professional carreer and respected by society. The fate makes that they become aware of the fact that both are the woman of the same man.

After learning that they are victims of the lies of a man with two faces, Marlene and Gabriela decide to join and think in a solution to get out of the jail the father of their children.
The director of this comedy thinks that one of the important virtues of this play is the ability of addressing an delicate issue in a humorous tone.
Don’t miss this play!

Absurd Theater until 31st of August

noreply@blogger.com (Instituto de Espanol) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 21:57:00 +0000

Last Friday the play La cantante calva (The bald-headed singer) of Eugene Ionesco and under the direction of Fabián Sales of the theatre Teatro Dionisio in Heredia had its debut.
This play belongs to the absurd theatre represented by the group Terruño Espressivo and disposes of a cast headed by the experienced Manuel Ruiz and María Bonilla, who represent the couple Smith.
This comedy belongs to the theatre of the absurd in which nothing that happens seems to be logic.
Therefore, many things that happen in the scene do not make sense but are full of humor: a couple seated on a WC, a refrigerator which everybody opens although its empty or conversations held in a bed in the living-room.
This play tries to touch the lack of communication between couples, young ones as well as those of many years.
The couple Smith is the best mirror in order to show this problem. They have been living together for many years. However they are not able to sit down and talk like two civilized persons.
The situations will lead to laughter in the viewers. The reason? Many will not be able to avoid laughing when they see the behaviour of the protagonists and listen to their word plays, which do not lead to nothing.
Just a last remark: If you wish to know why we haven’t talked about the cantante calva until now, you will have to discover the answer seated on one of the seats of the theatre Dionisio.
The season of this play, which had been presented for its first time in 1950, will be on Saturday and Sunday finishing on 31 of August.
When will you see the play?

noreply@blogger.com (Instituto de Espanol) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 21:36:00 +0000

Study Abroad Program Coastal Carolina University 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Instituto de Espanol) — Mon, 19 May 2008 20:10:00 +0000

On 11th of May we welcomed this year’s students from the Coastal Carolina University from Conway, South Carolina!

The group of 28 students experience the total immersion program at IECR from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. In the afternoons they participate in cultural activities in order to learn more about the Latin American culture. We included Salsa dance lessons as well as tropical fruits sessions. We are curious to see how they will follow the salsa rhythm!!

The Rainforest aerial tram is included in this year´s program – without doubt as a positive feedback of last year’s students who had great fun during the trip through the tropical forest!

This year’s weekend excursions will lead us to the famous national park Manual Antonio with its beautiful white sand beaches as well as to national park volcano Arenal. At Areanal we will experience the adventure of observing one of the active volcanoes of Latin American and after the trip relax in the hot springs of the baldi Springs. We will make sure to post the documentary when it comes out …

National Museum

noreply@blogger.com (Instituto de Espanol) — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:30:00 +0000

On their last day in Costa Rica, before they are flying back home, this years students from the Coastal Carolina University’s study abroad program are visiting the National Museum in San José.

The building itself is a highlight as the museum is located in an old fort. It encloses an open courtyard from which our students can enjoy beautiful views overlooking downtown San José and the mountains beyond.

The museum features pre-Columbian art with displays of gold, jade, stone and pottery. There are other pre-Columbian artifacts from indigenous cultures dating back more than 12,000 years.

Rainforest Aerial Tram

noreply@blogger.com (Instituto de Espanol) — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:07:00 +0000

This is truly an original Costa Rican adventure: take a ride on an aerial tramway and glide pleasantly through the treetops. Experience the rain forest in comfort and safety and from a totally different dimension.

Located 50 minutes from San José, the aerial tram takes you over an expansive private nature preserve which shelters an incredible eco-tourism and research park which is full of both known and unknown plant and animal species. You will be able to see wildlife close-up for the first time.

You will see all the different layers of the rainforest, from the floor to the treetops. The rainforest is home to an enormous amount of flora and fauna. Colorful tropical flowers, fascinating plants and trees are quite common, and you will learn how they work together to form a complete ecosystem.

…fall in love with nature’s wonders, natural melodies, hidden eyes and the sweet company of the forest’s inhabitants…!

Pura Vida

noreply@blogger.com (Instituto de Espanol) — Mon, 12 May 2008 20:04:00 +0000

“Pura Vida” means literally “Pure Life” and is Costa Rica’s most unique and popular phrase and one of the most important phrases, which is used as a positive response in all type of situations.
Here are a few examples of how this expression is used:

Hello = Pura Vida
Good-bye = Pura Vida
Thank you = Pura Vida
Sounds good = Pura Vida
How are you? – Reply: Pura Vida (= fine, good, great, content)
How do I look? – Reply: You look Pura Vida (= You look very well)
How was it? – Reply: Pura Vida
Can you please do that for me? – Reply: Pura Vida (= sure, ok)

This phrase has also come to signify the way of life of the typical Costa Rican. A Pura Vida lifestyle is worry-free. Ticos are less concerned about a life of luxury than they are about a life of few concerns. They prefer to have a relaxed outlook on life and enjoy it as much as they can.
You will find the Ticos do not sweat the small stuff, do not rush, and spend quality time with family. Ticos are famous for their hospitality, and are quite happy to live up to their reputation.

La Paz Waterfall Gardens Park

noreply@blogger.com (Instituto de Espanol) — Mon, 12 May 2008 20:03:00 +0000

When you think about Costa Rica, you probably imagine lush tropical Rain Forests, flowing white rivers, spectacular waterfalls, birds, butterflies and flowers. At La Paz Waterfall Gardens, you will have the possibility to see all that.

The splendid gardens of La Paz are located on the slopes of the Poas volcano, just an hour from San Jose, in the central highlands. This area is rich in bio diversity thanks to an altitude that varies between 4,000 and 5,000 feet, allowing for both cloud forest and rain forest to co-exist. Be prepared for a truly magical experience. Here, visitors will find the largest butterfly observatory in the world, hummingbird and bromeliad gardens, a serpentarium,frog pond, hiking trails and 5 striking waterfalls.

2008 – International Year of Languages “Languages Matter!”

noreply@blogger.com (Instituto de Espanol) — Mon, 12 May 2008 19:58:00 +0000

This year 2008 was declared the INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF LANGUAGES by the United Nations.
Their objective is to ensure that the importance of linguistic diversity and multilingualism in educational, administrative and legal systems, cultural expressions and the media, cyberspace and trade, is recognized at the national, regional and international levels.
On average, a language ceases to be spoken every two weeks. Within the space of a few generations, more than half of the 7,000 languages spoken in the world may disappear, and according to experts, 96% of languages are spoken by only 4% of the population. Thousands of languages – though mastered by those populations for whom it is the daily means of expression – are absent from education systems, the media, publishing and the public domain in general.

To celebrate the International Year of Languages, UNESCO invites governments, United Nations organizations, civil society organizations, educational institutions, professional associations and all other stakeholders to increase their own activities to promote and protect all languages, particularly endangered languages, in all individual and collective contexts.

By encouraging and developing language policies that enable each linguistic community to use its first language, or mother tongue, as widely and as often as possible, including in education, while also mastering a national or regional language and an international language. Also by encouraging speakers of a dominant language to master another national or regional language and one or two international languages. Only if multilingualism is fully accepted can all languages find their place in our globalized world.

Why Learn Spanish?

noreply@blogger.com (Instituto de Espanol) — Mon, 12 May 2008 17:31:00 +0000

Learning Spanish is a popular and one of the easiest languages to learn if you are an English speaker. If you have ever considered learning another language why not give Spanish a try? There are over 400 million Spanish speakers spanning across 28 countries worldwide.

Learning Spanish can open up a whole new world of cultural experiences. Obviously one of the main reasons for learning the Spanish language is too enhance any overseas travel you may be considering. Not only would you be able effectively communicate with native Spanish speakers you will also have a lot more fun. However travel is certainly not the only reason why learning Spanish is a good idea. Spanish is a highly phonetic language which is one of the reasons why it is so easy to learn.

Once you have mastered Spanish at a proficient level learning other languages, especially from European countries will be very easy by comparison. This is due to the fact the Spanish is based on the roman language of Latin and has many common recognizable elements of other languages such as French and German. It is far easier to understand fundamental ideas due to the similar nature and structure of these other languages.

Also learning Spanish will also give you a true insight into Spanish culture and you will learn to appreciate Spanish day to day life on all levels, providing you with a cultural rich experience.

If you are considering learning a new language, there are a lot of resources to help you to make a start. One resource is provided by IECR.