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Archive for November, 2009

Expanish News: Expanish Spanish School in Buenos Aires is Growing…

Monday, November 30, 2009 13:43

Categories - Expanish News - 0 Comments

sany0136 Expanish News: Expanish Spanish School in Buenos Aires is Growing…

Our beautiful Spanish School was just not quite spacious enough for all of the students wanting to take Spanish class with us, so we have expanded and opened up a second floor!

Our Spanish school in Buenos Aires is located in the heart of downtown, only blocks from the Obelisk on Avenida 9 de Julio and one block from Avenida Cordoba.  Expanish is housed in a French style building which features sky high ceilings, spacious student rooms and a common room, French windows, comfortable furniture, a snack area, two patios, and now occupies two floors, giving us a total of 14 spacious and naturally lit classrooms!

Our reception and head office are still located on the first floor along with 9 classrooms. On the second floor, students will find spacious and naturally lit classrooms, large French windows that open up to the street entrance, a student common room, bathrooms, and a snack area.

Students in Spanish classes will now either take classes on the first floor or the second floor, celebrating all events, meetings, etc, on the first floor, as well as still finding the activities calendar, workshop sign-up, and resources on the first floor. 

If you are studying Spanish in Buenos Aires with Expanish and have any questions about our new extension, don’t hesitate to speak to one of our friendly staff members who will be happy to answer any of your questions!

See our Spanish School in Buenos Aires here!

Check out our Spanish courses at Expanish here!

A summer night out in Buenos Aires: 3 must visit outdoor restaurants in the city.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009 8:16

Categories - Restaurants, Bars, Cafes, Clubs - 0 Comments

diningpatio A summer night out in Buenos Aires: 3 must visit outdoor restaurants in the city.

Studying Spanish in Buenos Aires during the summer months?

Summer has arrived in the city of Buenos Aires and the locals are already taking advantage of the warm weather, enjoying dinner on an outside patio or terrace, sipping wine or coffee, until the late hours of the night.

If you are a learning Spanish in Buenos Aires during the summer months, you are lucky to see the city’s vibrant nightlife and witness the dining culture that makes Buenos Aires so unique. To take advantage of the warm weather, eating outside is simply a must, and here are three of Buenos Aires best restaurants with outside seating in Palermo. 

 

Congo – Honduras 5329

Located in the charming neighbourhood of Palermo, this funky restaurant/bar has an incredible outdoor patio, surrounded by tall trees, plant, small lights, and an outside bar. Considered one of the best outdoor resto/bars in the city, Congo matches its spectacular atmosphere with delicious fusion cuisine and innovative cocktails. Come here on any Thursday, Friday, or Saturday, and the place will be packed. 

Olsen – Gorriti 5870

This Scandinavian gem is hidden behind a large wooden fence in the heart of Palermo Hollywood. Once you enter, a garden spreads out before the restaurant, with small tables scattered throughout the grass, trees, and plants. Complimented by small outdoor lights, dining outside at Olsen is truly enjoyable, the opportune time to relax in the garden while feasting on rich Scandinavian dishes, such as smoked fish, and tasting their 40 plus selection of vodkas.

Carnel – Niceto Vega 5511

This hip restaurant bar has a fantastic inside but is famous for its rooftop terrace, complete with tiki lights, tropical plants, and a dark, reggae music filled atmosphere. The drinks are great, made at the terrace bar, and the food is interesting and eclectic, plus well priced.  A great place to first dine, and later dance on the terrace as the place fills up with young trendsetters.

Enjoy this summer in Buenos Aires!

 

Interested in Learning Spanish in Buenos Aires? Check out our Expanish Spanish School in Argentina!

Study Spanish in Buenos Aires, the City of Street Art

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 8:33

Categories - Art, Museums, Theatre & Cinema - 0 Comments

 

graffiti Study Spanish in Buenos Aires, the City of Street Art

You do not have to visit a famous art gallery or an international renowned museum in Buenos Aires to see great art.  In between the beautiful architecture, modern high rises, and eclectic apartment buildings, there is still plenty of boring grey concrete and  the ‘artists’ of Buenos Aires are taking these ‘empty canvases’ and making masterpieces out of them.

Take your Spanish classes to the streets and discover the graffiti in Buenos Aires!

Street Art in Buenos Aires – the who, what, and where of Graffiti in Buenos Aires

  • Who

Graffiti or Street Art is widely accepted in the city of Buenos Aires, perhaps not going so far to say its legal, however if a talented artist is creating a mural on an empty wall, most will turn a blind eye.  Artists range from teenagers who want to voice their opinion about the government, poverty, or just joke around, to extremely talented graffiti artists who create incredible, intricate, and just absolutely beautiful works of art.

  • What

Art found in the city ranges from written phrases to slang, cartooned government officials, political and military depictions, and murals of famous figures, symbol figures, and regular art. A large amount of the graffiti found in downtown Buenos Aires is an expression of the locals dissatisfaction with government, political figures, military, and the economy. Whereas the graffiti in Palermo is slight more artistic, and often depicts thoughts, opinions, and famous figure, through symbolic art and murals. 

  • Where

Take a walking tour through the city of Buenos Aires and you will find graffiti. Specifically in the areas of downtown, San Telmo, Colegiales, Villa Crespo, and Palermo, graffiti lovers will find the majority of the street art in the city.

Interested in more ?

Graffiti Tour: A local company called Graffiti Mundo in Buenos Aires offers tours of street art around the city of Buenos Aires.  Tours are typically every Wednesday and Friday, from 2:30-7pm, and cost $70 pesos. www.graffitimundo.com

ABC did a special on street art in Buenos Aires, check it out here:  Graffiti in Buenos Aires

 

Check out our Expanish Spanish classes in Buenos Aires!

 

How to learn Spanish in Buenos Aires…Outside of the classroom!

Friday, November 20, 2009 11:19

Categories - Buenos Aires City Attractions - 0 Comments

blurrywalk How to learn Spanish in Buenos Aires…Outside of the classroom!

Learning Spanish in the classroom is the only way you are going to learn proper Spanish (grammar, verbs, tenses, etc) and learn the fundamentals of the language.  The trick to learning practical Spanish, slang, expressions, conversation, etc, is to combine your Spanish classes with ‘classes’ outside of the classroom.

Take your Spanish lessons in Buenos Aires to the streets…

5 Ways to Learn Spanish Outside of the Classroom

  • 1) Activities & workshops

Activities such as city tours, art and museum exhibits, soccer games, and more, will expose you to locals, forcing you to practice your Spanish and improving you language skills in no time! Workshops give you the chance to learn a new skill, in Spanish, plus practice your Spanish with the instructor and other students in the workshop.

  • 2) Make local friends

Speak with your roommates, your homestay family, Spanish students, Spanish teachers, or any other local that could be good conversation or a friend. The best way to learn Spanish quickly is not speak it 24/7!

  • 3) Join a local group

Sign up for a local gym, dance class, theatre group, book club, etc, and speak Spanish with your other group members. This is not only a great way to meet locals who have the same interests as you but will allow you to practice your Spanish on a consistent basis plus participate in an activity that you enjoy.

  • 4) Go to the movies or theatre

Going to a movie or the theatre in Spanish will help intermediate to advanced Spanish speakers improve their Spanish in a hurry. This will give you the opportunity to combine your listening skills with actions, improving the way you listen to Spanish and the pronunciation of words.

  • 5) Only Speak Spanish

Only speak Spanish outside of the classroom will guarantee you to learn Spanish more quickly. Often, it is easier to just switch back into your native language and forget about Spanish. Train yourself to only speak Spanish, using a dictionary if necessary, and remind yourself how important it is to be patient during the process!

Check out more ways to learn Spanish in Buenos Aires with our Free Spanish Resources!

 

How be a vegetarian in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Tuesday, November 17, 2009 11:11

Categories - Restaurants, Bars, Cafes, Clubs - 2 Comments

 

banana How be a vegetarian in Buenos Aires, Argentina

You are studying Spanish in Argentina; the CARNE (meat) capital of South America, where fresh pastas with meat balls, pizza with pepperoni, and steaks the size of soccer balls are readily available and affordable at every local restaurant, and the only downside to it all is that… you don’t eat meat!  How are you going to be a Vegetarian in Argentina? Here are some tips and tricks to ease the effort:

Shop before you go to Argentina

Before you leave home, stock up on the non-perishable items that you are certain you cannot buy abroad in Buenos Aires. If there are herbs that you use to spice up your veggies or organic rice, flavour cubes, etc, buy them before you leave and use them abroad. This will make its a lot easier to still cook your favourite foods at home!

Cook at home in Buenos Aires

You still have the option to cook in your homestay, shared apartment, etc, when in Buenos Aires.  You obviously will not be eating out every night here so take advantage of those nights that you are at home and cook some of your favourite veggie dishes or take a local dish and make it vegetarian.

Discover the local food markets

There are a few great food markets or areas in Buenos Aires, such as China Town (Barrio Chino) that has plenty of interesting foods, tofu, herbs, and hard to find products imported from other countries.

Practice your Spanish before you order

In a country as meat focused as Argentina, it can sometimes be difficult to explain to your waiter that you want a dish without any meat. Sometimes ‘no carne’ (no meat) is understood as no red meat, and you will be served chicken or fish. Make sure you utilize your teacher in your Spanish classes and learn enough vocabulary to explain that ‘no meat’ means ‘no meat’.

Be nice

Sometimes being a vegetarian abroad can be frustrating when you are hungry and your options are limited. Remember that being patient and being kind will get you a lot further than snapping at your waiter and demanding your vegetarian dish!    Be nice, be polite, and you will be surprised how helpful people are.

Check out our Buenos Aires Food Blogs!

Interested in Spanish courses in Buenos Aires? Find out more here!

Traveling abroad and Studying Spanish. Decisions, decisions…Part 2

Thursday, November 12, 2009 12:07

Categories - Argentina Travel Info - 0 Comments

road Traveling abroad and Studying Spanish. Decisions, decisions…Part 2

Studying Spanish in Buenos Aires?  Need to make some of those basic decisions and not finding them so basic?  We are here to help!

Check out Traveling Abroad and Studying Spanish. Decisions, decisions…Part 1 >>>>

Electronics

Bring or leave electronics

Many traveler’s today or students studying Spanish abroad are taking their valuable electronics from back home on the road with them. Items such as ipod’s, mp3 players, laptops, Macbooks, and digital cameras/video cameras are just a few of the fairly ‘pricey’ electronics that make ones life ‘easier’ and ‘more connected’ but carry the risky of theft, breakage, etc. Pro’s and con’s:

Taking electronics along

  • Having your ipod or laptop can make those long bus rides, nights at home, or subway rides to your Spanish classes much more enjoyable and give students the opportunity to stay in contact while abroad. (pro)
  • The weight, electric conversion, and possibility of breakage or theft are high; is it worth the risk? (con)

Leaving electronics at home

  • You don’t have to worry about any of your very valuable items getting stolen, lost, or broken, or the cost that comes with having to replace any of those items. Plus, no extra weight, no electronic conversion=no responsibility. (pro)
  • You will not be able to listen to your favourite song, email your parents at any given time, Facebook your friends, etc, without your laptop, Macbook, ipod, etc. (con)

 

Travel Style

Tourist or traveler?

How do you like to travel? Do you prefer to fade into a crowd or stand out as a foreigner? Is cultural immersion you thing or foreigner events?

Tourist

  • This is a smooth transition into another culture; you speak your native language, you apply for foreigner tours, and you meet other interesting people from around the world. It may be the easiest way to travel abroad. (pro)
  • You won’t learn Spanish, you won’t meet local Argentines, and you probably won’t get a good understanding of the local culture. (con)

Traveler

  • You will find that speaking Spanish with the locals, eating the local food, living with locals, and participating in daily life will open your eyes to entirely new way of  thinking.  (pro)
  • Be prepared to work your butt off; practice the language, put yourself out there, be social, try new things, and be adventurous. (There really is not a con to traveling like a ‘traveler’, so we will label this one a “difficult pro”)

Find out more about traveling abroad and studying Spanish in Buenos Aires!

 

Traveling Abroad and Studying Spanish. Decisions, decisions… Part 1

Monday, November 9, 2009 14:09

Categories - Argentina Travel Info - 0 Comments

 

handreaching Traveling Abroad and Studying Spanish. Decisions, decisions… Part 1

 

Studying Spanish in Buenos Aires?  Need to make some of those basic decisions and not finding them so basic?  We are here to help!

Traveling Abroad

Backpack vs Suitcase

This is one of the most talked about items on a travel abroad experience. There are some travelers who swear by the ‘traveling backpack’ and others who still stick to the ‘trusty suitcase’. Let’s see the pros and cons of both:

Backpack

  • Very typically suitable to traveling for its ‘take-me-anywhere” attitude (pro)
  • If it’s too big for you or two full, this thing can turn you body into a question mark (con)

Suitcase

  • The trusty suitcase, just grab it by its handle, pop it on its wheels, and get going. Lightweight! (pro)
  • If you have to go up and downstairs or walk along cracked (or non-existent) sidewalks or pavement, life gets tricky. (con)

Living Abroad

Independent  or Organized

Whether or not you plan to organize your trip, studies, etc, before you go is entirely up to you. Some traveler’s prefer to have a plan and other’s not! Pro’s and Con’s:

Independent

  • Live life by the seat of your pants! Wake up when you want, study Spanish went you want, hop on a plane when you want, the world is your oyster! (pro)
  • You may be too late to sign up for Spanish classes, there may be no more seats on the plane, and the oyster may have closed its shell. (con)

Organized

  • Planning your flight, accommodation, Spanish classes, etc, is a good way to have your life organized when you go abroad, leaving out any headaches and giving you ample to just enjoy your travels. (pro)
  • Too much organization can leave you with no room for change, meaning once you are abroad and settle in, you may want to change your accommodation, time of stay, etc…If everything is booked you will have to work around this.  (con)

 

Check out Decisions, decisions…Part 2 for more decision-making help!

 

Interested in taking Spanish courses in Buenos Aires, find out more here!