The Spanish Word-of-the-Year 2017 is...

Here's a video (and some other resources - including an excellent 'gráfico interactivo') of the 12 finalists for Spanish word-of-the-year, as suggested by FundéuBBVA.

The winner will be chosen on December 29th.

fundeu.es/palabra-del-año/2017/
 

If you enjoyed this resource, you might like to read about my first year here in Spain as an immersion teacher of a class of Spanish primary children. Zen Kyu Maestro: An English Teacher´s Spanish Adventure is published as an eBook by Monday Books. There´s a free sample chapter available to download here: Zen Kyu Maestro
 Also, you can keep up with my current observations on life as an ex-pat teacher in Spain, as well as thoughts on the Spanish and English languages on my blog: zen kyu maestro...teacher in Spain or follow me on Twitter (@JeremyJoseDean) and/or Facebook (Jeremy Jose Dean).

Zadie Smith, Entrevista en el Mundo

Here's an interview with novelist Zadie Smith, recently published in el Mundo, for your students to translate. It's a wide-ranging piece which includes references to her latest book, Swing Time.

Zadie Smith: Swing Time

If you enjoyed this resource, you might like to read about my first year here in Spain as an immersion teacher of a class of Spanish primary children. Zen Kyu Maestro: An English Teacher´s Spanish Adventure is published as an eBook by Monday Books. There´s a free sample chapter available to download here: Zen Kyu Maestro
 Also, you can keep up with my current observations on life as an ex-pat teacher in Spain, as well as thoughts on the Spanish and English languages on my blog: zen kyu maestro...teacher in Spain or follow me on Twitter (@JeremyJoseDean) and/or Facebook (Jeremy Jose Dean).

It's Christmas! Well, it is in Spain.

It's that time of year again, the Sorteo de Navidad (what we know as 'el Gordo') has released its annual 'anuncio' (advert). Each year it seems to be a bigger production and this year's runs to just under 20 minutes! It's almost a mini film, but then it has been made by the famous Spanish director Alejandro Amenábar (The Others, The Sea Inside, Agora).

So, sit down, break out the popcorn, dim the lights... and have the Kleenex at the ready, it's a bit of a weepie.

Feliz Navidad!

Jeremy Dean

el Gordo, Sorteo de Navidad 2017

Last year's advert:

2016

If you enjoyed this resource, you might like to read about my first year here in Spain as an immersion teacher of a class of Spanish primary children. Zen Kyu Maestro: An English Teacher´s Spanish Adventure is published as an eBook by Monday Books. There´s a free sample chapter available to download here: Zen Kyu Maestro
 Also, you can keep up with my current observations on life as an ex-pat teacher in Spain, as well as thoughts on the Spanish and English languages on my blog: zen kyu maestro...teacher in Spain or follow me on Twitter (@JeremyJoseDean) and/or Facebook (Jeremy Jose Dean).

Spanish Hot Lemon in Hot Water...

 

An advert (anuncio) for the Spanish equivalent of 'Hot Lemon' cold and flu treatment (Frenadol Complex) has caused a bit of a controversy (polémica) over the last few days. Challenge you students to discover the reason for the row by watching the advert (link below).

And to give you a little bit of Spanish listening practice, I won't add the answer to this blog until next week...

Which is now - and the reason for the controversy is of course the note at the bottom of the screen after 14 seconds: 'Este medicamento puede producir somnolencia. Se recomienda no conducir...'

¡Disfruta!

el Resfriado de Jaime

If you enjoyed this resource, you might like to read about my first year here in Spain as an immersion teacher of a class of Spanish primary children. Zen Kyu Maestro: An English Teacher´s Spanish Adventure is published as an eBook by Monday Books. There´s a free sample chapter available to download here: Zen Kyu Maestro
 Also, you can keep up with my current observations on life as an ex-pat teacher in Spain, as well as thoughts on the Spanish and English languages on my blog: zen kyu maestro...teacher in Spain or follow me on Twitter (@JeremyJoseDean) and/or Facebook (Jeremy Jose Dean).

Vik y Van...

Movistar+ (the Spanish equivalent of Sky TV) has an entertaining series of self-publicising adverts featuring Vik y Van. Sharpen up your listening skills...

Vik y Van.

If you enjoyed this resource, you might like to read about my first year here in Spain as an immersion teacher of a class of Spanish primary children. Zen Kyu Maestro: An English Teacher´s Spanish Adventure is published as an eBook by Monday Books. There´s a free sample chapter available to download here: Zen Kyu Maestro
 Also, you can keep up with my current observations on life as an ex-pat teacher in Spain, as well as thoughts on the Spanish and English languages on my blog: zen kyu maestro...teacher in Spain or follow me on Twitter (@JeremyJoseDean) and/or Facebook (Jeremy Jose Dean).

El Gordo Video 2016

22nd December is the date for Spain's annual 'Gordo' lottery draw. Almost as exciting as the draw is the advert which goes with it. In recent years these ads have become talking points in the national media. So here's this year's...

2016

If you enjoyed this resource, you might like to read about my first year here in Spain as an immersion teacher of a class of Spanish primary children. Zen Kyu Maestro: An English Teacher´s Spanish Adventure is published as an eBook by Monday Books. There´s a free sample chapter available to download here: Zen Kyu Maestro
 Also, you can keep up with my current observations on life as an ex-pat teacher in Spain, as well as thoughts on the Spanish and English languages on my blog: zen kyu maestro...teacher in Spain or follow me on Twitter (@JeremyJoseDean) and/or Facebook (Jeremy Jose Dean).

La Otra Carta.

I'm sure you're just about ready to start the festive season, so here's a little something from Ikea (say ee-kay-ya if you're in España). Something for your students to translate and ponder...

N.B. You might need to explain to your students before watching, the Spanish tradition of children writing Xmas letters to Los Reyes Majos (instead of Santa or Father Christmas). This will also explain why so many flats seem to attract brightly-clad burglars in the run-up to Christmas...

¡Feliz Navidad!

IKEA presenta la Otra Carta

You will, however, notice that Santa is gaining ground on the Reyes in some households...

If you enjoyed this resource, you might like to read about my first year here in Spain as an immersion teacher of a class of Spanish primary children. Zen Kyu Maestro: An English Teacher´s Spanish Adventure is published as an eBook by Monday Books. There´s a free sample chapter available to download here: Zen Kyu Maestro
 Also, you can keep up with my current observations on life as an ex-pat teacher in Spain, as well as thoughts on the Spanish and English languages on my blog: zen kyu maestro...teacher in Spain or follow me on Twitter (@JeremyJoseDean) and/or Facebook (Jeremy Jose Dean).