The Canary Islands

The powerful numbers spanish language is also popular for its romanticism. Anywhere, you see and hear newscasts, TV shows, movies and books in Spanish. Paulo Coelho and Gabriel Garcia Marquez lead the pack in introducing the Spanish literary power worldwide.

Spanish Number Blunders

Sadly, there are several people who dared desecrate the language. People display incorrect interpretations of Spanish numbers.

A classic example of this is Chad Johnson from the National Football League. Written above the number 85 of his jersey is “Ocho Cinco.” If he displays more respect for the Spanish language, he will realize that the correct interpretation of 85 is “ochenta y cinco.”

Formatting dates in Spanish words also becomes a victim of number booboo. Just to give you an idea, US dates are expressed in month/date/year while Spanish dates are written in date-month-year – this is applicable if the dates are expressed only in numbers. On the other hand, if the dates are expressed as a combination of words and numbers, the correct way of writing them in Spanish is 14 de augusto 2008; take note that the said language doesn’t require the capitalization of the first letter of the month.

Avoiding Number Blunders

Still widely considered as one of the best ways to avoid these blunders in numbers, Spanish classes will allow you to practice calling out the numbers in their correct order. And when you do memorize these numbers, you can take full advantage of the Spanish numerical system!

Advantages of Knowing

The significance of understanding the correct formatting of spanish numbers is magnified because of the prevalence of Spanish-speaking companies. If you happen to be in a large corporation, you’ll certainly encounter shipping documents and verbal or written correspondences that have Spanish information on them. You don’t wish to have communication lapses so you better master the Spanish number system by heart.

It is also to your advantage when ordering out. In America, Mexican food is famous and the fact is, many diners that offer this type of food speak very little or no English at all. Just imagine getting more than you ordered for (and paying more than you are prepared to shell out) simply because you messed up your Spanish numbers! In this scenario, it is certainly better to learn how to count from one to one hundred (in Spanish, that is) than to pay one hundred dollars more.

If you reside in a huge city with a Hispanic community, like Miami and Los Angeles, you will certainly come across Spanish-speaking fellows who have little knowledge of the English language. Or if they do speak English, they are more comfortable using their native language. If you do know how to speak Spanish, you will have no issues getting around these places.

And the greatest benefit of knowing your numbers in spanish is that you will be able to learn the language faster. Did you know that Spanish numbers can be used as pronouns, too? This is applicable to both cardinal numbers and ordinal numbers, but only when these stand for the number and a noun that’s either omitted or implied. At first, this concept seems confusing but as you go further with your Spanish lessons, you’ll find out that this makes perfect sense.

Así pues, ahora comience sus lecciones españolas y aumente su número de amigos y de negocio.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S9tqWWgZaE

Being able to communicate in phrases spanish doesn’t mean that you master every aspect of the language. You just need the most common Spanish phrases and surely, you’ll get your message across easily. While it’s sometimes adorable to speak broken Spanish, it’s always way better to be understood during the first tries.

Conversation Phrases: Spanish to Get You By

If your Spanish repertoire is only limited, you can communicate such condition by using the following phrases:

• No hablo español - I don’t speak Spanish
• ¿Habla usted inglés? - Do you speak English?
• No comprendo - I don’t understand
• Mas lentamente/despacio, por favor - Speak more slowly, please

Eating Phrases: Spanish to Satisfy Your Food Cravings

Traveling is incomplete without food and wine. Whether you take your meals in the nearby diner, in a private home, in a fancy restaurant or an expensive hotel, these phrase spanish are necessary in communicating the needs of your stomach:

• Tengo hambre - I’m hungry
• Tengo sed - I am thirsty
• Quiero ver el menú, por favor - I would like to see the menu, please
• Quiero pedir, por favor - I would like to order, please
• La cuenta, por favor - May I have the bill, please?

In many food establishments, menus come with pictures and famous names such as patatas (potatoes), arroz (rice), pollo (chicken) and ensalada mixta (mixed salad). Majority of the travelers will just choose these. But then again, are you in Spain to simply taste the same old dishes that you order in your homeland?

Money, Money, Money

Money is a primary requirement in any travel. To avoid having problems with your finances, make use of these familiar phrases:

• Quiero cambiar algunos cheques de viaje, por favor - I would like to change some travelers checks, please
• ¿Dónde se puede cambiar dinero? - Where can we change some money?
• ¿Cuándo abre/cierre el banco? - When does the bank open/close?

Knowing the terms related to your money will certainly help you in keeping track of your bills and coins.

Doctor, Doctor I am Sick

Traveling comes with the possibility of illnesses. These phrases will help you get quick medical attention:

• Estoy enfermo - I am sick.
• ¿Podría llamar a un médico, por favor? - Could you please call a doctor?

A few hand gestures shall let you express your pains to a doctor. Otherwise, you can get a translator.

Spanish Phrases for 911

Just in case you encounter an emergency, these common spanish word will be most helpful to get you the assistance that you require:

• ¡Socorro! - Help!
• ¿Hay una comisaría de policías cerca? - Is there a police station nearby?

Hopefully, the police officers should be able to help you with your problem, particularly when it comes to losing your passport or reporting a theft. Even the simple issue of being lost may also be reported to them.

So grab that pocket English-Spanish dictionary and pack these handful of Spanish phrases and you’re definitely ready for the adventure of your life. ¡Tenga un viaje seguro!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6Zj8GyA4ys

You can traverse a number of continents and find out that a fraction of the world’s population, approximately one-third, speak the Spanish language. But nothing could be more fulfilling in learning the said language than actually going to Spain.

The people and places that make up the Spanish culture should inspire anyone to learn about the vastness of their language. English adaptations of the works of these Spanish artists and directors are available but experiencing them in their original language satisfies all of your five senses — making the experience more rewarding.

Famous People

One major benefit of knowing how to speak Spanish is the ability to appreciate the magnificent works of famous directors, actors and artists without needing hard-to-follow subtitles. One consequence of using the English version of their masterpieces is the fact that some of films’ essence are lost in translation.

You have Academy Award winner Pedro Aldomovar as a prime example of Spanish passion and temperament translated into film. He is known as the enfant terrible of Spanish cinema with films like Entre Tinieblas and Habla con Ella; enjoy these in their original language and be thankful that you took the trouble to learn spanish. Add in the excellent acting talents of Antonio Banderas and Penelope Cruz and you will be transported into another world.

learning spanish culture is also known for romanticism and passion. A prime example is the father and son partnership of Julio and Enrique Iglesias who, across time, continue to serenade the world with their ballads. While you can still sing to these tunes without having to fully understand the lyrics, that experience will be nothing compared to the opposite. So, learn Spanish now and be able to listen with all your heart and mind!

Where You Need to Be When in Spain

Spaniards have a high regard for their country and their historical and tourist spots will tell you why.

The best place for you if you are into parties is Ibiza. There, you will experience a whole new world of partying: ever heard of disco sunrises? Shake your bon-bon to famous international hits and choose from a variety of parties ranging from foam to water parties. Ibiza is not just all fun as it also houses World Heritage sites.

Cordoba, with its huge number of ancient ruins, religious buildings (Mezquita) and civil and military buildings (The Palace of Viana), is the place for the architecture lover. Barcelona and Madrid are also known for their historical spots, aside from splendid architecture and warm people.

It’s true that you can enjoy these places without having to learn spanish language. But taking that extra mile will certainly not make you appear like a clueless tourist who did not find time to learn about the language of the country he/she is visiting.

Need we also mention the numerous holidays in Spain? You may use that time to satisfy your palette with local food and to surround yourself with the native speakers of the language. So, you still think learning Spanish is difficult? Not when you are in Spain!

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Looking for a reasonably priced holiday break this winter?  The Canary Islands are the closest winter sun destination to the UK – at just four hours flying time.  Yet still boast temperatures above the right side of 20C, even during the depths of December and January.

 However all of the main tourist islands in the archipelago, such as Lanzarote, have pronounced microclimates.  Making the choice of resort of paramount importance for those in search of maximum sunshine.

 Lanzarote has long been established as a popular holiday destination, especially amongst British and Irish tourists.  As they are usually able to access a range of cheap holidays and low cost flights to Lanzarote that are not so readily available in other markets, such as Germany and Scandinavia.

 However visitors to Lanzarote need to choose their resort with care.  As for a small island, measuring just 58km long and 35 km wide, Lanzarote offers quite big variations in microclimate.  Especially during the winter months. 

 Whilst the south and centre– encompassing resorts such as Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca –can be basking in warm temperatures, the North can feel cold and wintry by comparison at this time of year.  A phenomenon created by the presence of a large range of mountains – Los Riscos de Famara – which encourages cloud to linger so cooling this area of the island.

 Add in the prevailing North West wind and relatively low sea temperatures (as this is the Atlantic and not the Med) and a winter holiday in the North of the island can be a chillier experience than expected.  Far better therefore to head south.

 Playa Blanca is Lanzarote´s newst and southern most resort.  Located right at the bottom tip of the island, just across the Bocaina Strait from the neighbouring island of Fuertventura.  A location which generally ensures that temperatures can be at least a few degrees higher than in the most northerly resort of Costa Teguise.  Whilst also granting great views and the opportunity to explore not just one island but two.

 Thanks to this enviable location Playa Blanca has really taken off over the last few years.  As large hotel groups and developers have seized on its potential and poured millions of euros into creating the best selection of new, four and five star hotels and luxury holiday villas in Lanzarote.  Providing a range of choice unmatched in either Puerto del Carmen or Costa Teguise.

 As well as quality accommodation and a great climate Playa Blanca also boasts the best selection of beaches on the island.  Encompassing the breathtaking set of coves and bays at Papapagayo (parrot in Spanish), some ten minutes walk from the centre of the town.  As well as some fine stretches of sand within the resort itself – such as Playa Dorada and Playa Flamingo.

 Whilst the town itself has also grown organically – and fortunately lacks the superficial feel so endemic to most man made or purpose built holiday resorts.

With an organic heart in the town centre around the small beach of the same name – Playa Blanca.  With plenty of good quality restaurants in and around the main seafront area.

 The opening of the luxurious Marina Rubicon a few years ago has also given the resort an added dimension.  Attracting upmarket restaurants and bars such as Lanzarote´s very own branch of Café del Mar.  Creating a more sophisticated ambience than can be found in the other resorts on the island.