Categories
Ana's latest story describes the daily grind of a high school History teacher. Pushed to the limit by the boredom of the curriculum and rebellious students, she decides to turn the tables, and invites the students to enact their versions...
Ana Ruiz, translation by Craig Burgess
Tenochtitlán - a city of water and temples - lies buried under the immensity of modern day Mexico City. What was this incredible city like when the Spanish first set eyes on it in the 16th Century? This article offers...
Craig Burgess, translation Craig Burgess
What is it to be a beginner? Is it something we get to leave behind? And if not, then how might the attitude of being a beginner help us as we learn?
Craig Burgess, photos by Craig Burgess
Is there any …? Where is the …? Do you get confused when asking trying to ask either of these questions? Differentiating is easy when you know why to use either Hay or Está/Están.
Matt van Run, exercise and images by Ana Ruiz
Music touches us. It's a universal language that needs no translation. Language and music share stuff - rhythm, melody, pitch, volume, tone, pauses, stops. Spanish through Song explores the artist, the lyrics and why you should incorporate it in your...
Toni Edwards
To help her students intuitively differentiate the Preterito Indefinido and Preterito Imperfecto tenses, Raquel designed a poetry exercise. The idea here was to use rhythm and rhyme to facilitate memorisation. Poetic form helped expand vocabulary while the task cemented the...
Penny
The temptation to translate English directly into Spanish, or vice versa, is a strong one! But this can lead many Spanish students into nasty traps! Learn about just some of the words you can't use interchangeably or translate exactly from...
Penny
Idioms are often strange and unusual - yet sometimes the perfect way to express ourselves. Have you ever actually seen it "rain cats and dogs"? … in Spanish we'd say "llueve a cántaros" (it's raining buckets). Idioms are a great...
Ben Wright-Smith
This is a tricky one, but don't lose heart! Direct Object Pronouns are short little words used to help make phrases easier to say and more interesting to hear! It, her, him, them (to name a few) all make our...
Penny
“
You can't do better than this school! It's a very well organised school. They have so many levels you will find the right class for you. Great teachers, fun and just the right amount of challenge.
“
After becoming frustrated at my lack of progress with their competitor, I received a recommendation for the classes at El Patio. Since enrolling I have never looked back.
“
I never shut up about how much I like my classes, pretty sure my colleagues and all my friends are getting sick of hearing about it.
“
After finding another company frustrating and unenthusiastic, El Patio has reinvigorated my excitement for learning Spanish...
“
The teachers are welcoming and seem to love what they do, which brings passion to each class. The homework and resources are highly organised and professional. I would highly recommend El Patio Spanish
“
As a retired teacher, I know good teaching when I see it, and the teachers at El Patio are absolutely wonderful - caring, professional and fun.
Heart Spanish as much as we do? Join our newlsetter to hear of stories, school updates and all things Spanish.
We learn, teach and gather on Wurundjeri Land of the Kulin Nation. El Patio acknowledges and celebrates the stories, culture and heritage of the Traditional Owners of this land and we pay our respects to Elders, past, present and emerging.