Ways to Explore Spanish

In this issue: Ways to improve your Spanish skills, including Classes, Textos en español, Movie Recommendations and Meetup groups

Improving your Language Skills through Classes at the Denver Spanish House

Our current schedule includes classes for all levels, with additional classes starting soon:
Beginner Spanish will be starting Monday nights from 5:15-6:45pm February 23rd.
Conversational Spanish: Intermediate will be starting Thursdays from 5:15-6:45pm.

Practice reading: Articles in Spanish

A new addition to the Denver Spanish House website includes articles in Spanish about various themes related to Latin America. Written by Eliana Arévalo in Buenos Aires, los textos en español provide a unique point of view and the opportunity to practice reading in Spanish. Articles will continue to be posted and currently include:
* Fusión Buenos Aires: Tango Electrónico: explores the most recent adaptation of tango in Buenos Aires.
* Ángeles en la arena: introduces readers to a group of young Peruvians who learned acrobatics in the sand dunes near their shantytown outside of Lima and have since become famous.
* Al rescate del Qhichwa simi: blends tradition with technology in the preservation of Quechua (a language native to Perú and Bolivia) through the internet.
* A series of articles examines the broad African influence in Latin America, including the Candombe Uruguayo and Ecuadorian Bomba del Chota.

Practice Listening: Spanish Language Films from Guillermo del Toro

Sadly, no Spanish-language films are nominated for Oscars this year but here's a few good ones from Mexican producer Guillermo del Toro, nominated a few years ago for Pan's Labyrinth. In 2007 thriller The Orphanage, Laura returns to the seaside orphanage where she grew up, this time with her adopted son Simón and husband Carlos. When Simón disappears, the line between fantasy and reality becomes unclear, a common theme in Del Toro's films. The Devil's Backbone is also set at an orphanage during the Spanish Civil War, where young Carlos is sent after losing his parents. Carlos sleeps in a bed that formerly belonged to an orphan who disappeared, leading to an eerie connection between the two boys.

Practice Speaking: Denver Free Spanish Network

Denver Free Spanish Network provides great opportunities to practice speaking Spanish around Denver. Events include open houses at various homes, coffee shops, and restaurants to give Spanish-lovers the opportunity to get together, meet new people, and speak in Spanish. A favorite event is the third Friday Happy Hour at the Museo de las Américas, a monthly event that for $5 includes snacks, drinks, conversation and an interactive activity like Salsa dancing, wine tasting, or this month's exploration of the history of chocolate.

Arte en Denver

The work of celebrated Mexican muralist and painter Rufino Tamayo will be available at the Denver Central Library in March. Details here.

un saludo grande,

Nikki

Denver Spanish House
Classes. Culture. Conversation.
www.denverspanishhouse.com

Denver Spanish House is a language and cultural center with the goal of sharing the Spanish language and culture of Latin America and Spain in the Denver area.

Please forward this to anyone you know who may be interested.