People celebrate carnival around the world the week before Lent, a Christian period of fasting and reflection. Traditionally held in areas with large Catholic populations, carnival often includes a parade with costumes and music- yet each country has their own unique traditions. Let’s look at some unique ways people celebrate carnival around the world.
Creative Commons Photo by: David Edgar (2006)
Posted in Around the World, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Celebrations, Dominican Republic, Europe, France, Germany, Guatemala, Italy, Peru, Russia, The Americas
Tagged Carnaval
When people hear that I’m a Spanish teacher, or that we speak Spanish at home with our kids, I am immediately asked for resources that I recommend to introduce their kids to Spanish. When searching for bilingual books, you will find millions of books written- or translated into- Spanish. The huge majority of these books are at a language level that only Spanish-speakers would benefit from. How could an English-speaking parent read “Curious George” in Spanish, if neither she nor her child understands the language?
You will also find thousands of picture dictionaries… and one word per page boardbooks… and textbooks. There are also terrible translations (Azul el sombrero, verde el sombrero being my biggest pet-peeve!). What my friends are looking for are none of the above. They would like simple stories that teach a little Spanish (but are not too advanced that the parents can’t read or understand them!): here are my best recommendations.
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Posted in Belize, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Europe, Guatemala, Honduras, Language, Literature, Mexico, Panama, Spain, The Americas
Tagged fiction children's books, spanish
Kids love music, they love to dance, and music is an omnipresent cultural expression that transcends boundaries. Music is simply fun. And when we listen to global music, we’re can be entertained, energized, or relaxed as we’re exposed to new rhythms, in a new language, sometimes with new instruments.
White sand beaches, rows of banana and palm trees, a balmy breeze and the sound of ocean waves- this classic song is from the tropical Caribbean. The songwriter and singer I’d like to introduce to you is the one of the most successful Caribbean singers of all time. Juan Luis Guerra, from the Dominican Republic, is an international super-star who has won several Grammys, and has even been designated as a UNESCO Artist for Peace. Many of his songs have a merengue or bachata rhythm that will make it hard for you to not dance along. Continue reading
