Top Six Mexican Dishes You Must Try

Top 6 Mexican Dishes You Must Try

Forget about Taco Bell or Tex-Mex cuisine, Mexico is way more than these pale imitations! The North American country offers a delicious range of plates resulting from the merging of pre-Hispanic traditions and Spanish costumes.

1.     Mole

The mole comes in different varieties according to its color. It is famous around the world because of its fastidious recipe requiring more than 20 ingredients, including chilli and chocolate. Usually cooked as a dressing sauce for chicken meal, it can also go with any other plate. Traditionally it was prepared during holiday period, yet now a day it is more and more common to find it on families’ table around the year.

2.     Tamales

The tamales are a corn masa mixture wrapped in corn husks or banana leaves that can be meaty, spicy, or sweet. Usually sold in small businesses or street stands, it is almost always offered along with “atole” a thick hot flavoured drink. The atole can be found in various flavors, but the most common ones are chocolate, cinnamon, and vanilla. Usually popular during the winter season, it can be found throughout the whole year.

3.     Torta cubana

It basically contains anything that composes a torta. Chorizo, ham, omelet, sausages, mustard, cream, mayo, ketchup, onion, tomatoes, lettuce, avocado, and even more! When you are really hungry it is the best meal! But don´t forget; put some lemon in it!  

4.     Pozole

The pozole is one of Mexico´s oldest dish. It requires lots of time to prepare but is more than tasteful! Chicken, pork, and veggies cook and simmer for hours, usually a whole night/day so the hominy has the time to soften up and the meat to flavor the broth. Usually red and spicy, it is the typical meal on Independence Day (September 15). When a bowl is served, it is never full; more than half of it is filled with fresh toping such as lettuce, radish, and onion, plus some lime, oregano, and chilli.

5.     Tacos al pastor

Probably the most popular and delicious taco you can get! The taste of the meat comes from the marinade in which it is prepared. Usually made out of pork meat, but not exclusively, the meat pieces are layered onto a large spit where it is cooked and kept warm. Thin slides are then shaved off and put in a small corn tortilla. Generally served with small shaved of pineapple, cilantro, and onion, the final design is yours. Don´t forget to add lime and salt!

6.     Esquites and elotes

Very commonly sold in street stands, it is the perfect snack for your little cravings while walking around quaint plaza. Elotes are a Mexican version of a corn on-the-cob. Covered with a generous portion of mayo, cheese, salt, lime, and chilli, you will enjoy it till the last bite. The esquites are mainly the same, just off the cob. The corn kernels are mixed again with mayo, cheese, salt, and lime, plus chilli if you like it. Mexican corn is chewier than and not as sweet as the American or Canadian one. You will get addicted really fast! 

Hungry? Come and visit us in Mexico to have a taste of its beautiful culture

Babilon Language Coaching Institute will be there to teach you Spanish while you´re enjoying Mexico´s rich culture!

Visit our website http://learnspanishblc.com/

and our Facebook page,

as well as our Twitter, Tumblr and Pinterest accounts!

How to Learn Spanish in 4 Easy Steps

How to Learn Spanish

in 4 Easy Steps

There never was easier ways to learn Spanish than the fallowing one!

 

POST-IT

        Over-use post-it. Make them become your best friend. Write a word on it and stick it on the item it represents. For instance write “puerta” on one that you will stick to your door. That way, every time you will open your door or pass in front of it, you will notice the word and associate it with the item. It can work with food, house items, school gear and more! You can print a giant picture of a human body and stick post-it on the different parts of the body! Do the same with a dog/cat/fish and other animals! Choose post-it of different colours, it will brighten up your interior!

MOVIE       

Just like babies learn to talk through imitation, you will learn a language mainly by imitating the sounds your teacher does! Therefore, it is an awesome idea to watch movies, TV shows and more in Spanish (or any other language you are trying to assimilate). Not only will you discover a new world of entertainment, but also an easy way to get familiar with Spanish sonority.






BLOG       

Surf the net! Spanish speaking people represent 410 million people. For sure there are few blogs you can find that are written in Spanish and that are talking about something you like. Reading in Spanish will make you more comfortable with the language. Also, when chatting online you have all the time and resources to find your words! Don’t be shy! Engage conversation with other users, it will enhance your vocabulary knowledge.



CONVERSATION
                Jump on every opportunity you have to practice the language. The new student in your class speaks Spanish? Why not grabbing lunch with him? Your Spanish teacher asks the class how everybody weekend went? Describe every details of yours! Maybe it will be challenging at the beginning to translate your thoughts into Spanish, but if you never try you will never learn. By making mistakes and being corrected on them, you will learn a lot more than by studying your books!

Hope these four tips will help you! If you are looking for an even greater way to learn Spanish, don’t be shy and visit our web site to find out more about our exchange plans at http://learnspanishblc.com/
Or visit us on Facebook with Learn Spanish BLC!!

We´re looking forward to see you!!!

Social Media as Classrooms

Social Medias as Classrooms

Are social medias as Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest becoming cyber-teachers?

    Now a day more and more "informal" learning tools are available to youth in search of knowledge. Via internet, knowledge is accessible by everyone owning a bit of curiosity. Web search engines such as Google and Bing, allow access to billions of pages where one can easily learn a trick or two! Therefore the accessibility of internet enhance knowledge spreading.

    Furthermore, communication medias open two ways conversations where both users are learning from the other. Moreover, this two way conversation create a dynamic learning tool. Active participation of bloggers, twitters, and other social medias users rapidly improve their language skills by immersing them in a sphere where a language is spoken. For example, Facebook is offered in various languages which give the opportunity to one easily set his in a foreign language in order to get familiar with it.

   

    Nonetheless, and as many professors recommend it, nothing is better than a full immersion in order to really learn a language. The idea behind it is that with no possibility to speak one´s native language, the assimilation of a foreign language become mandatory. Can we say that social medias propose a virtual immersion? Indeed, in certain occasions, for instance with online team games or blog , users from different culture/language have to know another language than their own, most probably English, in order to communicate with other users.Through their communication each user learn, even unconsciously!

    To conclude, and as wrote Bandon Twyford: You must dive in and start to swim!

Come swim with us at Babilon Language Coaching Institute http://learnspanishblc.com/
Or visit us on our Facebook page with Learn Spanish BLC!!

Top Four Reasons Why You Should Learn Spanish

Top Four Reasons 

Why You Should Learn Spanish

In 2010 over 410 million individuals spoke Spanish as their mother tongue. How many more speak it as a second or third language? Many! Here is a brief summary of the advantages of speaking Spanish.

1. GROWING COMMERCIAL MARKET Latin America is a growing economical market; more and more multinational will either invest in these countries or emerge from them. Hence, knowledge of the Hispanic language will make you more attractive to potential employer as well as adding a considerable asset to your resume.
2. ACADEMIC ASSET Spanish as a second or third language is an asset when presenting candidature to graduate school. It shows commitment and perseverance given that learning a language is quite challenging.
3. TRAVEL TOOL While travelling in the twenty countries where Spanish is the official language you will be able to make stronger contact with the locals as well as avoiding being categorized as an easily target for scammers.
4. ACCESS TO CULTURAL CONTENT With 410 million of speakers, the Hispano speaking community produces one of the best cultural content in term of movies, visual art, and literature. Knowledge of Spanish will provide you the opportunity to access the huge cultural flow produced in the language of Don Quijote.

Want to learn Spanish now? Come and visit us at http://learnspanishblc.com/ !! Or look us up on Facebook with Learn Spanish BLC!

Ten Places You Must Visit in Querétaro

Ten

Places

You Must

Visit in Querétaro

Who have already heard of this gorgeous colonial town located three hours north of Mexico city? Lots of people! Querétaro is a touristic center providing you the chance to experience a wide range of activities. 

Here are the top ten things you MUST SEE in Querétaro!

1. Pena de Bernal   Located 45 minutes by car from Querétaro this enchanting picturesque village will charm you with its many artisan’s shops and local cuisine restaurants. Bernal is the third biggest monolith in the world, allowing you to experience the challenging trail to the top. Water bottles, adventurous spirit, and mild craziness are mandatory!

1. Museo del Artes   The museum building is as good as the pieces of art it fosters. Initially build and used by the St. Augustine order, it is still unknown who is the architect of the former monastery. Offering many guided and non-guided visit a day, the expert eyes as well as the tourist eyes will deeply enjoy the unique and gorgeous architecture of the this precious pearl.
   
2. Theatro de la Republica   The Mexican constitution was signed there in 1917 which gives the building pompous ora. The sober yet elegant decoration will travel you back to the early twentieth century while you listen to a dreamy classical music performance.
   
3. Museo regional   Located in the historical center of Querétaro, it exhibits the finds of local digging. In an enchanting building dating from the colonial era, the largest collection of indigenous art in the state is exhibited. A must see!
4. Recogidos de las leyendas y mitos de Querétaro   A must do! Fallowing a guide around the historical center at night while being explained all the legends and myths existing around Querétaro are a pure pleasure! Tourists of all age will greatly appreciate this exciting tour.
5. Cerro de las Campanas Beautiful park where you can enjoy nice walk under the trees. Named after the particular rocks that produce a bell-like sound when hit against each other, the park offers you a break from the dynamic city streets.
   
6. Musea Casa de la Zacateca   Formerly a ´private house, but now open to the public, you will be able to enjoy a mid-eighteen century decor. Meanwhile, listen to the legend saying the spirit of two dead men killed the owner of the house to revenge them. Human remains can still be seen from the second floor.
   
7. Stand Food   Everybody should try the delicious elotes cooked around the several parks of the city. Make sure to ask for mayo and cheese on yours, it is a must eat!
   
8. Walking   Take a day to walk around the historical center where all touristic attractions are. You will find your way easily when you´ll return to visit the aforementioned attractions! Also, the architecture will make you fall in love with the whole town!
   
   
9. Visit Babilon Language Coaching institution! We are there to provide all the services you need in relation to Spanish learning! From finding a place to stay to develop your Spanish skills we will be by your side!
   

Want to visit Querétaro? Come and visit us at http://learnspanishblc.com/ !!!

LIFE SATISFACTION IN MEXICO

Life in Mexico

            Forget about all the stereotypes you have heard on Mexico. The 14^th most populous country in the world is more than moustached men with big sombreros and colorful ponchos, fiercely riding their horses through the hot desert full of three branched cactus. Each of the thirty-one states brings a unique taste to the republic with regional traditions and particular practices. As every other country, Mexico faces several challenges including growing insecurity, constant corruption, and deep poverty. Yet, you will probably never find a place on earth where people are as welcoming and happy.

            As mentioned before, Mexico faces several challenges in the social realm. Indeed, in 2010 Mexico´s homicide rate was three times higher than the world average. Furthermore, deep poverty issues currently affect the country. Effectively, in 2010 around 46% of the population lived in extreme or moderate poverty.

            That being said, Mexico also is an accurate representative of the North American territory with a dynamic economic sphere and a growing middle class. According to an OECD survey Mexico ranked 10^th out of 36 countries in term of “life satisfaction” (Organization for the Economic Co-operation and Development, Better Life Index). Furthermore, 85% of the Mexican population asserts that it goes through more positive experiences than negative ones during their daily activities. Hence, even with poor scores in fields as security and income, Mexicans are overall happy.

            Also, Mexico remains one of the most visited countries in America. With a wide diversity of touristic attractions, there is something in it for everyone. From wild hiking in Sonora, to city biking in Mexico City, passing by spa retreat in Ixtapa, a tremendous number of visitors have find their happiness here. Querétaro stands in the inland of the country with several areas enjoying the UNESCO title of World Heritage. The historic downtown will seduce you with its many architectural testimonies from the colonial era, while its millions family restaurants will charm you with their delicious traditional cuisine.

            Excited about a future travel to Mexico? Don’t be shy and visit our home page for useful information about our language coaching institute!

http://learnspanishblc.com/ 

VERBS

There are 3 verbs families in Spanish. They are defined according to their ending: AR- ER- IR.

Today´s goal is to present you a brief account of these three families in order to set your Spanish base.

AR- CantAR (To sing)                                                                                              

Yo canto

Tú cantas

Él/ella/usted canta

Nosotros cantamos
Vosotros cantaís

Ellos/ellas/ustedes cantan

**In Mexico, unlike in Spain, the second person plural (vosotros) is never used. Indeed, it is a trademark of Latin America to respectfully address others with the use of the third singular person "usted" (when referring to one individual) and of the third plural person "ustedes" (when referring to a large group).**

ER- BebER (To drink)

Yo bebo

Tú bebes

Él/ella/usted bebe

Nosotros bebemos
Vosotors bebeís

Ellos/ellas/ustedes beben

IR- VivIR (to live)

Yo vivo

Tú vives

Él/ella/usted vive

Nosotros vivimos
Vosotros vivís

Ellos/ellas/ustedes viven

Unlike verb conjugation in English, Spanish grammar requires a lot of practice and patience. Indeed, the verb presented earlier are regular verbs. In the Spanish language you will find around 12 300 verbs including 63 irregular ones. Obviously, the 63 irregular verbs are probably the one you will use the most! Therefore, you should enrol in our language coaching institute, click the link below!

http://learnspanishblc.com/