Thursday, September 26, 2013

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!!

Thursday, September 19, 2013

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!

Thursday, September 12, 2013

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/ !!!

Thursday, September 5, 2013

LIFE SATISFACTION IN MEXICO

Life in Mexico
            Forget about all the stereotypes you have heard on Mexico. The 14th 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 10th 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!