Posts Tagged ‘Nina Schmidt’

Grammar Tips: Uses of Werden

Grammar Tips: Uses of Werden

Students new to German will repeatedly encounter the verb werden. As it has three distinct functions it often proves confusing. Here we will outline the three main functions with example sentences.

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Further Learning: Teaching and Learning Online

Further Learning: Teaching and Learning Online

I have been experimenting in the last year with bringing my language teaching methods to a wider audience. Offering face-to-face lessons in the Vancouver area has been extremely rewarding for me over the last 12 years. That said, as more people than ever wish to expand their horizons I have started offering some new and exciting options for my clients further afield.

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Highlight on History: The Conquest of Mexico

Highlight on History: The Conquest of Mexico

Mexico had a rich history before the arrival of the Europeans. Notably they had many independent indigenous groups including the Aztec, Maya, Mixtec and Tolmec among others. These civilizations flourished at various times and in various regions of this large country over a period of 10,000 years.

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Grammar Tips: Spanish Subjunctive Part I

Grammar Tips: Spanish Subjunctive Part I

There are few things in the Spanish language more difficult for English speakers to get a grasp on than the subjunctive. One common fallacy is that students believe the subjunctive is a tense when in fact it is a mood. There are two moods in the Spanish-language: the indicative and subjunctive. The indicative mood is used to describe all that is concrete and habitual whereas the subjunctive describes that which is in any way hypothetical.

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Grammar Tips: Apocopation (Spanish word shortening)

Grammar Tips: Apocopation (Spanish word shortening)

Apocopation is a linguistic term given to the practice of shortening specific words when they precede certain other words. This occurs in Spanish with nine fairly common words.

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Grammar Tips: Commonly Confused Verbs in Spanish Part 2

Grammar Tips: Commonly Confused Verbs in Spanish Part 2

Nothing is more confusing for the beginner student of a language than words that look similar. Over the years I have seen students struggle with remembering the following verbs simply because they are common and all begin with a the letter ‘v’. In addition, a large number of them also have to do with travel. Below is a complete list of these verbs along with some example sentences.

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Community Events: Christmas Markets

Community Events:  Christmas Markets

The practice of holding a Christmas market or Weinachstmarkt in Germany, Austria and Switzerland among other countries dates back to the Middle Ages. Markets are held in accordance with Advent traditions, namely opening on the Sunday four weeks before Christmas. These markets are traditionally held in the main plaza of the city or town and spill out into adjacent streets. The size of the market depends on the size of the town. Some of the more famous markets are held in the cities of Nuremberg, Dresden, Berlin and Munich.

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Grammar Tips: Commonly Confused Verbs in Spanish Part 1

Grammar Tips: Commonly Confused Verbs in Spanish Part 1

Nothing is more confusing for the beginner student of a language than words that look similar. Over the years I have seen students struggle with remembering the following verbs simply because they are common and all begin with a double ‘l’ combination. Below is a complete list of these verbs along with some examples sentences.

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Grammar Tips: Common Idioms with ‘estar’

Grammar Tips: Common Idioms with ‘estar’

The Spanish verb estar has many idiomatic expressions associated with it. Idioms are phrases or sentences that do not translate directly from one language to another. A common example in English is ‘ it’s raining cats and dogs.’ Idioms developed over time in languages and sometimes the origin of them is known and other times it is unknown. They are a colourful part of any language and should be learned along with regular vocabulary and grammar to become a fluent speaker. Here are some of the more common idioms with estar:

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Cultural Corner: German Beer Basics

Cultural Corner: German Beer Basics

Navigating beer in Germany as a foreigner can be daunting. There are over four dozen official varieties, each stemming from the various regions of Germany and owing to specialized brewing techniques. Here we will look at the basics as well as some cultural tips surrounding pure consumption.

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