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Discover the cultural differences between spaniards and foreigners

07/05/2024/0 Comments/in SLC ENG/by Helena

While each person is unique, there are certain cultural differences that distinguish Spanish people from those coming from other parts of the world. Here are the cultural differences that most impact foreigners.

Schedules and pace of life

One of the aspects that surprises foreigners the most is our schedule, especially our meal times, which are usually from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM or even 3:30 PM. Another cause for astonishment might be our sleeping schedule and our late-night outings to bars and nightclubs.

Eating habits

Food holds a fundamental place in Spanish culture, with long family meals and the so-called “sobremesa,” in addition to a great variety of regional dishes.

Emotional expression

Spaniards tend to be very expressive and passionate when communicating. We use gestures and a voice tone that is quite loud for many cultures, which may value moderation in speech more.

Traditions and festivities

Spain is known for its festivals and traditions, such as the Holy Week celebrations, bullfights, fairs, and local patron celebrations. Foreigners may find these festivities fascinating but, at the same time, they might misinterpret some of these traditions, as often happens with Holy Week.

Social protocol and etiquette

The norms of social behavior and etiquette can be different, which can lead to misunderstandings or awkward situations. For example, many people find our customary two kisses on the cheek when greeting someone to be uncomfortable or strange.

At the end of the day, it is these differences that make our interactions interesting and enriching, allowing us to learn and grow through cultural exchange.

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Rhythm and language: Learning spanish through music

16/04/2024/0 Comments/in SLC ENG/by Helena

Learning spanish can be a challenge, as it is a complex language, but music can make the educational process more entertaining and easier, as it will facilitate your memorization.

Improvement of pronunciation and listening

Listening to music, in our case in Spanish, will allow you to become familiar with the pronunciation of words and improve it, as well as giving you the ability to distinguish sounds and intonations.

Enrichment of vocabulary

Song lyrics will help you learn colloquial vocabulary and expressions.

Cultural connection

Music is a reflection of culture. By exploring different musical genres, you can also learn about Spanish culture.

Motivation and fun in learning

Learning through songs can help with your motivation—and it’s the most fun way to do it!

Tips for learning with songs

Choose easy songs: Start with slow songs or ones that you can understand well.
Read and listen at the same time: This improves your comprehension and reading.
Sing: Try to sing along with the music. This helps you improve your pronunciation and remember words.
Write and translate: Write down what you hear and then look up what it means. This makes you pay more attention to the words.
Talk about the song: Share with us what you think the song means. This gives you more practice.

Using song lyrics to learn Spanish is simple and fun. It allows you to learn words and phrases that are really used, while you enjoy good music. Add rhythm to your learning and see how your Spanish improves!