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| Professional soccer player Julián Vara in Retiro Park, Madrid (photo by Iván Calderón) |
It's time -- the fall beckons!
I always feel a little nervous as the month of August ends and September begins. As I have been on an academic schedule for many decades (ever since I was a little boy), this time of year always brings some excitement along with a few jitters. I will be meeting new students, some new teachers, and getting used to a new set of routines. I always feel great optimism thinking that, this year, finally, I will get it all right! That is the great promise of teaching: a little tinkering here and there, a new idea for a lesson plan, perhaps a new textbook, and we will be closer to perfection! I hope the follow offerings of Breaking News will help you start your fall off right.
- An "Ideal Lesson Plan" update, written by John Conner, explaining the beauty, value and secrets of free-flow discussion
- A Spanish cultural article You will love this interview with professional soccer player Julián Vara, whom John Conner met last summer on a plane!
- A French cultural article Catherine Deneuve is considered one of the world's great actresses. Learn about her life and career.
- We are still on Facebook! 'Like' us and share us with your friends!
- An incredible article written by Daniel Rodríguez, our summer junior associate, who shares, in a moving way, his journey of learning the native language of his father's family.
- A most helpful grammar article, written for Think Spanish, explaining the use of the subjunctive mood in indirect commands
- A little update on our friend, jazz musician Tuti Fernández, whom we saw this past August in concert in Madrid
Our updated conference schedule for the coming year
Our latest news on the 2011 editions
May your fall be full of joy and engagement!John Conner, Cindy Beams & staff writer Daniel Rodríguez
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The Ideal Lesson Plan: Free-Flow Discussion!
Step Ten in the acclaimed teaching series
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| John Conner at his Ideal Lesson Plan workshop. |
My favorite time in class just might be those last five minutes when we all clear our desks and just talk! It is unpredictable and free-form, yet it is absolutely crucial in helping your students feel confident as speakers of a new language. No need for books, grammar rules, or detailed plans. Just let the talking flow. Here's how.
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"De pies a corazón"
An inteview with professional soccer player, Julián Vara
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Julián with a header!
(photo by Iván Calderón)
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I have been very lucky in my travels to run into amazing people in unexpected places. Last summer, I happened to find myself seated next to Julián Vara on a flight from Madrid to New York City. We spoke for almost the entire flight, sharing photos of our families on our iPhones. We joined up with Julian's girlfriend, Andrea, in New York, and a great friendship was formed. I was able to get Julián for a photo shoot with our wonderful Colombian photographer, Iván Calderón, who also conducted the following interview. I know you will love it. I shared this article and interview with my friends at Think Spanish magazine, who made this article their cover story for September! The accompanying comprehension questions will round out a great lesson plan.
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| "Catherine Deneuve"
One of the great actresses of all time!
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| Catherine Deneuve |
The French actress Catherine Deneuve has been charming an eager public since she first appeared on the screen in 1956. Having worked with many of the world's great directors, Catherine has won many awards and has long been a fan favorite. The following article comes to us thanks to our friends at Think French magazine. The accompanying audio and comprehension questions were recorded this past summer in Madrid with incredible French actors. We know your students will enjoy learning more about one of the legends of cinema.
"Tuti Fernández in concert in Madrid"
Our favorite musician heats up one of Europe's great jazz bars
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Ésther and Tuti Fernández (photo by Iván Calderón)
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Those of you who are loyal readers of Breaking News will remember the feature article we did some years back about Tuti Fernández. Tuti is a professional musician who brings jazz and flamenco styles together in his own inspired way. Tuti wrote
original music that precedes all of our feature articles, he is our studio technician for our interviews and CDs, and he has played guitar for Grammy nominated films (La dama y la muerte) and Broadway plays (Avenida Q). This past summer I was thrilled to be invited to a special concert he gave. The highlight was when he invited his sister, Ésther, to share the stage. Their combined singing and playing brought down the house. I include one of these siblings' greatest collaborations, "Me siento bien," as well as a link to more information about Tuti. As an added bonus the bottom link connects to the feature article we did about Tuti a few years ago.
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BTB is still on Facebook
Breaking into the virtual world!
As our summer readers know, we now have a way to bring you snippets of Breaking News even faster with our new BTB on Facebook page. There, you'll be able to keep up to date with our latest developments, from language conference dates to new products. We'll keep you in the know on all things Breaking the Barrier. Moreover, it should prove to be a great forum for discussion on our series. We already have over 100 'Likes', but we would like you to join in on the fun.
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Staring at the Wall"
A first-person account of learning the language of his grandparents
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| Dan Rodríguez with his grandparents |
Dan Rodríguez graduated this spring from Groton School, where I was lucky to teach him in Spanish. This summer, we snagged him to work in our office, continuing a line of distinguished associates who have brought incredible vitality to our company.
The enclosed article is an inspiring reflection on growing up with Hispanic heritage, yet being unable to speak the Spanish language. The journey to fluency for Daniel opened his eyes and ended triumphantly. I know you will enjoy reading this remarkable account.
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The use of the subjunctive after indirect commands
A most enlightening article from the archives of Think Spanish!
There is just no escaping it. The subjunctive mood is used much more in Spanish than it is in English. In the following article, published this past summer in Think Spanish magazine, John Conner explains, as only he can, how to master this concept. He follows the article up with a little quiz, which we are sure will be helpful to you or your students. With practice, the subjunctive can be oh-so-enjoyable. We know you will find it very helpful.
The subjunctive after indirect commands
Think Spanish magazine
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Breaking the Barrier's Conference Schedule
We want to see you!
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Breaking the Barrier at ACTFL last November in Boston (photo by Cindy Beams)
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There is nothing we like better than meeting you at conferences. Though we are a small company, we make big plans and this coming 2011-2012 year is no exception.We have signed up already for ten conferences, and we will likely hit a dozen by the time we are through.
Please come by to see us, and send all of your friends our way. We have been amazed that word of mouth has helped to make Breaking the Barrier a true force in the world of language instruction.
Not to miss: Breaking the Barrier will once again be sponsoring THREE SESSIONS at ACTFL, this coming November in Denver. Please come see John Conner's legendary workshop "The Ideal Lesson Plan" as well as Fanny Vera Viacava's brilliant workshop on "La Marinera," Peru's national dance.
2011-2012 Conference Schedule
An update on our dream of an electronic book
It's still coming, but not quite ready yet!
We had planned to roll out electronic versions of Breaking the Spanish Barrier by the start of this academic year. We had submitted all of the electronic wizardry needed early in the summer, and we were awaiting in early August for the green light from the company whom we had engaged for this project. In mid-August, we got the word that a massive reshuffling in their organization had delayed our project. So, we are scrambling a bit, but we are hopeful to be back on track and ready for a big announcement in time for our December issue of the Quarterly. Thanks for your patience.
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(photo by Iván Calderón)
Be always on the lookout for your own "castles in Spain"!
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It's time to order some 2011 editions. Click here!
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