We offer all students a free introductory lesson/assessment with their tutor. During the 20 minute session you’ll be able to chat with your tutor about your motivation for learning and your tutor will gauge your current language level and where you want to get to. It’s an opportunity to get to know each other and for you to judge whether they’re the right tutor for you.

The free introduction is offered online either using our own proprietary learning platform or via Skype. Thereafter lessons can be either face-to-face or online depending on your needs.

Book your free introductory lesson

language learning

How to Order Food and Drinks in Spanish

, , ,

How to Order in Spanish

With over 10 million holidaymakers heading to Spain in August we’ve put together a guide on how to sound like a native when ordering food and drinks in the thousands of wonderful Spanish bars and restaurants. And if you’re heading off to one of the Spanish speaking countries in Latin America then while there are some differences you’ll be understood as well!

At the Bar

Drinks:

  • Una botella de agua: Water
  • Una botella de agua con gas: Sparkling water
  • Una botella de agua sin gas: Still water
  • Una cerveza: Beer (You won’t sound very natural if you order “cerveza” though so order one of the measures below!)
  • Una caña: Small glass of draft beer
  • Una mediana or Un tercio: A bottle beer (one-third of a litre)
  • Un botellín or un quinto: Small bottle of beer (one-fifth of a litre)
  • Un chupito: A shot of a spirit
  • Una copa: A glass. Could be una copa de vino tinto (glass of red wine) or typically if you go our for una copa you’re going out to have a mixed drink like a rum and coke
  • Un vaso: A glass but typically for a soft drink. e.g. un vaso de leche (a glass of milk)
  • Un vermu: vermouth
  • Gin-tonic: Gin and tonic!
  • Una clara: Shandy
  • Un vino (tinto/blanco/rosado): Wine (red/white/rose)
  • Seco: dry
  • Dulce: sweet
  • Afrutado: fruity
  • Un refresco: Fizzy drink
  • Un café (solo/con leche/cortado): Coffee (espresso/with milk/small with milk)
  • Un té: Tea
  • Un zumo de naranja: Orange juice
  • Un zumo de manzana: Apple juice
  • Un zumo de piña: Pineapple juice
  • Un tinto de verano: Wine with soda
  • Cava: Spanish sparkling wine like Champagne
  • Champán: Champagne
  • ¡Salud!: cheers!

 
Snacks/Tapas/Pinchos

  • Aceitunas: olives
  • Albóndigas: Meatballs
  • Almejas: clams
  • Atun: tuna
  • Bacalao: cod
  • Bacalao con tomate: Cod in tomato sauce
  • Bocadillo: sandwich (typically from a baguette)
  • Boquerones: fresh anchovies
  • Boquerones fritos: deep-fried anchovies
  • Calamares fritos or calamares a la romana: fried squid rings
  • Caracoles: snails
  • Cazon en adobo: marinated white fish
  • Champiñones: mushrooms
  • Charcuteria: mixed cured meats
  • Chipirones: fried squid
  • Chorizo: spicy cured sausage
  • Chorizo al vino: Chorizo in wine
  • Croquetas de…: croquettes with… typically ham or tuna
  • Empanadas: small pies stuffed with meat or seafood
  • Ensalada: salad
  • Ensalada Rusa: Russian salad
  • Espinacas: spinach
  • Flauta: sandwich made from thin baguette
  • Gambas (al ajillo, a la plancha): prawns (with garlic, fried/grilled)
  • Gambas pil-pil: prawns with garlic and chile
  • Gazpacho: cold vegetable soup with tomatoes, garlic, cucumbers and more
  • Guiso: stew
  • Jamón serrano: dry-cured ham
  • Jamón iberico: more expensive high quality ham from Iberian pigs
  • Lomo: pork loin
  • Mejillones: mussels
  • Montadito: small bocadillo
  • Pan: bread
  • Paella: rice dish typically with meat and/or seafood
  • Patatas bravas: fried potato with a spicy tomato sauce
  • Pepito: little sandwich
  • Pescaditos fritos: fried fish like whitebait
  • Pimientos: peppers
  • Pisto: mixed sautéed vegetables
  • Pulguita: half a bocadillo
  • Pulpo: octopus
  • Queso: cheese
  • Queso manchego: the most famous Spanish sheep cheese
  • Rabas: squid tentacles
  • Rabo de toro: oxtail stew
  • Revuelto: scrambled eggs.
  • Salchichon: sausage
  • Sandwich: sliced bread sandwich
  • Sardinas: fresh sardines
  • Setas: wild mushrooms
  • Tortilla (de jamon/queso): potato omelette (with ham/cheese)
  • Tostada (jamon/queso): Toasted sandwich (cheese/ham)

At the Restaurant

Before you sit down

  • Quiero reservar: I want to book/reserve…
  • ¿Puedo reservar…?: Can I book/reserve…?
  • ¿Para qué fecha?: For what date?
  • ¿Para qué hora?: For what time?
  • Es para hoy mismo: It’s for today
  • Es para mañana: It’s for tomorrow
  • Es para el viernes: It’s for Friday
  • Es para el día siete de agosto: It’s for the 7th of August
  • ¿A qué nombre está la reserva?: What name is the reservation booked under?
  • ¿Tiene una mesa para dos?: Do you have a table for two?
  • ¿Tiene reserva?: Do you have a reservation?
  • No tengo/tenemos reserva: – I/we haven’t booked

 
Once seated

  • Camarero: Waiter
  • La carta: Menu
  • ¿Nos trae …?: Will you bring us …?
  • ¿Me trae …?: Will you bring me …?
  • Quiero: I want
  • Quisiera: I would like
  • Para empezar: To start
  • La cuenta: The bill
  • ¿Nos trae la carta, por favor?: Can you bring us the menu please.
  • ¿Tienen algún plato vegetariano?: Do you have any vegetarian dishes?
  • ¿Qué nos recomienda?: What do you recommend?
  • ¿Cuál es el plato del día?: What is the dish of the day?
  • ¿Hay alguna especialidad de la casa?: Is there a house specialty?
  • ¿Puede recomendarnos algún plato típico de aquí?: Can you recommend a local dish?
  • ¿Van a tomar un aperitivo? Would you like an aperitif?
  • Para mí, no gracias: Not for me thanks
  • Sí, quiero….: Yes, I would like…
  • ¿Qué va a pedir?: What are you going to order?
  • ¿Qué va a comer?:What are you going to eat?
  • ¿Qué va a tomar?: What are you going to drink?
  • ¿Qué va a comer de postre?: What are you going to have for dessert?
  • ¿Cómo lo/la quiere?: How do you want it?
  • Punto: Rare
  • Medio punto: Medium rare
  • Hecha: Medium
  • Bien hecha: Well done
  • ¿Con qué lo/la quiere?: What do you want it with?

 
Typical Restaurant Dishes

  • A la plancha: grilled
  • El ajoblanco: Cold soup of bread, almonds and garlic
  • El arroz negro: Black rice dish coloured with cuttlefish ink
  • Asado/a: roast
  • La carne: meat
  • La chuleta: chop
  • Los camarones: shrimps
  • La carne guisada: stewed meat
  • Los chuletas de cerdo: Pork chops
  • El cocido: Chick pea stew with meat and vegetables
  • La ensalada mixta: mixed salad
  • La fabada Asturiana: hearty meat and bean stew
  • El filete: Fillet steak
  • Los filetes de pescado: fish fillets
  • Frito/a: fried
  • Las gambas: prawns
  • Las gamas al ajillo: prawns in garlic
  • La Langosta: Lobster
  • Las legumbres mixtas: mixed vegetables
  • El marmitako: Basque dish of onion, green peppers and tomatoes
  • La merluza: Hake
  • Las papas fritas:chips/sauté potatoes
  • El pescado: fish
  • El Pisto: Tomatoes, onions, courgettes and peppers similar to ratatouille
  • El pollo: Chicken
  • El cerdo: Pork
  • Los filetes de pollo: Chicken cutlets
  • El pollo asado: roast chicken
  • El pollo al ajillo: Chicken with garlic
  • El puré de patata: mashed potatoes
  • El Salmorejo: Thick cold soup of bread, tomato, olive oil and garlic from Andalusia
  • La sopa de verduras: vegetable soup
  • El solomillo: Sirloin steak
  • La ternera: veal
  • Las chuletas de ternera: Veal chops

 

Postres
  • El flan: crème caramel
  • El queso: cheese
  • La fruta del tiempo: seasonal fruit
  • El pastel: Cake
  • El helado: Ice cream

 

Italian Cafe and Restaurant Survival Guide

, , ,

For all those heading off to Italy this summer we’ve put together a useful guide to Italian food terms and how to order in cafes and restaurants.

At the Bar

And we’re talking about a coffee bar here not a bar like in the UK! You’ll find bars all over Italian towns and cities typically on corners.

Drinks:

  • Caffè: This means coffee. But if you order this you’ll get an espresso. 
  • Caffè macchiato: An espresso “stained” with milk. Hot foamy milk on top of espresso.
  • Caffè Americano: An espresso with hot water added and much like a typical filter coffee in the UK.
  • Caffè latte: An espresso with hot milk added but not frothy like a Cappuccino. You need to order a caffè latte and not just latte or you’ll end up with glass of hot milk!
  • Cappuccino: Espresso and hot milk and frothed.
  • Caffè corretto: The literal translation is “corrected coffee” and it’s an espresso with a shot of alcohol such as sambuca, cognac or grappa.
  • Caffè shakerato: Espresso mixed with ice and sugar and shaken to froth. Great for hot summer days.
  • Caffè con panna: Like a macchiato but sweeter and topped with whipped cream.
  • Caffè lungo: Like an Americano but stronger.

Snacks:

  • Un cornetto/una brioche: Italian style pastry/croissant
  • Un panino: A sandwich
  • Una focaccia: Toasted sandwich made with white pizza dough
  • Un ventaglio: Pastry in the shape of a fan
  • Un ciambellone: Plain or chocolate cake in the shape of a ring
  • Un bruschetta: Toasted bread with various toppings
  • Un crostino:  A smaller version of bruschetta
  • Un tramezzino: Soft white bread sandwich in a triangle shape typically from Rome and Venice
  • Una crostata: Jam, fruit or cream tart
  • Una pizzetta: Small pizza
  • Un toast: A toasted sandwich
  • Una piadina: Flatbread from the Emilia Romagna region

3 Golden Rules of Ordering and Drinking Coffee!

  1. Italian will only order milky coffees in the morning typically up to 11am. Order after this time and you’ll get some strange looks from the barista!
  2. Double Trouble! You can order a double espresso (caffè doppio) if you want and you’ll be understood, but it is not an Italian habit. Order a single and top up at the next bar in a hour or so!
  3. No sitting! Typically Italians will stand at the bar (al banco) and drink their coffee rather than sitting down.

At the Restaurant

Before you sit down

  • I would like to book a table for  (number of people) at (time).
  • Vorrei prenotare un tavolo per (numero di persone) per le (ora).
  • Do you offer vegetarian food?
  • Avete piatti vegetariani?
  • Do you accept credit cards?
  • Accettate carte di credito?
  • A table for  (number of people), please.
  • Un tavolo per (numero di persone). e.g. un tavolo per due
 
Ordering food and drinks
 
  • May I see the menu, please?
  • Mi porta il menù?
  • Do you have a (set) menu?
  • c’è un menù (fisso)? 
  • Excuse me. We would like to order, please.
  • Scusi. Vorremmo ordinare.
  • What can you recommend?
  • Cosa mi può raccomandare?
  • What is the daily special?
  • Qual è la specialità del giorno 
  • Is there a local specialty?
  • C’è una specialità locale?
  • What is the soup of the day?
  • Qual è la zuppa del giorno?
  • I am allergic to __. Does this contain __?
  • Sono allergico a _. C’è _ in questo piatto?
  • I’m a vegetarian.
  • Sono vegetariano/a
  • Appetizer
  • Antipasto 
  • First course
  • Primo
  • Second or main course
  • Secondo 
  • Cheese course
  • Formaggi 
  • Dessert
  • Dolci 
  • May I have …?
  • Vorrei … 
  • Is the sauce spicy?
  • La salsa è piccante?
  • I’d like a beer.
  • Vorrei una birra. 
  • I’d like a glass of red wine.
  • Vorrei una bichiere di vino rosso.
  • I’d like some water.
  • Vorrei dell’aqua.
A few phrases that a waiter might ask your:
 
  • Would you like to order some drinks to start with?
  • Vuole iniziare ad ordinare da bere?
  • What would you like to order?
  • Cosa vorrebbe ordinare?
  • Would you like to order?
  • Cosa desidera ordinare?
     
  • What would you like?
  • Cosa desidera?
  • What would you like to eat?
  • Cosa desidera mangiare?
  • Have you decided already?
  • Has già deciso?

And a few ways you might like to respond to the waiter:

  • Yes, please
  • Sì, prego
  • One moment, please.
  • Un momento, per favore
  • I don’t know yet.
  • No lo so ancora

Before you leave:

 
  • The bill, please.
  • Il conto, per favore
  • Can we have the bill?
  • possiamo avere il conto? 
  • I would like to pay, please.
  • Vorrei pagare, per favore.

And lots of food vocabulary…

Acciughe: Anchovies

Agnello: Lamb

Anitra: Duck

Antipasto misto: Mixed appetizers

Aragosta: Lobster

Arancia: Orange

Asparagi: Asparagus

Bistecca: Steak

Brodo: Broth

Burro: Butter

Calamari: Squid

Carciofi: Artichokes

Caroti: Carrots

Carne: Meat

Cavolfiori: Cauliflower

Ceci: Chick peas

Cervo: Venison

Ciliege: Cherries

Coniglio: Rabbit

Crema inglese: Custard

Fagiano: Pheasant

Fichi: Figs

Finocchio: Fennel

Fragole: Strawberries

Frittata: Omelette

Frutti di mare: Shellfish

Fungi: Mushrooms

Grancho: Crab

Grasso: Fat

Lattuga: Lettuce

Lenticchi: Lentles

Lumache: Snails

Macedonia (di frutta): Fresh fruit salad

Mandorla: Almonds

Manzo: Beef

Mela: Apple

Melanzana: Eggplant

Olio di olive: Olive oil

Ostriche: Oysters

Pancetta: Bacon

Patate: Potatoes

Pepe nero: Black pepper

Pepe rosso: Hot red peppers

Peperoni: Peppers

Pesche: Fish

Piselli: Peas

Polipo: Octopus

Pollo: Chicken

Prociutto cotto: Cooked ham

Prociutto crudo: Cured ham

Quaglia: Quail

Riso: Rice

Sale: Salt

Salsiccia: Sausage

Salsa/Sugo: Sauce

Sformato: Pie

Tacchino: Turkey

Tartufi: Truffles

Tonno: Tuna

Uova: Egg

Verdura: Vegetable

Vitello: Veal

Vongole: Clams

Zuppa: Soup

 

 

tloginpagehead

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST WAY FOR YOU

, , 0

Just a couple of decades ago, if you decided to start learning a language as an adult your choices on how to go about it were uncomplicated and limited. In today’s world your learning options have increased and diversified beyond recognition. Having more choice also means having to make decisions about which one is the best for you. In this article we explore your possibilities and how to choose the route that suits you as a learner.
Evidently, there is not one unique option which fits all learners. The best way to learn depends very much on your natural disposition as a learner, your learning goals, your budget and your time constraints.
In the pre-internet days, learning a language would generally mean joining an evening class. This is still the number one choice for lots of learners, who prefer to learn in a social environment surrounded by a familiar classroom setting.
The obvious advantage of learning in a group is the interaction among students. Interacting with other learners creates somehow realistic scenarios in which to practise a second language in a fun way.
The main drawback of learning with others is having to share the tutor’s attention. Teachers must help all students, which in turn might mean you have to go at a slower pace than you could actually go or on the contrary, slow down your pace to match the majority’s.
In order to make good progress when you study in a group environment is to do your homework religiously as this will definitely support the learning you do in the classroom.
For those who have the means and prefer to have a teacher all for themselves choosing private tuition has always been an excellent option. The obvious shortcoming of this choice is that by having the exclusive attention of your tutor, you must forgo the social aspect you would have enjoyed in a group environment.
Face to face private tuition suits more those who like to have the luxury of having lessons designed to their goals and learning style. In order to complement the lack of social interaction, students can join a meet up group in their second language or enjoy online chats and forums.
The benefits students get out of having private tuition are considerable and for some learners, being able to enjoy tailor-made lessons tops the social side of language learning in a group.
Both group and private tuition centre on having a tutor to guide learners, but some students completely forgo the role of a tutor and guide themselves independently. Using self-teaching courses has always been a very popular choice. It’s affordable and accessible at any time and place.
Self-teaching courses are the right option if you just wish to get to grips with the very basics. Old self-teach courses have evolved into software apps available on your phone, computer or tablet. There are literally hundreds of applications which help you learn a wide range of languages. One of the great improvements on their self-teach “grandparents” is the voice recognition feature, enabling students to be corrected when making mistakes.
When you are really serious about acquiring a second language to a mastery level, using apps or traditional self-teach courses exclusively is not going to cut it. Despite their claims, it is very unlikely that you will become a fluent speaker but they are a good place to start if you do not have access to private or group lessons.
In the last twenty year or so, the advent of the internet era has deeply changed the face of language learning. The basic teaching and learning methods might have remained almost untouched, but the variety of media and access to almost an infinite amount of data has developed the way we see language acquisition today.
Using face time or skype to have a lesson with your tutor might have seemed like something out of Star Trek only a few years ago, but it is now the chosen method for lots of students around the world. Online learning offers a few advantages over face to face learning. Some of its best features are its flexibility in terms of time and location, the ability to record lessons, the use of interactive whiteboards and having immediate access to the internet.
Online learning is ideal for students who live in remote areas, are technologically minded or have severe time constraints. Preferably, it should be complemented with some face to face interaction either in a group or an individual environment to practise some more realistic day to day situations.
Our advice is to not stick to just one of these option. The best thing about all these varied and different ways is that you don’t have to choose just one. Now more than ever before, students can pick and mix methods and resources to have a well- rounded learning experience. For instance, group or individual lessons can be complemented by applications to help you consolidate learning vocabulary, such as flashcards games or Duolingo. Knowledge acquired through face to face lessons can be also reinforced by having extra online lessons. Mix and keep it challenging to motivate your learning.
There has never been a better time to learn a language.
[table id=7 /]

beatriz

INTERNATIONAL TONGUE TWISTER DAY

, , , , , , , , , , , , , 0

Who would have thought? There really are celebratory dates for anything! November 7th celebrates International Tongue Twister Day. As keen linguists, we love challenging ourselves with word games, and tongue twisters in your second language can be a fun way to test your pronunciation skills. Do some tongue exercise today with these amusing phrases in your second language.

Dutch tongbrekers

Onder de roomse kerk met drie droge doeken.
Below the Roman Catholic Church with three dry tea-cloths.
De koetsier poetst de postkoets.
The coachman cleans the coach.
De kat krabt de krullen van de trap.
The cat crabs the curls off the stairs.
Als vliegen achter vliegen vliegen, vliegen vliegen vliegensvlug.
If flies fly behind flies, flies will fly like lightning.

French virelangues

Je veux et j’éxige ; j’éxige et je veux.
I want and I demand. I demand and I want.
Papier, panier, piano.
Paper, basket, piano.
Je cherche Serge.
I am looking for Serge.
Trente-trois gros crapauds gris dans trente-trois gros trous creux.
33 fat grey toads in 33 big hollows.

German zungenbrecher

Fischers Fritz fischt frische Fische.
The Fischer’s son Fritz is fishing for fresh fish.
Kluge kleine Katzen kratzen keine Krokodile.
Clever little cats don’t scratch crocodiles.
Esel essen Nesseln nicht, Nesseln essen Esel nicht.
Donkeys don’t eat nettles, and nettles don’t eat donkeys.
Brautkleid bleibt Brautkleid und Blaukraut bleibt Blaukraut.
A wedding dress remains a wedding dress, and red cabbage remains red cabbage.

Gaelic Rabhlóga

Cheannaigh cailín cliste ceanúil císte.
A clever, affectionate girl bought a cake.
Chuaigh ceannaí cneasta cliste thar chlaí crua chloch.
A smart, kind merchant went over the hard stone wall.
Cearc ag piocadh piobair de phláta Pheadair.
A chicken is picking peppers from Peter’s plate.
Bhí bean bheag bhocht breoite bruite leis an bhfuacht.
The poor little sick women was scaled with the cold.

Italian scioglilingua

Sopra la panca la capra campa, sotto la panca la capra crepa.
On the bench the goat lives, under the bench the goat dies.
Trentatré trentini entrarono a Trento tutti e trentatré trotterellando.
Thirty-three dwellers of Trent came into Trent, all thirty-three trotting and toddling.
Tre tigri contro tre tigri.
Three tigers against three tigers.
Se l’arcivescovo di Costantinopoli si disarcivescoviscostantinopolizzasse, vi disarcivescoviscostantinopolizzereste voi come si è disarcivescoviscostantinopolizzato l’arcivescovo di Costantinopoli?
If the archibishop of Constantinople debishopconstantinoplized himself, would you debishopconstantinoplize yourselves in the same way as the archibishop of Constantinople debishopconstantinoplized?

Polish łamaniec językow

W czasie suszy szosa sucha.
A way is dry when there’s drought.
Król Karol kupił Królowej Karolinie korale koloru koralowego.
King Karl bought Queen Caroline coral-colored bead.
Stół z powyłamywanymi nogami.
A table with broken legs.
We szwy płaszcza się zaszywszy w szyku marsza trzy wszy weszły.
Hiding in seams of a coat, three lice entered in a marching formation

Portuguese travalínguas

Sabia que o sabiá sabia assobiar?
Did you know that the thrush could whistle?
O rato roeu a roupa do rei de Roma.
The rat nibbled the King of Rome’s clothes.
O rato roeu a rolha da garrafa de rum do rei da Rússia.
The rat nibbled the cork of the bottle of rum of the king of Russia.
Um prato de trigo para três tigres.
One dish of wheat to three tigers

Spanish trabalenguas

El perro de San Roque no tiene rabo porque Ramón Rodríguez se lo ha robado.
Saint Roque’s dog has no tail because Ramón Rodríguez has stolen it.
El cielo está enladrillado. ¿Quién lo desenladrillará?
El desenladrillador que lo desenladrille, ¡buen desenladrillador será!
The sky is full of bricks. Who will put them out now?
The “unbricker” who could put them out, will be such a good “unbricker”!
Tres tristes tigres tragaban trigo en tres tristes trastos en un trigal
Three sad tigers were eating wheat in three sad (lousy) dishes in a wheat field.
Pablito clavó un clavito, un clavito clavó pablito.
Little Paul nailed a little nail, a little nail Little Paul nailed

Swedish tungvrickare

Sex laxar i en laxask.
Six salmon in a salmon-box.
Packa pappas kappsäck.
Pack daddy’s suitcase.
Sju sjösjuka sjömän sköttes av sju sköna sjuksköterskor.
Seven seasick sailors were nursed by seven beautiful nurses.
Klockan sju sitter en sjuk katt på skivan och sjunger.
At 7 o’clock a sick cat is sitting on a disc and singing.
 

worditout-word-cloud-1903984

FIND OUT YOUR LEVEL

, , , , , , , , , 0

Whether you are studying in a group, privately or by yourself is always a good idea to see where you are at every so often. Moreover, if you need to describe your level to apply for uni abroad or a job where your language skills will be taken into account, giving a good idea of what you are able to do in your second language is crucial.
The below table is based on The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages or CEFR. The framework is a self-assessment grid. By choosing what “can do” statements apply to you, you will find out what level you are at. The CEFR was put together by the Council of Europe to standardise levels of language learning in different European countries and it’s now widely used throughout Europe.
There are six levels described below: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2
[table id=2 /]

Load More