Adventures in Yucatan, Mexico

     Our students from Salem College are with us in the mornings taking their classes in Spanish and Culture and Society. The students have already completed their first our-of-class assignment, a treasure hunt that is made up of questions that only true Yucatecans can answer! Our students came back with phrases in Mayan, knowledge of the history of the city, and many stories of the people they encountered! Intermediate Spanish class Beginner Spanish class Culture and Society

     Yesterday was the day of the Rosca de los Reyes (bread of the wise men). The tradition, which is a fusion of Spanish and Mexican cultures dating back to the Spanish conquest, includes parting a large round loaf of sweet bread that is typically adorned with candied fruits. The circular nature of the bread is meant to represent the circle of life, and baked into the loaves are small muñequitos (figures) of the baby Jesus. The custom is for each person to cut their own piece of the rosca  anywhere in the circle that they wish, and the person who finds the figure in their piece is charged with making tamales  for the whole group for the next holiday: Dia de la Candelaria  which falls on February second. Since the day of los Reyes  is so well known, it is possible to find a  muñequito multiple times during the day, at work, at school, and at home! The d ía   de los Reyes is also a day for gifts, for just as the three reyes magos (wise men) brought gifts to baby Jesus, so do these moder

     Last night we had a speaker come in who reminded all the students who began the process of learning Spanish with PICY of their first day in class.      Our methodology is 100% immersion, which means that from day one, each and every class is completely in Spanish. It makes for slow going at first, because you don't understand anything that's going on. Or at least that's what it seems like. But really, within the first few minutes you are speaking a foreign language, repeating phrases such as "My name is," "I grew up in," etc. It's amazing how much  we can communicate with others without any language at all. Through the complete immersion process, the language acquisition speeds up because when the students learn a word or a concept, they really learn it; they don't just translate it. By the end of 10 weeks (750 class hours), students who began with NO Spanish are presenting their final project that they researched, wrote up, and present ex

     Last night our newest group of students arrived from Salem College in North Carolina! The group will be with us for three weeks taking classes and participating in cultural activities. We received them at the airport and had a late dinner and got to meet everyone!      This morning we headed out for an early breakfast and then spent some time in the hotel for a quick orientation.      The students found the directions for their host families and for the school as well as a few other important points such as the central park. Finding their houses! One of our professors, Rafael, helping out      After the activity with the maps, each of the students were given a brief introduction to their families and then they were whisked away for the afternoon. We managed to snap photos of  almost  everyone! Getting ready, and Heading off!