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This is the second part of “Beginner’s Guide: The Best Way to Learn the Past Tense in Spanish”. When you speak with a friend, you have to talk about things that happened a few days, months or years ago. Talk in past is important too by knowing the history of a place, a country or someone special to you. If one of your New Year’s wishes is learn Spanish in Costa Rica, you are still on time. We invited you to continue reading and know more about the Past Tense in Spanish. 4. Tackle the conjugations of the preterit (preterite). There are lots of irregular formations of the preterit tense, and it takes practice and some memorization. Here are the five major groups used by most traditional Spanish grammar sources: Regular -ar, -er, -ir verb endings: All you have to do is drop the infinitive and add the correct preterit ending. Common irregular preterites: These include ser, ir, dar, and ver. Ir stem-changing verbs: Only -ir verbs that are stem-changing in the present tense have a stem change in the preterit. Just the first letter of the change is kept, and only in the third-person singular and third-person plural. Verbs with irregular

So, you’re learning Spanish in Costa Rica, and you’ve gotten the basics of the present tense down. And now you can’t wait to learn the past tense in Spanish. It’s a major milestone as you become proficient in another language, allowing you to talk about past events and make a more personal connection with your conversation partner. But it’s time you know it: The Past Tense in Spanish has many faces: simple preterit, past progressive, present perfect… So, read on to learn about the best way to learn the Spanish past tense as a beginner. 1. Spanish uses several tenses to state facts. When you use the past in English to describe events that happened, to say the same thing in Spanish you could be using any of several indicative past tenses in Spanish, including compound tenses. These include the preterit, imperfect, past progressive, present perfect, and past perfect. 2. Think of the simple past in terms of preterit (preterite) and imperfect. Talking about what happened in Spanish without using compound tenses is divided into the preterit indicative and the imperfect indicative. The simple preterit indicative in Spanish is used when you merely state what happened at a particular point and

Spanish is such a popular second or foreign language to learn that there are plenty of courses one can take at major colleges and universities. In the United States, Spanish is the most studied language in higher learning. And, in the world, it ties with Mandarin and French as the second-most-studied language. But, do you know how is the best way to learn the Spanish language? The Spanish Study Abroad has a lot of benefits, and here, in the Costa Rican Language Academy, we can give to you this big opportunity. Want to know it? Let’s start. About the Spanish Study Abroad Program Some students already speak Spanish and want to improve their grammar or vocabulary. Spanish study abroad programs offer your students the chance for immersion as well as a beautiful, fun and enriching experience in a Spanish-speaking country. Interacting with native speakers is a great way of quickly adapting to the language. However, it is even better to study using the immersion method; that is, by having to use the language for most or all of the time. The 3 benefits of a Spanish Study Abroad program in Costa Rica There are many reasons to have a Spanish study

You travel to beautiful Costa Rica. You have the sun, warm climate, and amazing nature to enjoy on a daily basis. You love the friendly people and relaxed atmosphere. There is, however, one thing you might be missing while in Costa Rica—the Spanish language. You probably have been willing to learn Spanish, but you just have not known where to start: verbs, personal pronouns, Spanish Prepositions… What you need is a Spanish school in Costa Rica, but you don’t want just any Spanish school. You need the Costa Rican Language Academy (CRLA) to help you with your goals. As you are learning Spanish, you are going to want to know all about the language. You will want cultural and language immersion along with a comprehensive program of Spanish studies. You are also going to need to know the important prepositions in the Spanish language. Once you have learned these, it will make studying Spanish much easier. Some Important Prepositions What are the prepositions in the Spanish language? Here are twelve of them: De: of, from, or about A: to, at En: in, on, at Por: for, by, because of, through Con: with Para: for, to Sin: about Sobre: on, about,

Take a Spanish Immersion Program If you’re a senior or any other adult above traditional college age, you may have entertained thoughts of regret about not learning a popular language like Spanish. Well, although the need for Spanish in the US has been on the rise for decades, nothing compares to today’s demand, use, and opportunities for Spanish speakers of any age or background. So if you’re asking yourself, “Am I too old to take a Spanish immersion program,” the answer is a spontaneous and triumphant “No!” Here’s why: The experiences of success You may be at an advantage by waiting to learn a language. Since your teens and twenties, you have probably taken on a hobby, a sport, a musical instrument, or a profession which captured your passions. Chances are, you have learned that you can absolutely succeed when you’re motivated, inspired, and immersed. The best Spanish immersion programs are located in tourist-friendly, peaceful countries like Costa Rica, and provide an exciting environment that allows you to pick up features of a language naturally. At CRLA, Costa Rican Language Academy (CRLA), you actually learn Spanish while you pursue your deepest passions such as travel, volunteering, taking dance or cooking

There are more reasons than ever before to learn Spanish, the official language of Costa Rica, Spain, as well as 20 other countries. Whether you’re preparing for college or getting ready to retire, you’ll benefit from knowing this particular Romance language. Read on to find out exactly why you should learn Spanish. 1. Over 400 million people are native speakers worldwide. With over 400 million native speakers — the precise number varies from study to study — Spanish ranks as the second most widely spoken language in the world after English. And experts are now recognizing Spanish as an unofficial second language in the US. In fact, according to the New York Post, the US now has more speakers of Spanish than Spain. 2. You can be an expert at what you do in two languages. Organizations across the industries are hiring bilingual speakers of Spanish and English that have the expertise to carry out work in professional positions — doctors, lawyers, CEOs, diplomats, scientists, journalists — just to name a few examples. With a strong command of each language, bilingual individuals use their Spanish skills to practice their given profession and reach a broader audience. 3. Your brain will

Studying Spanish in Costa Rica is a great idea Studying Spanish in Costa Rica is a great idea. You get the chance to learn a new language and see a new country. Costa Rica is full of natural beauty and host to some of the greatest biodiversity in the world. Check out these five things to do while you study Spanish in Costa Rica. The Cloud Forest Find yourself amongst the clouds in this surreal place in Puntarenas, Costa Rica. You will feel like you are in heaven as the mists surround you and you sense real magic taking place. The clouds loom around you for you to reach out and touch them. This unique place will amaze you so make sure it’s on your list when you study in Costa Rica. The Jungle The tropical rain forest of Costa Rica is rich and green. With an abundance of endemic bird species, monkeys, and yes, insects, the jungle is the perfect place for a stroll or hike in the wilderness. You will be surrounded by lush tropical plants and trees that display many different shades of green – the epitome of verdant and vibrant wildlife. The Hot Springs Want to take a

Learning a second language has become essential as the job market continues to become more and more diverse. In addition to giving you a competitive edge over your competition, multilingualism is known to be good for brain development and prevention of diseases such as dementia. Here are 7 ways to study Spanish and be excellent at it: Make reading a habit By reading a lot, you familiarize yourself with Spanish grammar and the correct way of constructing sentences. You are also able to compare your progress to see what you need to work on. Worth noting is you have to read trustworthy material that makes use of formal grammar. Learn core words first Every language has its core words and features which you are obligated to learn before delving into details. Focus on commonly used Spanish vocabulary to build a firm foundation for your language development. Understand gender of nouns Unlike the English language, nouns in Spanish are either masculine or feminine, which makes them rather difficult to master. For better results, take time to understand the basics so that you are able to categorize them accordingly. Practice writing in Spanish Writing Spanish on an everyday basis is an effective

Did you know that learning a second language boosts your brain?. Scientific research in the last 50 years finds that people who learn another language reap many brain benefits, and we made a list of some of them below. So read on to find out everything that happens to your brain when you learn a new language! 1. Your brain expands. According to an article in Your Training Edge, a recent study proves that learning another language makes your brain grow. The study monitored and compared the brain activity of two groups: med students and military personnel who were taking several hours of language courses each day. The results revealed that the areas of the brain involved with language learning actually expanded after a certain amount of time in the military group. Meanwhile, there was no change in the brains of the med students. 2. Language learning helps protect your brain from developing Alzheimer’s. Scientists also found evidence that being bilingual helps protect your brain against Alzheimer’s. The above-linked article in Live Science describes how a Canadian scientist conducted a study involving two groups of Alzheimer’s patients. One group spoke only one language while the second group was bilingual. On average, the

Why students prefer us What better way to learn Spanish than to completely immerse yourself in the language, culture, and beauty of Costa Rica! According to the World Economic Forum, more than 437 million people globally speak Spanish. Students learn more quickly and retain the language better when they are able to use it in natural situations, and the program we offer at Costa Rica Language Academy CRLA provides the best environment possible to join a volunteer project, experience a way of life, make new friends, and much more. Learning Spanish abroad at CRLA is a safe, wonderful experience for students of all ages. Our homestay program pairs students with local families who make them feel right at home, immersed in the Tico culture. Homestays provide a great way to enjoy Costa Rican cuisine, learn about daily life, and converse constantly in Spanish. The secure neighborhood in San Jose has experienced local staff to ensure the comfort and security of all students, allowing everyone to relax and absorb the experience. Our programs Our programs are flexible and can be customized for a short- or long-term stay to fit each individual’s needs. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced Spanish speaker, our varied and