Pura Buena Onda Blog

Student Advancement – Aaron to A3!

My name is:

Aaron

My new level is:
A3
Approximately how much time do you dedicate to working on your Spanish outside of class?
20-30 minutes per day
On average, how many times per week do you take classes @ Pura Buena Onda?
1 group class per week
What role has Pura Buena Onda played in helping you improve your Spanish & advance to the next level?
Pura Buena Onda has helped me “get serious” about learning Spanish. I’ve played on language learning apps for many months, but PBO helped bridge the gap between knowing words and phrases and comprehension and conversation!
What are some of your favorite resources?
The SpanishDict app has been my rock for verb conjugations. I also enjoy listening to the Coffee Break Spanish podcast on my way to work.
Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
PBO has been the BEST way to practice speaking because it’s a judgement-free group of students on the same level. There is no fear of making mistakes and we have great conversations together!

Thank you Aaron!

¡Felicidades a Aaron por avanzar al nivel A3! ¡Bien hecho! We are so happy to have you in our online Spanish classes!

La tarea opcional para el 25 al 31 de enero del 2021

Para todos los niveles:

La tarea opcional de esta semana es preparar 3 temas para hablar a lo largo de este año y decir por qué quieren hablar de esos temas. Por favor, elijan temas de conversación, no de gramática. Por ejemplo:

Los artistas de San Diego.

Maneras de vivir más ecológicamente.

Una experiencia fantástica en mi vida. 

La semana que viene les vamos a pedir que los escriban en el chat, para que los podamos poner en un documento que usaremos todo el año.

 

Tarea extra para A2: 

Busquen una palabra que no conozcan en español relacionada con la ropa, y escriban 5 oraciones para describirla.

Por ejemplo: 

1 – Hay dos

2 – Se ponen en las manos

3 – Pueden ser de lana, de seda, de plástico u otros materiales

4 – Sirven para proteger las manos del frío o de la suciedad

5 – Son de mucho colores

¿Qué palabra relacionada con la ropa es?

 

Para los que les interese hacer más tarea: 

Hagan de la frase 361 a la frase 380 del segundo capítulo del libro “Spanish Verb Tense Workbook – Beginner”, y de la frase 201 a la frase 220 del cuarto capítulo del libro “Spanish Verb Workbook – Intermediate & Advanced” de Robert Melick & Bernal Herrera Gómez.

Atención: Hay tres errores en las respuestas del libro “Spanish Verb Workbook – Intermediate & Advanced”. Las respuestas a las frases 92, 201 y 217 usan la expresión buscar por, pero en español eso es incorrecto; debería ser buscar (sin “por”).

 

Student Advancement – Penny to C1!

My name is:

Penny
My new level is:
C1
Approximately how much time do you dedicate to working on your Spanish outside of class?
I try to practice or listen to some Spanish every day, but the bulk of it is on Sundays when I lead our Spanish-language worship service and preach every other week.
On average, how many times per week do you take classes @ Pura Buena Onda?
Once
What role has Pura Buena Onda played in helping you improve your Spanish & advance to the next level?
PBO has been everything! Having the weekly class and the homework keeps me moving forward.
What are some of your favorite resources?
I enjoy the daily Facebook question, even if I don’t always write a response. Adri is an incredibly gifted and creative teacher, and the conversations in her class are very enriching. I listen to the Hoy Hablamos podcast regularly and watch occasional TV shows and TED talks.
Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
I remember my first classes very clearly from 4 1/2 years ago: I was almost a total beginner and I was really scared to actually speak Spanish. Susana was my first teacher and she was very kind and patient. I am thrilled to have reached the advanced level. PBO offers exactly the kind of encouragement that adult learners need.

Thank you Penny!

¡Felicidades a Penny por avanzar al nivel C1! ¡Bien hecho! We are so happy to have you in our online Spanish classes!

La tarea opcional para el 18 al 24 de enero del 2021

Para todos los niveles:

¿Listos para la primera tarea del año? 

La tarea opcional de esta semana es escribir un resumen de su año pasado en un párrafo y otro párrafo con sus metas / lo que quieren hacer / esperanzas para el año 2021.

Tarea extra para A2: 

Busquen una palabra que no conozcan en español relacionada con la medicina y los doctores, y escriban 5 oraciones para describirla.

Por ejemplo: 

1 – Es un objeto

2 – Lo usa el doctor

3 – Es metálico

4 – Se pone en el pecho

5 – Sirve para oír el corazón

¿Qué palabra relacionada con la medicina es?

 

Para los que les interese hacer más tarea: 

Hagan de la frase 341 a la frase 360 del segundo capítulo del libro “Spanish Verb Tense Workbook – Beginner”, y de la frase 181 a la frase 200 del cuarto capítulo del libro “Spanish Verb Workbook – Intermediate & Advanced” de Robert Melick & Bernal Herrera Gómez.

 

Atención: Hay tres errores en las respuestas del libro “Spanish Verb Workbook – Intermediate & Advanced”. Las respuestas a las frases 92, 201 y 217 usan la expresión buscar por, pero en español eso es incorrecto; debería ser buscar (sin “por”).

Student Level advancement – Paula to A2!

My name is:

Paula 

My new level is:

A2

Approximately how much time do you dedicate to working on your Spanish outside of class?

I work about 30 minutes per day on homework and I try to think in Spanish as much as possible throughout the day.

On average, how many times per week do you take classes @ Pura Buena Onda?

I take classes once a week but more often would be better.

What role has Pura Buena Onda played in helping you improve your Spanish & advance to the next level?

I’ve spent many years learning grammar in a classroom setting and i knew that i needed more practice speaking. The teachers at PBO are amazing, they work together so well and provide feedback, and have helped me with my confidence to speak. So happy that my Spanish speaking ability is improving.

What are some of your favorite resources?

For fun I follow PBO on Instagram and now the blog, but mostly the teachers and fellow students are my favorite resources.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Congrats on 13 years!! So glad i found you when I did!

 

Thank you Paula!

¡Felicidades a Paula por avanzar al nivel A2! ¡Bien hecho! We are so happy to have you in our online Spanish classes!

Student Level Advancement – Quan to A2!

My name is:

Quan 

My new level is:

A2

Approximately how much time do you dedicate to working on your Spanish outside of class?

0

On average, how many times per week do you take classes @ Pura Buena Onda?

1

What role has Pura Buena Onda played in helping you improve your Spanish & advance to the next level?

Listening and responding to questions.

What are some of your favorite resources?

wordreference, google translate

 

Thank you Quan!

¡Felicidades a Quan por avanzar al nivel A2! ¡Bien hecho! We are so happy to have you in our online Spanish classes!

Student Advancement – Jenna to B1!

My name is:

Jenna
My new level is:
B1
Approximately how much time do you dedicate to working on your Spanish outside of class?
30 minutes to one hour daily
On average, how many times per week do you take classes @ Pura Buena Onda?
One
What role has Pura Buena Onda played in helping you improve your Spanish & advance to the next level?
PBO has helped me immensely! The classes have given me the confidence to speak more and to practice with my Spanish-speaking friends. All the teachers are so helpful and supportive.
What are some of your favorite resources?
Quizlet, CoffeeBreak Spanish, Duolingo Podcasts, and I also use the verb workbooks
Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
Classes are so much fun and I have really enjoyed getting to know my classmates.

Thank you Jenna!

¡Felicidades a Jenna por avanzar al nivel B1! ¡Bien hecho! We are so happy to have you in our online Spanish classes!

Student Advancement – Missy to C1

My name is:

Missy 

My new level is:

C1

Approximately how much time do you dedicate to working on your Spanish outside of class?

10-15 hours per week

On average, how many times per week do you take classes @ Pura Buena Onda?

Recently 2

What role has Pura Buena Onda played in helping you improve your Spanish & advance to the next level?

PBO has played the most important role in my journey. From the beginning, they made it more comfortable to start speaking which was the hardest part and from then on, everyone has been patient and encouraging along the way and has offered multiple different types of opportunities to improve. The teachers are incredible and the community that Caro has built is the best part. I have an amazing group of friends to learn and practice with because of PBO. 

What are some of your favorite resources?

I’ve been into listening to a lot of podcasts lately, I started with News In Slow Spanish a few years ago but now try to listen to Buenos Días America most weekdays. I also love No Hay Tos, Platicando, and Hoy Hablamos and have made it a recent goal to listen to all available episodes of Radioambulante. Netflix has so many good shows in Spanish (my favorites include La Casa de Papel, Gran Hotel, Las Chicas del Cable, El Internado, there are many more). The McGraw Hill books are great if you are a nerd like me. 

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

PBO has changed my life and I can’t thank them enough. I would never have imagined 4-5 years ago that I could now have a coherent conversation with someone in Spanish and love the process so much! 

Thank you Missy!

¡Felicidades a Missy por avanzar al nivel B2! ¡Bien hecho! We are so happy to have you in our online Spanish classes!

La tarea opcional durante el descanso (12/21-1/11)

Para todos los niveles: 

La tarea opcional de esta semana es… 

¡Practicar durante el descanso! Quizás puedan hablar en español con alguien de su clase mientras PBO esté cerrado :). 

 

Tarea extra para A2: 

No hay tarea extra para A2 porque PBO va a estar cerrado :). 

Para los que les interese hacer más tarea: 

Hagan de la frase 321 a la frase 340 del segundo capítulo del libro “Spanish Verb Tense Workbook – Beginner”, y de la frase 161 a la frase 180 del cuarto capítulo del libro “Spanish Verb Workbook – Intermediate & Advanced” de Robert Melick & Bernal Herrera Gómez. 

Vamos a seguir usando este libro el año que viene. 

Atención: Hay tres errores en las respuestas del libro “Spanish Verb Workbook – Intermediate & Advanced”. Las respuestas a las frases 92, 201 y 217 usan la expresión buscar por, pero en español eso es incorrecto; debería ser buscar (sin “por”). 

Student Advancement – Sean to B2

My name is:

Sean

My new level is:

B2

Approximately how much time do you dedicate to working on your Spanish outside of class?

~6 hours a week

On average, how many times per week do you take classes @ Pura Buena Onda?

1

What role has Pura Buena Onda played in helping you improve your Spanish & advance to the next level?

PBO is the main reason I have improved at all since I started learning Spanish

What are some of your favorite resources?

es.thefreedictionary.com, spanishdict.com, Youtube, Twitter, BBC Mundo, Yahoo Noticias en Español, Netflix, Books, Podcasts, Music

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Incorporating Spanish into many aspects of my life has really helped me out. Instead of just setting aside “study” time for Spanish, I make it a part of my routines, so that more things that I hear, watch, and read are in Spanish and keep me learning about the language. 

Thank you Sean!

¡Felicidades a Sean por avanzar al nivel B2! ¡Bien hecho! We are so happy to have you in our online Spanish classes!