Bem-vindos! to another interactive guest post; this one in Portuguese from Boteco ATX, the latest & greatest Austin Food-truck!
In our efforts to connect the many cultures and languages in Austin, we invite Austinites who’re native speakers of French, Italian, Spanish or Portuguese to share an idea, a place, an art, a product – or anything of particular interest to them – in writing in their native language. In the Freestyle way, we invite all (both our students & readers of the larger ATX community and beyond) to interact w/us here. We won’t grade you too harshly if your answers are in English…and who knows? there may be a prize for those in Portuguese! Voila!magnífico!
We’re thrilled to put a spotlight on our new friends in the incredibly dynamic Brazilian community of Atx – Fernando and Lauren Marri, owners of the new Brazilian food truck Boteco which specializes in Brazilian street food located in Austin, TX.
What is a Boteco? A boteco is a local neighborhood joint that you go to for delicious food, drinks & conversation. Simple in nature, yet essentially Brazilian.
Boteco supports our community by cooking with eco-friendly, local ingredients as much as possible. They’ll also feature a variety of vegetarian & gluten-free options!
And when you meet them here and in person, you will see why the lines will be lo000ng at this food truck…
Read about this couple, one of their favorite recipes and how to make it – all in Portuguese. boa sorte!
Queridos estudantes, O meu nome é Fernando Marri. Sou Brasileiro, nascido e criado em Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais – terra da boa e velha comida mineira. Sempre fui fascinado por gastronomia, principalmente a culinária mineira que historicamente descreve a história do Brasil. Me mudei para Austin um ano e meio atrás. A cidade me encanta pela sua energia, musicalidade e diversidade. Sou o chefe e dono do Boteco Food Truck, especializado em comida brasileira. Gostaria dividir uma receita simples e fácil com vocês
Brigadeiro
O brigadeiro é um doce brasileiro, criado na década de 1940 em homenagem ao Brigadeiro Eduardo Gomes, candidato à presidência da república. Foram feitas festas para promover a candidatura, onde foram servidos os docinhos do Brigadeiro. Assim for adotado o nome brigadeiro para o docinho.
Ingredientes:
1 lata de leite condensado
1 colher de sopa de margarina
4 colheres de sopa de chocolate em pó
chocolate granulado
Modo de Preparo:
1. Coloque em uma panela o leite condensado, a margarina e o chocolate em pó.
2. Cozinhe em fogo médio e mexa sem parar com uma colher.
3. Cozinhe até que o brigadeiro comece a desgrudar da panela.
4. Deixe esfriar bem, então unte as mãos com margarina, faça as bolinhas e envolva-as em chocolate granulado.
5. Bom apetite!
Voila! now it’s your turn…answer these in the comments below. Correct Portuguese could get you a sweeeet Freestyle discount…!
1. Quando é que Fernando veio para Austin?
2. Porque o doce se chama “brigadeiro?”
3. O brigadeiro tem que forma (shape)?
We can’t wait to join in the Boteco launch celebration in February! While the food-truck is still in the construction phase, their delicious food is available for delivery or pick-up in the Austin area. Items can be ordered frozen or freshly fried. Place your order today – for typical Brazilian fare such as Pastel, Coxinha & Pão de Queijo!
And don’t forget to come try a class for free at Freestyle. Our proven language model and methodology is not only effective it’s fun. We pride ourselves on our pedagogy & 2nd language acquisition skills as well as on the connections made in our language learning community. Language is 100% about connecting people!
The Freestyle Way – using language in context, having fun doing it!
Did you know we have a NEW class “Portuguese for Spanish Speakers”? Starting Winter 2015. To meet our teachers and learn more about it and our other Portuguese, French, Spanish or Italian classes, RSVP to our Open House, Fri, Jan. 9th, 6-8pm. Merci! Obrigado, Vemo-nos!
Bem-vindosto the latest Portuguese installment of our ongoing ‘Polyglot Austin” blog series, where we celebrate the city’s cultural diversity while taking an interactive approach to language learning.
Through our beginner and intermediate Portuguese videos below (subtitled, with full transcription provided!), we introduce you to Bruno Vinezof, a Brazilian native and founder of the incredibly soulful rhythm & percussion group Maracatu Texas.
Practice your Portuguese while you learn more about this afro-brazilian percussion genre infusing Brazilian culture into Atx. Did you know you can join Maracatu in Austin?? Check out their lively performances and classes .
Austin boasts an especially strong and colorful Brazilian music scene. Que lindo maravilhoso!
What an enriching experience learning about the history and culture of “Maracatu” which conveys, specifically, the rhythm of Northern Brazil. In the past, in the era of slavery in Brazil, the Maracatu groups crowned a black king and queen who would be the communicators between the Portuguese slave owners and the black community to which they belonged. These traditions are still honored in Marcatu groups today.
An array of alfaias, a type of Brazilian drum, artwork in themselves!
Watch, listen, read transcripts – have all kinds of fun! Then, answer our questions (em português) in the comment area; one of our teachers will get back to you.
Beginner Level
Beginners, to get the most out of this exercise, watch it first without sound, while reading the subtitles. Then,watch the video again with sound. See how multiple viewings of segments of the video improve your reading & listening comprehension.
Bruno conhece países nas Américas, e mais um continente. Qual é o outro continente?
Que tipo de instrumentos músicas Bruno toca?
Intermediate Level
J: Pode descrever o lugar onde você cresceu? / B: Eu cresci numa cidade chamada Olinda. É uma cidade muito antiga, com mais de quatrocentos e setenta anos. Olinda tem muito casarões antigos, e é uma cidade com muita música, e o carnaval é muito famoso. CLICK HERE FOR FULL TRANSCRIPT
Intermediate Questions
A cidade de Olinda tem quantos anos?
Para Bruno, qual é a diferença mais importante entre a música brasileira e a música dos Estados Unidos?
Think about the following two phrases: O Maracatu “veio para o Brasil com os escravos,” and “servia como um intermédio.” Why does Bruno use the preterit in the first phrase, and the imperfect in the second?
We thank our friends of Morena Soul, the lively, fun, locally grown Brazilian-music band for introducing us to the Brazilian scene in Austin. Meet them here, in our first Portuguese blog entry and be sure to follow their performances as well (schedule). What dynamic people, groups and strong bonds that unite Portuguese-speaking musicians in Austin!
Like the sounds and cultural richness of Brazil and the fast-paced rhythms of samba? Don’t miss Austin Samba (the largest Brazilian cultural organization of its kind in the US) present the largest celebration of Brazilian music and culture of the year at their event ‘Brazil Day Austin 2014‘! Dance, drink, eat, practice your Portuguese AND!!!…. enter to win an 8-week Portuguese language class with Freestyle! Come meet us at our table there and enter a drawing (free!) to win!
Last, but certainly not least, if you love practicing your Portuguese, make sure BRAZILPOD is in your repertoire!
The Freestyle Lifestyle
We do language learning a little differently at Freestyle!
Our one-of-a-kind approach to second language acquisition uses technology and interactive media in a way that brings the most recent, relevant, high-usage vocabulary and everyday expressions to our students in an entertaining and effective way. Join us as we continue to revolutionize language learning!
Fall I Session starts 9/2, join us for a free trial class or Saturday ‘cafe’ – info@freestylelanguagecenter.com
Freestyle Language Center believes in language learning through relevant cultural context. This ‘Polyglot Austin’ blog series shares the unique cultures, stories, and experiences of the multilingual people who call our city home while providing opportunities for language practice and learning!
In this entry we feature Morena Soul, a local band that brings a variety of traditional Brazilian beats with ‘modern musicality’ and a global perspective to the local music scene. In the live music capital of the world, stroll through Downtown Austin on almost any evening and hear the rich sounds of live music, frequently in other languages, bursting from restaurants and bars.
Go Polyglot! Practice your Portuguese and get to know Morena Soul!
Freestyle was lucky to have Morena Soul perform at one of our Polyglot Dance Parties! “Obrigada” to Angela Loyd for her fabulous “passista” dancing.
Watch and listen to the videos below for an interview with Sarah and Frank as they share a bit about themselves and their music. Interact with us: test your Portuguese and answer the questions below!
Beginner Level
Q:Estamos aqui com a Sarah e com Frank que tocam no Morena Soul e a gente está muito feliz que eles estão participando de um evento no Freestyle, e a gente tem algumas perguntas para vocês. Sarah, de onde você é? / Sarah: Eu sou do Rio de Janeiro. Q: E você, Frank?/ Frank: Eu também sou do Rio de Janeiro, só que eu me criei em outra parte do Brasil. Q: Em qual parte?/ F: No nordeste Brasileiro. Q: Ah, que legal! Então tem influência carioca, e nordestina também. /F: Carioca e nordestina. Carioca do Rio de Janeiro e nordestino do nordeste. Q: E o que vocês fazem, em termos de trabalho?/ S: Eu trabalho na Apple. / F: Eu também trabalho na Apple. Q: E porque vocês vieram para Austin? / S: Eu vim para Austin para fugir do frio de Nova Iorque / F: E eu vim para Austin para fugir da confusão de Miami/ S: Ele está me copiando! Q: Já estão americanizados! E o que vocês gostam em Austin? / F: Eu gosto de tudo. Mais eu gosto muito da cultura de Austin por ser um lugar bem diverso, e muitas etnicidades, muitos países, e gosto muito do clima também, e das pessoas. As pessoas em Austin são mais calorosas. /S: Eu gosto do tamanho da cidade. Eu acho que é uma cidade que não é nem muito grande e nem muito pequena, então você tem a infra-estrutura de uma cidade grande, mas a sensação que você está morando numa cidade pequena. E eu também gosto da parte cultural. Q: E na parte cultural, como é que vocês se envolveram com a música? / S: Saudade do Brasil! Q: E o que vocês mais sentem falta do Brasil, da comida? Número um. / S: E a família. Q: A comida e a família. Os amigos. Esta coisa de Austin ser mais caloroso, é mais caloroso em relação a outras cidades americanas, né? Mas o Brasil, é bem mais caloroso de qualquer cidade daqui. As pessoas, a cultura, os amigos. / S: Os churrascos, os fins de semana.
Intermediate Level
For the intermediate interview transcription see our Youtube channel.
Write your answers in the comments below – our teachers will get back to you!
Beginner Questions
De onde a Sarah é? E Frank?
Sarah e Frank trabalham para a mesma empresa. Qual empresa é?
Por que é que eles vieram para Austin?
Por que a Sarah gosta tanto de Austin? E Frank?
Eles têm saudade de quais coisas do Brasil?
Intermediate Questions
Quais instrumentos Frank toca? E a Sarah?
Como é o público brasileiro nos concertos?
Como é o público americano nos concertos?
Qual é a vantagem de tocar musica brasileira aqui nos Estados Unidos, em relação a tocar no Brasil? Qual é o desafio?
Muito obrigado to Morena Soul for letting us share their stories! Want to see them live? Check out their events calendar for weekly showtimes!
Up next, French in Austin! Who would you like to see interviewed? Comment below with suggestions. Merci!
The Freestyle Lifestyle
Our methodology incorporates technology and interactive media in a way which brings the most recent, relevant, high-usage vocabulary and everyday expressions to our students in an entertaining and effective way. Join us as we seek to revolutionize language learning: Try a free evening class or our popular Saturday “cafe” (11am-12:30pm) at 801 Rio Grande!
At Freestyle, we take pride in doing things differently, just like the city we call home!
Follow our blog for more interactive language fun! Know a polyglot in Austin? Let us know who you’d like to see featured on our blog by commenting below.
This is not your mother’s pair of jeans, nor your father’s Oldsmobile… this is language learning in the 21st century! It’s pop culture, y’all. It’s slang and everyday language, it’s the fun path to fluency.
Don’t let subtitles scare you! Get over your fears and hesitations; don’t be too cool for this kind of school.
Films use language in real-life situations enabling the learner to grasp the meaning and sounds of colloquial expressions at the heart of everyday language while experiencing cultural contexts… all while entertaining!
Sit Back and Enjoy the Amusement of Subtitles!
Subtitles can uniquely create humor, adding a pure comedic touch. Take this clip from the comedy Airplane for example with two men speaking jive, obviously English… but is it? Check out the video to see what all the hoopla is about!
Subtitles are humorous! Enjoy… and embrace them!
When learning everyday jargon in a foreign language, we can’t all go about faking it like Brad Pitt in Inglourious Basterds! Watch as Brad Pitt is thrown off entirely by the fluency with which Christopher Waltz’s character speaks Italian; subtitles enhance the comedic effect.
To Swear or Not To Swear? No Matter, It’s Idiomatic!
To go about one’s day, one needs an understanding of common lingo, or street talk. Don’t tell your mother we told you, but swearing is a huge part of cultural context, colloquial language! Every language has modern slang that defies literal meanings. For example, non-native speakers of English wouldn’t know the flexibility of using swear words such as *hore,bi*ch and *ss without watching films such as this American high school parody, Mean Girls in their native language subtitles.
Embrace, even if you choose not to personally swear like a (bilingual) pirate!
Similarly, we see the French word putain used everywhere, rarely in a literal context. But we would not know that without seeing how it’s used in everyday language, ie… scenes in films! With film, we grab the cultural meaning behind the language. Watch this clip of Jean Dujardin accepting his Oscar for Best Actor. Did you catch that slip at the end? “Ouah, putain, genial, merci, formidable, merci beaucoup, I love you!”
French films teach us quickly that putain, a high-frequency swear word (but harmless, really) appears just about anywhere in most French sentences.
Global Speak; It’s all Relative
We, as Americans specifically, need to get over our fear of subtitles. People use them all around the world for varying purposes.
Subtitles carry the potential to be an international game-changer in poverty, status and education.
Millions of people in countries around the world embrace subtitles with no hesitation as a means to improving their everyday life. See this NY Times article on how learners use subtitling to further their education and career and to make global connections.
Even in the realm of entertainment, the entire world seeks to connect to Hollywood and Bollywood films and they do sowith subtitlesin their native language!
Let’s eradicate the misconceptions we tend to have while dealing with subtitles in film; they’re useful and globally accepted!
The Science, The Backbone Behind It
Acquiring language through a medium such as film is not only fun and entertaining, but multiple studies have shown it’s a driving force for second language and culture acquisition.
As renowned linguist and second-language acquisition expert Stephen Krashen once said “language needs to be fun!” Language acquisition works best when the input is interesting and compelling to us, so much so that we forget we are immersing ourselves in another language!
“The best methods are therefore those that supply ‘comprehensible input’ in low anxiety situations, containing messages that students really want to hear.” -Krashen.
Rod Ellis, a leading theorist in 2nd language acquisition, elaborates: “Successful instructed language learning requires extensive 2nd language input…where 2nd language needs to become the medium as well as object.” Film is the medium, and an entertaining one at that! SO, pull yourself out of the humdrum routine of hours with flashcards and intensive studying. Although these methods help in retaining information, the delight and entertainment of film best supplements them.
Plenty of science revolves around it, but the ultimate goal is to have fun while you’re learning; your brain will do all the work! While watching foreign film, in the midst of having fun, you increase your metalinguistic awareness, unbeknownst to you. Qu’est-ce que c’estmetalinguistic awareness? It’s simply the ability to think of and be aware of language in relation to its cultural context, that language has specific functions and rules. Furthermore, multiple viewings of a foreign film also increase awareness of important paralinguistic elements: body language, gestures, facial expressions, loudness, tempo….all features highly important to communication in another language.
One of the most renown (and local!) language specialists, Dr. Garza, Director of the Texas Language Center of the University of Texas, provides an important pedagogical framework for the use of video and film in the classroom. See Dr. Garza as he explains how video and film, as authentic texts, contain the possibility to develop language learners into “active learners”. He states that the application of technology such as video, film, internet, etc. may hold the key for language learners to go from competence to proficiency, i.e. to make great strides along the road to fluency!
The Freestyle Way
Freestyle’s unique methodology incorporates foreign film in our curriculum in a step-by-step process that allows significant realization of linguistic and cultural meaning. We study relevant vocabulary themes and intermediate to advanced grammars entirely in the context of a specific, chosen film; here’s a quick break down of our process:
1. Watch the film in target language with English subtitles; this provides semantics (meaning)
2. Work thoroughly through target language subtitles and/or transcribed dialogue of film over the session; this provides lexical and syntactic information (vocabulary and word order)
3. Watch the film in segments with no subtitles; this provides phonetics (sound/pronunciation/listening)
4. Witness a significant boost in listening, comprehension and speaking ability!
Additionally, Freestyle is proud to incorporate Austin’s own ITAL in our classes! Transmedia specialist Sergio Carvajal-Leoni, in collaboration with Austin-Based Filmmaker Romina Olson and UT Award-Winning Italian instructor Antonella Del Fattore-Olson, created ITAL, a digital channel that blends entertainment and education to teach Italian language and culture. The entertaining ITAL videos are intended to expand students’ knowledge of contemporary Italian culture while helping them to increase their vocabulary and oral competency. As you can see in the video that follows, part of ITAL’s instructional component is reflected in the use of subtitles – sometimes in English, others in Italian – to emphasize how new vocabulary is used in everyday conversation.
HINT: This fall, intermediate Spanish students will be studying Spanish through Volver, intermediate French through the romantic comedy Heartbreakers, Portuguese through the comedy The Man Who Copied, Italian through the dramedy The Last Kiss! Come visit a class for FREE.
Additional Tip!
Try practicing with subtitles by choosing a tv show/film you enjoy watching in your native language with your target language subtitles. For example, the American hit romantic comedy, Two Weeks Notice (Sandra Bullock / Hugh Grant), like many U.S. shows and films, offers both French and Spanish subtitles.
We hope you see the many varied reasons to embrace and enjoy subtitles so that your road to fluency will be smoother and more enjoyable.
Happy Trails on Your Journey to Fluency
Accepting subtitles in foreign film will allow you to grasp a whole new realm of knowledge that would otherwise only be receivable via physical interaction in the actual country.
Seize the power of film to help you obtain the gift of gab in your target language and join us at Freestyle to further develop your language learning in a relevant, fun and social context!
The idea that language learning is rote and boring is defunct in the 21st century!
Arts & Entertainments and Film: Our last installment of the Summer “Games” continues with a multicultural and multilingual look at cinema around the world. Take a sneak peak! Freestyle’s methodology embraces film and subtitles to widen and deepen everyday/colloquial language.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it: Challenge yourself with a few of these videos and clips, test your comprehension. Want more?! See our teacher’s “Favorite Films”.
Spanish: “Eat, Love, Learn”
Our Spanish students watched the Mexican film Agua Para Chocolate (Like Water For Chocolate), a masterpiece filled with memories of the old Mexico and the magical realism, or lo real maravilloso, that is so prevalent in Spanish novels and films. After reading the following summary, you’ll see a list of preguntas used to guide our discussions after watching the film. These activities improve both auditory and oral skills as well as critical thinking in a second (or third or forth!) language!
Esta película está basada en una novela del mismo título escrita por Laura Esquivel. La autora adaptó su obra para el cine y en 1992 Alfonso Arau realizó su producción. Los personajes principales son Tita (Lumi Cavazos), Pedro (Marco Leonardi) y Mamá Elena (Regina Torné). La historia ocurre en México a finales del siglo diecinueve y los primeros años del siglo veinte.
Preguntas:
1. ¿Quiénes son los personajes principales?
2. ¿Qué temas explora la película?
3. ¿Qué representa la cocina?
From a sensual Mexican film, we moved into the broader territory of Latin American films. Do you know the difference between Latin American cinema and Latino cinema? Listen to Cine Las America’s director Eugenio del Bosque explain en español. Transcription below.
Bueno y aquí se pone un poquito más complicado. Esto que les voy a hablar es un poco la diferencia entre el Cine Latinoamericano y el Cine Latino que es el que se hace acá en los Estados Unidos. Por lo general el cine Latino que se hace en los Estados Unidos, y luego está esta parte en inglés. Yo creo que lo más obvio que podemos decir del Cine Latino es Robert Rodríguez, que todos lo conocemos en Austin. Que no ha hecho más que yo creo que una película en español. Eh, ¿El mariachi está en español, verdad?
Looking for more? Teacher’s Favorite Film:
1. Todo Sobre Mi Madre, 1999: A Spanish-French comedy and drama that deals with complex issues such as AIDS, faith and existentialism.
French: “Voyage à une culture exquise”
Voyagez with us and découvrez what our French classes explored in the literary and cinematic world of La France. Activities included reading and interpreting les poèmesde Baudelaire, learning poetry terms — le thème, la rime, le ton, etc.– after which they wrote their own collaborative poems en français using the entertaining game of Cadavre Exquis.
Charles Baudelaire
À une passante
La rue assourdissante autour de moi hurlait. Longue, mince, en grand deuil, douleur majestueuse, Une femme passa, d’une main fastueuse Soulevant, balançant le feston et l’ourlet
From Baudelaire to Omar Sy, these two greats really are intouchables! Lisezun resumé du film:
La relation entre deux hommes issus de milieux différents : l’un, d’origine sénégalaise, vivant en banlieue parisienne, qui vient de purger une peine de six mois de prison et l’autre, riche tétraplégique, qui a engagé le premier venu comme auxiliaire de vie bien qu’il n’ait aucune formation particulière…
Your second mission, should you choose to accept it…
Regardez la bande-annonce (watch the trailer) of this award-winning French film, then fill in the blanks of the first few lines. Au courage!
Je viens chercher _________________ par rapport aux… _____________ ! …Assedic.
· Comment vous vivez l’idée d’__________________? Ça ne vous gêne pas de _____________ sur le dos des autres ?
· Ça va, merci, et vous ?
· Vous pensez que vous serez quand même capable de _________________?
· Vous en avez de______________ ! – J’en ai tellement que je suis prêt à vous ________________________ pendant un mois ! Je parie que vous ne tiendrez pas ________________________!
· C’est un truc de ___________ ça ! – Non, mais, vous avez fini de jouer, là ?
· Et, mais en fait, vous __________________________ là ?
Teacher’s Favorite Films:
1. C.R.A.Z.Y., 2005: A recent work from our French speaking neighbors of Quebec
2. La Grande Vadrouille, 1966: A timeless French classic featuring the great comic actor Louis de Funes
3. La Haine, 1995: A black and white, suspense-filled drama has become a cult classic in France and around the world
Portuguese: “Viajar e descobrir com o filme”
Central Station, a touching drama in Portuguese, takes the viewer around Brasil, offering a rich view of culture as well as language. After watching the following trailer, you’ll see a list of perguntas used to guide our discussions after watching the film.
1. Dá um pequeno summário do enredo do filme.
2. Dá 3 adjetivos para descrever cada personagem.
3. Quem são os personagens principais?
Teacher’s Favorite Film:
1. Bossa Nova, 2000: A romantic comedy about several interwoven love stories taking place in Rio de Janeiro
Italian: “Eat, Love, Watch “
UT educator Antonella Del Fattore-Olson and two Austin-based filmmakers Romina Olson and Sergio Carvajal created ITAL, a digital channel that blends entertainment and education to teach Italian language and culture. The entertaining ITAL videos are intended to increase students’ vocabulary and oral competency in a fun relevant way, which is why Freestyle will be adapting them as excellent teaching tools!
As you can see in the video that follows, part of ITAL’s instructional component is reflected in the use of subtitles – sometimes in English, others in Italian – to emphasize how new vocabulary is used in everyday conversation.
Teacher’s Favorite Movie:
1. La Vita e Bella, 1997: A Jewish man has a wonderful romance with the help of his humour, but must use that same quality to protect his son in a Nazi death camp.
That’s a wrap!
The Summer “Games” Series may be over but continue to follow us for yet another exciting blog installment. Love the idea of foreign films but feeling intimidated by subtitles? Stay tuned for our next series, “Embracing Subtitles”!
Ready, set, GO! We’ve kicked off our Summer Session with our “Special Guest Speaker Series” in a range of topics such as Sports & Fitness, Earth & Environment, Food & Wine, Art & Entertainment, and Movies. This Summer reflects Freestyle’s unique model of learning languages through relevant social events.
The speaker series particularly highlights culture which plays a critical role in the comprehension of your target language. Follow along with us as we venture deeper into the cultures of Portuguese, Spanish and French. We will showcase a wide range of experts on a variety of topics, with guests from Olympic athletes to French chefs.
This week’s guest speakers engaged our students in all things Sports & Fitness, starting with Brazilian native and futebol fanatic Karina Marcela Gotuzzo.
Portuguese: “The Ginga”
Karina explained (em português, claro!) the fanaticism of Brazilian soccer. The basics of the game – the teammates and the soccer ball – come together on the field but the “ginga” or soul is what completes it. “Ginga” is the “springiness” and balance on the field . It has turned into an art and a form of language through which Brazilian society can express their passion.
Passionate fans, talented players and the richest soccer history in the world… Benvindo ao Brasil!
Read, listen and watch for yourself as Karina explains ginga.
É a tal da ginga, do molejo, este balanço tão particular que já tornou o Brasil cinco vezes campeão mundial.
This is the ginga, the springiness, this particular balance so that Brazil has become the world champion five times.
Leaving the soccer fields of Brazil, let us transport you to Mexico.
Spanish: “A Good Kick”
Meeting an Olympian is not an everyday occurrence, but it is something we got to do on Wednesday! Leo Manzano is a native of Mexico, a proud Austinite and former Longhorn. His specialty in the 1,500 m and the mile took him far, earning him the Silver Medal at the London 2012 Olympics.
Watch this clip and follow along as he explains his signature kick.
“Un buen cierre es un “good kick.” Entonces, miré hacia el lado y estaba rebasando al chavo con 200 metros, pero lo estaba rebasando en línea 2. Usualmente no se rebasa en la línea 2 porque estás corriendo más de cuando estás en la línea 1.”
“A “buen cierre” is called a “good kick.” Then, there were only 200 meters left and I was passing another runner, but I was passing him on lane 2. Usually you don’t pass someone on lane 2 because you end up running more than when you pass someone on lane 1.”
This past week, our French students have been building their français by learning about some unique sports found en Europe. From the casual la marche nordique to the intense parkour, there is something for everyone.
French: “Parkour et plus!”
Here are our top picks:
(Nordic) walking/faire de la marche (nordique) : A resourceful way to work out le système cardio-vasculaire because of its easy access to people of all ages, not to mention that it is the most economical sport, only requiring a comfortable pair of tennis and a pair of Nordic walking sticks if you choose. Bougez un peu!
Parkour : For those seeking more adrénaline, parkour has more than enough to go around! It was originally called le parcours (the course) which derives from parcours du combattant, the classic obstacle course training method used in the military.This extreme yet graceful sport that is often practiced in urban areas involves la course à pied, la varappe/l’escalade, la balançoire, la voltige, le saut périlleux and la reptation — whatever suits that particular environment. The goal is to navigate des obstacles while moving quickly and efficiently and maintaining as much momentum as possible.
A favorite vocabulary word of the week was franchir : whether crossing the finish line or overcoming the fear of speaking in the target language, the same concept can be applied! Practice and persistence are key.
Stay tuned for our upcoming take on next week’s theme of Food & Wine… Chefs, Paleo Diets and pâtisseries galore!
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