ROI of Study Abroad Programs
Thinking about studying abroad? Why not learn Spanish with SG Spanish Schools? Whether you want to spend a summer, a whole semester, or just a few weeks, our locations in Spain and Latin America can serve your needs. We realize not everyone has the time or money to embark on a full year abroad, so we specialize in both mini, short and longterm programs. Check out our website or email us at info@studentglobeonline.com
According to researchers Manuela Macedonia and Thomas Knösche at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig, Germany, performing motions while learning new words in another language, makes those words easier to recall from memory later on.
The researchers created an artificial language and taught half of its material using conventional methods, i.e. sitting at a desk without much movement. They then taught more material to the students and asked them to ask out certain words and phrases as they learned them. For example, participants learning the word for ‘throw’ would perform a throwing motion as they repeated the word aloud.
Material taught with accompanying movements was more easily recalled later by students than material taught using standard teaching methods.
Perhaps most surprising, was the discovery that performing movements not only aided in learning words with an obvious accompanying motion like chew or blink, but also helped students recall more physically ambiguous words like ‘doubt’ or ‘unique’. 
Based on the results of fMRI scans, the researchers postulated that motion creates a more complex representation of the words in the brain, allowing for faster and more complete recall later on.
Read the whole article at New Scientist.
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1 – Learn Spanish
This one is simple, prepare before you arrive, but also be ready to engage once you get here. Learning a language is not easy, but diving right in and immersing yourself is a fantastic way to start. Whether you plan to further your education while in Tamarindo or just come away with a few more words and phrases, it’s very easy to find a place to learn. Fear not though, there are plenty of English speakers around town. Check out SG Spanish School in Tamarindo for more details and rates.
2 – Learn to surf
Tamarindo is home to a number of surf locations that can cater to wide array of skill sets. Whether you are just starting out on Tamarindo Beach or looking for a more advanced location such as Pico Pequeno (translation: small tip), there is a set of waves for you. There’s no shortage of surf shops or teachers either, it’s as easy as taking a stroll out to the beach. We’d highly recommend surf lessons for the first timer, but if you’ve ridden a wave before just ask around for the ideal destination for your skill set.
3 – Fish
The waters of Tamarindo Beach are home to a diverse sea life including sailfish, yellow fin tuna, marlin and wahoo, to name a few. Some of the best open water locations are no more than a few miles offshore and there are numerous boats and guided tours available in town. While the fishing is considered year-round, the ideal months are between April and August. A fun fact: September and October are generally the height of Costa Rica’s rainy season and bring with them some of the year’s best fishing.
4 – Explore Arenal Volcano National Park
For the past 43 years Arenal volcano was considered one of the 10 most active in the world with small daily eruptions and a plentiful amount of fresh volcanic rock. Now in a resting phase, Arenal is still a sight to behold towering, at its peak, some 5,437 feet over the lush hillsides below. The National Park is home to a rain forest, hot springs and it’s own lake leaving visitors with no shortage of things to do or see. This is an absolute must-visit for anyone new to Costa Rica. Shuttles and buses leave from Tamarindo to La Fortuna daily. Leave at least 2 days for this trip as travel time will be at least 3 hours each way.
5 – Snorkel and/or Scuba Dive at Tamarindo beach
Starting at Tamarindo beach is easiest, but up and down the coast there are tons of destinations for snorkeling and scuba divers. Supplies are easy to come by and scuba lessons are given daily, especially for beginners. You can expect to see a beautiful density of sea life just as easily close to the shore as you would in the deeper water.
6 – Kayak the salt-water jungle of the Rio Matapalo
Technically part of the Las Baulas National Park, this salt-water jungle serves as home to a number of species of water birds, crabs and the occasional crocodile, among others. Both self and guided tours are available to traverse its natural beauty, with the best tip being to get an early start and increase your chances of catching all the wildlife in action.
7 – Visit the tide pools at Playa Langosta
Take a trip just south of Tamarindo and you’ll discover the hidden gem known as Playa Langosta. Home to some small resorts and a number of surfing locations, Playa Langosta is also home to some beautiful tide pools naturally created within it’s rocky coves. This is another great way to get an up close view of sea life in it’s natural habitat and is a convenient trip, via land or sea, away from Tamarindo.
8 – Visit Playa Grande beach for sea turtle watching
Another stretch of beach to the south of Tamarindo, Playa Grande is a part of the Tamarindo Wildlife Sanctuary, which contains sea turtles, and other wildlife of the area. Playa Grande is just one of three beaches encompassed in the refuge and it serves as home to one of the largest leatherback turtle nesting sites in the world. Ideal months are between March and October when hundreds of leatherback sea turtles come to the beach and lay their eggs.
9 – Take a trip to Guachipelin
A boat trip away is yet another volcano with a host of activities for visitors. Guachipelin is home to the Rincon de la Vieja volcano and National Park. Rock climbing, horseback riding, white water tubing and hot springs are a few of the attractions.
10 – Eat at Dragonfly Bar & Grill
All this adventure will lead to a hearty appetite. Dragonfly is our pick for the ideal location to dine. Located on the road between the Hostel and Pasatiempo, Dragonfly places emphasis on using fresh and local ingredients for its spin on traditional cuisine. It’s far and away our favorite location in the area and we probably aren’t the first to say so. Try the filet. You won’t be disappointed.
-BZ
Hola,
We have just launched a new website for all of our language schools. Currently we have schools in Leticia, Colombia; Tamarindo, Costa Rica; Valencia, Spain and Malaga, Spain. Look for more locations later this year!
For now, you can explore all of the travel opportunities we have to offer at sgspanishschools.com.
SG
Every year we get tons of college students from fraternities and sororities studying Spanish with us in Costa Rica. As we all know, being involved in an organization outside of school take a lot of time.
Most greek students would love to study abroad during their college careers, but many simply cannot find the time to take an entire semester away from school and their organization. For that reason, we are teaming with the guys at WebGreek this year to offer 20% off Costa Rica summer programs to all WebGreek users.
Student Globe’s summer Spanish programs in Costa Rica are perfect for the time crunched greek student. Students can sign up for programs anywhere from 1-12 weeks long, all summer, beginning every Monday.
Need to prep for an upcoming Spanish placement test? Want to take surf lessons, party on the beach, and whitewater raft through the rainforest while learning Spanish? Great! Join us this summer for sun, Spanish, surf and partying!
Enter the code WebGreek for 20% OFF Spanish Courses, Surfing Lessons and On Site Accommodation in our shared student apartments!
Gracias and Pura Vida!
The Seattle Times ran a cool story today about their sports reporter Jerry Brewer taking Spanish lessons to better understand Latin players like Seattle Mariner and Cy Young Award winner Felix Hernandez.
Free audio Spanish lessons at studentglobeonline.com
Beginner lessons are up now. Check back soon for more files including intermediate and advanced lessons. Gracias to the gang at coffee break for the lessons.
Hasta Luego
SG
A wide view of Valencia, Spain, home of Student Globe's newest Spanish school campus.
Valencia is a vibrant Spanish city with beautiful weather, an expanding economy and a thriving arts and culture scene. Read more about the city and our programs there on the Student Globe Spanish Valencia homepage.
Costa Rica and surfing go hand in hand. Chances are if you plan on studying in CR you have at least thought about taking surfing lessons with SG / CRSI as well. We got the tools to make sure you are primed and ready before you hit the beach.
Ever asked yourself, “what is an offshore wind? “? This article will finally give you the answer:
For everyone planning on studying and surfing in Tamarindo this summer, our partners at CRSI have written an article on How to Read a Surf Report. ‘
The new Student Globe Spanish blog is up and running on the new SG website. Hope you like the new address and theme.
SG News:
-We launched a new Spanish school campus in Leticia, Colombia this month and plan to add two more campuses in Spain by the summer. Stay tuned!
-We are offering 10% off all holiday bookings from now until the new year for our Tamarindo Spanish School and Surf Schools so check out those sites if you plan on spending the holidays in Costa Rica!
Tamarindo Sunset
el ladrón: thief
Synonyms:
ratero, carteristaPhrase:
Un ladrón es siempre un ladrón.
Once a thief, always a thief.
