Tutor profile: Camila P.

Are there words in Spanish that can’t be literally translated to English?

Yes! There are words in Spanish that can’t be literally translated to English, just like there are words in English that can’t be literally translated to Spanish. I’ll share with you two of my favorites: -Sobremesa: It is a noun. In Spain, it means the time after dinner in which you remain sitting at the table while you talk to others. In Colombia, it means the drink that you have with your breakfast, lunch or dinner. Example: *Tuve una pelea con mi amiga durante la sobremesa. // I had an argument with my friend while we remained at the table after we had dinner. *No puedo almorzar si no tengo mi sobremesa. // I can’t have lunch if I don’t have my drink. -Madrugar: It is a verb. It means to wake up very early in the morning. Example: *Me encanta tener que madrugar todos los lunes. // I love to wake up early every Monday. (Bonus: The antonym for that word is “trasnochar”, which is another word that can’t be literally translated, and it means to stay up very late).

If I can't understand a book, should I quit?

If you decide to read a book for your own enjoyment but you find it very difficult, you definitely have the right to quit. But before that, consider a couple of things: -The edition: Sometimes, the quality of our reading depends on the edition that we choose. Especially for classics like Hamlet, Don Quixote, or The Odyssey. Books like those can be very entertaining, but if the translation isn't good or if it doesn't have footnotes that explain the context of some words, reading them can be very stressful. Choosing the right edition can definitely make a difference in your reading experience! -The moment of your life: When I decided to read One Hundred Years of Solitude, I was in my second year of college. I couldn’t even reach half of the book. Three years later I decided to try again: now it’s one of my favorites! Sometimes, we’re not ready for a particular book. Maybe we don’t have the previous knowledge that it requires, maybe we’re not interested in the topic of the book in that particular moment. Give it time, it probably will be easier in the future! The most important thing is to be reflective about your own reading journey. If you can’t understand a book, stop and ask yourself why. Then try again or try a different one! But never quit literature: I assure you that reading it is one of the greatest ways to keep your soul healthy!

Why are games important for learning?

Games are a very powerful tool that teachers can use for multiple reasons. From motivating students to evaluating their knowledge, games can be adapted for many different purposes, making classes more attractive and interesting. For example, before jumping into a text, designing a game that demands the students' attention, and that is related to the reading, can make a huge difference in the way the students receive the text's information. Of course, it isn't about choosing a bunch of different games for no reason. Before choosing a game for a class, a teacher has to know why, how, when, and where he or she will make that game a part of the learning process. It is about making classes fun but in a thoughtful way!