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<p><br></p><p>Received a sweet request from my student David, who wanted book recommendations for his partner Lauren, also my student. He expressed the desire to include a Spanish book in her Christmas gift pile.</p><p>I couldn't resist creating a special presentation featuring my favorite books from Spanish-speaking authors. I aimed to cover various themes, ranging from thrillers to autobiographies, each accompanied by a short description explaining why I loved them.</p><p>Here's the list:<br></p><figure id="figure-49u3umt1ai5lv2qnerh"><img id="49u3umt1ai5lv2qnerh" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/29SreAQiQxbhdwuL0NKfmVFanA9nMlywzzzY8JNZSmea3KBk24hp54Xb8eWerLDK.png" alt="📸 Amongst the city, I found remnants of the Old Castle of Valencia with its magnificent sentinel of history. Its weathered stones whisper stories of conquests and courage, while offering breathtaking views of the city." title="📸 Amongst the city, I found remnants of the Old Castle of Valencia with its magnificent sentinel of history. Its weathered stones whisper stories of conquests and courage, while offering breathtaking views of the city." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/29SreAQiQxbhdwuL0NKfmVFanA9nMlywzzzY8JNZSmea3KBk24hp54Xb8eWerLDK.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><figure id="figure-yztoinlsxdlv2qmxi0"><img id="yztoinlsxdlv2qmxi0" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/280L5HcZIV3H1bvKI7HWkdwHwF0cVqMt2St0lKpg77TOxo1FEIbS9DmGgKJoCHVH.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/280L5HcZIV3H1bvKI7HWkdwHwF0cVqMt2St0lKpg77TOxo1FEIbS9DmGgKJoCHVH.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><figure id="figure-oov97ajpuflv2qlbey" class=""><img id="oov97ajpuflv2qlbey" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/127xSz5JTQ444BdqewSSfmDXSaBgN3fCwP08yMZDPbcupaFfc1BkIppG9kj9Pc1E.png" alt="📸 Strolling through Valencia's streets is like stepping into a living storybook. The elegant blend of history and modernity paints the cityscape. Cobblestone alleys lead to grand plazas adorned with intricate facades, whispering tales of the past." title="📸 Strolling through Valencia's streets is like stepping into a living storybook. The elegant blend of history and modernity paints the cityscape. Cobblestone alleys lead to grand plazas adorned with intricate facades, whispering tales of the past." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/127xSz5JTQ444BdqewSSfmDXSaBgN3fCwP08yMZDPbcupaFfc1BkIppG9kj9Pc1E.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><figure id="figure-qe8zjncdqtblv2qoyuk"><img id="qe8zjncdqtblv2qoyuk" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/11LHcJCvk6BNGIenUqyt8Tbyd55bdyrncIn5xBsUhOlcIhTQ7qZwFBQNOGCdllPk.png" alt="📸 Amongst the city, I found remnants of the Old Castle of Valencia with its magnificent sentinel of history. Its weathered stones whisper stories of conquests and courage, while offering breathtaking views of the city." title="📸 Amongst the city, I found remnants of the Old Castle of Valencia with its magnificent sentinel of history. Its weathered stones whisper stories of conquests and courage, while offering breathtaking views of the city." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/11LHcJCvk6BNGIenUqyt8Tbyd55bdyrncIn5xBsUhOlcIhTQ7qZwFBQNOGCdllPk.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><p>Hoping these books bring joy to Lauren's reading time! 📚✨</p>

Easy books to learn Spanish

<p>In a recent session with Lauren, we discussed the world of sports and explored challenges faced by women athletes. We watched this video:</p><figure id="figure-bj7mcyhq1blv2qsa2i"><iframe id="bj7mcyhq1blv2qsa2i" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oEUQywO4Xzs" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEUQywO4Xzs&amp;ab_channel=DiarioAS" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oEUQywO4Xzs" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure><p>Players from different sports talk about their experience breaking barriers and redefining norms in the sporting arena.&nbsp;</p><p>The discussion that followed provided a unique opportunity to blend Lauren's passion for sports with a discussion around her own experiences playing them. For the grammar bit, we later had to complete the quotes with verbs in different past tenses.&nbsp;</p><p>Can you guess the answers to these quotes?</p><blockquote><h3>Cuando ...... por primera vez a practicar boxeo, la sala .... a un 99% llena de hombres</h3><h3>Mi primer recuerdo en el rugby es bastante malo. Yo vengo del ballet clásico y cuando ... a jugar al rugby ... algo super nuevo.&nbsp;</h3><h3>... muy pequeña, ... unos 6 o 7 años y estaba en el colegio. El equipo de chicos iba a formar un equipo.</h3><figure id="figure-k7i7bijh94lv2r00vr" class=""><img id="k7i7bijh94lv2r00vr" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/36JIQZJ2z6xgZC2qaQsxirgsVZolcJCyrui3sfT4DZKLUkjiMfyBPLtJ7Gc39Wmg.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/36JIQZJ2z6xgZC2qaQsxirgsVZolcJCyrui3sfT4DZKLUkjiMfyBPLtJ7Gc39Wmg.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Vieron que yo ... a jugar y que lo ... bien. Mi primer recuerdo como árbitro ... en Marbella. Una amiga y compañera de equipo me .... (pedir) que echara una mano porque no ... suficientes árbitros.&nbsp;</h3><h3>Cuando ... tan pequeño, todavía no ... conciente de decir: 'eres chica, o chico'.&nbsp;</h3><h3>La verdad es que .... mucha suerte.&nbsp;</h3><p><br data-mce-bogus="1"></p></blockquote><p>Answers:<br>entré- estaba</p><p>empecé- fue</p><p>era- tenía</p><p>iba-hacía-fue-pidió-había</p><p>eres-tienes</p><p>tuve</p><p><br data-mce-bogus="1"></p>

Women, Sports & Past Tense in Spanish

<p>Exactly one year ago I started travelling full time while working remotely. So far, I’ve visited 47 cities in 14 countries. What a journey!&nbsp;</p><p>In the picture, you'll see me teaching while taking care of two dogs in México.&nbsp;</p><p>To teach online, these apps and pages have been absolutely essential for me:</p><h3><br><strong>⚡Krisp: to reduce background noise in calls</strong></h3><p>Krisp is a tool designed to enhance call clarity by effectively reducing background noise in calls in any program or page. So it works on Z<strong>oom, Meet, Microsoft Teams, Skype </strong>or <strong>any other</strong> specific meeting platform.&nbsp;</p><p>I used to work in a Language Centre that had it own specific platform. I couldn't block my backround noise, so I wish I knew Krisp before.&nbsp;</p><p>It offers <strong>60 free minutes per day</strong> for the free version.</p><p>Maybe the <strong>interface </strong>is <strong>not </strong>the most user-friendly: it took me a while to understand how to install it. Then I realized I could toggle Krisp on or off, and got to decide how I could use the 60 free minutes per day.</p><p>Incorporating Krisp into my calls meant enjoying clearer and more productive lessons, at least for 1 hour a day.</p><h3><br><strong>⚡Fast.com to check internet speed&nbsp;</strong></h3><p>It is quite straightforward to checking internet speed. It offers quick results, perfect for a fast check. However, it lacks detailed analysis or additional features compared to other speed test sites, limiting its utility for tech-savvy users.</p><p>But it's just what I need. I consider 30 mbps to be the bare minimum to have a good call, and anything above 60 mbps is great internet.&nbsp;</p><h3><strong>⚡A good (and long) cable modem</strong></h3><p>A quality cable modem is a reliable choice to stabilize internet connection. It ensures consistent speeds. </p><p>The downside is that you can't use your cable modem to connect to public modems in places like cafes or restaurants; it's designed for private spaces only.<br>&nbsp;<br>Also, not every computer has a outlet, but you can search for adaptors.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>So, these are the 3 tools I use to have smoother videocalls to teach online🙂</p>

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Easy books to learn Spanish

Women, Sports & Past Tense in Spanish

How to Teach & Learn as a Digital Nomad