TRIP TO SPAIN We came to Valencia by plane on Monday night. Then we went to the hotel located in the city center. We liked it a lot because it is very well-equipped and clean. This trip has been very interesting and informative but what matters is that we have learned many things, especially through talking to people in the streets, but also by making games in order to get to know the monuments. We have discovered many places of the city and various customs and legends of Valencia. In school we have learned many new words, in particular some Valencian words. And we  also did a cooking lesson where Chef Nando showed us how to cook paella which is a typical Spanish dish. Rosamaria La Vecchia TARONJA SCHOOL AND ITS TEACHERS In Taronja School we have learned many things while talking to professor Luis, who has taught us new words. Thanks to him the lessons were very interesting and very informative but also very entertaining. From Tuesday to Thursday, we have studied a little grammar and have done a lot of talking, while Friday morning we have made a ‘gymkhana’ where we talked to people in the streets. Christina Di Napoli THE BULLFIGHTING MUSEUM When we went to the bullfighting museum we saw a very good video about all the steps taken before the fights. Before coming to the arena the bulls are in a place where they can eat and relax for four years. After this period they are moved to the arena and they are put behind the arena. On the day of the fights, the bulls enter the arena and fight against a team of bullfighters and the bullfighter has to kill the bull. After this video we have seen the suits of very famous bullfighters in Valencia and some pictures of how the bulls live and in this room is also a stuffed bull. Giusy Acampa VISIT OF THE CENTRAL MARKET We have visited the Central Market on Wednesday, 14 December. Marta, our guide,  has given us a duty to do. We had to ask some questions to people at the market. I was paired with my friend Giusy. The walk through the market has been a lot of fun. The market is very large and has many different food stores and then, me and my friend, we have made a series of photographs of food, as for example oranges, cabbage and fish. Also people have been very helpful and friendly. This visit I liked a lot and has been very useful for conversation practice. Giulia Emigrato COOKING CLASS WITH THE GREAT CHEF NANDO In school we have had a cooking lesson with Chef Nando this Wednesday, where we prepared the typical dish of Valencia: the seafood paella. He has explained all the steps of the dish, from the beginning to the end, in a very sympathetic and funny way…also breaking the mortar! The ingredients were: round rice, red peppers, onions, peas, shrimp, squid, tomato, mussels, olive oil and a little salt. Afterwards we ate the Paella and we liked it a lot! Fabiana Pandolfelli   VISIT OF THE FALLAS MUSEUM Last Wednesday we went to visit the Fallas Museum at the Plaza de Monteolivete, near the ‘City of Arts and Sciences’. It is a typical museum of the city of Valencia dedicated to the Fallas. The Fallas is a period of celebration, held in spring from March 1st to 19th, the day of San José. During this period the streets are crowded and noisy because of firecrackers and fireworks. And the most important part are the Fallas, doll sculptures that are put in the street, made out of materials that can be burned because on the last day, traditionaly the dolls are going to be burned. To built them, the artisans need a lot of time, about one year. In this museum we have seen a video and after that, the exposure showing the work of the artisans and pictures which show different falleras from this time. About the dolls, we can say that they are made with a lot of fantasy. Some represent famous novels and each year the most beautiful works «win» a place in the museum. These «works of art» have a great value ranging from € 4,500 to € 12,000. We really liked this museum because it has a lot of charme and we also liked the warning of the people’s attachment to this tradition (especially in the video), despite the complaints about the waste of money spent to celebrate the Fallas. Sara and Serena Ginestous Ucelli VISIT AT THE MUVIM (Valencian Museum of Illustration and Modernity) When we went to the MUVIM we made a trip back in time. From the beginning of the world until today we have discovered many secrets of artistic and literary history through the displayed images. Our guide was very special because he had a black robe that covered his whole body, so at first we were a little scared, but then everything was interesting and suggestive. We have gone through  time walking down dark corridors and following our guides from one century to another. In short, the visit was very nice and we all liked it. Francesca Contini THE GYMKHANA Today we have had a very interesting experience: We have had a gymkhana organized by Taronja School for us Italian students. This activity started at about 9am and our teacher, Luis, has given us a sheet with some questions about different places and topics. This game was about the interaction with people and places of Valencia. It has been a lot of fun. We had to do the following: asking people in the streets about the tallest building in the city, the Horchata, their favorite place, the characteristics of the Valencian people and the names of three famous people originally from Valencia; taking pictures of objects starting with Z and T, street furniture with a particular utility, decorative street furniture and a display window, and also describe the photos; searching for two bookstores near the school, enter those and ask the librarian about Spanish books, books for foreigners and the most sold ones throuhout the year; going to the train station ‘Estacion del Norte’ and ask people about the fruit that is painted on the facade, which animal was on the roof when the building was constructed, and also taking a picture with one person in front of the station; also, finding out how to become a new user of Valenbisi; going to an information office for subway and busses, and asking how to get to the Mestalla Stadium and the ‘City of Arts and Sciences’ departing from the Spanish School; and finally, finding a souvenir shop and asking the shopkeeper which the most sold object is and furthermore why this object is representative of Valencia. Sara and Serena Ginestous Ucelli

The trip to Valencia began at the airport in Vienna. The flight went very well and without problems. When we arrived in Valencia our temporal Valencian mothers welcomed us. On that day we visited the old town. There are many different styles such as the Roman, Gothic and also Moderno. We especially like the Miguelete tower. On Monday we went to the beach, but it was a pity that we could not swim. After that we drank a horchata and for dinner we ate paella. The next day we went to the market and bought some Valencian specialities such as Turron. On Tuesday we walked around the city and the parks in the ‘City of Arts and Sciences’. There we went to the Science Museum and saw the exhibition which was very interesting and fascinating. It was worth it. On Friday we visited the Oceanográfico, which is also located in the ‘City of Arts and Sciences’. There we enjoyed the variety of sea animals such as sharks, jellyfish, seals and other fish. The climax was the dolphin show in which dolphins were doing awesome tricks.

Tamara, Christian y Dominik

  Hello! My name is Robert. I’m from Germany and I live in Berlin which is a very interesting city. I’m 33 years old. I am a teacher at a school of arts in Berlin. In Valencia I am a student at Taronja School and my teachers are Sara, Maria Jose and Carlos (very good!). My hobbies are drawing and painting. In Valencia I like the art museums: IVAM, MUVIM, Benlliure Museum (a very nice house!). I also like the beach. I’m learning Spanish at Taronja School because I’m interested in getting to know Spain and understand its culture and also my girlfriend. My girlfriend is a Spanish teacher in Berlin.

  My name is Barry and I am from Holland. I’m 25 years old. I have been studying Spanish since 3 weeks. I like Taronja very much: the teachers, the students and also the activities.

I am learning Spanish because I want to travel through South America next year. I want to go to Argentina, Chile, Peru and Bolivia. I have learnt a lot here in 3 weeks and in the future I want to keep on studying Spanish.

  Hi all! My name is Nico and I’m French. Although I come from the city of Dijon, which is very far away from the ocean, I am very, very passionate about the marine world. That is why I studied the subject at university. After some working experiences, I came to Valencia to improve my Spanish at Taronja School for 4 weeks and susequently I’m going to begin an internship at the Oceanográfico, the largest aquarium in Europe, lasting three months by the European program Leonardo Da Vinci. But what I like most is that I do get a lot of time to enjoy the Valencian life and get to know its culture and of course its nightlife due to this quite long stay…

  My name is Sandra, I’m from Germany and I am 24 years old. I loved my time at Taronja School and also at Taronja Home. People were very friendly and I think I learned a lot of Spanish. The city of Valencia is wonderful and there are many activities to do. Five stars ^ ^ Too bad I have to go but I hope to return one day 🙂 See you soon! xxx

  I’m Kitty. I have studied Spanish at Taronja for two weeks. I study Spanish since two weeks. I really like Valencia. Valencia is a very nice and interesting city. The beach is also very nice. I love to buy things here because in Spain they are cheaper and nicer than in HK. I love to eat paella with seafood and drink Sangria.

My name is Marianne and I am from Germany, near Munich. I’m 22 years old and I study international economy in Innsbruck, Austria. * I like Valencia a lot, because it is a very green city with the Turia and a lot more things to do. The best is ‘the City of Arts and Sciences’, the historic center with the cathedral and of course the beach and the sun. Taronja is a very good Spanish school because all the Spanish teachers are friendly and competent. I have learned a lot here and I really liked that the Spanish classes were small, and that I could meet many different people. There are many activities at night particularly the «Tapas Tour» is very good. I enjoyed my holiday in Valencia and at Taronja Spanish School and hopefully I can return sometime. * I learn Spanish for my studies and because I think it is a very beautiful language.  

  My name is Coco. I like Taronja and Valencia a lot, because there are many friendly people and different activities. My favorite activities are the Paella Party and Flamenco nights because the paella is very delicious and the Flamenco dance is pretty good. / Coco =)

My name is Matthias and I am from Cologne, Germany. I’m 23 years old and I’m a student. I am studying industrial engineering at the Technical University of Aquisgrán. I like Spanish and that is why I want to learn the language. I have studied Spanish before for one year at university. Valencia is a big city but but also not too big and it has a great offer of culture, the beach, a lot of discotheques and bars where you can got out at night. That is why I chose this city in order to do a Spanish course.

I like Taronja School very much. The parties are great and all the other activities are also very good. The teachers are very involved and I have learned a lot.

Hi I’m Charlos the teacher with the most beard at TARONJA. I’m from of a beautiful city at the coast called Gandía, cradle of Fideuá which is a type of paella cooked with pasta instead of rice (I love it a lot more than paella :p). I came to TARONJA long after finishing my studies in Spanish Philology at the University of Valencia in 2007. How time flies! I love my job because it’s like a dream for me to meet so many people interested in my language and my culture. As for my hobbies I love animals: I have a very cute black cat named Coco, I love soccer (Amunt Valencia CF) and I love all types of modern music from hip-hop to metal, especially in Spanish . I hope to see you in one of my classes. A hug! Rock!

  Hi, I’m Christine! I think Valencia is a beautiful city. There are many beautiful buildings and the weather is very nice. I learn a lot of useful Spanish. I really like the Spanish school and the teachers are very nice.