LOCAL RESOURCES
Here are some excellent opportunities in the Olympia area to practice your Spanish or learn more about Spanish-speaking cultures.
GROUPS
These groups often sponsor cultural and educational events.
OLYMPIA
Alcohólicos Anónimos: Grupo Un Nuevo Amanecer
Tuesdays & Thursdays 8:00 PM
Saturdays 4:30 PM
Olympia Alano Club
120 Olympia Ave NE, Olympia
Tuesdays & Thursdays 8:00 PM
Saturdays 4:30 PM
Olympia Alano Club
120 Olympia Ave NE, Olympia
Thurston-Santo Tomás (Nicaragua) Sister County
Association. Information: (360)943-8642, tstsca@hotmail.com
Works to support the community of Santo Tomas, Nicaragua, send delegates there to work on community projects, and bring delegates to Olympia to do education and outreach work.
Works to support the community of Santo Tomas, Nicaragua, send delegates there to work on community projects, and bring delegates to Olympia to do education and outreach work.
INTERPRETER/TRANSLATOR CERTIFICATION
Washington
State Department of Social and Health Services Language Testing and Certification
Program
LANGUAGE EXCHANGE
"Talk Time" at EF school of English.
A program mostly designed to give students of English as a Foreign Language the opportunity to practice.
Mondays 4:00 PM (excluding holidays)
4th Floor, Seminar Building I
The Evergreen State College
Olympia, WA
Information: Janet Michaels, (360)867-6422
A program mostly designed to give students of English as a Foreign Language the opportunity to practice.
Mondays 4:00 PM (excluding holidays)
4th Floor, Seminar Building I
The Evergreen State College
Olympia, WA
Information: Janet Michaels, (360)867-6422
"Conversation Partners" through EF school of English.
Call or write to apply. Janet Michaels, (360)867-6422
Call or write to apply. Janet Michaels, (360)867-6422
RADIO PROGRAMS/STATIONS
KAOS 89.3 FM
“Spin the Globe” Fridays 10am to Noon. World music variety.
KDDS 99.3 FM "La Gran-D"
All-Mexican music
KMIA 1210 AM "La Zeta"
All-Mexican music
KUOW 94.9FM and 1340AM
"Latino USA" Thursdays 10:00-10:30
PM (A radio journal of news and culture, the only national, English-language
radio program produced from a Latino perspective)
El Rey 1360AM
Spanish language programming 24 hours a day. "El Rey offers the Hispanic community of Puget Sound a combination of music from Central and South America, Mexico, Spain, and the Caribbean, as well as news, sports, entertainment, concerts, community events and information that concerns the Hispanic community."
Spanish language programming 24 hours a day. "El Rey offers the Hispanic community of Puget Sound a combination of music from Central and South America, Mexico, Spain, and the Caribbean, as well as news, sports, entertainment, concerts, community events and information that concerns the Hispanic community."
RELIGIOUS SERVICES
CHEHALIS
St. Joseph's
6th & Cascade
Sundays 1:00 PM. Information: (360)748-4953
6th & Cascade
Sundays 1:00 PM. Information: (360)748-4953
LACEY
Iglesia Comunidad Cristiana (Evangelical)
5707 Lacey Blvd.
(360)628-8362
5707 Lacey Blvd.
(360)628-8362
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Spanish Mass: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Sunday of every month at 2:00PM
812 Bowker Street SE, Lacey, WA 98503
Phone: (360) 491-0890
Spanish Mass: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Sunday of every month at 2:00PM
812 Bowker Street SE, Lacey, WA 98503
Phone: (360) 491-0890
OLYMPIA
SHELTON
St. Edward's Catholic Church
322 North 3rd St.
Sundays 10:00 AM
Shelton, Washington 98584
Phone: (360) 426-6134
322 North 3rd St.
Sundays 10:00 AM
Shelton, Washington 98584
Phone: (360) 426-6134
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
The Olympia Spanish Conversation Group. "Casual, fun, relaxing events for getting together and practicing your Spanish—maybe never quite "perfecting" it, but getting just a little bit better each time, while meeting fun, kind, and interesting people (people like you!). Native Spanish speakers who would enjoy helping people learn their language are also welcome!! If you really enjoy using your Spanish, and enjoy meeting other people who like Spanish as much as you do, we would love to have you join us. We meet on the first Monday of each month, because your weekend is probably already busy, and having something to look forward to on Monday just allows that weekend feeling to last one day longer!"
Flamenco Dance Lessons
1025 Black Lake Boulevard SW, Olympia
Thursdays @ 7:45-8:45 PM Instructor: Angela Audorff
Beginning flamenco classes Thursday nights 7:45-8:45pm
Studio West Dance Academy. Studio West Dance Academy
Info: angelabrandenburg[at]gmail.com
This page was last modified: 28 September 2023.
1025 Black Lake Boulevard SW, Olympia
Thursdays @ 7:45-8:45 PM Instructor: Angela Audorff
Beginning flamenco classes Thursday nights 7:45-8:45pm
Studio West Dance Academy. Studio West Dance Academy
Info: angelabrandenburg[at]gmail.com
Salsa Saturday at the Royal Lounge
311 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA, 98501 (360) 705-0760
Saturdays @ 8 PM
Every Saturday at the Royal Lounge from 8pm until 10pm. Basic beginner Salsa lesson is included in your $5 cover, and the class begins at 8pm.
311 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA, 98501 (360) 705-0760
Saturdays @ 8 PM
Every Saturday at the Royal Lounge from 8pm until 10pm. Basic beginner Salsa lesson is included in your $5 cover, and the class begins at 8pm.
Salsa Lessons by Salsa de Cuba
Johansen Olympia Dance Center, 412 Jefferson St. SE, Olympia, WA, 98501 (360) 943-8011
Sundays 4:00 PM
Salsa de Cuba presents...Beginning Salsa lessons in September! Focus of this session: Exploring foundations of salsa , creating safety for body movement , gaining confidence on the dance floor , and having fun.
Johansen Olympia Dance Center, 412 Jefferson St. SE, Olympia, WA, 98501 (360) 943-8011
Sundays 4:00 PM
Salsa de Cuba presents...Beginning Salsa lessons in September! Focus of this session: Exploring foundations of salsa , creating safety for body movement , gaining confidence on the dance floor , and having fun.
Tango lessons, Tuesdays, South Bay Grange, 3918
Sleater-Kinney Rd.
First Tuesday of each month, Sonny Newman teaches Argentine tango lessons $10
Beginners: 6:30-8:00 PM
Intermediate: 8-9:30 PM
Other Tuesdays are practices: $5, from 6:30-9 PM
Information: 456-4373
First Tuesday of each month, Sonny Newman teaches Argentine tango lessons $10
Beginners: 6:30-8:00 PM
Intermediate: 8-9:30 PM
Other Tuesdays are practices: $5, from 6:30-9 PM
Information: 456-4373
SPANISH LANGUAGE TELEVISION
Univisión
(local cable channel 30)
Yes, the programming is cheesey. What this channel offers is not a decent representation of the cultural diversity and quality produced by Spanish speaking regions. And yes they speak incredibly fast. But it's still a great way to train your ear!
Yes, the programming is cheesey. What this channel offers is not a decent representation of the cultural diversity and quality produced by Spanish speaking regions. And yes they speak incredibly fast. But it's still a great way to train your ear!
SPANISH LANGUAGE VIDEOS FOR RENT
OLYMPIA
Rainy Day Records, Division & Harrison, (360)786-8017
TEACHING ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE
Teaching ESL is something that is best done in English,
not Spanish: English is the subject after all. Besides, not all one's students
are usually Spanish speakers. However, if there are Spanish speakers in
the class, break time and social gatherings outside class often provide
great opportunities to schmooze and practice your Spanish. ESL teachers
and tutors have the opportunity to meet people of other cultures that they
otherwise would not.
OLYMPIA
For more information, call Nicole Mercier, ACE Regional
Coordinator, at 493-2388.
Some local farms employ native Spanish speakers. Volunteering to work a
such a farm offers the opportunity to converse with them. It also means
that you'll go home with some fresh vegetables in exchange for your labor.
"El Castellano: La página del idioma español"
El Centro Virtual Cervantes
English/Spanish Link Chat, Spanish curriculum vitae, Spanish business letters, Spanish homework help, Spanish pronunciation. Spanish help, Spanish slang, Spanish lessons online
Españolé! On-line Resources for Students and Teachers of Spanish
Foreign Language Teaching Forum's Resources for Language Teachers
Grupo de Estructuras de Datos y Lingüística Computacional
The Internet TESL Journal's "Games and Activities for the ESL/EFL Classroom"
Bookends Literacy Project
Information: (360) 754-7711 X3734
Information: (360) 754-7711 X3734
El Proyecto C.I.E.L.O.
Classes are on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Classes take place at "Radio Ranch:" 3102 8th Ave. NE, Olympia
Information: (360)709-0931
Classes are on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Classes take place at "Radio Ranch:" 3102 8th Ave. NE, Olympia
Information: (360)709-0931
SHELTON
Mason
County Literacy, (360)426-9733
This organization is always looking for general ESL volunteers and, especially, for advanced Spanish speakers to help prepare Spanish-speaking adults with limited English proficiency to take the G.E.D.
This organization is always looking for general ESL volunteers and, especially, for advanced Spanish speakers to help prepare Spanish-speaking adults with limited English proficiency to take the G.E.D.
TEACHING SPANISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE
The American Cultural Exchange (ACE) is looking for
Spanish speakers to teach! ACE is a non-profit organization. It is offering
part-time positions (2-4 hours per week, morning or afternoons) teaching
elementary school children. The classes are currently taught in several
elementary schools in the area. They bin in late October and continue through
April (forty lessons in all). ACE trains teachers in their "Natural Approach"
and "Total Physical Response" methods.
TIMBERLAND REGIONAL LIBRARIES
Check out our local library system's online
catalog. There are 27 libraries' collections to choose from!
They have lots of Spanish language materials! At all levels! (Not only
instructional materials, but music, movies, kids' books, adult books, fiction,
non-fiction...)
- TIP: To access materials written in Spanish for native speakers (not Spanish instructional materials for non-Spanish speakers) do a "SUBJECT" search for "SPANISH LANGUAGE EDITION."
VOLUNTEERING ON ORGANIC FARMS
Pigman's Organic Produce Patch
Jan & Dean Pigman
10633 Steilacoom Rd.
Olympia
(360) 491-FARM
WEB RESOURCES
BILINGUAL ONLINE DICTIONARIES
GENERAL SPANISH/LATIN AMERICAN LINKS
"El Castellano: La página del idioma español"
El Centro Virtual Cervantes
KEYPALS/PENPALS
LESSONS, EXERCISES and HELP
Businessspanish.com Lessons
Canadian Assoc. of Second Language Teachers (CASLT) Spanish Teachers' links (Lots of links!)
Timberland Regional Library offers two free online Language programs (Mango Languages and Rocket Languages) that can help you learn languages like Spanish,
French, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, German, Mandarin Chinese, Greek,
Italian, Russian and more. You must have a TRL library card to use them.Canadian Assoc. of Second Language Teachers (CASLT) Spanish Teachers' links (Lots of links!)
English/Spanish Link Chat, Spanish curriculum vitae, Spanish business letters, Spanish homework help, Spanish pronunciation. Spanish help, Spanish slang, Spanish lessons online
Españolé! On-line Resources for Students and Teachers of Spanish
Foreign Language Teaching Forum's Resources for Language Teachers
Grupo de Estructuras de Datos y Lingüística Computacional
The Internet TESL Journal's "Games and Activities for the ESL/EFL Classroom"
Teachers.Net: Spanish Teachers' Chat Board
TECLA: (Revista británica diseñada para estudiantes de español) Textos y Actividades
LENGUA RICA
Certified Spanish Language Instruction,
Interpretation, and Translation Services
P.O. Box 792
Olympia WA 98507
(360) 359-3751
info@lenguarica.org.
TECLA: (Revista británica diseñada para estudiantes de español) Textos y Actividades
LITERATURE
MISCELLANEOUS TEACHER RESOURCES
AATSP: American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese
The Foreign Language Teacher's Guide to Learning Disabilities
The Foreign Language Teacher's Guide to Learning Disabilities
MUSIC
¡Salsa es vida!
Spanish Songs: Music for Teaching Spanish to Children and Adults
Teaching Spanish Through Music: Online resources
Villa Lobos website on Latin American Music Links
Spanish Songs: Music for Teaching Spanish to Children and Adults
Teaching Spanish Through Music: Online resources
Villa Lobos website on Latin American Music Links
NEWS & PERIODICALS
AhoraNow
"A bilngual periodical of the Labor/Comunity Strategy Center presenting
left theory and practice. Documents corporate and government attacks against
working people, giving priority to voices from the front lines, and covers
strategies and tactics in contemporary compaigns against racism and xenophobia."
América Latina en Movimiento
BBC news in Spanish
BRS Web Radio Links to radio stations online around the globe
CNN news in Spanish
Contrainformación en Red "Territorio virtual para los movimientos sociales y la acción política en internet"
Cuba Update "Published by the Center for Cuban Studies. Proveds accurate, accesible news coverage and discussion of important issues almost impossible to find elsewhere."
El Salvador Watch
El Vistazo
América Latina en Movimiento
BBC news in Spanish
BRS Web Radio Links to radio stations online around the globe
CNN news in Spanish
Contrainformación en Red "Territorio virtual para los movimientos sociales y la acción política en internet"
Cuba Update "Published by the Center for Cuban Studies. Proveds accurate, accesible news coverage and discussion of important issues almost impossible to find elsewhere."
El Salvador Watch
El Vistazo
NACLA (The North American Conference on Latin America)
Rebelión.org: Periódico electrónico de información alternativa
Rebelión.org: Periódico electrónico de información alternativa
PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEO
RECOMMENDED READINGS
Cultural Etiquette by Amoja Three Rivers
RECOMMENDED VIEWING
A Touch of Greatness A great documentary about Albert Cullum, a really inspiring teacher.
SPANISH SCHOOLS ABROAD AND SCHOOL DIRECTORIES
Baja California Language College's 2001 Directory of Spanish Language Schools
Center for Exchange and Solidarity
Center for Exchange and Solidarity
Spanishstudies.com Schools and Programs (This is different from the above listing.)
TRAVEL
Outpost "A politically aware and realistic guide to adventurous travel."
Passionfruit "Women's stories of travel and global issues—with a literary bent."
Travel Library.com Travelers' reports
Transitions Abroad Alternative work , study, and travel abroad
World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms Links people who want to volunteer on organic farms or smallholdings with people around the world who are looking for volunteer help.
LENGUA RICA
Certified Spanish Language Instruction,
Interpretation, and Translation Services
P.O. Box 792
Olympia WA 98507
(360) 359-3751
info@lenguarica.org.