A Semester Abroad with Elebaires
We all know that the ability to speak a second foreign language is becoming increasingly more important. Learning a language can be difficult, tiring and frustrating but the best way to overcome these difficulties is to spend a few months studying the language first hand. That’s why Elebaires offers a semester abroad option so that our students have the opportunity to come and live in Buenos Aires for 6 months and really get a grasp for the language and the culture in the lively capital of Argentina.
The thought of moving away for a semester can be daunting, but that’s why we here at Elebaries are here to help and ensure that you get everything out of your time away and really immerse yourself into the culture of Buenos Aires. We believe it is important to have a good combination of Spanish lessons, University Studies, cultural activities, and or course time to relax and have fun to really make the most of the experience.
We work with the partner university, Universidad Abierta Americana and a variety of partner institutions in different areas: marketing, architecture, NGO’s, medical, law, finance, media and communications so whatever your passion you can be sure that we have something to interest you. The University courses are taught in Spanish, so we recommend an intensive Spanish course of 4 weeks to be sure you are ready. We can also help with internships and accommodation too!
Plus what’s great about living and studying in such an exciting, vibrant city is that there is always something do – from tango shows to polo matches or simply exploring the hundreds of bars and restaurants that the city has to offer – Elebaires can help you out and point you in the right direction so you never find yourself getting bored. What’s more, is that by living in a place for 6 months you really get to make the most of the city and get to know your way around – the best bars, the best restaurants, the public transport system…- it begins to feel like a home from home.
For more information and your chance to gain and unforgettable and unique experience in Buenos Aires, click here.
Your Neighborhood Guide to Bs As Best Bars
After a long, fulfilling day of Spanish lessons and afternoon activities at Elebaires it’s no surprise that when the evening kicks in we want to unwind with some friends and have a drink.. or two. In a city which is bursting with bars and pubs it can be overwhelming and difficult to decide the best places to go. However now I have been in Buenos Aires for quite a while I think I can offer a helping hand on this matter to save you the time perusing through 100’s guide books. If you have limited time in Buenos Aires then these are the must hit spots:
Palermo Soho
Isable, Uriarte 1644. This is the place to been seen on a Thursday night. As one of Buenos Aires most trendy places the cocktails are at the more expensive end but don’t worry they are well worth it.
Rio Café, Honduras 4772. With a never ending list of cocktails there is no surprise that this is a favorite amongst ex-pats. Head here on a Wednesday night to join in the fun of “Rocking Rio”
Palermo Hollywood
Franks, Arevelo 1445. Perhaps the most elite bar in the city, only those who manage to obtain the password can enter (through a phone box) into this exclusive cocktail bar.
Carnal, Niceto Vega 5511. With a fashionable roof terrace this becomes one of the cities most visited bars throughout the summer months. But beware this makes space limited so make sure you get there early (well at least by BA standards)
Recoleta
Million, Parana 1048. This converted old mansión house offers a wide selection of cocktails and enjoyable music making it one of Recoletas hot spots – why not try their special “Bazil Daiquiri”
Shamrock, Rodriguez Pena 1220. If you are looking for a more laid back atmosphere then this Irish bar is the place for you. With good value drinks being served up stairs and buzzing dance floor below it makes and ideal spot for both after office drinks and a night out.
San Telmo
Doppelganger, Juan de Garay 500. In the heart of the city’s oldest neighborhood this chic
martini bar, offering an extensive list of classic cocktails with a South American twist, is a good option when looking for something a bit different. Don’t miss Happy Hour from 7pm to 9pm Tuesday to Friday.
La Puerta Roja, Chacabuco 733. With reasonable prices, Happy Hour, music and a pool table this has become a favorite with youngsters, both locals and tourists who fill the joint till late. What’s more is that it also offers a great menu of tasty and reasonable priced food.
So fear not wherever you may find yourself after a long, rewarding day with Elebaires you will never be too far from a top bar spot to sit back and relax.
Carnavales en Buenos Aires
- Abasto: Av. Córdoba entre Agüero y Sánchez de Bustamante
- Almagro: Av. Corrientes entre Av. Medrano y Bulnes
- San Telmo: Av. San Juan entre Tacuarí y Perú (recommended)
- Villa Crespo: Av. Scalabrini Ortiz entre Av. Corrientes y Velasco
No te pierdas esta oportunidad de celebrar con argentinos esta fiesta tan hispana… también son muy populares los carnvales de la Provincia de Corrientes y de Entre Ríos.
Cada lugar tiene su propio color y música, pero en cada uno de ellos brilla la fiesta, la alegría y la celebración de la vida.
Esperamos tus comentarios! ¿Viste una murga? ¿Dónde? ¿Qué te gustó más?
Online Spanish Lessons with Elebaires!
Keen to take on a Spanish course but unable to commit to the classroom – ELEBAIRES has the solution!
The Elebaires Spanish Online classes are the new innovative and effective way to learn Spanish one on one.
These classes offer complete flexibility in terms of dates, content and duration. The classes are held via Skype and an educative platform to study with, and with our qualified native speakers and are customized to meet your specialized needs, whatever level you may be.
This Spanish Online Course presents you with the chance to design a program which fits your needs as well as being able to adapt according to your lifestyle.It is the ideal resolution to if you are travelling but you can spare no time to stay in Buenos Aires to do a language course with Elebaires. Or, for example, if you are already a competent Spanish speaker and you want to keep up with the language, whether it be grammar orientated or just a communicative session, these classes are completely tailor made to fit around your specific needs, remaining completely unrestricted.
Elebaires recommends a minimum of 3 lessons per week of 45 minutes to assure maximum benefits. The teachers that run this course areremarkably friendly and make the course a greatly enjoyable experience at an accessible price. This really is a highly recommended course that you are guaranteed to enjoy and reap the benefits.
Meet our online staff!
Get the first free class by booking your package!
Many students that left Elebaires are taking lessons from home: our students are taking classes in Australia, Gales, Germany, United States, Brazil and Denmark!
Nach der Arbeit das Vergnügen: Freizeit in Buenos Aires genießen
In der Sprachschule wird vormittags fleißig Spanisch gepaukt und die nachmittäglichen Freizeitaktivitäten sind beliebt wie eh und je! Hier ein kleiner Einblick in die (bisherigen) Ausflüge an denen ich teilnahm:
Wussten Sie, dass Buenos Aires sich stolzer Besitzer des breitesten Boulevards der Welt nennen darf?
Das habe ich während einer kleinen Stadttour im Zentrum mit Juani (dem Aktivitäten-Koordinator) erfahren. Ihre 20 Spuren bringen es auf 140 Meter (sie ist doppelt so breit wie die Champs Elysées) und für das Überqueren der Avenida 9 de Julio haben wir mehrere Minuten gebraucht. Was für ein Abenteuer! Zum Glück bietet der schneeweiße Obelisk einen perfekten Stop bei der Überquerung. Diese prachtvolle Sehenswürdigkeit befindet sich nur wenige Meter vom Präsidentenpalast, die Casa Rosada auf der Plaza de Mayo. Leider hat man Cristina Kirchner nicht zu sehen bekommen, aber vielleicht habt ihr ja mehr Glück! J
Das “Barrio Chino”
Wie in allen Grossstädten der Welt, gibt es auch in Buenos Aires ein chinesisches Viertel, das „Barrio Chino“. Man kannt nicht sagen, dass das der grösste Chinatown der Welt sei (es erstreckt sich gerade mal über zwei oder drei Blocks) aber es gibt dort zahlreiche asiatische Restaurants und Supermärkte mit aisiatischen Lebensmitteln, chinesische Mediziner und einen buddhistischen Tempel. Dieses Viertel entstand in den 80ziger Jahren als mehr und mehr Chinesische Einwanderer, insbesondere aber aus Taiwan, nach Buenos Aires kamen. Ein Bummel durch Chinatown lohnt sich immer, vor allem mit einem guten Reiseführer!!
Die Reserva Ecológica an der Costanera Sur
Des Weiteren waren wir im Reserva Ecologica, einer riesigen Grünfläche am Ufer des Rio de la Platas in der man stundenlang umherwandern kann und die ein Schutzgebiet für Vögel ist. Es ist eine Naturoase der Ruhe, in der Juani sehr gerne mit seinen Schülern eine Fahrradtour macht. Den Fahrrad mietet man entweder in San Telmo oder gleich am Eingang des Parks. Dann pedalt man auf – mehr oder weniger holprigen – Rundwegen durch das sumpfige Gelände, bis man schliesslich an den Rio de la Plata gelangt, wo meist eine hübsche Bise bläst. In diesem reinen Erholungsgebiet, teilt man dann ein Mate-Tee bevor man sich auf den Rückweg macht.
Viele weitere Freizeitaktivitäten stehen Euch vor Ort zur Verfügung – wir wünschen Euch viel Vorfreude und eine tolle Zeit in Buenos Aires.
Im Lande des Tangos
Best Bets on Restaurants in Buenos Aires!
Best Bets on Restaurants in Buenos Aires!
Having lived in Buenos Aires for quite some time now I thought I would share my personal top rated restaurants! After a rewarding day at Elebaires, with my Spanish constantly improving, what better way to kick back than to enjoy a lovely meal out in a city known for its relentless devotion to food.
THE OFFICE (Arévalo 3031). (Only open for dinner). If you are up for a relaxed evening vibe then you’ve got the right place. In honesty, although a simple and cheap place, the setup is great. Relax on the open roof terrace watching a film on the cinema screen, whilst enjoying a top gourmet homemade burger; the restaurants specialty. If you have room for more, then order the renowned cheesecake to finish off! I recommend going there on a Monday to take advantage of the 50% discount on burgers.
GREEN BAMBOO (Costa Rica 5802). Since being in Buenos Aires, I have found Asian restaurants particularly hard to come by and eventually I came across this little gem of a Vietnamese restaurant! The atmosphere here is fantastic; low lighting and always buzzing with people. The whole vibe is extremely relaxed; the crowds sitting on cushions around small low tables. Be sure not to let the evening pass without having a cocktail (the caipirinhas de maracuya here are amongst the best I have had!).
CASA CRUZ (Uriarte 1658). If you’re looking for something more chic then this is the place to go. As one enters through the enormous gold clad doors you know that you are in for an exclusive night. The menu is ambitious and presented with perfection. If you are a fish fan then the sea bass is divine! One thing instantly noticeable is the warm welcome and fabulous service that you receive from the staff.
LAS CABRAS (Fitz Roy 1795). I could not refrain myself from mentioning Las Cabras – an absolute winner – incredibly cheap with huge portions. The parillas here are amongst the best, as are the quesadillas. If you are dining out in a large group then I suggest you come here as many of the dishes are to share, the service is quick and in general it’s a great place to enjoy with friends. I would mention that it is worth getting there early doors as otherwise you are bound to have to queue for a while and it is not possible to book.
EXPERIENCIA DEL FIN DEL MUNDO (Honduras 5673). As with Casa Cruz this is another smart and charming restaurant, particularly good for its wines. The friendliness of the staff and the excellent service is instantly striking. Their specialties, amongst many, are the salmon, lamb and their beautifully cooked risotto all presented perfectly.
I could go on and on about my favorite places to go but these few I hope are bound to impress in their little unique ways!
LAS CABRAS (Fitz Roy 1795). I could not refrain myself from mentioning Las Cabras – an absolute winner – incredibly cheap with huge portions. The parillas here are amongst the best, as are the quesadillas. If you are dining out in a large group then I suggest you come here as many of the dishes are to share, the service is quick and in general it’s a great place to enjoy with friends. I would mention that it is worth getting there early doors as otherwise you are bound to have to queue for a while and it is not possible to book.
EXPERIENCIA DEL FIN DEL MUNDO (Honduras 5673). As with Casa Cruz this is another smart and charming restaurant, particularly good for its wines. The friendliness of the staff and the excellent service is instantly striking. Their specialties, amongst many, are the salmon, lamb and their beautifully cooked risotto all presented perfectly.
I could go on and on about my favorite places to go but these few I hope are bound to impress in their little unique ways!
Elebaires for Older Students
Are you retired? Have your children flown the nest? Are you thinking of going travelling or taking up a new challenge?…….Why not come and take Spanish lessons with us here at Elebaires before embarking on your travels around South America?
Our Spanish courses are suited to students of a vast range of ages, from young students to retired adults. Many elderly people come to learn with us and we recognise the excitement of learning Spanish as a new language, or picking it up from the past as a retirement project, and where best to do it than in one of the most exciting and culturally varied cities in the world?
We offer the perfect opportunity for retired adults to come here and learn a sound level of Spanish whilst discovering the breathtaking city of Buenos Aires. Among our accomplished teaching, we organise a range of extra-curricular activities from city tours, to tango shows, tourist trips and polo classes, all great ways to get a taste of the city and its vibrant culture.
Alternatively, on the City or Country Combination Program, students can get their Spanish up to a good level here with us at Elebaires before embarking on their travels around South America. On this program we can organise for them to continue to take classes, if they so wish, at our established partner schools in other cities in Argentina, or other countries in South America. In this way students can travel from city to city in Argentina, and country to country in South America, whilst still improving their Spanish every step of the way.
Perhaps with your busy life you have never had the opportunity to visit the world famous sites of South America. Now, however, through Elebaires, this dream can become a reality.
Check out our City Combination and Country Combination pages on our website for more details of what these courses can offer you.
My Strategy for learning a Language
I am coming to the end of a very fulfilling time studying Spanish at Elebaires and thought I would give you my thoughts on how to make the most of learning a language.
VOCAB BOOK. Invest in a vocab book so you can jot down unknown words, phrases and grammatical errors that you make by habit. Ensure to keep it on your person at all times so that when you come across a word you do not know at any moment, whether in the classroom, on the street or watching a film, you can note it down straight away.
WORD OF THE DAY. I have found it useful to force myself to learn a new word a day. Go to your trusty dictionary, close your eyes, flick through the pages, and pick out a word. Write that word down in your vocab book. Finally, try your utmost to use that word at least once during that day.
BUY A BOOK IN THE LANGUAGE. There are many cheap book shops around the city of Buenos Aires, for example the book stores on Plaza Italia, in which you can find books of any genre, period and style. Reading in the language you are learning is very beneficial. It may seem hard at first but it is very rewarding when you suddenly realize that you are looking up words less and less often.
AN ARTICLE A DAY. Read at least one article a day in the language, either on the internet, magazines or newspapers that are available in coffee shops, and endeavor to write down every word you do not know in your vocab book. Although looking up all these words may take up a fair amount of time, you will be widening your vocabulary with every new word you look up. At breakfast, or on the colectivo the next day, try to read through and memorize these new words, and, even better, use them in conversation.
TALK TO PEOPLE. Be sure to talk to people on the street, whether it be asking for directions or making general conversation. The jargon on the street is different from the more formal and slower conversations in Elebaires, the best possible environment for fast learning. But talking to people of the public broadens your awareness of different accents and speeds of speech, and you will also pick up some of the slang spoken on the streets of Buenos Aires.
LISTEN TO THE RADIO. Even if it is only on as background noise, it is a good way to pick up new words and to keep your listening of the language consistent.
HAVE CONFIDENCE…DON´T BE AFRAID TO MAKE MISTAKES. For me this is the most important thing. Natives understand that you are here to learn and that inevitably you will make mistakes. People are very happy to correct you…after all you only learn from your mistakes! I have learnt that it is better to have confidence when speaking the language, and that people improve faster when they are not preoccupied with constructing the sentence properly and grammatically before saying it. Instead, they speak as soon as they want to say something, regardless of whether or not they are making mistakes.
With time, patience and effort in this way, it is inevitable that you will notice a marked difference in the quality of your language.
