Centro Cultural Nicaragüense Norteamericano
www.ccnn.org.ni
December 2009
December: Happy Holidays from CCNN
In Nicaragua the 8th, is Inmaculate Conception of Mary the official celebration of the national patroness, the Virgin Mary. People go out to massive processions, set up shrines in their homes, sing religious hymms and enjoy traditional sweets. La Gritería, as it is most commonly known, is especially beloved by kids. Many of our most precious memories happened on December, at a time as children who sat under the christmas tree with stories, fantasy and gifts that were an impatient mystery underneath their wrapping. The family reunited from all over: aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents. This year’s National Christmas tree in the President’s Park, Washington, DC.
Communicative English This program is composed of Elementary, PreIntermediate, Intermediate and Upper-Intermediate and Advanced courses taught in twelve levels through which students are expected to develop the four abilities of the English Language: Listening comprehension, oral communication, reading comprehension and written expression. The program is based on a communicative approach of learning a second language. Each course presents topics of great interest to students creating opportunities to generate discussion and promote the development of linguistic and communicative abilities.
In the morning of Chistmas Eve, all the preparations for the special dinner are ready: stuffing, the bird, egg nog (in the US), desserts, fruitcake and ginger beer (in Nicaragua’s Caribbean coast), gofios and cajetas (in the Pacific coast). Kids persuading grown-ups into letting them have a candy cane. Watching christmas movies, listening to the different songs and total inmersion in the Christmas decorations. In tropical Nicaragua many people go to the beach in Christmas Day and the whole month is full of fireworks, processions and greeting friendly neighbors. Now, it is a new generation’s turn to be mystified and filled with wonder as they look into their reflections on the surface of a shiny ball on the Christmas tree. Other December traditions are just as magical for our dear friends who celebrate Hannukah and Kwanza. We share this season and our strong bonds, together we will do the deeds that are required from us in this new year of 2010. The Editor
1
December is a month full of celebrations and also the end of the year in the Gregorian calendar; a time when people share with family, rejoice in faith and renew inner strength for a new year.
www.ccnn.org.ni www.ccnn.org.ni
July, 2009 2009 December
Academic Dept. Activities
CCNN Summer Campers on a trip to the Chocoyero Natural Reserve, where they hiked through forest trails to a natural waterfall with clouds of parakeets flying about and chirping in their sanctuary.
CCNN Summer Campers on a field trip to the Eskimo ice-cream manufacturing plant. The kids got to see a childhood favorite being made right before their eyes as they enriched their English learning experience.
2
Another group from the Evening Regular Program graduated from CCNN. Students were thrilled to get their diplomas certifying them as English Speakers. We congratulate them on all their hard work and wish them the best!
www.ccnn.org.ni
December 2009
3
Children’s
Prep Programs Children curiosity.
learn
through
their
own
CCNN’s Prep programs for children have been developed with the main goal of setting a strong foundation in the student’s learning process. This will be the base of understanding more, at a greater pace, in the more demanding levels. Programs in CCNN have been carefully designed with the purpose of integrating activities that encourage and make the learning of a new language an entertaining experience. Students are instructed through methods based on experimentalism and an integral approach to the English language through reading, listening, speaking and writing. The Experimental Method encourages children to make their own discoveries and to advance at an individual pace, through fun class projects.
www.ccnn.org.ni
December 2009
A CCNN Thanksgiving
4
Thanksgiving celebrations at CCNN, part of the fun was learning about the US tradition and exchanging ideas and student reports about Thanksgiving, and the other part was enjoying the delicious Thanksgiving feast!
The Annual Christmas Bazaar
CCNN was a co-sponsor of the Annual Christmas Bazaar, all items were sold at attractive prices to raise funds for Coraz贸n Abierto, an organization that help children with heart conditions that need surgery. Shoppers were able to find great gifts and help a noble cause.
Peace Corps Fair CCNN, EducationUSA, the IRC and American Corner recently participated the Peace Corps special fair for volunteers. The Peace Corps traces its roots and mission to 1960, when then Senator John F. Kennedy challenged students at the University of Michigan to serve their country in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries. From that inspiration grew an agency of the federal government devoted to world peace and friendship. Since that time, more than Nearly 200,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in 139 host countries to work on issues ranging from AIDS education to information technology and environmental preservation. Currently there are almost 200 Peace Corps Volunteers in Nicaragua.
www.ccnn.org.ni
December 2009
November Birthdays at CCNN
From left to right: Lester Membreño, Zaira Correa, Roberto Bendaña, María Victoria Maltes, Cecilia Berríos, Alex Ruiz.
Traditional celebrations of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, Nicaragua’s most important holiday.
American Corner AMERICAN CORNER has a small collection of audiovisual resources on topics like: American Music, American History, and Biographies, as well as three computers with Internet access. It is located on the second floor in the Library’s reading area. AMERICAN CORNER schedules movie presentations every week or by visitor’s request. All services are free of charge. Visit Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Tel. 255-7171 ext 238 americancorner@cablenet.com.ni Second Floor Biblioteca Roberto Incer Barquero Central Bank of Nicaragua Library By Pass 7 sur, Managua, Nicaragua
CCNN’s Newsletter Executive Director................Mary Helen Espinosa Academic Director............................Jorge Moreno Children’s Program........................Asdrúbal Canelo Adult’s Program................................Franklin Tèllez Librarian.................................Maria Victoria Maltes Academic Registry..........................Yadira Calderón American Corner.........................Nubia Manzanares EducationUSA Adviser..........Ana Alejandra Alemán Comments:
AlvaroAVergara@gmail.com
5
¿Quién Causa tanta alegría?