"Trust me," I almost pleaded with my student, "don’t pronounce the W in the word answer." In English you have to learn a word’s meaning, spelling, and pronunciation—three separate skills. Then came the million-dollar question: "Then why do you have to write it with a W if you don’t pronounce it?" she asked. I’ve been a teacher for a long time, and I still don’t know how to answer that question. Most of my teaching career has been in my home country, working with people who are immersed in English daily. They hear the correct pronunciation all around them, accept my explanations, and move on. For the past four years, however, I’ve been teaching English here in Algemesí and Xàtiva. During this time, I’ve noticed something fascinating: Spanish learners of English develop a remarkably uniform pronunciation dialect. I could never figure out why—until I did. And when I correct them, I sometimes sense a sort of skepticism, despite being a native speaker! Here’s my theory From the moment we start learning a language—even before birth—we assume that all languages function the same way. Take English, for example. Because it’s not a phonetic language, American students have weekly spelling tests—twenty words, every Friday. This continues for years, sometimes even into college. I grew up assuming all children worldwide endured this same process. So, imagine my surprise when I discovered that Spaniards don’t have weekly spelling tests. Why? Because in Spanish, what you see is what you say. There are even accent marks to help with pronunciation. In English, however, you have to learn a word’s meaning, spelling, and pronunciation—three separate skills. Now, this is where it gets interesting. Since Spanish spelling and reading are phonetic, Spanish learners naturally apply the same logic to English. They read a word and assume it should be pronounced exactly as written. It makes perfect sense—just not in English. I often remind my students, "Reading is not your friend." When they learn words by listening first, their pronunciation is great. But the moment they see the word written down, their pronunciation worsens. It dawned on me: Spanish learners trust what they see. Americans, on the other hand, would never trust written English. We’ve been trained not to! We grow up memorizing each new word from infancy, knowing that spelling often betrays pronunciation. Spaniards, however, have no reason to doubt their letters. The Spanish writing system has always been loyal to its readers. So, my advice to all aspiring English speakers: do not believe what you see! Even though it goes against everything you've ever learned, trust me on this.

"¡Yo amo la paella!" exclaimed my little sister as we enjoyed a sunny afternoon in Alcúdia de Crespins. The warm air, the company, and the Spanish food had clearly inspired her to bust out her rudimentary Spanish. Darcie and Vangie enjoying there time together in Spain My Spanish friends, Quique and Belén, smiled quietly. They knew what she meant; both spoke English and had mentally translated her statement word for word: "I love paella". Quique, always the jokester, couldn't resist. "That’s great! Are you going to marry it?" he quipped, chuckling at his own humor. Vangie, of course, looked puzzled. She had been diligently studying Spanish on Duolingo during the long plane ride from California. "What’s so funny? It was a perfect statement!" she insisted. Belén jumped in to clarify, sensing Vangie’s confusion. "We don’t say it that way in Spanish. You don’t 'love' a thing; you can love people—your mom, dad, children, boyfriend—but not food. You can say 'I love you, Mom' and give her a kiss, but not paella! In Spanish, things please us; they don’t love us back. We say 'La paella me encanta,' which means 'Paella is really pleasing to me.' Does that make sense?" "Okay," replied Vangie, though her tone suggested she wasn’t quite convinced. I could tell she found the logic unnecessarily complicated. I didn’t push the issue; after all, learning a new language means learning a new way to see the world, and I didn't want to go down that rabbit hole. Instead, I seized the moment to clarify something that had been nagging me for a while. "So, what’s the difference between 'amar' and 'querer'? I don’t hear 'amar' much in Spain, but I remember people using it in Mexico." "Yeah, and it’s what Duolingo teaches!" Vangie chimed in, as if to defend her relationship with paella. "And 'querer' means 'to want,' right?" "Querer also means 'to love,'" I said, determined to back up my point. "Te quiero means 'I love you.'" Quique, still amused, replied, "We don’t really use 'amar' here. It sounds archaic to us. We use 'querer' to express love." Vangie, horrified, shot back, "That's awful! You WANT people? You don’t love them?" Belén, ever the peacemaker, soothed her. "It means both, Vangie. It depends on the context." Vangie looked unconvinced but decided to let it slide. Later that evening, as we walked past a pastry shop, she stopped in her tracks and sighed dreamily. "La tarta de chocolate me encanta," she said, perfectly nailing the Spanish phrase. Then, with a cheeky grin, she whispered to me, "But between you and me… I still love paella."

Falla in Valenica, Spain! Xátiva 🔥🇪🇸 FALLAS TOUR with Salva! 🇪🇸🔥  Join our bilingual adult immersion class for a special Fallas Tour led by Salva! 🏮✨ Discover the magic of Valencia’s biggest festival—history, tradition, and stunning monuments!  📅 March 14📍 Meet at DarKha Academy (C/ Sant Domènec, 32)  ⏰ 19:00 Don't miss this fiery experience! 🔥🎆

Join DarKha Academy for the III Hiking March "Per La Costereta" 🌿🚶‍♂️ Join DarKha Academy for the III Hiking March "Per La Costereta" 🚶‍♀️🌿  Our adult immersion activity is joining this special hiking route organized by local town halls. 🌄🥾  📅 March 2📍 Meeting point: 9:00 AM at the British School parking lot, Xàtiva 💰 Free registration (no participant limit, but you must sign up) 🦮 Pets are welcome 🦺 A reflective vest is required 🔗 Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/19-zEeuV9qkYT0Yjhy9fmUZKcPKsrQ5vsXoLmjBr6xeg/viewform?edit_requested=true   🚀 Let’s enjoy nature and local culture together! 🌿✨

Hiking Trail to the Castle in Xativa, Spain 🌞🚶‍♀️🌳  Bilingual Hiking Adventure! 🌳🚶‍♂️🏰  Join us Sunday, February 16 for a morning of fresh air, language practice, and beautiful views!  📍 Meeting Point: DarKha Academy  🕙 Time: 10:00 AM  🌄 Destination: Exploring the trails behind the Castle of Xàtiva 🏰  📏 Distance: 8 to 12 km  ⛰️ Terrain: Up and down hills  👟 What to Bring:  Hiking boots, layers, water 💧  Let’s practice Spanish & English while enjoying nature! 🌿 See you there!  #BilingualHike #XàtivaTrails #DarKhaAdventures #HikeAndLearn #NatureAndCulture #HikingLife #ExploreValencia

Dance your way to fluent English and Spanish! 🎶   📍Where: C/ Corretgeria, 35, Xàtiva 🕖 When: Friday, January 24, 7:00 – 8:30  PM 🗣️ Practice your English & Spanish while dancing and having a blast! No matter your level, come ready to move, groove, and make new friends! 🕺✨Bring your energy, your smile, and let’s dance the night away! 💥🌟

Riding through the back roads of Xàtiva to La Granja, Valencia 🚴‍♀️  Bilingual Biking with DarKha Academy! 🌟   Join us on Sunday, February 2, for a scenic ride through orange groves and charming towns! 🛣️🍊 We'll explore Vallés, Cerdá,  Torrella, Llanera de Ranes, Granja de la Costera, and finish in Xàtiva.📍 Meeting Point: DarKha Academy (Sant Doménec, 32, Xàtiva) 🕙 Time: 10:00 AM ✅ What to Bring: Your bike🚵🏼, water💧, appropriate clothing, and a desire to practice Spanish/English! 📏 Distance: 25 km round trip – easy and fun!  Let’s enjoy a bilingual outdoor adventure together! 🤩

Cueva de la Araña, Bicorp, Valencia, Spain Excursion to Bicorp! 🌿 DarKha Academy Bilingual Adult Immersion Class🌿🚶‍♂️🚶‍♀️Did you know that the «Cueva de la Araña» holds one of the most significant examples of Levantine Rock Art? 🎨🕷️ Let’s go explore it together! 🏞️  📍Meet at DarKha Academy at 9:00 AM 🚗 We’ll ride-share from there.💧 Bring water & sturdy shoes 👟 🎟️ Entrance fee: 5€🌿

The morning after the DANA flood, I stepped outside into the crisp air of Xàtiva, where I live. The rain had cleaned the streets and the plants were glowing green. I remember questioning the purpose of the intense weather warnings had sounded the evening before. It only took one minute to see that something was wrong once I stepped out the door and connected with neighbours, social media and the TV. People coming together in Algemesí, Valencia to clean up after the DANA flooding. Photo by Darcie Khanukayev  As a Californian, I braced for what I assumed would follow: televised disaster declarations, supply hoarding, and hashtags like #FloodWatch2024. What I found instead was something entirely different: neighbours hauling buckets of mud from basements, offering comfort to one another, and somehow still managing to make light of their submerged cars, saying, «at least we are alive». For those who lost so much—their homes, cars, and even family members—the heartbreak is immeasurable. Yet, in the face of profound loss, this community has shown a level of grace and solidarity that leaves me humbled. People who have been through the unthinkable still find time to share a meal, extend a helping hand, and, somehow, laugh through their tears. In California, we call this "resilience," but here in Valencia, it seems to be simply how people live. Here’s where Valencia’s unique spirit shines: after the floodwaters recede, life doesn’t just resume—it celebrates. The holiday lights are hung and families join together. While a Californian might be tempted to throw in the towel and move inland, the Valencian response is: “Pass the cava, we have traditions to uphold.” I couldn’t help but marvel at how quickly the sorrow of loss was met with the determination to preserve joy. As an outsider, it’s tempting to see this juxtaposition as surreal: grief standing shoulder-to-shoulder with celebration. But the longer I stay here, the more I understand. The Spanish approach doesn’t erase pain; it honors it by refusing to let it define the season. They rebuild with love, not just bricks, finding light even in the darkest days. So this Californian will light her own candle during the holiday season—not just for the people we’ve lost, but for the spirit of those who remain. I’ll hold my loved ones closer, pour an extra glass of wine for a neighbor, and say a quiet thank-you to Valencia for teaching me that life, even when it’s hard, is always worth celebrating.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer We are continuing with "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" by Mark Twain for Bilingual Book Club! It is an American Classic that will take you back to your childhood: the good, the bad, and the ugly! They says it's for children, but many adults find it very amusing! We will go over up to Chapter 9. Meet at the Academy at 7:00 pm! See you there!!

🎄 **Join Us for a Special Bilingual Christmas Party!** 🎄 Mark your calendars for Friday, December 20, and come celebrate the season at DarKha's Bilingual Christmas Party, part of our bimonthly Adult Immersion class! Santa Comes to DarKha! 📍 Where: DarKha Academy (Carrer Corretgeria, 35, Xàtiva, Valencia) 🕖 When: 7:00 PM ✨ What to Bring: - A small gift (5€ or less) for our fun gift exchange game - A candle - A Christmas treat to share Let's create unforgettable memories together with laughter, joy, and holiday cheer. Don’t miss out! We can't wait to celebrate with you! 🎅🎁

Join Us for a Bilingual Hike to La Ermita de Santa Ana! We’re heading to La Ermita de Santa Ana, a stunning 16th-century Gothic chapel with breathtaking views from its strategic location atop its namesake mountain. It is located in Llosa de Ranes, right by Xativa. The hike is an easy to medium 3-hour excursion (approximately 8 km), on an uphill paved road. 📅 Date: December 14 ⏰ Meeting Time: 10:00 AM 📍 Meeting Point: DarKha Academy 👉 What to Bring: Water, A snack We’ll carpool to Llosa de Ranes, so if you need a ride or can offer one, please let us know in advance.  Join us for a day of history, culture, and nature! 🌿