Many people talk about how recession has affected the jobs and how companies are moving forward with massive lay offs….well, there is no recession in the foreign language business. Companies are finding out that this new unexplored and under served market will bring the extra income they need. Banks, auto, insurance and other segments are investing on attracting foreign market and customers, therefore, providers of foreign language services are actually experiencing a sudden boom.

Companies have also been using a foreign language skill to separate who will keep and who will loose their jobs. Just last month more than 50 engineers were laid off in a large NJ construction company, just two remained in a specific sector, due to their ability to speak a foreign language.

We were talking to a mason who was working next door to ask him to put a railing in our steps and he suggested he would do it in exchange for foreign language services. He ows a house in central America and Spanish will help him function better when he is there.

So if I still haven’t convinced you, look at the numbers, 9 out of 10 US large corporations will not consider applicants for a position who don’t master at least one foreign language, CEOs are required to speak two or more languages, the most successful ones, speak between 3 and 4 languages. Children who speak a foreign language excel in tests, reasoning, math and other skills….and the list goes on and on.

Join me and explore this fascinating world of learning a foreign language.

Saludos,

Claudia Krusch

CK Translations – Director

For more information on online training: log on to www.cktranslations.com

Easter is celebrated differently around the world. In Brazil, the largest Catholic country in the world, meat is definitely a no in 99% of the households. I still taste the flavor of Vatapá and Xixim de Galinha with rice, the smell of dende and cashews cooking while my father stirs frentically to avoid burning….hours of preparation, not a Rachel Ray’s meal.

We don’t have Easter Egg Hunts, our eggs are a pound or more with toys and other different things inside.

Friday is called Sexta Feira da paixão  and it is the most important day, when families get together, a lot of businesses close that day and Sunday is called Domingo de Páscoa.

Some Words:

Easter – Páscoa

Egg- Ovo

Rabbit- Coelho

Basket – Cesta

Family, a home cooked meal, gathering and talking, all the ingredients to a great Easter Party anywhere in the world!

Vatapás recipe:

Vatapa
ingredients

• Dried shrimp
  100 grams or 1/4 pound

• Halibut
  Or other firm-fleshed, non-oily fish.
  700 grams or 1 1/2 pounds

• Coconut milk
  5 deciliters or 2 cups

• Dende (palm nut) oil
  30 milliliters or 2 tablespoons

• Chopped onions
  12 centiliters or 1/2 cup

• Minced garlic
  15 milliliters or 1 tablespoon

• Water
  5 deciliters or 2 cups

• Bay leaf
  1 medium sized

• Chopped fresh chili peppers
  6 centiliters or 1/4 cup

• Salt
  5 milliliters or 1 teaspoon

• Peanuts
  Freshly ground unsalted, shelled, skinned and roasted.
  8 centiliters or 1/3 cup

• Fine-grained cornmeal
  6 centiliters or 1/4 cup

Vatapa
cooking steps

• Chop the shrimp in a food processor or electric blender.
• Bone and skin the fish. Discard the skin. Reserve the bones for step 3. Cut the fish into 2 1/2 centimeter (1 inch) cubes and reserve them for step 8.
• Add the shrimp, coconut milk, and fish bones to a thick-bottomed 1 1/2 to 2 liter (1 1/2 to 2 quart) saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Simmer the mixture for 30 minutes, stirring now and then.
• Heat the oil in a thick-bottomed 2 to 3 liter (1 to 3 quart) saucepan over low to moderate heat. Sauté the onions for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the garlic and sauté this mixture for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• Stir 4 deciliters (1 3/4 cups) of the water into the onion-garlic mixture. Stir in the bay leaf, chili peppers, salt, and peanuts. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook it for 10 minutes.
• Discard the bay leaf from the onion-garlic preparation. Strain into this preparation the shrimp coconut mixture. Simmer the combination for 5 minutes.
• Soak the cornmeal in the remaining 6 centiliters or 1/4 cup water for 5 minutes. Slowly stir the moist cornmeal into the pot. Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add the fish cubes to the pot. Thoroughly submerge them and gently cook the preparation over low heat for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally and very gently. Serve the Vatapa immediately.

Bom Apetite!

Claudia Krusch

CK Translations

If you are interested in learning Portuguese, about other cultures or other languages, log on my website for more information:

www.cktranslations.com

Dear Members,

I have been asked the same question in the past weeks and it amazes me that parents only now are opening their eyes to the fact that the future is in the global trade, markets, internet.

Therefore, if you wish to give your child a special boost and a head start, a foreign language is an essential step to accomplishing it.

Studies show that children who acquire a foreign language at an early age, not only excel in math, reasoning, and early reading among other skills, but they show a lifelong native like pronunciation and fluency of the second language.

Some parents invest thousands of dollars a year in karate, soccer, or dance, but how about an activity which will give a lifelong experience to the little ones? One which will change and open brain areas otherwise not accessed?

A friend asked me “Claudia, what do you think we can do to ensure our children will grow up ready to separate themselves from the crowd and be winners?” I told her, get your children enrolled in a foreign language program!

A person who masters a second language has a spot not only on the national marketplace, but in other countries, working for companies in the US with branches abroad which need those skills.

So if you are now worried about what kind of future your child will face in the marketplace, what kind of jobs she/he will find, call your local foreign language school and take the first step towards giving your child a future!

Saludos,

Claudia Krusch

CK Translations and EasyLearn Languages

www.EasyLearnLanguages.com

www.CKTranslations.com