Rob and Pilar discuss what they see most effective Spanish learners have in common. What are the qualities they all cultivate, and does "immersion" have an impact on language learning? Also, they delve into the interesting Spanish slang phrase "dizque", used by Karol G...!
Rob continues his conversations with Pilar. They discuss why so many people are looking to leave Colombia, and what some of the assumptions there are within Colombia about what it's like living abroad. Rob also asks about gender - so simple to understand, yet difficult to get right!
Pilar has experience living and working in Mexico. Rob chats with her about life in Mexico, and how it compares to Colombia. They also touch on Spanglish, weird Mexican phrases, Netflix, and talk about how to understand the past tenses in Spanish.
We're introducing a new "mini-series" - Preguntas con Pilar. Rob chats with Pilar, who is one of the teachers in the Spanish Obsessed Academy. She has incredible experience teaching Spanish, and in her conversations with Rob they focus more on the language aspect of Spanish. In this episode, they talk a little about Pilar's experience, and Rob asks about a weird verb pattern he's heard in Colombia.
Rob talks with Lis’ sister, Judith. Judith recently completed her Masters in La Gestión Urbana (Urban Management), and discusses the current global migration to cities, amongst other topics.
Rob and Lis talk about being popular, having friends, and how to maintain contact in the age of social media…
Rob, Lis and Colombian friend Dani talk about the education systems of UK vs Colombia and Latin America
How important is the interview process for finding a job? Lis and Rob discuss their experiences in interviews in both English and Spanish, and how difficult the process can be.
We recently had the opportunity to talk with Gilberto Torres, who was kidnapped by Colombian paramilitaries and held captive for 42 days several years ago. Gilberto was a Trade Union leader, and was kidnapped for organising strikes and getting in the way of some big business interests. He's taking BP to court in London for events surrounding his kidnapping, and in this podcast he tells his story.
Continuing with Javi (and Castillian Spanish), Rob talks food - a mutually shared passion. We take a gastronomic tour around Spain, Javi gives us his opinion on English food (hint: it's not all bad), and Rob provides some constructive criticism for Spanish restaurants! Transcription on its way soon.
Meet Javi, from Valladolid in Spain. He works near London as a Spanish teacher, and in this podcast he chats with Liz about teaching in the UK, how he finds English school children, and whether he wants to go back to Spain. Transcription coming hopefully before too long!
Meet Nuria, from Alicante, Spain. Believe it or not, despite being called “Spanish Obsessed”, Nuria is the first Spanish person we’ve actually interviewed on the site! She talks to Rob about moving from Spain, and what she’s up to in London.
We welcome another friend to Spanish Obsessed. Meet Vanessa, who's come to London from Argentina. She talks with Rob about her beloved country, and how she's getting on in her new life in England!
Liz takes the time to have a chat with our Mexican friend Mariana about all sorts of girly things – mainly men. What’s the difference between the Latin and European man? This, and more “relationship advice” from two Latinas.
We take a break in our trip to Colombia to bring you a guest podcast, with our friend Mariana, from Puerto de Veracruz, Mexico. Mariana talks with Rob about some of the stereotypes commonly held about Mexico, and how close they are to the truth. This audio gets a little crackly at points - apologies!
After a few weeks, Rob also joined Liz in Colombia for a (well deserved) 2 week holiday. We talk about the first couple of days in Bogotá, the capital.
After nearly three years, Liz returned to Colombia to see her family. She tells us about the surprises she had lined up for them, as well as her impressions of her home country after being away for so long.
The majority of visitors to Spanish Obsessed come from the USA. We talk about the rise of Spanish in the States! However, we don't have any first hand experience of this, so we would love to our American visitors' (or anyone else with experience in this!) opinions on the rise of Spanish in the land of opportunity!
Colombia just had a big weekend, with the co-incidence of its first world cup game and the second round of the general elections! Update - Colombia won both that game and the following, unfortunately England crashed out after its first two games...
Clarissa talks to us about the situation in Venezuela
We talk about driving - the differences between driving in Colombia and England (can't be that many...!), what's required to get a driving licence, and our dreams of a road-trip around Colombia in a jeep!
We recently visited the British Museum's exhibition "The Legend of El Dorado", and here we discuss the exhibition and its importance!
We talk about the political set up in Colombia. Liz used to work in the Colombian senate, so has some good experience here! We talk about Colombian political parties, politicians, the political system, and key voting issues.
We have a very special guest in Maria, from Northern Peru. Maria tells Rob and Liz about her experience as an immigrant to the UK, including the difficulties of coming to a country whose language you don't speak, finding a job, and trying to start a new life! An inspirational story, thank you very much Maria!
Meet Margarita, Liz’s cousin who’s visiting us from Colombia! Margarita is very well travelled, and here she gives us her three top tips for places to visit in South America. As you can tell, she’s very enthusiastic, and Liz can hardly get a word in edge-ways!
Barbara, a Mexican friend, teaches us some Spanish slang only heard in Mexico. Not for the faint hearted!
We discuss the latest rounds of peace talks between the Farc and the government, and how safe it is around Colombia these days.
Liz tells us about how to dance - and listen to - La Salsa
We discuss some of Colombia's favourite holiday destinations
Meet Alberto, Colombian resident of London for nearly 20 years.
