Spanish Greetings. It may seem like a small part of a vast language, but Spanish greetings could well be one of the most important parts of your Spanish speaking skill. Given that the majority of us are going to be visiting Spanish speaking countries, or intermittently seeing people, we really should have our Spanish greetings up to par. In our own language there’s never any problem and we instinctively know, from years of practice, how to greet someone correctly, how to send our regards to anot...
Dec 15, 2013•10 min
Sino in Spanish Some years ago there was a T.V. programme here in the U.K. called, “Not only but also.” which when it came out in Spanish was called, “No sólo, sino.” It’s this expression that we hear used such a lot when Spanish speakers want to describe something that has more than one effect. e.g. Not only do you bring joy to my life, but you also make me feel valued. The temptation for many students of Spanish when confronted with a sentence with this structure is to use the word “BUT”, whic...
Dec 15, 2013•11 min
Comparisons in Spanish. The good news is that making comparisons in Spanish is very similar to English. In fact, it’s almost identical! What is important, however, is understanding what we are doing when we make comparisons in Spanish and English. To do that we should look at the structure of the sentences we use without normally thinking about what we are doing. There are two main families of comparisons. These are: Comparatives. AS-AS We use comparatives when we say things like: “I’m as happy ...
Dec 08, 2013•10 min
Morning in Spanish. Knowing how to say morning in Spanish is absolutely vital for any student of the Spanish language along with all of the other words that allow you to mark time within your sentences. The reason that it’s so important has been brought home to me loudly and clearly during the English classes that I teach here in the UK. What I have noticed is that, for beginners and intermediate learners, being able to be quite specific about time frames is vital if they want to be understood. ...
Dec 08, 2013•12 min
The Weather in Spanish. The weather in Spanish is an interesting subject to learn. That’s not to say that Spanish speakers are as obsessed about it as the English, for example. It is, however, a very nice conversation piece to use when you want to instigate a chat or just pass the time of day with someone. In fact, it’s pretty much an international language in itself. No matter who you are with, or where you are, being able to pull out a few little expressions about the weather can ingratiate yo...
Nov 23, 2013•10 min
Spanish Relative Pronouns. Here is a very interesting podcast that really gets into the meat of what are Spanish Relative Pronouns and how you can use them in your spoken and written Spanish. Of course, before you can use any aspect of Spanish grammar correctly, you must firstly understand how it works. And so, this has been our objective during the ten minutes that we consider this topic. In tandem with the podcast, we have also produced a comprehensive set of helpsheets that lay everything out...
Nov 17, 2013•11 min
¡Qué guay! You reached the end of the first 20 free Spanish lessons online for this level. ¡Muy bien hecho! Come and join us now as we draw together all the previous podcasts into one conversation. Let’s see how much you can pick out. Maybe all of it! The entire transcription and translation as well as all the additional information and guidance can be found in the comprehensive help-sheets . Video for This Spanish Lesson Audio for This Spanish Lesson The post Early Intermediate Spanish Podcast ...
Jan 21, 2012•11 min
There are countless false friends in Spanish. Have you ever said someone was “enferma” (ill) when you really wanted to say: “enfermera” (nurse)? Or have you mistaken “embarazada” (pregnant) for “avergonzado” (embarrassed)? Don’t worry, you are not alone! There are many Spanish words that, although they appear to be very similar to some English words, have completely different meanings. This is a vital podcast for anyone who wants to avoid those ’embarrassing’ moments and ‘pregnant’ pauses. Keep ...
Jan 14, 2012•11 min
Every culture is distinct, and none more so than the many and diverse ones found in the Spanish speaking world. Certainly, when it comes to eating, Spain has its very own rhythm. Listen in to yet another of our Spanish lessons online to see how yours compares. Also, don’t miss the part in which we talk about the mass confusion over the names of the mealtimes now. It’s a disaster! Of course, all the additional information and guidance can be found in the comprehensive help-sheets. Video for This ...
Jan 07, 2012•11 min
We all like to talk about ourselves a little…and some more than just a little. In this free Spanish podcast we help you learn all the ways of doing this, as well as being able to ask others about what they do. After all, this is the basis of many a great conversation. Here we give examples of how you can talk about your daily activities in an orderly and accurate way. It might be worth re-looking at our lesson on reflexive verbs . Remember, all the additional information and guidance can be foun...
Dec 31, 2011•11 min
This podcast, the latest of our free spanish lessons online, focuses primarily on what happens in Spain when you, or someone else, invites a person out for a drink or something to eat. For anyone thinking of making some Spanish friends, then this podcast is a must! It could save you a lot of embarrassment and money. (I know this from painful experience. Gordon ☹) For additional information and guidance why not try out our comprehensive Spanish help-sheets specifically designed and written for yo...
Dec 23, 2011•10 min
If we had a Euro for every time one of our students has said to us: “It’s the little words that cause me the most problems.” we’d be “forrados”! You’ve probably seen al and del scattered about Spanish texts and wondered why. Listen in to this intermediate Spanish lesson as we help you learn when and when not to use the only two contractions in the Spanish language. We’ve pulled together “un montón” of additional information that can be found in the comprehensive Spanish worksheets . Video for Th...
Dec 16, 2011•10 min
The latest of our intermediate spanish lessons is all about describing people in Spanish. This is something we often do in conversation without even thinking about it. In Spanish, however, you need to understand how to structure your language to not only do it properly, but also without causing offence! Here we explain how to structure your Spanish to best describe someone’s physique, personality and characteristics. This very much ties into previous lessons that covered the verbs ser and estar,...
Dec 09, 2011•11 min
To be, or not to be, that is the not the question. The real question is, which “to be” is it? In this free Spanish lesson, we take a look at ser versus estar. Have you wondered which verb you use for the sentence: “The wall is green”? Or what it means when a Spanish speaker says: “¡Qué guapa estás hoy!”? Tune in as we take the mystery out of these fascinating verbs. For more clear and concise information then why not try our comprehensive Spanish worksheets ? They’ve been designed with you, the ...
Dec 02, 2011•11 min
The present progressive in Spanish as a great tense to use but can often be misused and abused be unwary Spanish students who overwork it because of its easiness. Listen in as Gordon explains how he did that very thing. In this podcasts we show you how Spanish speakers use this particular tense. Warning! It’s different to how English speakers use it. Remember that all the additional information and guidance can be found in the comprehensive Spanish worksheets . Video for This Spanish Lesson <...
Nov 25, 2011•10 min
So far in our Spanish podcasts we’ve covered a wide range of vital areas of grammar and vocabulary. It’s time to do a bit of Spanish conversation practice. Don’t worry, we keep the pace just right for you. We recommend that you listen three or four times. There’s no hurry and the more you listen, the more you hear. Listen in as we pull together all of the previous podcasts into a conversation. ¡Escucha! Of course, if you are finding it difficult to understand everything, then all the additional ...
Nov 18, 2011•11 min
In this free Spanish lesson, we take a close look at hay vs estar. We’ve found that many students are very confused about how exactly these words should be used. One means “there is” while the other means “it is”. When should you use one as opposed to the other? That’s just the question we’re here to answer. If this has been a cause of confusion for you in the past, fret not, because this episode will help make everything clearer. Don’t miss the simple tip that will ensure you’ll never get the c...
Nov 11, 2011•11 min
In this free Spanish podcast come and join us and learn how to effectively use this mysterious “a” that you have probably seen or heard in so many Spanish sentences. The strange and yet fun thing is that despite the fact that this construction doesn’t exist in English, in Spanish, it is a must if you want to be respectful and speak accurately. So let’s get to it and add another important skill to your Spanish repertoire. We complement each podcast with a host of additional information and guidan...
Oct 04, 2011•11 min
Some of our students who have been studying the language for years still have problems with using gustar in Spanish. And it’s really no wonder! It takes a few attempts at it before you can really get to grips with how it works. In this lesson we’re going to take a real in-depth look at this most useful verb gustar and help you feel much more at ease with using it. Let us show you how to take control of a conversation. When talking with Spanish speakers, this is a must! “Un huevo” of additional i...
Sep 27, 2011•11 min
Tener is one of the most used and valuable Spanish verbs to know and, it’s for this reason, that we’re taking an in-depth look at this word in this intermediate Spanish lesson. The verb tener is no normal verb in Spanish. In fact, it works very hard in so many areas of the Spanish language that, unless you have a full grasp of what it can do, you simply won’t get the benefit out of it. Join us to learn how to tell someone you are in a hurry, or what you’ve got to do. You just have to know this! ...
Sep 20, 2011•10 min
Spanish reflexive verbs can be confusing if you don’t understand them clearly. It must be said, however, that they make up an enormous part of spoken, written and well, every, part of the Spanish language. So, best to face them head on, right? Here in the sixth of our intermediate Spanish lessons, we guide you through the important process of learning reflexive verbs in Spanish, or, as you’ll see, the verbs with the “arse” on the end! Lol. So, let’s get to it and add another important piece to y...
Sep 13, 2011•10 min
Shopping in markets and small shops can be one of the most exhilarating experiences you can have in Spanish speaking countries. This is something you really must try for yourself. However, to really get the most out of it you need some key words and expressions and that’s where our free Spanish lessons online come in. Here we assist you in learning the key Spanish vocabulary for most situations while you’re shopping. ¡Venga! Get the freshest food, the best bargains, and sound authentic while you...
Sep 06, 2011•13 min
Ever been lost in a Spanish speaking country? Frustrating isn’t it? How much better is it to have all the tools you need to find your way? Listen in as we guide you, in the fourth of our intermediate Spanish lessons, through the vocabulary needed to not only ask, but understand directions when they are given to you by a Spanish speaker. ¡Siga todo recto! Remember to make the most of all the additional information and guidance found in the comprehensive Spanish worksheets . Video for This Spanish...
Aug 30, 2011•13 min
How to order food in a Spanish restaurant. In this intermediate Spanish lesson, we walk you through one of the most important activities when on holiday: How to order food in Spanish in a restaurant. Just like in a bar, there is a certain etiquette to ordering in a Spanish speaking restaurant. How do you get the waiter’s attention? In many phrase books and beginners Spanish work books they tell you that when you want to attract the waiters attention you simply shout: “¡Oiga!” This is the imperat...
Aug 23, 2011•15 min
Naturally, when travelling through your Spanish speaking country, you are going to need to stop for some refreshments. Being able to manage your way around a Spanish bar is nothing short of “imprescindible”. The Spanish Myth. Every country has its bar culture, and none more so than that of Spain. In fact, there seems to be a big misunderstanding about alcohol consumption in Spain. Many people confuse the fact that Spanish bars are often full to the brim with noisy Spaniards drinking beer and eat...
Aug 16, 2011•15 min
The Spanish Perfect Tense! So, what is this tense exactly? Well, it’s a very important one and one that will open up your conversational ability. With this tense you can ask: “What have you done today?”. Now, just imagine the wealth of Spanish that you will hear with a question as open as that one. Even better! “How has your week been?” or, “Have you ever been to Mexico?” This Spanish perfect tense is the one that will allow you to ask these kind of questions and instigate some great conversatio...
Aug 09, 2011•18 min
What do you do when they start talking to you in Spanish? In this fun Spanish lesson we guide you through receiving directions in Spain and what to expect to hear. The first thing to remember when they are talking to you in Spanish is not to panic! Join us to build your receiving directions in Spain vocabulary! Get your Intermediate H ELPSHEETS here : Find out more about our Immersion Courses here! If you would like to join SER SOCIO freely and receive two lessons a week from Gordon and Cynthia ...
Mar 21, 2010•9 min
In this fun Spanish lesson we guide you through asking directions in Spain. What do you say when you stop someone? Join us to build your asking directions in Spain vocabulary! Get your Intermediate H ELPSHEETS here : Find out more about our Immersion Courses here! If you would like to join SER SOCIO freely and receive two lessons a week from Gordon and Cynthia of LightSpeed Spanish, just click HERE . Visit our website here: https://lightspeedspanish.co.uk/ Check out our Hardback, Kindle and Audi...
Mar 14, 2010•9 min
In this fascinating Spanish lesson we help you with some key Spanish restaurant vocabulary. What do you say when you walk into a restaurant in Spain? Join us to brush up on your vital Spanish restaurant vocabulary. Get your Intermediate H ELPSHEETS here : Find out more about our Immersion Courses here! If you would like to join SER SOCIO freely and receive two lessons a week from Gordon and Cynthia of LightSpeed Spanish, just click HERE . Visit our website here: https://lightspeedspanish.co.uk/ ...
Mar 07, 2010•20 min
In this fascinating Spanish lesson we help you with the Must Know Spanish bar vocabulary. Ordering drinks in Spain is not the same as in other Spanish speaking countries, so be sure to watch this lesson. Join us to brush up on your vital Spanish bar vocabulary. Get your Intermediate H ELPSHEETS here : Find out more about our Immersion Courses here! If you would like to join SER SOCIO freely and receive two lessons a week from Gordon and Cynthia of LightSpeed Spanish, just click HERE . Visit our ...
Feb 21, 2010•12 min
