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Advanced Free Spanish Lesson 16 – Momentos Graciosos con La Familia

This free Spanish lesson — all of our Spanish lessons are free, by the by — was great fun to make. “¡Fue super divertido!” In it we talk about the funny moments that have happened to us over the past few years. Cynthia gets very carried away with the whole story telling experience and watch out for the way I (Gordon) have to keep telling to calm down so the listeners can actually hear what’s being said!

Watch out for the fun story of our trip to the woods and Daniel’s (my son) shoes. Then, listen in as Cynthia tells the very “embarazosa” story of what happened to poor Daniel once again!

Although this podcast will be very entertaining to listen to, the other side of it is that with each “historia”, you are learning the skill of telling a tale in Spanish. The real test of your level is whether you can tell a story and get a reaction (rather than watching your audience fall asleep before your eyes! Jeje).

Personally, I (Gordon) had to endure many years of that as I struggled to recount in Spanish the things that had happened to me. Now, it’s a little easier, but I could never say it was a piece of cake. It takes lots of practice! Thinking about it, however, I fall asleep sometimes when an English person tells me a story in their own language!

A full transcript and translation of this free Spanish lesson is available, as ever, in our comprehensive Spanish helpsheets, which have been developed to help you learn the most from each episode.

Video for This Spanish Lesson

Audio for This Spanish Lesson

Advanced Spanish Video Lesson 17 – La Politica

Ahora, ¡un tema difícil! We chose to include this subject as a Spanish video lesson not because we are experts on politics, nor because we are interested in it! In fact, we don’t really know why we made it!

However, like in most conversations in every country, the subject of politics comes up and even if you don’t have an opinion, it’s important to be able to state that and back it up with a good reason.

For example, because of “la crisis”, Spain is currently in tremendous political turmoil. Political parties are being voted in and out in the hope that one of them will be able to resolve the terrible financial problems that are crippling the country at present.

In all the major cities there are regular “manifestaciones” (protests) about the lack of work and opportunities, particularly for the youth. Thus, having some vocabulary in your pocket, so to speak, to enable you to follow and add your own personal comments to a conversation on this emotive subject.

Listen in or watch as we discuss our very limited perspective of modern day politics. As you will hear, we are not in any way, shape or form experts on the subject.

A full transcript and translation of this episode is waiting for you in our comprehensive Spanish helpsheets, which have much more information to help absorb the contents of our episodes.

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Advanced Free Spanish Lessons Online 18 – Momentos Reveladores

Have you had an experience in your life that changed its entire course? ¿Has tenido lo que se llama ‘un momento revelador’?

In our journey through life many things happen to us, some of them “muy buenas” and others, “terriblemente malas”. Quite often, however, certain things happen to us that have a profound effect of how we see life.

Certainly, Cynthia and I have had many of those moments and in this podcast we share some of these with our listeners. Clearly, although these can be interesting to listen to, at the same time, they help you learn how to talk in the past about feelings and emotions.

As always, we have a full transcript and translation of all our free Spanish lessons online, including this one, in our comprehensive Spanish helpsheets, which have been developed to help you get the most out of our course.

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Advanced Online Spanish Lesson 19 – Las Drogas

This online Spanish lesson from LightSpeed Spanish is about las drogas. A Cynthia no le gustó este tema. The truth is, I (Gordon) kind of forced Cynthia to talk about this subject and “ella no estaba muy contenta” something you may notice in the podcast. However, the subject of drugs is one that cannot be ignored.

According to statistics, 80% of the Spanish population has, at some point in their lives, tried marijuana (un porro/a joint) although the indication is that cocaine use is on the increase with every year that passes.

If you get the opportunity to walk through a park in Spain you may be surprised to see people openly smoking ‘a joint’ with friends in the open air. The famous “botellón”, or party in the park that many young people organise is the place to go if you want to “pasar un rato con amigos” and “fumarte un porro”.

Listen in as we talk about our own and others attitudes to the ever increasing use of recreational drugs. How do you feel about their use and abuse? What would you say if you were asked to give your opinion in Spanish?

A full transcript and translation of this online Spanish lesson is waiting for you in our comprehensive Spanish helpsheets, which contain loads of additional information. We’re sure you’ll enjoy them.

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Advanced Spanish Podcast 20 – Spanish Weddings

For many years now, Spanish weddings have been a spectacular event that takes months to prepare. No expense is spared to provide the guests with luxurious settings, gourmet food and an endless flow of wines and spirits.

The entire experience has become an industry in itself and only the bride’s “traje de boda” can cost what entire wedding might have cost twenty years ago. For a young couple just starting out in the world, putting on a celebration of this “tamaño” is no small feat and would normally be far out of the reaches of many.

So how do they manage it? “Bueno, ¡con mucha ayuda!” They get help!

Listen in to this free online Spanish lesson as we discuss what happens in a typical Spanish wedding and discover how they manage to cover those enormous costs. Perhaps you’ll agree with Cynthia and my opinion on these lavish weddings, or “tal vez” you’ll think we are way out of line. Share your opinion in the comments!

Just so you’re aware, a full transcript and translation of this episode about Spanish weddings, and, in fact, every episode, is waiting for you in our comprehensive Spanish helpsheets, which contain loads of additional information. We’re sure you’ll enjoy them.

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Audio for This Spanish Lesson