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In this advanced Spanish lesson, we discuss the enormous subject of the attitude of the Spanish to food. There is so much to say, we’ve split it into two and even then, haven’t scratched the surface of the significance of food in Spain.

Anyone who knows the English culture will know that if you want to have a conversation with anyone, you just have to bring up the weather. In Spain, you simply have to talk about food.

The Spanish love to talk about food. Even the men! However, listen to Gordon’s opinion of that! Any Spanish person worth their salt will be able to tell you the culinary specialities of all the major regions of Spain and will always have an opinion on food.

The Spanish truly love their food and want everyone to try it (and comment positively on it, too). They also enjoy talking about the processes and preparation that the food undergoes before it hits the plate. Their love of food is admirable and in our opinion, it’s wonderful that people can have such a passion and pride for their food and culture.

For more information and guidance as well as a full transcription and translation of the podcast just visit our website at www.lightspeedspanish.com to download the comprehensive help-sheets. We have some try before you buy samples to give you the confidence that they give you value for money. ¡Nos vemos allí!

Video for This Spanish Lesson

Audio for This Spanish Lesson

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:36 — 11.5MB)

This is the second advanced Spanish podcast on the subject of food in Spain. We have had to split the topic into two because it’s such a massive area about which to talk. And don’t think for a moment that we are dragging things out! The fact of the matter is that any true Spaniard would be able to fill a dozen videos with information on the rich choice of food that exists in Spain.

Unlike other cultures that might be less enthusiastic about their cuisine, the Spanish simply ooze with pride whenever they get the opportunity (something which comes around frequently) to wax eloquent about the vast array of dishes they enjoy.

Without any encouragement, they’ll talk you through the processes, the preparation and the joy found in the tasting of any of their foods. As a listener, you have one job and one job only… and that is to listen enthusiastically, ask questions at appropriate intervals and never, but never, make a joke about what they say.

The Spanish take their food far too seriously to ever talk lightly about it and as a foreigner, they know that you will never experience better food than theirs. So, be warned!

Every podcast is transcribed and translated and all the additional information and guidance can be found in the comprehensive Spanish help-sheets that have been designed and developed with you, as our student, in mind. Esperamos que te gusten.

Video for This Spanish Lesson

Audio for This Spanish Lesson

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 13:28 — 12.3MB)

In this podcast, we do a bit of listening practice in Spanish as we interview Quique Lorenzo, a full time footballer who currently plays for a team in Madrid. Quique has an interesting accent given that he is from Almería but has lived for many years in Cataluña.

Gordon does the interview with Quique which is a little ironic given that he knows absolutely nothing about football and has limited vocabulary on the subject. Se nota!

One of the interesting sides to the interview is the fact that Quique’s accent isn’t what you will usually hear on the podcasts from LightSpeed Spanish which tend to be centred around the Madrid area. Therefore, this is your challenge, to see if you are still able to capture what is being said.

Quique has since brought his football career to an end because of the crisis in Spain which was causing him to have to move around the country to find work. Perhaps you will be able to note a certain frustration when he talks of the instability of his work.

So listen in and test out your listening skills with a new voice and a different accent!

We have translated and transcribed every podcast so that you can follow along perfectly with everything that is said and in addition, help and guidance on the expressions used as well as other important grammar points can be found in our helpsheets. We even have some free, “try before you buy” helpsheets. ¡Así que, buena suerte con tus estudios!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:37 — 10.6MB)

In this advanced Spanish podcast we review the film, El Laberinto del Fauno or Pan’s Labyrinth by the director, Guillermo del Toro.

We aren’t film critics but we were inspired to talk about this particular film because of the fact it’s based in Spain during the Spanish civil war when Franco’s men ruled the country with an iron fist of brutality and fear and were constantly in battle with the rebels.

Despite the film’s harsh brutality and shocking reality of life during Franco’s regime, (be careful with the scene with the two poachers), it has a fantastical, yet dark side to it which contrasts what happens in the real world.

The main “protaganista” of the film is a young girl who is taken by her pregnant mum into the countryside to live on an army camp with her new husband and captain of the army.

The captain is a terrible “déspota” and treats everyone around him with cruelty and disdain including his pregnant wife.

Like all good films, everything ends well (or does it?) and it gives you a great opportunity to learn about the terrible days of Franco’s regime in Spain as well as listening to authentic Spanish.

This entire advanced Spanish podcast has been transcribed and translated for you all the additional information and guidance can be found in the comprehensive Spanish help-sheets that we have produced for each podcast we make to help you gain the maximum from these lessons.

Video for This Spanish Lesson

Audio for This Spanish Lesson

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:22 — 11.3MB)