Lightspeed Spanish » Advanced Speaker

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. Video for This Spanish Lesson Audio for This Spanish Lesson

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. Video for This Spanish Lesson Audio for This Spanish Lesson

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. Video for This Spanish Lesson Audio for This Spanish Lesson

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. Video for This Spanish Lesson Audio for This Spanish Lesson

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

Mercedes, Cynthia’s mum, gives a great interview with Gordon in this advanced Spanish podcast, in which she talks clearly about the youth in Spain and the challenges and opportunities they have before them. At the time of the interview Spain was just starting to feel the effects of “la crisis” that has since overtaken the Spanish economy in such an aggressive and shocking way. What is really interesting about one aspect of the Spanish culture is their respect for young people. Given that it was only 40 years ago that the country was still in under the control of Franco’s regime, many of today’s parents can remember only too well the hunger and shortages that the entire country suffered. Much of them have almost made the decision that their own children were not going to have to suffer in that same way. Thus, as you listen to Mercedes, why not see if you can get the sense of this in how she describes the youth of today. Toward the end of the podcast we talk about “la tecnología moderna” and Mercedes tells us how it has affected her life and the things she uses on a daily basis. See if you can spot them! As always, we offer a full transcript and translation of this advanced Spanish podcast in our comprehensive Spanish helpsheets, which have been developed with you, the Spanish language learner, in mind.

In this advanced Spanish podcast, we're going to talk about movies in the Spanish language. The Spanish cinema has a very different attitude toward films. Do you know that virtually all the films shown in Spain are overdubbed or “dobladas” and rarely are the subtitled or “subtituladas”. Every actor and actress has their own specific voice over person that follows their entire career. Imagine those lucky enough to have been given the job of overdubbing famous actors like Bruce Willis or Arnold Schwarzenegger! ¡Un trabajo de por vida! Sometimes, the actor that overdubs the voice of a Hollywood star dies and they have to give them a new voice, much to the disappointment and sadness of the Spanish nation. In this newest episode you can discover Cynthia’s reaction upon hearing the real voices of the all the famous actors that, as far as she was concerned, had Spanish voices. We also mention the kind of films that we like to watch together and our opinion of subtitled films. As ever, we have a full transcript and translation of this advanced Spanish podcast in our comprehensive Spanish helpsheets, which help you get the most out of every episode of LightSpeed Spanish. Video for This Spanish Lesson Audio for This Spanish Lesson

This advanced Spanish audio has to do with the year 2012. Cynthia and I recorded this podcast in the lead up to this much discussed and anticipated year. At that time there were many differing opinions of what was going to occur. Some said it was going to be “el fin del mundo” and others said it would be the start of “algo nuevo”. Were you aware of the buzz that existed about 2012? What did you think was going to happen? The focus of this audio in grammatical terms is that of possible futures and probable outcomes. That being the case, there is often a need to use the subjunctive when referring to potential futures and so it will be worth “prestando attención” to the way we talk about these up and coming events and listening out for the subjunctive. If you have no idea of what the subjunctive is or it still confuses you (or terrifies you) then you can check out our special range of videos on the present subjunctive available on Youtube now. As always, a full transcript and translation of this advanced Spanish audio is available in our comprehensive helpsheets, which help you the learner get the absolute most out of every episode of LightSpeed Spanish. Video for This Spanish Lesson Audio for This Spanish Lesson

This free Spanish podcast has everything to do with alternative medicine. In today’s modern world, medicine has moved forward at a tremendous speed and surgeons have the skills to perform breathtaking and lifesaving operations never before seen. Y eso nos encanta. However, alternative medicine, and the benefits of using this kind of treatment, has been making a comeback, although it is not without its critics. Once again, Cynthia and I have very strong views on this subject and perhaps we could be classed as being outside of mainstream thought. But that's what life is all about. Differing opinions. ¿Qué opinas tú? Is modern medicine something you would use or have used? If the need arose, would you put your trust in it? Listen in as we share our very personal opinions on alternative medicine and its usefulness. If you were sitting with us, what would you say? What could you add to the conversation? Tell us in the comments section. In our comprehensive help-sheets, we have translated and transcribed this advanced free Spanish podcast and we've included lots more helpful bits of information. We even have some “try before you buy” helpsheets so you can be sure they are good value for the money. Video for This Spanish Lesson Audio for This Spanish Lesson

In this free Spanish audio lesson, we discuss diets and their effectiveness. Cynthia and I have very strong views on this subject, which, we must state, are purely our own opinions. “Es posible” that you think something completely different from what we say. This, however, is the purpose of this podcast. As an accomplished student of the Spanish language you must be able to state your opinion on matters and argue your case. As you listen to us talk, try and formulate what you might say if you were talking with us. Would you be “de acuerdo con” or perhaps “en contra de” what we have to say about the fad diets that we are being sold day after day? Is it fair that they promise us the body of a Greek God when in fact we often end up looking more like a Greek urn? Tell us what you think in the comments section. We have translated and transcribed this free Spanish audio lesson, and every podcast that we make, and make these materials available in our comprehensive Spanish worksheets. We even have some “try before you buy” helpsheets so you can be sure they are an invaluable resource. We're positive that they will bring your learning to the next level. Give them a try! Video for This Spanish Lesson Audio for This Spanish Lesson

This advanced Spanish lesson takes you through a day out we spent at Xanadú, a large shopping centre on the outskirts of Madrid we visited during one of our trips to Spain. Xanadú is a very special and unusual attraction that is well worth visiting. Listen in as we talk about our day and the experiences we had. In terms of the Spanish we use, it might be worth paying special attention to the range of tenses we use when explaining the things that we did and what we saw in the shopping centre. You will notice that our stories are not limited to using the Preterite and Imperfect pasts, but rather, we use a large range of tenses just as we would in English. Although the Preterite and the Imperfect tenses are fabulous for telling stories in the past, they are certainly not “los únicos” needed to be able to tell a good story. For example, how would you say: “We had arrived early”? or “We would have arrived earlier but we had problems.”? It is these kinds of tenses, used without thinking in our own language, that often catch us out in Spanish when we are in full flow. So as you join us, see how many other tenses you can catch us using (Remember: you don’t need to know the names of the tenses to recognise them or to use them well.) The transcription and translation of this advanced Spanish lesson and all the other podcasts we have produced to date, as ever, can be found in the help-sheets. Video for This Spanish Lesson Audio for This Spanish Lesson

Whilst in Spain did you ever notice the amount of bumps and bruises that most Spanish cars have? Listen in and learn some of the reasons why they treat their cars so roughly. Of course, all the additional information and guidance can be found in the comprehensive help-sheets. Video for This Spanish Lesson Audio for This Spanish Lesson

For someone learning the language, there's no replacing Spanish listening practice. Listening to native speakers is a fundamental part of the learning process. Here, Leti, Cynthia’s cousin, describes some of the strange things she’s been required to do during her time as a veterinary assistant. Leti, or Leticia, loves animals and really enjoys working with them. However, she has one small problem. At the first sight of blood, she faints! This certainly hasn’t put her off and although she has problems with blood, she certainly has had to do some very unusual things whilst working in the surgery. Listen as she tells the tale of the owner who wanted to mate his two dogs and what had to be done to try and make that happen. Warning: Leti speaks quickly and so you may find understanding all of this podcast a challenge. What is more, Leti “no tiene pelos en la lengua” (She pulls no punches) when describing some of the procedures she’s been involved with. This is not for the faint hearted! If you have issues understanding Leti, then a full transcription and translation is available at www.lightspeedspanish.com as well as a wealth of additional information and guidance which can be found in the comprehensive help-sheets created for you, our students.

This free Spanish audio should get your toes tapping because today we're talking about la musica. One of the downfalls of living in the UK for us is that the music that gets played on the radio is only either English or American. Once in a while there appears a novelty song from another country, but in general the radio stations never stray from music of their own language. This is a real shame, given that the music from Spain and from Latin America is some of the best in the world! There is such a variation of style, rhythm and genre that a listener could well be overwhelmed by it. Now, we are lucky to have the Internet and therefore can access music every day through mediums such as Youtube and Spotify, among many others. We now can immerse ourselves completely in Spanish music. But why should we do that? Well, quite literally, listening to Spanish music will drive your Spanish forward at a much faster rate. Of course, learning with music has been around for centuries. Parents have always done it with their children and every country teaches its children nursery rhymes that are remembered for the rest of their lives. Listen in as we talk about music and list some of the important artists in the Spanish speaking world. The transcription and translation of this podcast along with a host of additional information and guidance can be found in the comprehensive Spanish language help-sheets written and designed with you, our learner, in mind. Video for This Spanish Lesson Audio for This Spanish Lesson

In this free Spanish audio lesson, we discuss la familia española, the Spanish family. Every culture has its own personality and way of being and none more so than the Spanish from mainland Spain. For them, family is still very important, (thank goodness for that) and day to day life resonates with the sounds of the names of everyone in their extended family group. For the most part, everyone must have their title, which serves as the identification of who they are within the group. In a typical family you will hear “los abuelos”, “los primos”, “mi cuñando”, “mi suegro”, bandied liberally around every day of the week. Listen in as Gordon tells the tale of the title he was given when he first became part of the Cynthia’s family. Having a name like Gordon in Spain is not without its difficulties… We have transcribed and then translated every word in this free Spanish audio lesson, along with every other audio in the series so that you can listen along and help your mind begin to link sounds with words. In addition to that we have added a wealth of information and guidance in the comprehensive Spanish worksheets designed with you in mind. Video for This Spanish Lesson Audio for This Spanish Lesson