Coffee Break Spanish

In this installment, the love triangle between Laura, Ángel, and Ramón heats up in a bakery confrontation. Meanwhile, concerns arise about Antonio and Iona's plans, especially with a plumber causing delays. The festivities kick off at Iona's birthday party, where Ángel struggles with his feelings and arrives drunk, igniting chaos. Listeners also get insights into Spanish expressions and grammar, like 'tomarle el pelo'. Mark offers comprehension questions to deepen understanding, ensuring everyone keeps up with the drama!

Join Alba and Mark in a lively kitchen setting as they craft a classic Spanish tortilla! They detail essential ingredients like eggs, potatoes, and onions, while Alba shares tips on cutting techniques for the perfect texture. Learn the art of frying without turning your potatoes to mush and how to achieve that golden brown color. The hosts also demonstrate how to safely flip the tortilla and discuss serving it hot or cold. It's a delicious blend of culinary insights and language learning!

This week dives into the world of tapas, with Alba sharing her disappointing experience at a Scottish restaurant. She contrasts it with authentic Spanish flavors, discussing how strange ingredients altered classic dishes. Prices abroad also spark a debate on value, while José brings some fun with phrases for emphatically disagreeing. Language lessons include the meanings of 'cobrar,' how to use 'ojalá,' and mastering si clauses, all while sharing upcoming kitchen challenges for making a real tortilla!

Celebrate five years of language learning with exciting announcements! Discover the launch of Q&A Spanish, where experts answer learner questions weekly. Enjoy On Location French reports from Paris, enriching your experience with cultural insights. New teachers for One Minute Languages join the team, expanding coverage to 26 languages! Anticipate the upcoming Season 3 of Coffee Break Spanish and a fresh children's course in January. Reflecting on the journey, the founder expresses gratitude to all contributors and listeners!

This week, tips for language learning take center stage. Discover Jason's cutting-edge technique of printing and rearranging text to enhance memory. Mark offers a clever way to find authentic listening materials by switching your iTunes store country. Delve into the pros and cons of learning two languages together, along with strategies to keep them separate. Colloquial phrases for talking a lot or staying silent add a fun twist, while a focus on possessive adjectives rounds out the learning experience. Tune in for a boost in your Spanish skills!

Explore the fascinating world of low-cost airlines as hosts Mark and Alba share their travel tales and weigh the pros and cons of budget flying. They dive into the impact of these airlines on regional airports and local tourism. Mark recounts his luxurious first-class experience, while José reveals tips for snagging great deals and teaches useful Spanish phrases. Language highlights include using 'quedarse' and 'fijarse,' alongside expressions for bargains. Travel on a budget and learn Spanish, all in one captivating discussion!

A dramatic twist unfolds as Laura discovers her crush from the bakery is actually her neighbor, Ángel. Estela, Ángel’s sister, issues a warning about his reputation as a womanizer. Meanwhile, plans for a surprise birthday party for Iona hit a snag when Antonio unexpectedly arrives, leading to confusion with a plumber in the mix. The hosts dive into grammar points like subjunctive usage and combined pronouns, making language learning engaging while unraveling the telenovela mysteries.

Dive into the vibrant world of Spanish music with recommendations of artists like Amaral, Ojos de Brujo, Rubén Blades, and Juanes. Discover Amaral's catchy rock-pop tunes and Ojos de Brujo's unique flamenco fusion. Learn how the catchy beats of Juanes can teach you the subjunctive mood in Spanish through his lyrics. José even takes a moment to sing, introducing phrases to keep you 'up to date' in your language learning journey. It's a lively mix of music and language!

Joining the discussion is José, a contributor known for his engaging language insights. He dives into the concept of 'vergüenza' (embarrassment) and explores its usage in lively expressions like 'me da vergüenza' and 'me muero de vergüenza.' The hosts also dissect the Spanish imperative forms and illustrate the nuances of combining reflexive and object pronouns, making grammar fun and approachable. Additionally, musical highlights include Mark's performance of a piece by Albéniz, blending language with culture in this entertaining segment.

Mark shares his journey of learning the accordion and reveals it's tougher than he thought. Alba discusses her classical music background and the challenges of finding practice time. The duo explores how technology has transformed music listening, from streaming to song-recognition apps. José teaches useful Spanish phrases for expressing difficulties, while Mark explains grammar nuances like using 'tan como' and 'tanto como.' They wrap up with enthusiasm for music and encourage listener engagement.