suggestion for intermediate (and/or advanced?) podcasts

[Chamorita]

Ben y Marina,

Hello! I am a huge fan of your podcasts -- I'm between the Inspired Beginner and Intermediate level (even though I oftentimes try to listen to the Advanced ones in vain ;)), and I have an idea that might be useful.

I noticed that it is getting very easy for me to understand Marina's accent, which is fabulous, but I know that when learning a language it's important to try and get accustomed to all types of accents. For instance, accents in the north of Spain (well, when they're not speaking Catalan!) are very different from ones in the south of Spain (Andalucia, where a lot of times 's's get cut off, etc.), as you know.

My suggestion is this -- perhaps every so often you guys could have a 'guest' involved in your conversation. Maybe a friend or family member who lives in another part of Spain and has developed a different accent? This way we could hear a little bit of that, recognize the difference, and maybe it would help us a bit when traveling in that area.

Just a thought. :) Thank you for all you're doing. You're helping so many people.

Amy

[Ben]

Hi Amy,

We do actually do this at the advanced level. The problem with doing it at an intermediate level would be getting the other person to slow down a little to the intermediate speed. We shall certainly consider it though. Thanks for the idea!

Ben

[Chris White]

I agree completely with Amy's suggestion. I finally realized the intermediate podcast are more difficult than I expected them to be because I hear mostly Spanish from Mexico. The differences in pronunciation are posing quite a challenge.

[Ben]

I suggest starting with later intermediate podcasts, rather than the first ones, and letting me know how you go. Some people say the later, more recent ones are easier!

[kenpeace]

I'd agree with that. Having recently discovered the various Ben y Marina sites I have been listening to the intermediates and I think that the later ones are easier.

I did have one thought though. Maybe the others who suggested this listened as the podcasts were released and with a gap of over a year their level of Spanish improved.

Great work though. Have been recommending to the various Spanish interest people here in the (sunny) north west of the UK.

[Ben]

Great work though. Have been recommending to the various Spanish interest people here in the (sunny) north west of the UK.
Thanks Ken!