Give us your worksheet/transcript feedback!

[Ben]

Hi,

I just wondered if any of you use the worksheets/transcipts that go with the Notes in Spanish podcasts. Any feedback would be great, but particularly I would like to know if you find the bits after the transcript useful, i.e. the vocab list, the gap fill and the True and False. Do you look at those? Is there any other kind of mini-exercide that might be useful?

Any feedback greatly appreciated!
-Ben

[Catica]

Hi,

I just wondered if any of you use the worksheets/transcipts that go with the Notes in Spanish podcasts. Any feedback would be great, but particularly I would like to know if you find the bits after the transcript useful, i.e. the vocab list, the gap fill and the True and False. Do you look at those? Is there any other kind of mini-exercide that might be useful?

Any feedback greatly appreciated!
-Ben

I use these all the time, and in fact, I prefer how even the glossary is in Spanish. Makes me think a little bit. The exercises are good. If I can think of any suggestions, I'll let you know; I had noticed that no one's responded yet, so I just wanted to let you know that at least one person uses them.

[Ben]

Thanks Catica! A response at last! I was beginning to worry ;) Anyone else?

[Cat]

Hi Ben & Marina,

Yes I have used all the transcripts. As you recommend, I listen first(without peeking) to gauge how much I can understand, then just before 2nd listening I checkout the vocabulary, which further helps, as invariably I miss quite a bit! The third listening is when I bring in the whole transcript, at which point things are usually becoming clearer(if I am lucky..). The fourth listening is for liguistic purposes (the accents, pronouciation etc)Then I do the quiz! So I sure get my money's worth..a well spent 87p (ish)

Keep podding! It's fab!

[Ben]

Wow, that is a seriiously thorough approach, but obviously well worth it! Well done for such devotion to the cause!

[greytop]

From a more casual angle I would find it difficult to understand all the podcasts without the transcript. Some I use in a similar way to Cat (just wish I did as much!) but normally they are an aid to "hearing" words in the podcast plus I like the list of vocabulary, especially the phrases that are often difficult to find in dictionaries etc.
Upwards & onwards M & B :thumbs-up:

[Ben]

Thanks Greytop! We are preparing a supersize list of all good vocab at the moment for part of the new project in September! More soon!

[Pepino]

We are preparing a supersize list of all good vocab at the moment for part of the new project in September!

Sounds excellent!

Get busy and make sure it's out by 13/9 ;) and then I can study it on the plane to Barcelona and arrive fully prepared! ;D

[que]

Yes, sounds a great idea.

I think the way the websites ran is fantastic. I use the transcripts so they are a worthwhile exercise.

I also heard that you are preparing intermediate level podcasts as well for september? So looks like you've plans to expand the services/website quite a bit. Dont know how you find the time!

You've quite easily got the ability to grow this in to something you probably never imagined possible. The forum members grow each day, and i recommend you to fellow students.

Keep up the good work

ps. are you aware of video podcasts too? ;D

[Ben]

You've quite easily got the ability to grow this in to something you probably never imagined possible.
We never imagined most of this, I can assure you!
The forum members grow each day, and i recommend you to fellow students.
Thanks!

Keep up the good work

ps. are you aware of video podcasts too? ;D
Oh yes, just no idea what to put on them :) Any suggestions?

[gary]

Oh yes, just no idea what to put on them :) Any suggestions?
I reckon the bar review thing that I keep on banging on about is the thing to do to find out what the drawbacks are - T think you are wise to get the Intermediate Project up and running prior to taking that plunge.

Theres a world of difference between doing a very competent audio podcast and turning into a TV production company - difficult to see how you could make any extra revenue from video when you consider the yonks of extra time you will need to put in to editing.

Whether you intended it or not I get the feeling this will slowly but surely turn into a job!!!

Watch out for the floodgates opening when the schools get hold of the intermediate project

[Ben]

Whether you intended it or not I get the feeling this will slowly but surely turn into a job!!!
Takes up more time than my job, I can tell you that!

[Cat]

Wow, that is a seriiously thorough approach, but obviously well worth it! Well done for such devotion to the cause!

Yes, well if you are going to do something (learn Spanish) you just have to give it your all!!! This way of learning suits me perfectly..it encompasses it all...the reading, listening, translation & guidance...and it's NEVER boring...it's real life and living Spain, and if we're not fortunate enough to be there, for 15/20 minutes we can be transported by just indulging in the podcasts. I'm "waxing lyrical" but I'm am genuinely delighted and grateful to you both . (oh and the Forum members too, without whom.........)

And I can remember a solitary "little" voice(Ben in the park) in the earlier podcasts with a plea "if anyone out there is listening"...ahhh bless, you thought you were talking to yourself! Not anymore though....

[Ben]

you thought you were talking to yourself! Not anymore though....

As I've mentioned before, it's a source of constant amazement to me/us!

[ValenciaSon]

[quote=gary]I reckon the bar review thing that I keep on banging on about is the thing to do






DFS: Drunks From Spain:rolleyes:

[greytop]

I reckon the bar review thing that I keep on banging on about is the thing to do to find out what the drawbacks are - T think you are wise to get the Intermediate Project up and running prior to taking that plunge.



I reckon he's looking for a job Ben!

[Ben]

:D:D He may have a while to wait yet if that's the case!

[gary]

I reckon he's looking for a job Ben!
Too right.... I have already indicated that when Ben find a sponsor for the barcrawlers blog I would be more than happy to spend a couple of years cataloguing the bars in Barcelona (using vid clips from a digital camera or mobile - my son does commercial video - hauling £4k's worth of camera round would dampen my enthusiasm!!)

[Pepino]

hauling £4k's worth of camera round would dampen my enthusiasm!!)

For free drinks, I'll carry it for you ;D

[johnm]

Thanks for this website. I can read and listen to interesting spanish conversation, and follow up with the written homework at the end. It's so simple yet impossible to find elsewhere.

As an American living in Tennessee, I speak more often with Spanish speakers from Mexico and Colombia. It would be interesting to hear Ben and Marina discuss the difference between Spanish in Spain vs. Spanish in Latin America.

Congratulations on this website, it is wonderful.

John McGuinness
Franklin, Tennessee
USA

[Ben]

Hi John,

Thanks for the comments and a very warm welcome to the forums. That is a great podcast idea - we have an Argentinian friend that we really want to do a podcast with to discuss this issue, but it is just a question of when we can find time to meet up with her. Sooner of later we'll manage it!

Saludos,

Ben

[GreyMark]

Ben and Marina:

Thanks so much for the podcasts and the transcripts. My wife and I are learning Spanish -- slowly, since we're, um, past the age of learning languages quickly, plus we already have full lives. We've done the basic grammar in adult education courses sponsored by the local school authorities, which was fine, but now we need to use it. We're lucky to have some tutoring help, but finding material for conversations is not always easy.

Anyway, I discovered the Notes in Spanish podcasts shortly after my wife gave me an iPod last Christmas. The original series is really a bit over my head, though I figured it can't hurt to keep listening and try to keep up. (Oral comprehension has always been the hardest part of learning a language for me anyway...)

So the transcripts definitely help.

And I really like the first intermediate level podcast; definitely closer to my level.

Many, many thanks for all this. It's such a pleasure to see the technology being used to help us learn in ways that weren't possible even a few years ago.

GreyMark

[Marina]

Thanks for your comment GreyMark.
It's great to hear that the intermediate level suits both you and your wife better.

Keep an eye in NotesInSpanish website as no. 2 is going to be published very soon!
Marina.

[Sascha Mantscheff]

This may sound arrogant, but I found other sources of vocabulary and grammar exercises on the internet which are more focused on the standard classroom learning experience.
The unique benefit of your podcasts is that they are fresh, lively, intelligent and never, ever boring, even if one does not understand them a hundred percent. In comparison to them the exercises are, well, exercises.
Do not try to invent the treadmill of learning idioms for the umpteenth time. Make us happy by giving us a talkshow which is a pleasure to listen to, and don't bother too much with bells and whistles which take too much of your time and sound space. I, for one, would rather listen time and again to Marina's sparkling alto making fun of some everyday ridiculosities (not being a native English speaker I assume this word would be one of them) than work myself through a bunch of exercises which do not enhance the fun.
And please do not further explore the idea of video podcasts. I'd hate to hear Ben saying "And now let's have a look at this [eerie surrounding|delightful café|really posh place|etc.]" while pushing my bike uphill in the lush domestic forestry.

[Edith]

This may sound arrogant, but I found other sources of vocabulary and grammar exercises on the internet which are more focused on the standard classroom learning experience.


:confused:


After all the time and effort Ben and Marina put into their podcasts, here you come to tell us part of their project is a waste of time?! You don't have to do the exercises, you know. Take it or leave it, it's a free world. And... c' est le ton qui fait la musique...

[greytop]

.... I found other sources of vocabulary and grammar exercises on the internet which are more focused on the standard classroom learning experience.
....
Exactly - that's why most of us like B&M's version. We like to get away from the "standard" learning experience and learn whilst being entertained. The NIS intermediate podcasts allow us to hear two people speaking (not too quickly) in a natural manner, not reading a prepared script, arguing a little. The transcripts are an optional extra and do allow a bit more formal study if you so desire. Personally my Spanish is not good enough to understand the advanced NIS podcasts without one.
As to learning idioms and slang expressions, they are a necessity if you want to understand spoken Spanish, so one more way of doing this is welcome to me.
I agree that video podcasts are probably not a good idea and will restrict the number of people who can use them without adding much to the experience of "hearing" the language. The present mix of still photos and the occasional video clip on YouTube seems fine to me.

[Ben]

Thank you Edith and Greytop.

Sascha, we believe that if some people are finding the worksheets useful then they are totally worth producing. We certainly do not intend to reinvent the wheel in language exercises, just to add a little something for those that want it. And no, there will not be Notes in Spanish video casts, not for the foreseeable future in any case.

[Diana]

The advanced worksheet/transcripts are just perfect for me to be able to understand everything that is being said (not having to be satisfied with just getting the gist of the podcasts) The exercises certainly do help and they are fun! Many thanks!