Intermediate Notes in Spanish Podcast 1 - ¡Bienvenidos!

[Ben]

This is the first episode in our new Intermediate level! Listen in (http://www.notesinspanish.com/2006/09/06/itermediate-notes-in-spanish-podcast1-%c2%a1bienvenidos/) and let us know what you think!

Just as with the Advanced podcasts, there is a worksheet pack (http://www.notesinspanish.com/store/)available to help you get the most out of the podcasts. Each worksheet includes a full transcript, a list of really useful vocabulary and grammar, and helpful exercises.

Let us know what you think below!

[richardksa]

Recorded podcast and downloaded the transcript this afternoon and have now run through it twice. Muchas Gracias. I was going through one of those times when I thought my Spanish just wasn't progressing. The slower pace of the speech delighted me by proving me wrong and I didn't need to reach for the dictionary once while reading the transcripts. What I'm really impressed with is that I can call myself an "Intermediate", when I thought I had hardly progressed beyond beginner.

How much of an effort was it to slow down? Did you script it for the simpler Spanish? Although it sounded very natural. You will have my quid each week from now on.

[gary]

Recorded podcast and downloaded the transcript this afternoon and have now run through it twice. Muchas Gracias. I was going through one of those times when I thought my Spanish just wasn't progressing. The slower pace of the speech delighted me by proving me wrong and I didn't need to reach for the dictionary once while reading the transcripts. What I'm really impressed with is that I can call myself an "Intermediate", when I thought I had hardly progressed beyond beginner.

How much of an effort was it to slow down? Did you script it for the simpler Spanish? Although it sounded very natural. You will have my quid each week from now on.

I echo everything richardska says - i too am happy to have confirmation of my level in spanish - The intermediate is comfortable, and the advanced is a stretch for which I find the transcripts invaluable.

As I have mentioned to Ben - I cant believe we are treated to audio of such high quality for no charge. Fantastic. I know I will finish up buying both transcripts - one for comfortable relaxation and one for a mental workout!!

THANKYOU!!!

[Ben]

How much of an effort was it to slow down? Did you script it for the simpler Spanish? Although it sounded very natural. You will have my quid each week from now on.

Hi Richard, glad you liked it! We never really script anything beyond having maybe a list of things to cover in a rough order. It was tricky to slow down at first - we listened to a CD from an intermediate book to guage the level a bit, which helped. I was surprised how close to normal, full-speed Spanish 'Intermediate' is - it's not just about slowing down, more about not letting sentences run off at a hundred miles an hour.

Still, when we recorded the third one, we came a bit unstuck and kept speaking super-fast 'Advanced' level Spanish - Solution? A post-it on each of our foreheads with "Intermediate" in bold lettering! :D

[Marbella]

Even though this is intermediate I think slowing down the speech should be a by-product of better intonation not forced. My in-laws will continue to show me no mercy so I don't want to learn in an 'unreal' situation. Tricky to get right I suppose but the first one sounded ok. As you've said there is more to intermediate training than slowing down speech.

[Ben]

Even though this is intermediate I think slowing down the speech should be a by-product of better intonation not forced.
Exactly the point I had hoped to make! That is what we were aiming for. Clearer, not necessarily slower.

[que]

Still, when we recorded the third one, we came a bit unstuck and kept speaking super-fast 'Advanced' level Spanish - Solution? A post-it on each of our foreheads with "Intermediate" in bold lettering! :D

haha! please tell me you've got some pictures for that! lol ;D

[Ray]

I'd like to echo the enthusiasm from the other intermediates. I got a bit lost with the advanced podcasts. The intermediate sounded completely natural (and not particularly slower) but I found it easier to follow.

It was also good to hear a bit more about the two of you. I was interested that Marina is an IT consultant as I have been a computing lecturer in a London university for quite some time and before that I was, for many years, in the IT industry.

All the best and keep up the good work.

[Ray]

By the way, Ben, I'm not convinced by your explanation of 'gatas' referring to madrilenas (can anyone tell me how to get ~n from an English keyboard?). I can assure you that the northern girls are equally to be seen wandering the streets late at night (and the boys as well!).

[Ben]

Hi Ray, and welcome! You're right, my explanation about the Gatas was a bit flawed - Spanish ladies are up all night all over Spain!

For Spanish accents, have a good look through this thread (http://www.notesfromspain.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58).
-Ben

[CatherineF]

Exactly the point I had hoped to make! That is what we were aiming for. Clearer, not necessarily slower.

I thought it was a really great podcast. This is such an excellent way to help learn Spanish. :)

It wasn't just the slower pace / clearer speaking that made it better than the advanced one; for me the topics you were talking about used more intermediate-friendly vocab than the advanced level. In the advanced podcasts at the moment there are just too many words I don't yet know!:confused:

PS These smiley things are really cool. I fear I may get a bit carried away with them though... ;)

[Tony]

Just listented to the first intermediate level podcast and enjoyed it a lot........... Well done once again Ben and Marina ......me chiflan las podcasts ! .......mas por favor ....

[Steve W]

The same as everyone else, a good level for relaxing listening.

Can we have one from a bar or restaurant please, with all the interaction with the staff, but at an intermediate level. This is a situation that we will all have to deal with at some point.

[Ben]

Very good idea! I'll stick it on the list but it may be a while til we get round to it!

[Janeybee]

Morning all!

I listened to the intermediate podcast on the bus this morning, and I amazed to find that I could understand about 50% and follow generally about 75%. Feeling very pleased with myself. It really makes a difference to be able to make out most of the individual words and that it's at a pace at which my brain can listen and translate! Thanks guys.

Also, Ben, I promised to tell you how I got on in returning to Spanish. Well, had my first class last night (revision) and felt very smug that I was (I think) in the upper levels of the class. However, that may change when we move beyond revision to something new! Loved that I knew words others didn't and that the person to my right said 'you must practise lots' - which I haven't been. Hoorah!

However, mustn't get complacent. In fact, it's making me want to keep ahead of the game. So, there we are, I'm back and determind!

Off to see if I can think of a new word for the word game now....

:D
Jane x

[Marina]

It is great to hear that your motivation is back. Keep us updated with you progress!!!

[Ben]

Glad you enjoyed the podcast and did so well in the first class (don't forget to tell your classmates about NiS ;) )

[Brian]

Thank you, Ben and Marina, for the intermediate series. I shared it with my 11-year old son, who is working diligently on his castellano, and he picked up most of it. Keep up the great work!

[Marina]

Thanks Brian,
It's good to know that children can learn from them as well!
Marina.

[Brian]

Thanks Brian,
It's good to know that children can learn from them as well!
Marina.

They're fine so long as Ben doesn't launch into an imprompteau lesson on palabrotas! ;D

[Ben]

I'm biting my toungue every episode. We have a great list of palabrotas too which I imagine we won't be using as 'phrase of the week' candidates....

[Janeybee]

Palabrotas?

Sent an email to my classmates last night to tell them about NiS. They're already writing back to me to tell me they're hooked. My teacher was impressed too! Well done guys.... ;o)
PS With this and the mention in my article, do I get commission? Hehehehe ;o)

[Ben]

I'll send you the palabrota (swear words) list when it's finished, how about that ;)

[Janeybee]

Aha! Now Brian's comments make sense....The Spanish do have some very interesting ones...a list would be good. I'm sure then I could throw in a few choice ones when discussing who's turn it is for domestic duties with my Basque novio! ;o)

[Brian]

Aha! Now Brian's comments make sense....The Spanish do have some very interesting ones...a list would be good. I'm sure then I could throw in a few choice ones when discussing who's turn it is for domestic duties with my Basque novio! ;o)

hehe, I rarely make sense, so congrats on figuring out my meaning! ;D

Ben and Marina had a really good podcast on swearing in Spanish way back when. I don't recall which one it was.

[Janeybee]

Knowing 11 year old boys, I would imagine that is the podcast which he'll be the most keen to translate... ;)

As for making sense, more about my lack of Spanish skills than your postings! hehehe

[chicarcas]

I'm biting my toungue every episode. We have a great list of palabrotas too which I imagine we won't be using as 'phrase of the week' candidates....

Do I see a "R" rated podcast in the future?
You know those words, we know those words...Everybody knows those words....It might be fun....jejejejeje>:D

[Brad]

Greetings,

I listened to a few of your other podcasts and am pleased to see an intermediate level since I am just starting out.

I downloaded the first 2 podcasts and got the notes. Excellent stuff.

One comment and one question --

For a beginner like me, I really would like to see an extra section after the Soluciones with an english translation of the Ejercicios and true/false questions.

Also, I am not completely sure what "me chifla" means although I think I got the general idea -- what would the closest english phrase be?

Thanks,

Brad

[richardksa]

Do I see a "R" rated podcast in the future?
You know those words, we know those words...Everybody knows those words....It might be fun....jejejejeje>:D

Hey! I don't know these words yet. Please tell.>:D :o

[Ben]

Do I see a "R" rated podcast in the future?
You know those words, we know those words...Everybody knows those words....It might be fun....jejejejeje>:D

It might get us in trouble with all the schools we would love to listen too... we will work out some way to make them available in the future, don't worry, until then, this podcast (http://www.notesinspanish.com/2006/08/29/notes-in-spanish-podcast-advanced-13-tacos-swearing/) was all about palabrotas.

Greetings.....

For a beginner like me, I really would like to see an extra section after the Soluciones with an english translation of the Ejercicios and true/false questions.

Also, I am not completely sure what "me chifla" means although I think I got the general idea -- what would the closest english phrase be?

Thanks,

Brad

Hi Brad, and welcome! I like your idea about translating things into English but for the moment I think we will stick to just using Spanish as I think it is much more useful to try to keep things in one language - it really improves the learning process if you have to make that translation yourself, even if it means slogging away with a dictionary. I hope this doesn't sound condescending, it is simply based on my own learning experiences - keeping everything in Spanish really helps in the end!

Hey! I don't know these words yet. Please tell.>:D :o

See podcast link above!!

[Ben]

P.S. for a great bit of Spanish swearing, see Que's second video link on this post (http://www.notesfromspain.com/forums/showthread.php?t=852) :)

[Brian]

Knowing 11 year old boys, I would imagine that is the podcast which he'll be the most keen to translate... ;)



Isn't it amazing how the first day in Spanish class, most students make use of the Unabridged Spanish Dictionary to find all the palabrotas?

[Brad]

Ben,

I hope this doesn't sound condescending, it is simply based on my own learning experiences
Not at all. I had spent 45 minutes with the dictionary making sure I understood the questions and it was well worth the effort. I am looking forward to tackling the second podcast later today.

Brad

[greytop]

....

Also, I am not completely sure what "me chifla" means although I think I got the general idea -- what would the closest english phrase be?

Thanks,

Brad

From WordReference.com

chiflar verbo intransitivo
1 (con la boca) to whistle
(con un silbato) to blow
2 familiar (gustar mucho) me chifla esta música, I love this music

- Diccionario Espasa Concise: Español-Inglés English-Spanish
© Espasa-Calpe, S.A., Madrid 2000

[Brad]

chiflar verbo intransitivo

Thanks. I took a second look in my dictionary and found it. Not sure how I missed it the first time. Much appreciated.

[Ben]

Sorry, completely forgot to answer that part of your question! Thanks Greytop!

[parkmoy]

Just found this site a few days ago and I'm really impressed with all of it, and in particular, with the intermediate podcasts. I'm not quite intermediate standard yet and my vocab and grammar is sadly lacking, but I can understand quite a bit of it without the dictionary and with the help of the transcript.
The speech is really clear without being slow and I'm sure the podcasts will help me improve my Spanish. Keep them coming!
David

[richardksa]

By the way, Ben, I'm not convinced by your explanation of 'gatas' referring to madrilenas (can anyone tell me how to get ~n from an English keyboard?). I can assure you that the northern girls are equally to be seen wandering the streets late at night (and the boys as well!).

I mentioned this to a madrileña who told me it refered to when the Spanish retook Madrid from the Moors. The Moorish general described the silent ascent of the city's defences by the spanish army as being like cats climbing a wall. The name should apply equally to both sexes of the citizens of Madrid. I love the idea of Ben being a Gato (with icing and a cherry on top!)

[Edith]

Do I see a "R" rated podcast in the future?
You know those words, we know those words...Everybody knows those words....It might be fun....jejejejeje>:D

LOL, in Holland we are a bit less prudish as far as these words are concerned, but since this is a foro anglosajón I will control myself... I in Tenerife at the moment studying Spanish, and just the other day we had a very entertaining conversation with one of the waiters at the hotel bar. He had been living in England for some time and knew more swear words than I have ever heard in my life. He also taught us some Spanish ones which are quite colorful.

As far as I concerned, itś no use trying to hide these words from the kids since they probably know them anyway. Using them is another matter though. :D

[richardksa]

Having just returned from a mass "Cambio", (it wasn't an intercambio as we only spoke English), I was amused that all the Spaniards knew many English swearwords and intrerjected them into (illegal during the week) their Spanish conversations. Overhearing them seemed odd. On the other hand, translations of palabrotas seem quite tame. (But then I live in the oil patch where the only language spoken is "profane".)

[Trina]

Hi,

I see that the last post on this list was over a year ago, but I'm just starting the intermediate level so here I am. I have a question about one of Marina's constructions in the podcast:

"como es que se te occurio venir a Espana?"

I'm wondering what purpose the "se" serves in this sentence. And while I'm at it, how do I type accents here?

Thanks!

Trina

[Ben]

Hi Trina, I shall forward this post to Marina to explain the 'se', unless someone gets here first, but in the mean time, accents info is here (http://www.notesfromspain.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58)

[richardksa]

Hi Trina, I shall forward this post to Marina to explain the 'se', unless someone gets here first, but in the mean time, accents info is here (http://www.notesfromspain.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58)

Ben, this is asked so often. Maybe it should be sticky.

And just to see myself corrected could the "se" mean "it" as in "how is-it that it to-you occurred-to-you to come to Spain" ie, Why did it occur to you that coming to Spain would be a good idea?

[Ben]

Ben, this is asked so often. Maybe it should be sticky.It is! In the Español section.

[Marina]

Hi Trina,

Here is the explanation... probably you expected something more simple, but it has actually taken me some time of research.:blush:

"¿Cómo es que se te ocurrió venir a España?"

When ocurrir is used with the meaning of "to come up with an idea" it has to have both pronouns (se+personal pronoun):

Se me ocurre una idea
Se te ocurre una idea
Se le ocurre una idea
Se nos ocurre una idea
Se os ocurre una idea
Se les ocurre una idea


One of the common uses of the verb ocurrir means to happen.
Ej: Ocurrió hace dos años.

But ocurrir also has a pronominal use.
A pronominal verb, is a verb that must always go together with a reflexive pronoun. For example to sit down, sentarse, is a pronominal verb:

Ej 1: Prohibido sentarse en la hierba.
Ej 2: No te sientes en la silla, está sucia.

Ok. Our original example is even more complex than that, as the pronominal use of ocurrir, which means to come up with an idea, needs two pronouns, and it is called a "verbo doblemente pronominal". (If you like, you can read more about it in this word reference thread (http://forum.wordreference.com/archive/index.php/t-602774.html)).

[Trina]

Hi Marina,

Wow, thank you so much for the clear and detailed explanation. Who
would have thought that such a thing as a "verbo doblemente pronominal" even existed?! The explanation is very helpful since it was bothering me to see those two pronouns in a row. (I would probably be better off focusing on more basic issues, but I can't help myself...) Anyhow, I'll take this opportunity again to thank you SO much for the wonderful podcasts and worksheets. I can't think of a more fun and convenient way to learn.

Trina

[Marina]

Hi Trina,

I didn't know either that "verbos doblemente pronominales" existed. So in the end your question was useful for both of us.

Thanks very much for your feedback;)
Marina

[tad]

I've been telling everybody for ages that 'se' is evil

[Chris White]

As was Trina, I'm a bit of a laggard in posting here (only 2 years late), but I just now reached the intermediate level. Sort of. I was somewhat surprised to read the first two pages of comments and not have anyone express what I was thinking - namely that there is a pretty big gap between beginner and intermediate. With the beginner podcasts, I was able to understand almost 100%, whereas with the intermediate podcasts I sometimes find myself lost for entire paragraphs. Partly its the increased speed of course (Marina has a tendency to speed up at times), but also the vocabulary expands pretty substantially. Having just completed #5 (La Familia), I can say that I always get the gist of the conversation, but it definitely helps to review the vocab and grammar page of the worksheet first.