Hola, Hi, a todos, everyone !!

[parubin]

Hi,
I'm not new in this forum, as I've already posted a few messages, but so far, I've been so rude not to have introduced myself properly. So here I go :

I am a male spaniard, just turned 30, who likes, among other interests, travelling, getting to know other places and people, and their interests and social behaviour. I find it enternaining to point out stereotypes and international clichés, just to realize how much we are all the same in the end.

I've been lucky enough to have lived in the USA and in Ireland (for a short period in each place, 15 and 12 months respectively) as well as in Spain, a country that I am proud of. In Spain I've lived in Bilbao, Valladolid, Santander, Madrid and now, for the last five years, in the Canary Islands, where it seems that I'm bound to stay for long, as just two months ago I became father for the first time to a pretty 'canariona' baby.

I learnt about this site having heard Ben in an interview in the main nation-wide spanish radio network (Cadena Ser) some months ago. Since I barely have any opportunities to speak/listen to/write english, and I might be losing my grip on the language, I decided to find out about this english-speaking site that talked about various issues Spanish-related.

I have to say that I find it very well done, with true passion for this country.

Good job and keep it up!!

[Edith]

Hi Parubin, and welcome to the forum!

Stereotypes and clichés are interesting, aren't they? Especially because most of them are not really true. :D I love to compare them too.

What I really like about this site is the fact that it's bilingual. People come here to practice their English, their Spanish, or both. So you have come to the right place. I'm from Holland and I can practice both languages here, which is great.

The BBC has got some interesting websites which are very suitable for students of English, e.g. BBC News and BBC World. You'll find lots of audio fragments there:


http://news.bbc.co.uk/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/languages/

I always listen to BBC Mundo to practice my Spanish.

¡Saludos!

[parubin]

Thanks for the links, Edith.

I wish we had in Spain a public TV network as prestigious and reliable as the BBC in Britain (I love 'Hard Talk' with Tim Sebastian). If my taxes have to be used in order to subsidize a public TV, I want it to be fully independent, rigorous, instructive and entertaining too, and I'd like it to make their priority to spread Spanish culture and values around the world.

Unfortunately TVE, our state owned TV, is more interested in competing face to face with the private media and in reaching a higher share of viewers, even if this means giving out awful reality shows, dreadful tv serials, and huge primetime coverage to paparazzi infra-news.

At least, they used to broadcast high quality football (Spanish La Liga, European Champions League and the World Cup) now they even gave up to the private owned television network.

Shame on TVE...