Synopsis
If youve always wanted to learn Spanish, but didnt think it was possible because you were terrible at Spanish in high school, or you dont get sucked into Rosetta Stone-style hype--youve come to the right place. Im a normal person, not some big company and not some native Spanish speaker. Im not a natural language learner at all actually. My first brush with Spanish ended with me getting an F in high school! But somewhere along the way, I fell in love! Im not sure if I love Spanish because I love traveling, or I love traveling because I love Spanish (and food). But I love them both. Naturally, I want more people to love what I love, but I know that you probably dont see Spanish like I do... not yet! Thats the point of this podcast. I want to show you that there is ANOTHER WAY! That most of the strategies and tactics they used to teach us Spanish in high school are IGNORANT. They are ignorant to our plight. I know your mistakes. I understand why you make them. They were my mistakes too! I remember the pain and the agony of having to figure it all out myself because... lets just say... I was underwhelmed with the resources out there. Well, now with these Spanish Quickies, you dont have to waste the years I did, figuring this out on my own.
Episodes
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Comprehension: Lola y La Nieta
17/09/2014 Duration: 07minThe second I saw this commercial, I knew I had to share it. Not only is it hilarious, but the words are simple. So you can focus on hearing them. In this video, we take apart the commercial, analyze it, then put it back together. Free Practice Resources: Download the Commercial – Lola y La […]
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Reflexive Verbs
05/09/2014 Duration: 10minReflexive verbs can be kind of tricky for we Gringos. We have them in English. But they’re not used nearly as much as they are in Spanish. Furthermore, using reflexive verbs means learning more pronouns. And pronouns were ALREADY confusing! This takes some getting used to. In this video, the goal is just to get […]
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How Words Work (Verbs Like Gustar)
27/08/2014 Duration: 09minIn this lesson, you’ll learn how to use words like “gustar” and “encantar”. Words that sure seem to work in the opposite way that most verbs do. Free Practice Resources: Practice Worksheet: Verbs Like Gustar Answer Key: Verbs Like Gustar Related Videos: Direct Object Pronouns The Personal A Indirect Object Pronouns
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Indirect Object Pronouns
14/08/2014 Duration: 07minOnce you know your direct object pronouns in English, you’re done. Direct and indirect object pronouns in English are exactly the same. But not in Spanish. Oh no. So… You can’t just say “him” or “her” or “them” when you’re talking. In today’s video, not only will I explain what the heck direct and indirect […]
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The Spanish Personal A
06/08/2014 Duration: 05minThe personal a has no English counterpart. It’s just something you have to get use to. In this quick video, you’ll not only see how to use the personal a. But when to use it. And when NOT to use it. Free Practice Resources: Practice Worksheet: The Personal A Answer Key: The Personal A Related […]
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Direct Object Pronouns
30/07/2014 Duration: 09minDirect object pronouns is one of my least favorite subjects in Spanish. After 15 years, it still gives me troubles sometimes. In this video, you’ll see how to use direct object pronouns in Spanish. Then a comparison with the other pronouns you’ve learned. Free Practice Resources: Practice Worksheet: Direct Object Pronouns Answer Key: Direct Object […]
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Saber Vs. Conocer (Fun with Words)
26/06/2014 Duration: 05minThere are two different ways to say “to know” in Spanish, “saber” and “conocer”. And there are a bunch of rules regulating when to use each one. But in this simple video, I share a little trick that’ll help you AVOID those rules, and still choose the right word every time. Free Practice Resources: Blank […]
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Possessive Adjectives
24/06/2014 Duration: 07minPronouns haven’t been very hard for us so far. We’ve only covered subject pronouns. It gets more confusing every time you add another set of pronouns. Not only is it more little words to remember, but you also have to choose which to use and when. In this video, I go over the second set, […]
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Beginner Spanish Fact: Pronunciation Doesn’t Matter
19/06/2014 Duration: 07minIn today’s video, I’ll tell you about something that happened while I was away that really pissed me off! I probably haven’t stressed this enough. I said it, but I didn’t stress it. Pronunciation doesn’t matter. Related Videos: Spanish Pronunciation Pronunciation in Spain
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Common Irregular E to IE Verbs (Fun with Words)
09/04/2014 Duration: 06minAs you now know, there are three types of verbs in Spanish: AR, ER and IR. And each type has it’s own conjugation rules–how you change the endings of the words. “Hablar” is to “talk”, but I talk is “hablo”. However, there are also irregular verbs–where not only do you change the ending based on […]
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Spanish Acronym Pronunciation, Spain Vs. Latin America
03/04/2014 Duration: 02minI went back to Spain recently for the first time in over 10 years. I was chatting with my buddy Manuel, and he said something quickly that sounded like gobbly gook. I had acclimated myself to the Latin American way of talking. There are differences. That’s one of the reasons I didn’t understand Manuel in […]
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Spanish Adverbs–How to Use Them Without More Rules
01/04/2014 Duration: 07minWhen you’re learning Spanish, lots of rules are important to see once, then forget. How adverbs work, is a good example. When I did a little Googling, I saw there are five ways adverbs are used. Ugh. More rules. Then, after a few seconds, I noticed something… adverbs in Spanish, work exactly like they do […]
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The Only Two Contractions In Spanish
25/03/2014 Duration: 03minThere are only two contractions in all of Spanish. And they are both very common when you’re traveling. These two words saved my butt the first time I ever went to Spain. In today’s video, I tell you that story and all about the only two contractions in Spanish. Related Videos: The Three Enemigos Two […]
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Speak in the Future Without More Conjugation
20/03/2014 Duration: 04minThis is, minute-for-minute, one of the very best lessons I’ll ever give you. In this short lesson, you’ll learn how to speak perfectly in the future, without learning any more conjugations. When I first discovered this, I was pissed they hadn’t taught it to me earlier. Instead, they buried me deeper and deeper in conjugations! […]
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Two Magic Travel Spanish Words: A & De
18/03/2014 Duration: 03minThese two little teeny words saved my butt big time the first time I went to Spain and found myself at a little train station in the south–where nobody spoke English. In this video, not only do I tell you the straight up definitions, but I show you a few different ways to use “de”–one […]
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Common, Regular IR Verbs (Fun with Words)
14/03/2014 Duration: 05minCRAZY! Since I started studying Spanish over 10 years ago, I’ve always told people: “Whenever you don’t know a word in Spanish, just take the English word and Spanishify it!” But over the last couple weeks, as I made the three “Fun with…” videos… I was still shocked by just how many words there are […]
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Present Tense, Regular IR Conjugation
12/03/2014 Duration: 04minToday I go over the present tense, regular IR conjugation. IR verbs are the last type of regular, present tense verbs we need to learn.
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Gringo Grudge Match: Tortilla Vs. Tortilla
10/03/2014 Duration: 06minTrying something new today. I’m a little out of my element here. You’ve heard of a tortilla right? Well, in Spain, they have tortilla too–it’s just totally, 100% DIFFERENT. Not only will you learn a few important words in this video, you’ll also see exactly how I prepare one of my favorite foods from Spain. […]
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10 Common, Regular ER Verbs (Fun with Words)
05/03/2014 Duration: 06minIn today’s video, we continue with the verbs. This time, ten of the most common, regular ER verbs. Related Videos: Fun with Words Present Tense, Regular ER Conjugation The Flashcard Strategy
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Present Tense, Regular ER Conjugation
03/03/2014 Duration: 05minWe are really getting somewhere now! In today’s video, not only will you learn how to conjugate regular ER verbs in the present tense… I’ll also teach you the word for “idiot” — and maybe give you an example too! Free Practice Resources: Blank Conjugation Practice Sheet Conjugations – Answer Key Related Videos: The Infinitive […]