Recently I started listening to a new podcast that I wanted to share with my readers here at TLSB. It’s called ShowTime Spanish, a new podcast from the Radio Lingua Network. The two main presenters are Mark, an experienced teacher who has lived and worked in Spain and Alba, from Barcelona, who is teaching Spanish in Scotland. José Picardo, a native speaker from Andalucia, who currently teaches in England, makes a guest appearance in each show.
There are two acts in each podcast or show. During the first act, the presenters have a conversation about a particular topic. To help listeners understand the conversation, they provide a summary using more “straightforward” Spanish afterwards.
In the second act, the grammar and vocabulary used during the first act are then explained by Mark. In between the two acts is the intermedio where José talks about taking the language to the next level by introducing helpful phrases to sound more native. Also during the intermedio, Alba introduces trabalenguas (tongue twisters).
To access the podcasts, you can subscribe for free through iTunes or listen directly on the ShowTime Spanish site. You can take your learning even further by becoming a premium member. As a member you’ll have access to the lesson guides which include: “full transcripts of the introduction, the main conversation and any other Spanish texts used within the lesson. The guide also features the text and explanations relating to our intermedio section… premium members can also use the Encore podcast to test their understanding of what has been covered in the main lesson.”
For those who like to kick the tires and look under the hood so to speak, you can access the lesson 3 materials for free either through iTunes or here.
I have to say that I’m quite impressed with the entire package. The presenters are engaging and very knowledgeable about the Spanish language. The grammar and vocabulary explanations are done well and easy to understand. Overall I’m pleased to have found a new podcast to listen to as I go about my day in the car or around the house. I also have to mention that the Radio Lingua Network produces a podcast for beginners called Coffee Break Spanish as well as programs for other languages.
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5 comments:
Thanks for your positive review of Show Time, Karen. We hope that your readers enjoy the podcast and find it useful in their learning. Best wishes from the Show Time production team!
I have been listening for the past few weeks and I can agree that it's a very enjoyable podcast to listen to. I'm looking forward to the first episode of the telenovela they're including next week!
Very cool idea! I would definitely be in the Coffee Break variety...
@mark - you're quite welcome! Thank you for visiting my blog.
@tricia - I haven't listened to the telenovela yet. It's on my iPod ready to go though.
@topsytechie - Coffee Break Spanish is certainly a good place to start. :)
I have been learning Spanish for some time now and have been frustrated with the course I have taken, both private and in University. I live in Mexico so need to learn things that I will actually say and phrases, instead of 'the shirt is blue' or 'she has a pointy nose'. This program has refreshed my enthusiasm for learning, as it is relevant, and fun! A million thank yous x
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