Podcast Spotlight: SSL4YOU

For a couple of years now I have been listening to SSL4YOU Español Segunda Lengua para Todos, hosted by Teresa Sánchez de Arriba, an English teacher in Zamora, Spain. The format is straightforward. She talks about a relevant topic and then afterwards explains some of the vocabulary words and phrases used—all in Spanish.

In the beginning, I wondered why she was explaining simple vocabulary words at times, but then I really came to appreciate this. How useful it is to describe everyday words in the target language instead of instantly translating them into English.

For example in her latest podcast, Pedir Aumento de Sueldo en Tiempos de Crisis, one of the phrases is mantener la calma which is pretty easy to define—in English, but how about in Spanish? (She goes on to describe it by using the following phrases: estar tranquilo, no perder los nervios and no enfadarte.) 

I really feel like I get more out of this because she does stay in the target language rather than translating into English. In my opinion, listening to this podcast will truly enrich your vocabulary.

Where to find it:
Spanish with English translation with audio (click on titles)
Spanish only with audio
Subscribe to podcast with iTunes 
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Perdidos

If you follow me on Twitter, you probably already know this. I am a big fan of the television show Lost. I have been watching it since the first season. In addition to watching it, I also enjoy listening to the Jay and Jack’s Lost podcast for a recap, listener feedback and more.

I started thinking how neat it would be if there was something similar in Spanish to help with my listening comprehension. Just recently I found out that there is such a podcast called Extraviados run by two guys who simply like the show and decided to do a podcast. From their site:

Somos Vii y Camvoya. Nos gusta Lost. Se nos ocurrió hacer un podcast. Fin. Comentamos cada episodio y elucubramos teorías y conspiranoias. A nuestro aire, sin spoilers ni azúcares añadidos.

You can also subscribe to the podcasts through iTunes.

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Web site: Online Free Spanish

Go over to El Rincón Español for a review of the Online Free Spanish site. I’m very impressed by the materials and the quality of the site itself.

Review: Foreign Language Friends

Foreign Language Friends is a web-based learning program geared towards young children and I’m pretty excited about it… no, actually I’m very excited about it. From the site:

Foreign Language Friends is a complete multimedia experience designed to help your children learn a foreign language easily and successfully. Through unique and entertaining activities, your children will discover their unique ability to learn a foreign language almost effortlessly. 

The theme-based program covers shapes, body parts, zoo animals, sea animals, family and more. (New themes are added on a regular basis.) With each theme there are seven activities such as Vocab Builder, Memory Match, Animation (completely in the target language) and several others finishing up with a printable booklet that can be used to reinforce the new vocabulary.

Even though your children could use the program independently, they recommend involving the entire family. I would as well. I think it’s very important to reinforce the language at home. For example, after doing the exercises for the shapes section, you and your children could go on a “shape hunt” in your house using the new vocabulary. (In fact, my head is buzzing with ideas for this.)

My six-year old was reluctant at first, as he is when it comes to almost anything that has to do with Spanish, but even this program hooked him. Yes, it did. His favorite parts are the matching game, the animation clip and the vocab builder activity. When I asked what he thought about Foreign Language Friends, he said enthusiastically, “I like it, I just like it!”

Monthly subscriptions are $9.95 a month or save and pay $99.95 for the year. But right now, Foreign Language Friends is offering a 7-day free trial for individuals and families so that you can try it out yourself. (For educational institutions, click here for information on pricing.)
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Added some new blogs

I’m not sure if you have noticed my blog list (lower left-hand side), but just in case, I thought I would point out some new ones that I have just added in the last week or so.
More Spanish – Lesson plans & technology for the Spanish classroom is written by Sherry Amorocho, a high school Spanish teacher. It’s fairly new, but looks very promising.
Spanglish Baby – Two Latina moms talking about raising their children bilingual.
¡Vámonos! is written by Lisa Stevens, a primary language teacher in the UK who is also quite a techie.
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La policia mexicana de Saturday Night Live

Twitter as a language learning tool

Really? Yes, I think so. For the last month or so I have started following more native Spanish speakers on Twitter and they have started following me. From meteorology to finances, I’m learning many new words and phrases while at the same time enjoying meeting people from Spain, Argentina, Mexico and other countries. Also, the majority of them have blogs or web sites which you can read and learn even more Spanish. In general, the sites are listed in their profile.

If you want to give this a try, sign up with Twitter, follow me and then check out my followers and who I’m following. Another way is to visit TweetGrid and put in “learn Spanish” or other similar search terms to find people to follow.

Also, keep in mind that you will not always see “perfect” Spanish which is understandable because you’re only given 140 characters to express yourself per tweet. That’s quite challenging at times. You will sometimes see q, k, ke for que, dropped accents and punctuation marks and so on, so this wouldn’t be a good learning tool for beginners. On the flipside, you only have to worry about writing in Spanish in 140 or less characters. Not as much pressure, right?

Hope to see you soon on Twitter! 
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Pocoyó – Elly sobre hielo

Keywords and phrases: It’s all about helping in this video. :)

resbaladizo – slippery (0:10)
el hielo – ice (0:19)
patinar – to ice skate (0:26)
el patinador, la patinadora – ice skater (0:35)
ayudar – to help (1:58) – You’ll hear this word as well as ayuda throughout.
el pulpo – octupus (2:10)
la ballena – whale (2:25)
¡Inténtalo! – Try it! (3:40)
echarle una mano – to give somebody a hand (4:11)
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Childtopia: Online games and more for children

Quick post to share with you this site that I ran across thanks to the Ñandu email list. The site is called Childtopia and is available in Spanish, French, Catalan, Basque and English. You’ll find the following activities:

I can’t wait to explore it more!
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Spanish Language Learning Goals for 2009

Every year I like to set goals when it comes to my Spanish language learning. This year I would like to share them with you.

Goal #1 – Listen to the SpanishPod podcasts—all three (main, lesson review, dialogue only) as well as look over the transcripts. I know if I could just do this on a regular basis, my Spanish would improve greatly. Truly, it’s like a one-stop shop for language learners.*

Goal #2 – Listen to other podcasts such as ShowTime Spanish, Español Segunda Lengua Para Todos, and online radio using RadioBeta.

Goal #3 – In addition to reading in Spanish, I will also read aloud for at least 10 minutes every day. This one is easy since I kind of do it already—not every day, but I would say at least 3 times a week.

Goal #4 – Communicate more in Spanish with my boys. This includes more conversation, reading aloud, and playing using the language.

Goal #5 – Set up an intercambio. There is nothing like speaking the language to improve it.

That’s it! I think five is enough. I may add a couple more, but I think this should keep me busy. How about you? What are your goals for learning or teaching Spanish in 2009? Do you have any new strategies you might try in the classroom or at home? Please share them in the comments section.

*Not affiliated with SpanishPod in any way. I just like them a lot! :)
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