Join Rob, Lis, and guests from around the world as we explore Spanish and Latin American culture, traditions, lives, and stories. We speak 100% Spanish, at native or close to native level. Over 31 episodes, you’ll hear Spanish as it’s spoken today from Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Mexico, Spain, Cuba, and other countries.

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Audio
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Transcriptions
Interactive exercises
Interactive exercises
Downloadable PDF notes
Downloadable PDF notes

Lessons

Advanced 4: Sonia la Cubana

In this, our latest advanced Spanish podcast, we meet Sonia, a Cuban who recently moved to England from Spain. As you’ll hear, she’s quite a personality! She tells us all about her culture, country, and experience of moving to London. Prepare yourself, because her Spanish may be quite different to anything you’ve heard before!

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Advanced 5: La Rumba!

We welcome a new invitada to our podcast – thank you very much Stephie! Stephie talks to Rob about “La Rumba”, and how she and her friends celebrate a night out in Bogotá. Stephie lives and studies in London, so she also gives us her opinion on how the London crowd party!

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Advanced 6: Alberto

Meet Alberto, Colombian resident of London for nearly 20 years. Having moved to England to avoid problems back home, Alberto has a fascinating story, and has formed some interesting opinions in his various years in both countries. In this podcast he shares with us some of the things he’s learned over the last few years.

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Advanced 7: Holidays

It’s about time we went on holiday. Although we haven’t been on any holidays for a while, we discuss a few typical Colombian holiday choices – where do you go in a country that already has it all?!

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Advanced 8: Salsa

In Cali, and many other parts of Colombia, people seem to carry Salsa in their blood. Lis is no exception, and here she tells us about how she grew up listening and dancing to Salsa with her sisters in Bogotá. She’s also got some tips for how to get into it if you’re new to Salsa.

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Advanced 9: Paz en Colombia

To many people, Colombia still has a reputation as a dangerous, risky place to visit. Is this still true? Liz and Rob discuss danger in Colombia, and the recent peace negotiations.

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Advanced 10: Hablar Mexicano

Lis talks to Barbara, a friend from Mexico. Barbara tells us some of the most popular Mexican slang (be careful how you use it – parental guidance advised!), as well as talking to us about her beautiful country.

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Advanced 12: Maria de Peru

We have a very special guest in Maria, from Northern Peru. Maria tells Rob and Liz about her experience as an immigrant to the UK, including the difficulties of coming to a country whose language you don’t speak, finding a job, and trying to start a new life!

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Advanced 13: La Política

We talk about the political set up in Colombia. Lis used to work in the Colombian senate, so has some good experience here! We talk about Colombian political parties, politicians, the political system, and key voting issues.

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Advanced 14: La Leyenda del Dorado

We recently went to an Exhibition at the British Museum in London called “Beyond El Dorado: Power and Gold in Ancient Colombia”. We discuss Colombia’s indigenous roots, their production and use of Gold, and the legend of El Dorado in this podcast, as well as the influence of the Spanish.

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Advanced 15: Conducir

We talk about driving – the differences between driving in Colombia and England (can’t be that many…!), what’s required to get a driving licence, and our dreams of a road-trip around Colombia in a jeep!

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Advanced 16: Clarissa

Meet Clarissa, from Venezuela. Clarissa talks to us about her time in London, and about the current situation in Venezuela. We should say that, while Clarissa is certainly passionate in her views, we have no way of verifying much of what she has said… All the same, enjoy, and keep up if you can!

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Advanced 17: Colombia’s big weekend

Colombia just had a big weekend, with the co-incidence of its first world cup game and the second round of the general elections! Update – Colombia won both that game and the following, unfortunately England crashed out after its first two games…

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Advanced 18: Spanish in the USA

The majority of visitors to Spanish Obsessed come from the USA. We talk about the rise of Spanish in the States! However, we don’t have any first hand experience of this, so we would love to hear from our American visitors’ (or anyone else with experience in this!) opinions on the rise of Spanish in the land of opportunity!

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Advanced 19: El viaje (part 1)

After nearly three years, Lis returned to Colombia to see her family. She tells us about the surprises she had lined up for them, as well as her impressions of her home country after being away for so long.

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Advanced 21: Mariana La Mexicana

We take a break in our trip to Colombia to bring you a guest podcast, with our friend Mariana, from Puerto de Veracruz, Mexico. Mariana talks with Rob about some of the stereotypes commonly held about Mexico, and how close they are to the truth.

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Advanced 23: Vanessa de Argentina

We welcome another friend to Spanish Obsessed. Meet Vanessa, who’s come to London from Argentina. She talks with Rob about her beloved country, and how she’s getting on in her new life in England!

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Advanced 24: Nuria de España

Meet Nuria, from Alicante, Spain. Believe it or not, despite being called “Spanish Obsessed”, Nuria is the first Spanish person we’ve actually interviewed on the site! She talks to Rob about moving from Spain, and what she’s up to in London.

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Advanced 25: Javi de España

Meet Javi, from Valladolid in Spain. He works near London as a Spanish teacher, and in this podcast he chats with Lis about teaching in the UK, how he finds English school children, and whether he wants to go back to Spain.

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Advanced 27: News of a Kidnapping

We recently had the opportunity to talk with Gilberto Torres, who was kidnapped by Colombian paramilitaries and held captive for 42 days several years ago. Gilberto was a Trade Union leader, and was kidnapped for organising strikes and getting in the way of some big business interests. He’s taking BP to court in London for events surrounding his kidnapping, and in this podcast he tells his story.

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Advanced 28: Job interviews

How important is the interview process for finding a job? Lis and Rob discuss their experiences in interviews in both English and Spanish, and how difficult the process can be.

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Advanced 31: La Gestión Urbana

Rob talks with Lis’ sister, Judith. Judith recently completed her Masters in La Gestión Urbana (Urban Management), and discusses the current global migration to cities, amongst other topics. Here’s what we cover:

  • Judith’s earliest memories of Lis
  • The global city migration
  • Gentrification around the world
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