Listening Comprehension/podcasts/audio

Question

Hola!

I am new to this forum and new to Spanish as well... I am teaching myself and I was wondering if anyone would give me a tip on any programs that would help my listening comrehension. Por ejemplo, a lengthy conversation between two people that I could later refer to a transcript to see if I understood correctly.

I am currently going through the Pimsleur program and while I enjoy it thoroughly, its all too easy to understand when everything is in context for you already! Ive been trying to listen to radio shows (although way out of my league... but its fun anyways) and thought that perhaps there is an excersise out there somewhere that resembles what Im describing.

I plan on taking full advantage of all this website has to offer, but if anyone can point to a program like Pimsleur or perhaps a creative technique that would help me in this way I would appreciate it very much!!

Gracias!

Answer 1

There is a podcast that i listen to that is called "Show Time Spanish" which is intermediate, and also they have one for beginners called "Coffee Break Spanish" you can find them both at www.radiolingua.com All the regular audio lessons are free, and they spend about 9-10 minutes of each podcast conversing in Spanish, then discuss in english what they were talking about. They are actually really fun to listen to.

But so far for good lengthy spanish conversations these 2 are good... Honestly though, I have only been listening to "Show Time Spanish" and not sure if "Coffee Break Spanish" is similar. Also, don't limit yourself to just one way of learning(if possible), I use many learning styles because I retain more, like podcasts, lessons available here, talking to people in spanish and books.

Answer 2

Have you seen the lessons yet? I think there are podcasts, Quentin will know for sure.

Answer 3

Have you seen the lessons yet? I think there are podcasts, Quentin will know for sure.

Yes, they are podcasts, but that is becoming a misunderstood term. A podcast is just downloadable media (audio/video) for distribution over the web. It requires a client program to view the material. (ITunes, WinAmp, etc.)
As portable media players like Apple IPod become more prevalent, a lot of people, mistakenly believe that you need a portable player like an Apple IPod to view the media which is incorrect.

I download the podcasts (available at several sites like Blip.tv.com) and watch them on my computer with ITunes software. I've burnt them on to CD's, DVD's or posted the video on Facebook or Live Spaces.

Have you tried the series like Destinos or Mi Vida Loca? (Google for them)

Answer 4

Thanks for the tips! I will look into all of these things... hopefully I will find what Im looking for there.

Truth be told, Ive never really understood what podcasts are so Ive done my best to avoid them. But theres always time to learn!

Thanks again.

Answer 5

Quentin, wasn't there also something like coffee break or something similar here? Or some kind of newspaper? I must ask Markbaker to join this thread I think he also mentioned this once.

Answer 6

Hey Heidiii.....Looking good girl!!!

Before the changes were made to SD, we had access to 40-50 "Free to Use" Audio Lessons, each lasting between 15 - 20 minutes and were ideal to keep busy during my Tea-Break and not surprisingly One section was indeed entitled "Coffee Break". The Lessons were in "conversational" format recording a Tutor teaching his student. They were really GREAT!!!! The Lessons ranged from Beginner through to Advanced and were designed specifically for Listening Comprehension.

Unfortunately, I am still waiting for the Computer Whizkids on SD to restore the files because the link at the bottom of the page returns the reader to the Forum Page.

At the bottom of every Page (even this page jaja) there are 4 columns entitled:

Spanish Tools Learn Spanish Spanish Reference Spanish Community

Under the column "Learn Spanish" there is a Link in grey writing entitled "Spanish Audio Lessons" - literally hundreds of great Audio files. So watch this space.

Answer 7

Lomastv.com is a subscription site that provides just what you are asking for. I find it challenging and have not used it for a while but you should look at its free stuff.

Answer 8

Hey Heidiii.....Looking good girl!!!

Before the changes were made to SD, we had access to 40-50 "Free to Use" Audio Lessons, each lasting between 15 - 20 minutes and were ideal to keep busy during my Tea-Break and not surprisingly One section was indeed entitled "Coffee Break". The Lessons were in "conversational" format recording a Tutor teaching his student. They were really GREAT!!!! The Lessons ranged from Beginner through to Advanced and were designed specifically for Listening Comprehension.

Unfortunately, I am still waiting for the Computer Whizkids on SD to restore the files because the link at the bottom of the page returns the reader to the Forum Page.

At the bottom of every Page (even this page jaja) there are 4 columns entitled:

Spanish Tools Learn Spanish Spanish Reference Spanish Community

Under the column "Learn Spanish" there is a Link in grey writing entitled "Spanish Audio Lessons" - literally hundreds of great Audio files. So watch this space.

To answer your question, Heidita, those are, indeed, our Coffee Break Spanish lessons (With Mark and Kara) that our own Mark is describing.

Mark,
That link has been down for some time now (it was reported) so I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for the repair.

if you Google Podcasts in Spanish you will find all kinds of Spanish podcasts, some free, some not.
I failed to mention earlier a significant feature of podcast versus video like YouTube. Most podcasts have RSS feed features. So when you subscribe to the Podcasts you are supposed to be notified when new podcasts are published. I haven't found that to be reliable (neither here at SpanishDict.com nor elsewhere), but in theory that is one of the features that make podcast subscriptions desirable.

Answer 9

That link has been down for some time now (it was reported) so I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for the repair.

I knew both you and Mark had talked to me about this item I had no idea it even existed.

I will report this again, let's see if we cannot get this up and working again.

Don't hold your breath: espera sentado.....

Answer 10

Wow! I appreciate the input from all of you! I was talking about this topic with a friend of mine this morning, reminiscing about the days in French class when the teacher would hit play on the tape recorder, we would all listen painfully for fifteen minutes, and then try even more painfully to answer her comprehension questions about the topic!!

Now I have some research to do with all of the information you have supplied if I can hope to duplicate the above!

Answer 11

That link has been down for some time now (it was reported) so I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for the repair.

I knew both you and Mark had talked to me about this item I had no idea it even existed.

I will report this again, let's see if we cannot get this up and working again.

Don't hold your breath: espera sentado.....

The newspapers that you mentioned earlier are under Spanish Media (link was working last time I used it) and not Audio Lessons.