Learn Spanish with The Independent
Digg
del.icio.us
Facebook
Reddit
Google
Stumble Upon
Fark
Newsvine
YahooBuzz
Bebo
Twitter
Independent Minds
enlarge
Cactus’ Language Minis is a Spanish podcast series, developed to offer easy learning on the go. It consists of seven levels, each with 10 downloadable podcast lessons and PDF workbooks, which take you from beginner through to advanced level. The Language Minis series is designed to help you increase your understanding of the Spanish language and equip you with language skills for use in everyday situations.
Two podcasts and PDF workbooks will be available each week, starting with the beginner level, available here. The Independent Spanish podcasts can be downloaded below.
Please download the Spanish podcast workbooks here.
Section 7 - Advanced - "I have a good understanding and knowledge of a wide range of language structures and functions, although I may continue to make minor errors syntactically. I have considerable passive knowledge, but need to expand my active usage. I am ready to learn different ways of expressing ideas, work on the subtle nuances of the language, and expand the range of what I can say and write."
Lesson 10 - Segundo repaso – second review of the higher levels
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 9 - Primer repaso – first review of the higher levels
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 8 - Debería haber planificado mejor las cosas – talking about decisions taken in the past and their results, expressing regret, giving a personal history
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 7 - Si lo hubiera hecho, ahora sería feliz – expressing unreal situations in the past and their consequences, historical accounts
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 6 - ¡Es una falta total de seriedad! – building an argument or complaint, explaining your motives, asking for action, reacting
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 5 - Parece que lo único que funciona es el sistema, porque mi port�til no – expressing requirements and unlikely or impossible wishes, complaining and making a claim
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 4 - No tengo la mínima idea de por qu� est� ocurri�ndome esto - describing physical state and state of mind, expressing feelings and changing your mind, talking about the consequences of an action
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 3 - Yo amo a mi abuela, ¡pero te juro que a veces me desespera! – describing the character of a person in detail, expressing needs and tastes
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 2 - De la noticias por televisi�n, hay muchas que est�n de relleno – establishing relations, passing on information given by others: requests, advice, suggestions, orders
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 1 - Listening to a radio announcement, giving information and a deadline
Right-click and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Section 6 - Upper Intermediate - " I have a good grasp of all the essential structures and can use them with a reasonable degree of accuracy. Although I have some language gaps and make some errors, I can communicate effectively and appropriately in most situations, including on unfamiliar topics. I am ready to learn more complex forms and more advanced vocabulary."
Lesson 10 - A mi parecer, es importante que todos estemos informados – making a formal argument, organising and expressing ideas, formulating conclusions
Right-click and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 9 - Me preocupa que nadie est� tomando medidas sobre este asunto – talking about and resolving our problems
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 8 - ¿Por qu� no comienzas por hacer algunas cosas por ti mismo? – identifying possibilities and giving recommendations how to overcome obstacles
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 7 - ¡Qu� extraño que nunca lo notaras! – expressing surprise and concern about events, trying to explain the past
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 6 - ¡Qu� pena que las cosas hayan resultado de este modo! – expressing sorrow or hurt, justifying situations and actions
Right-click and click "Save target/link as..."
Lesson 5 - Cuanto m�s lo pienso, menos puedo creer lo que sucedi� – describing different moods, hypothesising about the past and giving theories for what happened
Right-click and click "Save target/link as..."
Lesson 4 - Sí que sois aguafiestas? - expressing conditional situations, describing characters
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 3 - A mí me parece una verg�enza – expressing opinions, agreeing and disagreeing, evaluating situations
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 2 - ¡Vaya sueño el vuestro! – formulating theories about the future, different degrees of probability, giving compliments
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 1 - Yo te recomiendo que recorras agencias inmobiliarias – asking for and giving advice, reacting to advice
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Section 5 - Intermediate - "I have a good understanding of simple structures, but lack accuracy and do not feel at ease with them just yet. I need to consolidate what I know and I am also ready to learn new and more complex forms. I can express myself in most common situations and hold conversations on a range of topics."
Lesson 10 - Me encanta que se�is tan espont�neos para todo – social norms, expressing likes and dislikes, surprise and incredulity
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 9 - Es muy gracioso que allí sea todo lo contrario – describing and giving opinions about customs and behaviour, haggling in a market
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 8 - Te dejo elegir a ti – organising a date, describing a film
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 7 - ¡Ahhhh? era un chiste! – telling a joke, talking about the immediate future, describing different circumstances
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 6 - ¿No sabes la historia del reloj? – telling an anecdote about the past, talking about frequency and duration
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 5 - Est�s en contra de la forma de vida en la ciudad, ¿verdad? – expressing methods of doing something and describing outcomes, arguing a point
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 4 – No pienso que sea maravilloso – expressing opinions and arguments, agreeing and disagreeing with others
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 3 - Pregúntale cu�ndo piensa regresar - communicating through a third person
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 2 - Me ha dicho que tiene un problema - passing on information, questions and requests
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 1 - Yo que tú comería menos cuando salgo a cenar fuera – describing problems, asking for and giving advice
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Section 4 - Lower Intermediate- "I can understand and use simple structures fairly consistently, and can ask and respond to a wide range of simple questions. I have a reasonable idea of how the tense system works and have an active vocabulary of around 700 words. I can express myself in familiar contexts, although I still make a quite a lot of mistakes.".
Lesson 10 – En cuanto sepa la hora te llamar� – talking about plans, sequencing events
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 9 - ¿Un regalo especial? - describing different objects and talking about what they’re used for, talking about gifts
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 8 - Espero que sigas siendo nuestro amigo – differentiating between real and hypothetical situations, persuasion
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 7 - Me enfado cuando los hombres hablan así de una mujer – describing someone’s character, talking about hopes and dreams
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 6 - ¡Cu�nto deber� trabajar para terminarlo! – school and school work, expressing emotions
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 5 - Se mojaron algunos apuntes que ni siquiera habíamos leído – looking back through your past, describing events that happened before other events
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 4 - Nunca hemos hecho un viaje así – talking about past trips and vacations, planning the next trip
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 3 - Hablabas tan gracioso que no pude resistirme – your personal past, describing events of the past year
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 2 - Generalmente íbamos a un caf� – the past, discussing your background with new friends
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 1 - Long term past, meeting new people
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Section 3 - Elementary- "I can produce simple sentences and can formulate and respond to simple questions. I have a basic knowledge of grammatical structures, including different tenses and word order, and have enough vocabulary to ‘survive’ in predictable situations."
Lesson 10 – Si se rompe un espejo, tendr�s 7 años de mala suerte - making predictions and hypotheses about the future, talking about conditions and consequences
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 9 – ¿Un regalo especial? - describing different objects and talking about what they’re used for, talking about gifts
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 8 – Nos levant�bamos muy temprano, cuando salía el sol - describing people and places, talking about habitual actions in the past
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 7 - Un fin de semana divertidísimo - talking about the past, expressing what you did last weekend and appraising past activities and events
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 6 - Cuando veas que llueve a c�ntaros - expressing preferences, making comparisons, asking for and giving information about means of transportation and talking about the weather
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 5 - ¿Me dejas ayudar con tu biblioteca? - asking for and giving permission, asking for a favour and responding affirmatively or negatively
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 4 - Todavía no hemos encontrado el camino correcto... - describing someone’s life and relating an anecdote
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 3 - ¿C�mo te fue en el viaje? - talking about the past and relating events from a trip, cultural stereotypes
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 2 - Cosas que est�n sucediendo - things that are being done
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 1 - Esa falda es tan vieja como mi abuela - clothes and clothes shopping
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Section 2 - Beginners Plus- "I have some knowledge of the language, which I would like to consolidate and extend. I can introduce myself and can describe the immediate world around me. I have come across different grammatical structures, but am not confident using them. I have a limited ability to communicate and find it difficult to understand the spoken language."
Lesson 10 - No estoy de acuerdo contigo - personal experiences and expressing your opinions, expressing agreement and disagreement
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 9 - Perdona por levantarme de la mesa de ese modo - making excuses and giving advice
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 8 - La especialidad de la casa - in a restaurant, ordering food
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 7 – Pero tienes que tomar las decisiones responsablemente - discussing the future
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 6 – No tengo tiempo para ninguna otra cosa - work, school and means of transportation
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 5 - Creo que nos hizo bien salir - things that have happened in the past
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 4 - No me trates de usted, tr�tame de tú - meeting new people and introducing them
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 3 - Me encuentro fatal - how you feel, making offers
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 2 - ¡Gracias a Dios es viernes! - habits and weekend activities, frequency
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 1 - Todos los días son iguales - everyday actions and daily routines
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 10 - Nos levant�bamos muy temprano, cuando salía el sol - describing people and places, talking about habitual actions in the past
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 9 - ¿Un regalo especial? - describing different objects and talking about what they’re used for, talking about gifts
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 8 - Searching for a new flat, around the house
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 7 - Life in the city
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 6 - Por el mismo dinero que la otra, ¡me llevo dos! – shopping, money, prices
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 5 - Tantos tíos y primos, todos juntos - describing your family
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 4 - No me trates de usted, tr�tame de tú - meeting new people and introducing them
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 3 – Cu�ntame un poco de tu vida - work and study, asking for and giving telephone numbers
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 2 – ¿De d�nde eres exactamente? - talking about nationality, languages, and how to ask for someone to spell out tricky words
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
Lesson 1 - ¿Te conozco? ¿c�mo te llamas? - greeting someone, introducing yourself, spelling out words and saying goodbye
Right-click here and click "Save target/link as..." to download
To download all podcasts from iTunes, click here
About Cactus Language Training
Cactus helps over 15,000 people learn a language every year, by making learning enjoyable and easy. We run evening courses in 41 locations across the UK, taught in small groups by qualified native speakers, ideal for learning. Choose from 24 languages and a range of courses and levels to suit you. Other learning options include language courses and holidays abroad, private and remote tuition, in-company language and cultural training, and much more. At Cactus, you really can learn a language your way.
- Spanish courses in London
- Spanish courses in the UK
- Spanish courses in Spain
- Spanish courses worldwide
- Find out more about learning & languages at www.cactuslanguagetraining.com.
Print Article
Email Article
