Comment from BrianA

You’re right – context is very helpful. This is why the hardest thing to understand is a cold caller on the telephone! Even reading often requires a quick skim through to find out what the article is about before you begin to understand the detail.

Comment from Juanjo

Right on! Context is everything! Perhaps the most important lesson I have learned over the years (especially in reading) is not to try to understand every word but to understand the gist of the sentence. This stops you having to break off reading to look up words every few minutes. If the gist does not make sense in the context- often happens when slang expressions are used- then you need to look things up. HINT- use Ben & Marina’s colloquial phrase sheets and buy a good slang dictionary.

It is easier in conversation because you can pick up clues from expressions, tones of voice and so on. You can also ask questions to clarify your understanding.

As you get more familiar with the language, you can start to pick up the nuances of expression- which is why the subjunctive is eventually so important.

Comment from Anwar

Context is also one important element in helping you to learn new vocabulary and expressions, or grammatical structures.

Comment from Margot

Whenever you find yourself bogged down in a lonely fog, struggling to comprehend word by increasingly incomprehensible word – you MUST relax, just continue listening and remind yourself :
Even in your native language – context reveals/alters meaning.

Comment from Natalie Kehr

My listening skills in German are good. (My speaking skills are not great.) I learned my German by listening to The Flitstones, The Simpsons, and translations of American soaps.
I found that 3 is the magic number. The first time I listened I got an overall impression. The 2nd time I would understand a lot more, and during the 3rd time I felt that I was actually learning something. German stations are no longer available free on analogue satellite, so I have lost that resource.

Are The Simpsons, The Flintstones and American soaps available on any Spanish station? I have a friend with a large satellite receiver so she might be able to record some programs for me.

Comment from Debra Sutter

¡Hola, Ben y Marina!
¿Cómo están?
I think that it is now important that I write in english, eh!!
I agree with you, that it is so important to pay attentions to clues as to what you will be talking about. A lot of what we talk about is what we SEE! Pero, it is important to know that it is why we get nervous at times, if we are speaking with someone new. We don’t know them, we don’t know where they are from, or what their experience with life has been. So of course, por supuesto, context es muy, muy importante siempre.
I love your podcasts by the way!
I love Marina’s spanish british accent –it’s adorable.
So, the big question of the day is,………………
Tienen un bebe nuevo hoy?

Bueno suerte mis amigos.

Cuidate.

Debra de los estados unitos

Comment from Ralph B

Frankly, I don’t think there is an easy answer to this problem of understanding full-speed Spanish, even when you know the context.

Having just returned from a week in Almeria, it was painfully obvious that even the most inane comment by a Spaniard to me when I wasn’t expecting it (sometimes even when I was) just took too long to decipher.

Just as my brain unscrambled the words the speaker would either say it again (usually in a different way, but just as quickly) or switch to English!

I know that the ONLY way to actually get to grips with this is to immerse oneself into the language. Having lived for 3 months in Germany (with absolutely NO English) I recognised how my comprehension and spoken language improved in leaps and bounds. I even dreamt in German!

Unfortunately, 30 years later, I don’t have that same opportunity to do the same for my Spanish. But listening to Marina & Ben is good practice for me and does tune my ear in to ‘real’ Spanish! Progress is slow – but steady!

Comment from Jill Woodall

Yes I agree. I have been able to understand much more than I can actually say myself.
Coming from Texas where there was a lot more Spanish speaking people I heard it more often than I tried to speak it.

Comment from Britt

YES! I find context a HUGE help. I lived in Central America for a couple of months and when going to church if I could get the scripture they were speaking from, then I could catch words and sentences alot easier.

Comment from Anita

As someone who has hearing difficulties the idea of determining the context of a conversation of any language is nothing new to me. It is vitally important. Without this “trick” I would be lost most of the time in my native language, English let alone in Spanish. Further to this, when I reply to a comment that I have mostly guessed I try to make clear how I have interpreted the remark. For example, a ticket collect on a train is most likely asking me for my ticket, so I will say something like …yes, I have a ticket, here it is. If he was actually saying you have to get off the train at the next stop then he will realise I didn´t know what he said and repeat his comment. There is no point pretending you know what is going on when you don´t, but if you can guess right, all well and good. Like Ben and Marina so rightly say, all the words become much clearer when you have context.

Comment from kristen

Great videos, one suggestion though, when there are “key phrases” have them flash across screen or written down somewhere, so its easy to understand and spell them correctly.

Comment from Stan

Gracia por todos. Los ambos ustedes son una ayuda grande a mi. Tengo tanto aprender todavia especialmente con la comprension cuando se habla el lenqua. Algun dia me gustaria pasar tiempo en Spain o Mexico y vivir con familia de espanol, creo que me ayudaria mucho. Me esposa ira a la playa todos los dias
Como por los videos, creo que seran mucho ayudar por todos.

Comment from LT

I enjoy your podcasts and small videos, and even if I have just started learning Spanish, I could understand most of the video. I think you have got many good methods for learning Spanish. Being Norwegian, I also hope to improve my in skills in English by learning Spanish using your podcasts and videos.

Comment from Scott

By “the concept” I presume you mean videos instead of podcasts. No doubt there are advantages to video for some learners, watching you and Marina interact makes things more personal and interesting. Seeing Madrid in the background is also very nice.

But I like the ~20 minute episodes for my iPod. There is context there as well with you introducing the subject and maybe the guest to be interviewed. The podcasts seem a little less rehearsed and edited as well (Marina sneezes, neighbors hammer on the walls, grammar corrections, etc) I like that… it’s real.

I suppose “both” would be too much to ask for?

Comment from Ruth

Sí, estoy completamente de acuerdo con ustedes… el contexto es una ayuda enorme… ¡gracias por todo que hagan!

Comment from Linda

You’re absolutely right about context! I’ve been watching Mexican telenovelas to try to improve my Spanish. The characters use a lot of slang that isn’t even in my dictionary, but I’ve found that over time I can understand the words because of their context. I know the characters well, I can tell what they’re trying to convey in the scene, and eventually I can deduce the meaning of the words.

Muchas gracias por otro video magnifico!

Comment from Lesley & Jon

We have been living in Spain for 5 years and learning Spanish on and off during this time. You are so right about ‘getting the gist’ of a conversation, it seems to help everything else fall into place. We live in a small village in Andalucia where they have a dialect that even spanish from the coast (a mere 6 k away) have to fathom. ‘Real Spanish Control’ is great for us, we are studying hard. Our aim is to be able to have a ‘proper conversation’ with our neighbours. The more you do the better you are.

Comment from Angela

I totally agree about context. However, I wish someone would tell the spanish! I find that there is a great difference in the way the older and younger spanish people speak. The older people seem to have a language all of their own. having lived in Spain for 6 years (the last two in the countryside in Alicante province) I am only now beginning to understand more. I however, doubt that I will be fluent. But I enjoy the learning process.

Comment from ben

Thanks for all the comments so far! @Scott – By “the concept”, I mean, context and how it can help. Don’t worry, we will always be working with a mixture of audio and video.
- Ben

Comment from Gwendolina Herbert Cornwall UK

I’m 81 years young! Taught myself Spanish and eventually taught other people too in schools. Still at it and still learning which is wonderful. I find your website truly fantastico. My students as well. Jumping from textbooks to Real Spanish is activating the mind and I find your presentations truly inspiring. We have friends in Spain whom we practice on!! Poor things!!!

Comment from Ben

@ Gwendolina, you are an inspiration to us all!

Comment from Margaret Christiana Scales

Yes Ben and Marina I have found to try and understand the context of a conversation really helpful as is your site in general. I learnt all the grammer in Costa Blanca then moved to the mountains in Almeria, how I sympathise with Ralph B in his comment, the local accent and speed of speech was a nightmare and I felt I was back to square one however with the help of your audios and worksheets etc. and taking every opportunity to speak with the village people I am at last making progress which has astounded my husband and family who thought at my age at sixty seven I would never do it. So thank you. Happy to hear your news about the baby.

Comment from Marina

Thanks Margaret,

Great to hear that you are finally managing to understand the Almerienses, and don’t get hold back by the age, at the end of the day motivation and making an effort show great results!!!

Comment from Robin

While context is valuable and immensely helpful, the problem I have is that turn-taking is less regulated in Spanish than in English so there are interruptions over the speaker to whom I’m listening or even a parallel conversation going on – and with my poor brain I can only follow one and soon get lost.

Comment from Ruchita

Yes! Context definitely helps but you know what? It helps even more that you guys now blog your videos as well. It’s a lot easier to understand someone when you can see them talk and this makes it easier when I have a face to face conversation the next time around. Conversation is SUCH an audio-visual experience that I was surprised I understood so much just by seeing you…it’s a lot more than if I had just simply heard you talk.

Muchisimas gracias!

Comment from Linda Walker

Wow, excellent initiative. I just love the way both of you put us in confidence. You also both seem to know how learning a new languauge can be frustrating and almost painful at times.

Your approach is warm and very human. The atmosphere is delightful, funny and puts the student ( Me ) at ease and eager to learn.

Linda

Comment from Marina

Robin you are right, the speaking turns are a bit less organised here… it used to drive Ben absolutely mad, but it is part of our culture, so it is yet another skill to learn;-) but don’t despair, try to focus in one speaker at the time if this occurs even if you miss a bit of the conversation. Then later try to get what the other speaker said by the answer of the speaker you are listening to.

Ruchita, I agree with you, I still find phone calls in English the most challenging bit. Don’t worry there will be more videos in the future!!!

Linda,
Thanks very much for your comment!!!!

Saludos a todos,

Marina.

Comment from jo

excellent,but for me a beginer, i appreciate you give us subtittles ,for both spanish and english.i really care about this ,many thanks

Comment from Maree

I really appreciate all tour imput. I’ve worked very hard to get my Spanish “up to speed”, and love the language and people. Have been lots in Mexico, and about to head off to Sth America. Best regards, Maree

Comment from Andres O.

Hola, al principio quisiera decir, que la idea de “context” a mi me parece estupenda, pues, los ambos idiomas son ajenos para mi y me cuesta bastante esfuerzo y tiempo entender los bien. Pero voy a seguir, y con las expreciones actuales de lengua conocer el castellano mejor y mejor. Hasta proxima vez, saludos cinceros
Andres O.

Comment from Cathy

Yes, this was useful. I stumbled upon your site by accident and am so glad to have done so. I used to live in Madrid many years ago and learned Spanish by ear – living in a residencia in c/Fuencarral with all Spanish speaking people made it a necessity! My Spanish is very rusty now and the grammar as bad as ever it was, if not worse. Visiting your site gives me a chance to brush up on the language.
Best Wishes and thankyou, Cathy

Comment from Ben Curtis

Thanks for the comment Cathy, and everyone else, I’m really glad to hear this is useful!

Comment from pam

Hola, I came across your site by accident and I am a complete beginner but the little bits I have looked at so far seem to be really helpful. The context is important but for me it is also about hearing the language spoken to know how to pronounce the words. Thats why I like the podcasts so perhaps subtitles would be a help to me as well. I have enjoyed the first little bits I have attempted. Gracias. Pam

Comment from Jenny

Hi Ben and Marina,

Just to say well done for something I’ve been looking for as a Spanish teacher for ages. I was thinking of doing something like this myself, but you beat me to it, and you’re making a good job of it. I’m going to take a slightly different angle on context. As a Spanish teacher I am often desperately looking for decent Spanish recordings to play within the context I’m teaching, but it’s not easy. I teach daily routine for example and i want a recording of people talking about their daily routine in the present tense and without too many other distractions. I see scope for you to expand your range of recordings to match the needs of someone such as myself, so that I can tell my students to listen at home and I can use the recordings in class as well, with your permission. But the context thing is key. I would really like to find a recording or recordings to match all of my teaching contexts. ¿Qué os parece?

Comment from Ben

Hi Jenny,
Great to have you here (as with everyone of course!). If you have a look at our podcasts (well over 100 on here now) you will find we have already covered a lot of situations, hopefully at the level you need. Many teachers are already using our audio in classrooms, I hope your students enjoy it!

Saludos from Madrid,

Ben

Comment from Mike

Great video. However it made me want to return to Madrid ASAP!

Perhaps you two can make a few more videos in some common situations…a bar, a market, etc. I would really enjoy learning from those…

Gracias amigos!

Comment from gini

this is a great site,i love listening to you both,and i am now getting my confidence back to try speaking again.i have lived in murcia for 6 and a half years,and feel embarrassed that i dont speak spanish yet.i have had lessons with spanish teachers but still did not progress past the basics and received conflicting advice ,.thought i knew something to be told no its like this.and it is very true that having an idea of what someone is likely to be talking about ,helps to piece together the rest of the conversation.
thanks again for a great site.

Comment from Vernon Reed

Thank you for sending me the segment on context, it was very helpful. I also want to say that this is a great site and is helping me remember my spanish which I learned in the early 90′s after spending a year and a half in Chile.
Thanks again…
Vernon

Comment from Maggie

Thanks, Ben and Marina, for all the extras you give us. I JUST got my transcripts, and, yes, comprehension is a big problem for me, so this video and the theory of context gives me hope! (When my husband and I go to Mexico, I talk to people, which he is reluctant to do, but he has to translate what is said in Spanish to me. The taxi drivers think it’s very amusing!). By the way, I’m delighted to see what you two look like, and from the beginning I have been enchanted by Marina’s laugh–it’s musical.

thanks–Maggie

Comment from Jerome

Hola Ben y Marina! Primero, quiero decir que me gusta mucho tus estilos. Soy nuevo a tu pagina web y de verdad me gusta mucho. Muchisimo gracias por todos tus podcasts – en una palabra: Estupendo!! Sí, es verdad el contexto es la clave – tenéis razon! Bien hecho y enhorabuena. Saludos desde Irlanda.

Comment from chris

Hola Marina y Ben en Madrid
Escuchaba el video de vosotros y quiero decir que yo comprendaba todos mas o menos entonces yo creo este es muy bien para escuchar. Me gusta mucho! Solo problema para mi es la practica de hablar pero soy nueva en sus idiomas (?) e tonces yo quiero hablar un poco tambien. El video se parar mucho, es normale? Espero que ust. comprenden mi espanol. Muchos gracias al trabajo de ustedes. Saludos de Afrique de Soul

Comment from Jane

Muchas Gracias- I feel that context helps in understanding the conversation. Video is also helpful to use body language to learn more from the conversation. I plan to visit your site regularly to improve my Spanish listening skills.

Comment from Martin

!Claro que si! Context helps a lot!

Comment from Ally

I’m a total beginner of Spanish from Taiwan. Though I couldn’t understand the whole conversation, the context did help me to catch some key phrases. Thanks for making the cute vid and for setting up such a great website!

Comment from chris

Hi Marina and Ben
It is a very good work you are offering and I do appreciate that pretty much. Thank’s a lot. The context helps a lot too. I am listening to the video now and than but still this problems appears about stopping after every sentence. It takes awhile to go on and then it stops again and again. I am wondering what is wrong. Salutos de Afrique du Sud

Comment from Ben

Hi Chris,

It could be a slow connection at your end or our end, I would try again later on, hopefully it will play OK then.

Ben

Comment from Natalie

I was pleased to find I understood most of that, which gives confidence. Thankyou.

Comment from jerome

Hola a todos!

Que tengas un prospero ano nuevo! Gracias por todo tu ayuda!

Jerome

Comment from Stiofán

De acuerdo, cuando yo fui el anyo pasado a León lo k me chocaba más fue la rapidez al que hablen los espanyoles. Además me parece k ellos, en cuanto se enterren k eres hispanohablante, te charlan como si fueras nativo sin darse cuenta de la dificultad linguistica! Aunque eso me ayudaba un mogollón así k no me quejo. Me encantan los podcasts y clips, ya he vuelto a Irlanda para terminar la carrera y me permiten seguir escuchando al idioma en contextos diferentes- enhorabuena! Y k tengáis suerte en el nuevo anyo :0)

Comment from JanF

I agree that context is very important. I have been reading Spanish children’s books (for about ages 9-12) to improve my vocabulary and understanding. I find the first chapter is always the hardest because I don’t understand what’s going on at all. By a few chapters in, I might miss a lot of words but I generally understand the overall story.

Comment from Nadegda

Hola Ben & Marina!
!De poquito a poquito se llega a algo grande!

The video is always make to feel it like in reality – expression & gestures help to get the point better despite you don’t know half of the words & the vew of one of magnificent sightseen in Madrid inspires to study more hard! That is very helpful!

Thanks for all you’ve done & will do!
Gracias,
Nadegda

Comment from Olga

Love the message and got a kick out of seeing you both in the video (and the background footage). I lived in Madrid with my family 15 years ago but now only hear Castellano in the movies. Just listening to you two, especially Marina, shifts my mind to where my thoughts are in Spanish again. Thank you for making your wonderful work so accessible. Enjoy some churros and chocolate for me. Olga

Comment from Ben

Thanks Olga, and everyone else, for the comments, and please, do keep the comments coming, we really get inspired by them too.

Comment from Alan

Soy de acuerdo – el contexto es muy importante para entender lo que se pasa en cualquier diálogo. Además, m encanta el sitio, es muy interesante y me da esperanza que pueda mejorar mi español. Muchas gracias y saludos, Alan.

Comment from John Fountain

Hi Ben and Marina. I learned about your notesinspanish
web site just last Tuesday from a friend at an InterCambio in
Boston. I really love the content and structure of your
web site, and yes, knowing the context certainly does help.

Ben, I have a constructive comment for you on
a fine point in English grammar. ” . . . with Marina and I” is
not correct grammar. You are saying the equivalent of “with Marina and with me.” Hence, you need to say ” . . . with Marina and me.”

Cheers! And congratulations on your great web site.

Comment from Dominic

Hi, yes I do agree about context being important, and also with many of the comments about common difficulties.Very often, when going somewhere in particular (bank,school, builder’s merchants,scrapyard, whatever) I still write down a few new ‘bullet points’ just to lodge them in my head- and practice them on the way! One important thing to avoid is the natural attraction to hang out with your own native language speakers- having lived with an Andalucían family Ben, I sympathise with your difficulty in keeping pace when the conversation of the extended family hots up over a long lunch…I do find it SUCH a relief when talking with my northern friends, as the southern habit of ‘comiendo las palabras’ takes away the chance to picture the word and do a quick mental scan to see if there’s a common latin root with english.Marina, I find your diction very clear and easy to follow.Grácias.

Comment from Sally Ann

Hi Guys , thanks for the video. Yes it all helps with understanding and keep them coming!!

Comment from Samuel

Dear Ben and Marina, I haven’t had such nice teachers since long ago. I especially appreciate the cheerful atmosphere of all the podcasts. It’s quite clumsy weather now in Prague, so besides educating, you cheer me up. Me encanta la grande “velocidad” de las lecciónes también. Muchas gratias!

Comment from Delia

Yes, the context does help with understanding what is being said. Are you planning to do more videos like that?

Comment from Ben

Hi Delia, yes, there’ll be lots more videos! Make sure you stay signed up to our newsletter!

Comment from Shannon

Context definitely helps. I was in Spain two years ago, and I was only a Spanish II in high school. I was still able to understand what people were saying based on whether I was at a store or park or wherever. Even if the native speakers couldn’t understand me (heavy American accent), I could understand them.

Comment from Nita Row

Por supuesto. Me ayudó mucho. Gracias.

Comment from Michael

Me gusta mucho. I’ve noticed that context always helps me. If i can pick out 3 words per sentence, I’ll usually be able to keep up with what is being said.

Comment from Jade

Context absolutely does help, and I agree that it helps just to get the gist too – especially when reading a novel or something as you just don’t have the time to look up every rogue word. Your podcasts are so helpful!

Comment from qasim

thanks for the video i picked a couple of things i think i will pick more in the days ahead

Comment from Alice

Hola Ben y Marina! I just wanted to let you know how helpful your videos and poscasts are! I really enjoy listening to them =)
Queria mejorarme.. y encontro ‘notesinspanish’ por casualidad =)
Muchas gracias! =)

Comment from lynne

hi, only recently found your podcast and its great for me. i am living in Barcelona and i love it but i struggle a lot with spanish especially listening and understanding, i agree with your video, and i intend to buy your ‘real spanish control’ once my VISA card is working!… muchas gracias

Comment from Ken Smith

Yes, I was able to “follow” the conversations. Thanks for this tip and so many others.

Comment from Hamish

It looks good in principle and certainly helped with the video. I will try and put it in practice and hopefully see an improvement in my understanding.

Incidentally I went on a business trip to Italy last week and I don’t know a word of Italian, but was pleasantly surprised to find I could roughly follow conversations, and even take part in them, just from my rough knowledge of Spanish. The Italians knew what I was saying in Spanish most of the time too.

Comment from Peg

The Context helps alot….especialamente cuando the speakers are using slang or expressions ……literal translations can really make for strange situations. Great job!

Comment from Ben

Really glad you liked it Peg!

Comment from Michael

I agree – very useful video guys! Keep up the good work!!

Comment from Sandra Dionisopoulos

I agree. I understood the overall conversation. You were in front of the opera in Madrid. You both were meeting to split the time between speaking Spanish and English.

Muy Bien!

Comment from Peter

Here’s a related suggestion: I try to watch a lot of Spanish television in the U.S. I put on the closed-captioning in Spanish, but I try not to look at it unless I’m losing the thread. The subtitles help with words you didn’t catch. But don’t rely on them too much, or it just becomes a reading exercise. Hola desde Connecticut, y gracias por su ayuda.

Comment from Ben

Thanks for the suggestion Peter, and all the other comments too!

Comment from Rva. Patricia Bingham

I appreciate your podcasts! The opportunity to offer feedback is also muy agradable. It might be of interest to you that the American military teaches “Situational Awareness” as a survival tool to our troops. It’s the first, and is considered the most important, tool for survival. So your concept of context is right on the mark! Saludos,
Rvda. Patricia

Comment from Paula

Hi Yes, I agree! I’m learning Spanish because I love Argentine Tango. One year ago I went to Buenos Aires having learn Spanish for about two weeks listening to some language tapes. But I was surprised how much I could understand during tango lessons and when people talked to me between dances! Now having been learning for a year and especially thanks to your podcasts I’m confident I’ll be able to understand and say a lot next time I go (hopefully soon). Best regards, Paula

Comment from Elisha

Thank you so very much for this video and idea. I am a Spanish teacher and have been telling my students about how important context is in both reading and listening. This is great!

Comment from Ben

Thanks Patricia, Paula and Elisha for the latest comments, I’m really glad you liked the video – very interesting about the army training as well Patricia!

Comment from Alyson

I completely agree! Knowing the context, really helps follow a spoken conversation. Your video reminded me of my potential, and it brought back memories of good times in Madrid… Thanks!

Comment from Ethan

After four years of by-the book Spanish, I have also found that my best chance of understanding is usually due to context, especially considering the vocabulary limitations I still encounter. As an American with limited Spanish exposure outside of a classroom, these videos allowing me to hear authentic Spanish help so much. Thank you!

Comment from Tonio

Yes, context does help very much. However, I can follow much better if Marina slows down a little. ” Por favor, mas desparcio?” I follow Ben very well. Muchas gracias!

Comment from ???????

oh yeah, context definetely helps a lot! but context or not, when a native speaker goes on speaking at some cosmical speeds, it’s real hard to understand. and another thing: native speakers often don’t speak clearly, they kind of “chew” parts of words. that happens in all the languages i can understand ))) so at first, the most important thing is explaining to your fellow native speaker of the language you’re studying that he should really slow down and quit using all th slang for just a little while )

Comment from sandra Le Boutillier

I have just recently joined your web site and I think it is brilliant, I am so desperate to speak Spanish, I understand and can read and write quite a lot of Spanish but I don’t seem to be able to speak it very well. When I go to Spain I end up just nodding and saying Si Si!

Comment from Monika

You’re right, giving the context helps a lot…I’m an English teacher so I know how important it is to sketch the situation or give some hints that can facilitate students’ understanding. I’m a total beginner when it comes to learning Spanish:), I’ve only had 5 lessons so far and, in spite of that, I was able to understand most of your conversation! The most important thing – students’ self-confidence and satistaction boosted:)

Comment from Gerry

Hola Ben y Marina:
When learning another language it’s really important to know what’s going on today in certain conversations. What I mean is that one can talk more accurately about something if knows a little or has heard aboit it in advance. Languages change every single day.
Gerry!

Comment from greg

Es verdad, tienen razon, hombre estoy tan emocionado. Muchas gracias

Comment from Michael

Hola Ben and Marina,

I happened to stumble across your website recently while surfing the internet. I am a language student from Barbados. In Barbados it mandadtory for our students…..at least up to year 3 in secondary school……to learn foreign languages. Lamentablemente, the majority don’t continue. I think it is because too much emphasis is placed in grammar, and too little is given to showing the students how language functions…..it is a whole new world that is opened with each language. I find you site too be absolutely thrilling…wish that you had a school here.

Comment from Ana

Muchas gracias para sus podcasts, estan muy excelentes!! Estoy una instructor de ingles como un lengua secondaria en los EEUU y es util para usar pensar en este idea de “context” con mis estudiantes tambien. Aunque mis estudiantes estan muy frustrados porque no compreden TODO, pero de acuerdo con el idea de el “gist.” Gracias otra vez Ben y Marina! (Lo siento por mi uso de espanol…trato de practicar ahora sin hace timida).

Comment from Ben

@Michael, I wish we had a school in Barbados too!

@Ana, bienvenido a notesinspanish.com – si, el ‘gist’ ayuda un montón!

Comment from Fiona

I came across this site by accident a few days ago and i think the podcasts are fantastic! I studied spanish for 3 years in college and found it incredibly difficult..almost impossible. Now i find learning in my own free time is more beneficial because there is no pressure…the podcasts are really helping a lot so when i go to Granada in june i can really put it to use! thanks!

Comment from Tiffany

This is so true! Often if you can get clued in to a few words, that really helps your understanding of the conversation. Over time you will learn more and more words. Thanks Ben and Marina.

Comment from Patsy Tankersley

Context does help a lot. That’s why lots of time I can understand more of what radio sportscasters say because there’s a limited range of what will come next.

But, also, yall talked slower than in some of the Intermediate podcasts.

Comment from Jos

Actually I do think that context will help to understand the dialogues better.
First of all : you see “moving lips “wich makes it easier to hear and understand what you’re saying, and most of all, when you see what you are talking about, it’s easier to understand !!!

Comment from David

I’m new to notesinspanish, but i’m really enjoying it, a lot! Sure the context does help some. Mostly because you guys speak so clearly its really a pleasure to listen too. I’m mostly using the intermediate podcasts, but I’ve also tried the advanced to. Muchas gracias, Marina & Ben.

Comment from Lahairoi

Hola,
Ben y Marina
Estoy nuevo a este pagina. Pero estoy aprendiendo espanol. y creo que “context” es un monton de ayuda. Estare comiendo a Madrid en Agosto papar estudiar por un ano. Muchas Gracias para ayudarme.

Comment from Mick

Context is certainly important! For the past several years I have been helping latinos at our local health clinic. However, even though Mexicans usually speak slower than other cultures like Cuban every now an then someone comes in using a lot of slang and rapid firing like a machine gun, giving me problems in understanding.

Anytime there is a chance to do a little intercambio, I take it. Just meeting people on the street and saying “buenos dias” can bring a smile and start a conversation. Don’t pass up the chance!

I do have a problem recognizing spoken numbers. I don’t know why since I can say them easily. Any ideas?

As for context, a fellow translator (a Spanish teacher from Washington, DC) once out of the blue said, “No sé que yo no sé.” As it came out of the blue I was frustrated. I knew all the words but could not immediately put them together. Another time came when our cleaning lady from Vera Cruz arrived at our door. I greeted her saying “adelante” … she responded with “caminante”. I didn’t get it right away but when I used the same phrase “adelante caminante” inviting a Mexican client to go ahead or me, it brought out a big smile. Mexicans do love to make rhymes!

Entiendes Mendes, ¿o me explico, Federico?

Comment from Paula

It is a very good idea. It is what I used to teach my first grade reading group to do.
However, they were smarter than me and I have to listen many times. Mil gracias.

Comment from andrew hill

Listening to Spanish speakers is very important, but that’s not the only problem people have when learning a new language.
I have a problem with word order not in short like (la casa Blanco) but long sentences when you are speaking. Most of the time I don’t understand when and which words to swap round, if you know what I mean. by the way the pocat’s are helping me. asta pronto…….

Comment from Dani

The contect did not help in this video clip.
There was a green background with no context information.
However the podcasts I have already listen to helped a lot

Best Regards From Israel
Dani

Comment from Dmitriy Novak

Thank You very much Ben and Marina. I concider Your course and advises how to listen podcasts as a fantastic gift. It is a great pleasure to find how fast my listening skill is improving.I am diving into intermidiate and then from time to time into advanced cours without hesitating.You cours stimulates a lot and convert the Spanish study into enjoyment.

Comment from Ben

Hi Dmitriy, I’m really glad you enjoy it so much!

Saludos from Madrid,

Ben

Comment from Brian

Context does help as you can anticipate from the topic of conversation what vocabulary is likely/not likely to be used.

Comment from panos

Tu manera de encenanca es muy interesante ! Trato etender espanol sin professor usando internet y algunos libros. Penso que soy suerto que econtronos. Sois anbos muy sympaticos.Compraro los textos acompaniados los audios.

Sorry for my spanish ,my Greeks are much better!
I think i’ll improve my English with you two.

Salutos desde Salonica -Grecia

Comment from Jonã Machado

Muchas Gracias Ben y Marina, he comprendido todo creo que tengo una buena comprensión pero tal vez poco vocabulario para hablar. Saludos desde Brasil.

Comment from Pam Mazzone

I think your course is fabuous, I am so pleased I have found it. I have been living here in Southern Spain for nearly four years and I do have difficulty in listening. So now I am hoping that my listening skills will improve rapidly. I do think that if you video in Bars and other public places it will help even more.

Comment from Jordan

The context trick definitely helps! It is easy to infer what people might be saying/talking about. However, since I don’t pick up on all the words, it is hard to learn the new ones I hear and actually use them.

Comment from Adriana Longo

Ben and Marina, I feel as if you were friends of mine! I´m teaching myself Spanish and I keep listening to your podcasts while walking the dog, working out, and making the time I normally spend stuck in traffic much more pleasant! The topics chosen, the way you teach new expressions and this context trick are fantastic.
As Spanish is pretty similar to my mother language (Portuguese – I´m Brazilian), it´s easier to understand it but tricky to speak correctly without confusing words and the pronunciation.
There´s a lovely website to practise English called http://www.realenglish.com; have you ever thought of creating something similar in Spanish?
Outstanding job, I look forward to listening to all your new podcasts, you´re helping lots of people!

Comment from Annie

Hi Marina and Ben,

I enjoy your learning materials very much.

In terms of context, one thing that made me feel better about my lack of understanding in Spanish was paying attention to how often I did not understand my own language, English when I only caught a phrase or it was out of context.

Comment from Anne V.

I teach Spanish in the U.S. and your podcasts are by far the most thorough and easily understandable. I gave my students a short list of suggested podcasts to listen to over the summer and yours was at the top of the list. Even though I consider myself fluent, I pick up one or two expressions in each podcast that I wasn’t aware of before. I enjoy them immensely.
Gracias por compartir -
Anne V.

Comment from SSdeSS

I liked the video a lot. It’s a lot more fun to watch people having a conversation than it is to just listen to tapes. I taught reading and English for years and context was a big thing for understanding. We are heading for Spain in September and Notes in Spanish is perfect for brushing up on actually speaking and listening. The only thing is so many Spanish speakers speak so fast. I guess I need practice hearing “fast” Spanish.

Comment from Vanessa

Hi! Just wanted to say that I love your website etc. It’s really inspired me to learn Spanish. I teach English in Spain and already know full well through teaching my students that context and getting the ‘gist of something’ can really help understanding. I just need to apply that when learning Spanish. I’m hoping to have improved a lot by the time my next parents’ evening comes round, so I don’t need a translator.

Comment from Eric Rogers

I already receive your mailings, so don’t add me again. I think you idea is very good, and would be very, very helpful for people wanting to learn Spanish. Where were you 30 years ago when I started??!! haha. Also, regarding the little blurb you emailed about the expression “it’s easy as pie” (being “está chupado”): I’m totally fluent in Spanish, and have been for years, and personally I prefer to use the more innocuous, totally harmless and non-suggestive “es pan comido” which is what we use in Chile. In general circles, I would think that “está chupado” would be a bit iffy for people who are and desire to remain a bit more conservative.
Thanks for all your efforts! Keep up the good work!

Comment from Nicole

Hola Ben y Marina,

Yo acuerdo, es mejor! No intendo todo pero mucho mas. Gracias por la video. Estoy nueva a notesinspanish pero yo gozo(?) mucho y yo tengo las noticas ahora.

Que es mejor, escribir aqui o en el forum?

Gracias, Nicole (MNmillar forum name)

Comment from Ben

Hola Nicole, ¡nos puedes escribir donde quieras!

Comment from Michael Ehrenberg

No doubt familiarizing yourself with people and the contexts of the Spanish language is key. And, the more confident you are the better you speak. I have lived in Madrid for a year and a half, and had spoken some Spanish all my life. Coming here, and being obsessed to learn and asking every question and getting into conversations has made my Spanish take off to great heights. BEN AND MARINA have helped shown the way….BEN, you remind me of ME..your curiousity and fervor for learning this great language is INSPIRING!! Gracias a los dos!! ABRAZO FROM MADRID

Comment from Christine

I absolutely agree that context is a big help. My issue is that sometimes I think I’m using context too much. For example, I think I understand a conversation because I understand what is being said… but really I understand the conversation mostly because of what I already know about the situation. So in the end I’m really learning how to piece context clues together instead of learning the language. Does that make sense?

Comment from Bill Vance

I agree tengo ochento cinco anos and i was able to understand most of what was said keep up the good work Ben and Marina .Bill

Comment from Ben

Glad it helps Bill, keep up the good work as well!

Comment from Marie Reine

The conversation really helps because you pronounce very well the words with a reasonable speed,
My dream is to be fluente in spanish and visit Spain.

Comment from Joseph Castro

Hola de Filipinas! This site is really helpful to us who are trying to learn Spanish. I just registered last night and I am already learning a lot. Muchisimas Gracias!

Comment from Phil

Ah! – if only the Spanish all spoke as clearly as you do in your video – especially down here in Andalucia!

My situation is not helped by the fact that my hearing is not as good as it should be, so I have real problems in understanding quickly-spoken, idiomatic Spanish. My written Spanish is, I think, pretty good, but the listening…

I think I need more practice with your podcasts!

Comment from Zytka

Hi, I’m from Poland and your lessons are very useful for me. ‘cos I can learn the context in English and in Spanish in the same time Fantastic way to improve both languages, thanks a lot!

Comment from Ben

@Phil, yes in Andalucia it can be pretty tricky, though I have to say that I love that accent!

@Zytka, I’m really glad you like what we do!

Comment from becca

Yes, context helps, of course, which is why it is hard to speak on the phone totally out of context sometimes, however it also makes it hard to learn new words, as sometime you guess them and they turn out to be wrong……

Comment from Wayne

There were 3 words that I just couldn’t make out, but I think it’s because of the Madrid accent. My Cuban neigbor can’t figure out two of the words either, so I don’t feel so bad.

Comment from Gathia Dunn Jr

Yes, this is very good training. I call it ear training, because its one of the hardest things to learn with a language like Spanish because of the rapid patterns of words used sometimes. I’m just a beginner and I could actually pick up some of the conversation because of the context from earlier in the video.

Comment from Lelia Woods

Excellente!! I’m pre;aring for my trip to Peru in November. Por eso, quiero aprender tanto como puedo.

Comment from Bernard J Tucker

I am a very slow learner, but I am getting there!

My BIGGEST problem is learning to let go of words that I “almost” get, and continue on.

Context is very useful. You could prove that by having another 1 to 2 minute conversation video with NO references to the things we know about you. It could be a discussion on the sales figures for kites in asian countries during the 1960s.

Comment from morada

I have to agree that knowing the context is very helpful and it helps me out a lot. Knowing the context helps me understand the gist of the conversation; but at times I feel discouraged because I don’t understand everything that is being said.

Comment from Ben

becca, Wayne, Gathia Dunn Jr, Lelia, Bernard, morada – Thanks for the comments!

Comment from Robert

I live in Guadalajaras and am having the same problem as Ben, in that I cannot always get the context of the conversation when in a group of spanish speakers. So, I always ask someone to give me a clue of the conversation. It helps a enormosly. So, PLEASE give us more on “Context Trick” Thank you

Comment from Ben

Hi Robert, more coming, don’t worry!

Comment from Alon

This may be an unusual comment but I feel it’s worth noting… I have watched a few of the videos and listened to some podcasts on the website thus far. What I enjoy most is listening and observing the interaction between two people who are obviously very fond of each other and communicate in a perfect fashion even when Ben is being corrected. It’s refreshing to hear a couple like Ben and Marina. It reminds me of the type of relationship that I would like to have some day with either my future girlfriend and/or wife. I thouroughly enjoy the podcasts and plan to listen to all of them if I can.

Comment from Susan

Definitely context is key, key, key! I was just saying this to my teacher the other night when we were discussing conversational Spanish. A friend of mine grew up hearing Spanish spoken by her relatives and so in that context she understands what’s being said, but with other Spanish speaking people, she’s lost. I am so excited about beginning to listen to your podcasts and I’ve subscribed to all three levels because I teach a beginner’s Spanish class to a few people (gratis) and want to be able to have them hear good native speakers. I’m getting better, but I am still a gringa! And of course my teacher’s heart is with la gente de Puerto Rico so the Spanish I hear is just a bit different. No matter! I love it all! Muchisimas gracias, Ben y Marina!

Comment from Rainah

Wonderful concept! When one does not live in an area where people speak the target language, using videos to practice learning to understand in context is so important!

It’s the most natural way to learn, really.

There are a couple of things that illustrate just how natural this process can be, if we simply relax and allow the natural process to help us grow:

–Context of a conversation, or even of a monologue, helps the student of a new language, even when the student is an infant learning his first language!

Also,

–Context helps us understand unfamiliar words when we read as well.

So often, students of a second language feel that they simply must look up every word that they are exposed to, die trying, or simply quit.

Emphasizing the natural process involved in learning from context is brilliant!

But what else should we expect from Ben and Marina?!

Have a great day, you two! And thanks for all you are doing!

Comment from Ben

@Alon, I’m glad you enjoy the podcasts!

@Susan, Thanks to you Susan, I’m so glad you think our podcasts will be useful with your students too!

@Rainah – You are too nice! Thanks too to you!

Comment from karen

Gracias, that is so hepful. I really am excited to find your sites and all you have to offer. I find I study and study, but still lose all confidence when I can’t understand native spanish speakers. I really need more experience listening. Haven’t tried the podcasts yet, that’s next. Muchas gracias por su ayuda!!

Comment from Ben

@Karen, de nada! Es un placer!

Comment from Edward

I agree that context is very helpful, but sometimes not understanding just one or two words in an entire conversation can cause an embarrassing misunderstanding. I find that although you may “get” most of the conversation, it’s helpful to add -si yo intiendo- when answering question or interjecting a comment. This may encourage a further explanation if you answer or comment is a little off the mark.

Comment from Carlota

I agree with you. Content is very important and helpful. I watch Spanish Novelas on the tele, and understand the jist of what is being said or acted out, without understanding every single word. Thanks for reinforcing that concept.

Comment from Bill Brosnan

I think this is a great idea. I’ve also been watching movies in Spanish and I understand more as time goes on. It helps me to pick up the cadence of the language. Thank you for a good job.

Comment from Sue

Muchas gracias por su programa. Espero encontrar el dinero para comprar el programa para mi colegio en los EE.UU….sera dificil…pero me gusta mucho.

Comment from naomi holoch

Claro que si!

Comment from kate

Es stupendo

Comment from Heidi

Es muy ayudado.

Comment from Irene

As well as lots of encouragement here, I had a great laugh at the comments of Bernard J Tucker. I think we are kindred spirits because I too am a detail person and have trouble letting go of words I almost get and easily at times could be listening to a converstaion about “sales prices of kites….”

notes in spanish is great love it.

Comment from Ashley

¡Absolutamente! Contexto es muy importante! Una necesita saber el contexto del conversación cuando aprendizaje se español. De lo contrario, usted tiene que tener la conversación repite. Lo siento por mis muchos errores gramaticales. ¡Queriá tener para obtener un poco de práctica!

¡Muchas Gracias por maravilloso página web!

Comment from Ben

@Ashley, Gracias a ti por dejarnos un comentario!

Comment from froukje matthews

You’re right, context is very important! That’s the first thing you do really when surrounded by speakes of an other language. That’s oneof the reasons why that first learning stage is also very tiring, because you’re trying to make sense out the vocabulary you hear and place it in that context. The listening at this point is not yet fully without using one’s first language.
Good on you guys, I enjoyed your video!

Comment from tania

i enjoyed the video very very much! Ben and Marina you both are super cool teachers!!!! gracias!!!!!

Comment from Lidia

Hi Ben and Marina,

Context is really important, that’s why it’s easier to understand a movie than a podcast without a transcript. However, there are often situations when people speak too fast (especially Spanish people and then I feel lost, or there are many people speaking at the same time. However, I already see the difference in understanding Spanish thanks to your lessons although I have been using it only for about a month! Thanks a lot! Muchas gracias y hasta luego!

Comment from Ben

@Froukje, Tania and Lidia – Thanks for the lovely comments! Very kind of you!

Comment from rafael

It would be helpful if you would post a spanish transcript with these podcasts to help beginners.

Comment from Elly Rouwendal

Of course, context helps a lot. That is indeed why – like one of the other students remarked – it is extremely difficult to understand a cold telephone call. At least I am very bad at that. I do your advanced programme and I am surprised that some of the podcasts I can literally understand and sometimes I am completely lost. It makes me dejected every now and then. Can you explain why I am lost ?
Elly

Comment from Ben

@Elly, there are still days when I feel lost, and that’s after 11 years here! Don’t worry, the ‘lost’ moments reduce with time, it happens to all of us!

Comment from Ben

@Rafael – the transcripts of the podcasts are all available in our store, but not the videos yet I’m afraid.

Comment from Dianna

I agree that context gives meaning and nuance to all words. Also, like Linda above mentioned, telenovelas are a good source of daily Spanish classes simply because the stories, las historias son historias humano. The contexts are universal.

I also turn on “CC” (closed captioning) because I can read Spanish better than just hearing it. I can record TV programs so I can keep looping back over a phrase to make sure I get it down.