Difficulty: Beginner
Argentina, Spain
¿Quién es Javier García? With his producer (and two-time Academy Award winner) Gustavo Santaolalla, Javier Garcia talks about his roots and influences. Also, we learn about some noted musicians who contributed to the album 13, including the great trumpet player, Arturo Sandoval.
Difficulty: Beginner
Argentina, Spain
We’ve all heard of the bolero, which has its modern roots in nineteenth century Santiago de Cuba (even though we might not be able to hum one on cue). But what about the cuartetazo? Born in Córdoba, Argentina, and derived from Spanish and Italian dances, the name is derived from the fact that the earliest players were invariably four-piece bands. The rhythm is similar to merengue.
Difficulty: Beginner
Guatemala
Marriage and children bring with them needs and responsiblities that a soltero doesn’t have. Rafael hopes to grow his small pharmacy into a cadena of drug stores that he can use to benefit his wife and kids. To raise the necessary capital, Rafael is working abroad for a few years.
Difficulty: Beginner
Venezuela
Recently the song "Mesa Que Más Aplauda" from the Mexican group Climax had reached coastal Venezuela and was blasting from every bootleg music kiosk and bus stereo. Its catchy, inane, meaningless refrain za za za, yakuza, yakuza was on the lips of every impressionable child from 5 to 50. Taimur was no exception (nor were we!)
Difficulty: Beginner
Venezuela
Young Taimur’s Spanish is not quite as easy for the non-native as that of his neighborhood pal Zulbani, but he does have a lot of interesting things to say! Listen up, because our young friend presents an opportunity to hear some expressions and turns of phase you may have not heard before.
Difficulty: Beginner
Venezuela
Sometimes it’s nearly impossible to understand younger folks speaking in a language that’s not native to you, and other times it’s extremely easy. Luckily, Zulbany falls into the latter category! Let’s listen while she tells us about her trip to Mérida, up in the Andes.
Difficulty: Newbie
Argentina
What in the world is Yabla? Julieta explains it to you, and all in in under two and a half minutes! Don’t worry if you don’t speak Spanish, it’s all subtitled and captioned, with plenty of features to help you soak up any new language muy pronto! What are you waiting for? Fire up the video!
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
Spain
Arume studies filmmaking in her native Spain. She talks about what life is like for her now that she has graduated from high school and is out on her own.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Spain
Many Americans know that Barcelona is one of the most fun towns in Spain. This is of course no secret to Spaniards themselves. Arume tells us why she likes to holiday in Barcelona whenever she gets the chance.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Venezuela
Doc G take two! We liked Doc G’s presentation so much we asked for a club remix version. Contains words and phrases not found in the first.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Venezuela
David was born and raised in Caracas, but his parents were from Trinidad and Jamaica, so his accent is as much “Calypso” as it is “Salsa”. Find out why people call him “Doctor Guacuco”.
Difficulty: Newbie
Venezuela
Zoraida tells us a little more about her plans, both in the coming months but also coming years. She’s interested in learning languages and traveling.
Difficulty: Beginner
Venezuela
Zoraida is a spunky young woman from coastal Venezuela who talks about her recent past and her hopes for the coming year.
Difficulty: Beginner
Venezuela
Zoraida is a big fan of one of Spain’s newest exports, La Oreja de Van Gogh. Besides listening to “Van Gogh’s Ear”, let’s find out what else she likes to do for fun in her spare time… apart from giving interviews!
Difficulty: Newbie
Venezuela
Did you hear the one about the fat lady, the chicken and the drunk old man? Is it ok to say the word “drunk”? Let’s find out!!!
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