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Being a Customer Service Rep is not an easy job. You encounter all kinds of clientele but what happens when the Rep can’t understand the customer and vice versa? A few videos are going around on Instagram right now based on a true story. I thought the reaction is classic. How often have you...

If you want to know your level of Spanish here are a few simplified tests. I say this because I think more testing is needed to make a complete assessment but at least this could give you an idea of your grammar level. This is based on the European evaluation system of testing one’s level of...

This is a current video on Caribbean Spanish. Research was done, knowledge is evident. People who hear Caribbean Spanish for the first time or in general do (did) not have a lot exposure to it are in shock and ask questions or say things like- ‘why do people speak so fast?’, ‘I can’t understand...

I hardly ever read Diario Libre. However, last week I noticed the audio feature in their articles (most have the audio). This is fantastic if you want to listen to the news, focus on the pronunciation of the words and test your listening comprehension. You can read and listen at the same time...

At the beginning of every year, I start to put together a list of Spanish literature that I would like to read during the year. I tend to read books of authors whose work I have read in the past but I am certainly open to reading literature from authors I have yet to read. I don’t read much...

This article came out yesterday and it caught my interest. Some Cubans (in Cuba) were interviewed briefly about the local language and how Cubans speak. Cuba has its own vernacular and brand of local speech but it does share common characteristics with fellow Caribbean Spanish-speaking...

Spanish speakers, linguists, grammarians debate this at a high level. What about when they are your classmates or peers? Here is a brief but interesting commentary here: https://indecisivetraveler.com/puerto-rican-spanish

I came across this blog article last week. The blogger who is also a language teacher did her research and presented many good linguistic facts and examples. The only aspect that surprised me is how she found PR Spanish so different from DR Spanish 🤔 It made me very curious to read the article...

I just came across this article that was written two months ago so it’s recent. The question is often asked and the responses vary but some cities are predictable if you have a lot of exposure to Spanish. In this list cities of two countries are the most common 🤔. I am not surprised. I find the...

How much exposure have you had to accents in the Spanish language? Depending on where you live, where you have visited, other Spanish speakers that you interact with etc. you may have a lot or little interaction with Spanish speakers/accents outside of your circle. This short video will test...

If you find a good video about a Spanish grammar topic add it to this thread. This will be for knowledge sharing and learning. There are a wealth of videos online. Some are very good and can clarify a grammar point that you always wondered about or have difficulty understanding. I will start...

This video was posted in BBC Mundo this week. The meaning of ahorita varies in Mexico and the Spanish-speaking world. Context usually clarifies the meaning but its usage does cause confusion. Whether you are in DR, Mexico, Colombia, Peru etc. it is best to ask for a clarification if necessary...

This article was posted a few days ago in BBC Mundo. It is about the influence of the Canary Islands on Caribbean Spanish- Cuba, DR, PR and Venezuela. These four countries have the strongest similarities stemming from different waves of migration and the longest presence of Canary Islanders was...

I like this video. I think it can answer the question that many people have or always ask. Is there really such thing as neutral Spanish? I think the video is a good start. It has great examples. I caught two errors by the coach though. One very obvious when she said fuistes…..that is wrong. It...

Here is a list of romantic nicknames in Spainish. After watching the video, I think all are common except the last one. I have never heard it - churri. BTW- this is another nice video by Antonio from 🇪🇸. A good teacher on You tube from what I have seen so far.

Text messaging and chatting on social media has become a form of communication for many people. Whether we want to engage or not to a certain extent we are forced to either use or understand this form of communication which is meant to be brief, quick and easy but is often a cryptic form of...

I just found this quiz in my folder. I am glad I saved it. For some people this grammar topic is really a challenge but practice is the key to understanding it. Here it is: https://www.thoughtco.com/spanish-subjunctive-mood-quiz-4088852 -MP.

Well, this is interesting. This You Tuber talks about many of the common questions that people have about Caribbean Spanish. He has a noted American English accent but he is Puerto Rican and has a lot Dominican cousins per the video. As well, he used to live in DR. His observations are right on...

Here is a nice video by the You Tuber from Andalucía that I discovered. Once again he does a great job explaining a grammar topic. This time it’s expressions with Estar. He explains the meaning of ten common expressions and gives examples. There are two that I learned from the video. I have...

This segment aired on Telemundo 51 Miami today about Spanglish-Made in Miami. Those who live or visit often and know Miami well should be quite aware of how Spanish is spoken in this city. Spanglish (Hecho en Miami) is its own brand. Many people codeswitch especially the second and third...