Welcome to a new episode of Coffee Break German Season 3! In this episode we are introducing the gerund, as well as using the gerund as an adjective. We also learn a bit about Zurich from a travel article and listen out for some vocabulary from the article such as: Hauptstadt (f), Alpenstaat (m) and klirrende Kälte (f).
Coffee Break Languages
CBE 4.02 | The Big Five | Language focus: used to
In this episode, we hear from Riaan in South Africa. He tells us about the Big Five, and we focus on the expression used to.
CBE 4.01 | Extra | Have You Ever Worn a Kilt?
In our very first extra episode of Coffee Break English Season 4, Josie talks to Maurizio, who is from Italy, about his experiences wearing a kilt.
CBE 4.01 | The Kilt | Language focus: phrasal verbs with ‘try’
Welcome to a brand new season of Coffee Break English! In this first episode of Season 4, we hear from Gregor in Scotland. He tells us about the kilt, and we focus on phrasal verbs and expressions with the word ‘try’.
CBI 3.24 | Imperfect subjunctive | Casa dolce casa
Welcome back to a new episode of Coffee Break Italian Season 3! In this episode we continue our learning of the subjunctive by focusing on the imperfect subjunctive. We hear some examples of it in context through a dialogue between two friends who are attending a property viewing! Be sure to listen out for key vocabulary such as: magari, casa di campagna and traslocare.
CBG 3.24 | The Past Participle as an Adjective | Nehmen Sie den gekühlten Teig aus dem Kühlschrank
We are back with a new episode of Coffee Break German Season 3! In this episode we are learning about using the past participle as an adjective. You may already know the rules of adjectives in German and this knowledge will help to enhance your understanding of this new topic. We listen to a recipe for delicious biscuits called “Spitzbuben” and hear plenty of baking-themed vocabulary such as: Puderzucker, Teig and frisch gebacken.
CBI 3.23 | Consolidation of present subjunctive | Il cliente ha sempre ragione!
We are back with another episode of Coffee Break Italian Season 3! In this episode we are consolidating our learning of the present subjunctive which was covered in the previous episode. We listen to a dialogue between a client and a bank clerk on the topic of credit cards. Listen out for some useful vocabulary such as; carta di credito, scadere and scoperto.
CBG 3.23 | Ordinal Numbers | Die erste Destination ist Atlanta
We’re back with another episode of Coffee Break German Season 3 and we are revisiting the topic of ordinal numbers! Although this is a topic you may already be familiar with from the beginning of your learning experience, today we are focusing on something new by looking at capitalisation. We will also look at superlatives that are used in the same way as ordinal numbers. We hear a dialogue between two people discussing a holiday and listen out for the vocabulary unbedingt, Flughafenbus (m) and innerhalb von.
CBI 3.22 | Present subjunctive | Il regalo perfetto
Welcome to the latest episode of Coffee Break Italian! In this episode we are focusing on the structure of the present subjunctive and we will look at both regular and irregular forms. We will also listen to its use in context through a shopping dialogue. Listen out for the expression: a caval donato non si guarda in bocca.
CBG 3.22 | Separable Verbs | Wann kommt der nächste bus vorbei?
Welcome to the latest episode of Coffee Break German! In this episode we revisit the topic of separable verbs, but today we focus on them with vorbei, weiter, zurück and weg. We listen to a dialogue between two people lost in a city, who ask a local for directions. Listen out for some key vocabulary including sich verlaufen, Anweisung (f) and Rathaus (n) which may come in useful for you in similar situations!
CBI 3.21 | Introduction to subjunctive | Dai, diamoci da fare!
Welcome back to another episode of Coffee Break Italian! In this episode we are introducing a new topic – the long awaited subjunctive! We then hear a dialogue based on the ups and downs of the workplace. Listen out for some key words and phrases throughout the episode such as: lancio, impegni, avere a cuore and sudare sette camicie.
CBG 3.21 | The Passive | So wird der Whisky gebrannt
Welcome back to another episode of Coffee Break German! In this episode we are learning about the passive which is created with werden and the past participle. We then listen to a dialogue of a tour guide escorting his visitors around a distillery and he explains the process of making whisky! Listen out for some important vocabulary such as: etwas durchführen, Sicherheitshinweis, Notfallalarm and Rückkehr.
CBI Mag 2.10 | Corsa alla Spada e Palio di Camerino: un tuffo nel passato
We have reached the tenth and final episode of the Coffee Break Italian Magazine Season 2! We’re stepping back in time as we’re discussing two Renaissance events which take place in the region of Marche in May. Join Mark and Francesca one last time in this series as they explore masculine words ending in -a and qualche (some) and ogni (each) + singular nouns. That’s not all! We round off the series with a ciliegina sulla torta based on the word spada, the prize for the winner of the race described by Silvia in this episode.
CBG Mag 2.10 | Til Schweiger
In the final episode of this season of the Coffee Break German Magazine, we hear a text about the well-known and successful German actor and director, Til Schweiger. As we hear about his life and international career, we review some important grammar points such as the imperfect irregular tense and scheint zu sein. As always, we hear relevant vocabulary along the way, including: Regisseur/-in, Produzent/-in and Drehbuchautor/-in before challenging you to our final tongue twister of the series!
CBS Mag 4.10 | Maíz
We have reached the tenth and final episode in this series of the Coffee Break Spanish Magazine and we’re rounding off the season by talking about one of the most cultivated cereals in the world – corn! Through the text featured in this episode, we find out where the term ‘corn’ comes from and its importance in Latin America. Of course, Mark and Anabel pick up on the important language points along the way. Alongside the range of nouns, verbs and adverbs, we hear some interesting phrases such as tener en común, querer decir and por cierto. That’s not all! We also have the opportunity to practise forming plural phrases in Spanish and learn more about how to use propio/a and mismo/a.
CBF Mag 2.10 | Vive la France : le quatorze juillet à Paris
We have reached the final episode of the Coffee Break French Magazine Season 2 and we’re going out with a bang as we’re discussing one of the most widely celebrated holidays in France – Bastille Day! As we discover how le quatorze juillet is celebrated in Paris, we learn some interesting expressions like grasse matinée, avoir la chance de faire qqch and finir la journée en beauté. Listen out for some reflexive verbs along the way, some examples of direct object pronouns and the use of the perfect tense, the future tense and the imperative. As always, Sophie joins Mark at the end of the episode and this time, they’re discussing dates of other national holidays in the French-speaking world.
CBI Mag 2.09 | La Serenata: una dedica musicale
Welcome back to the Coffee Break Italian Magazine! This time, we’re talking about the origins of a well-known romantic tradition – La Serenata. While listening to a text about this ancient tradition, we learn about the following grammar points: basta che + subjunctive, the ce n’è structure, and how to use il proprio / la propria as an alternative to il suo/ la sua. As always, there’s lots of new vocabulary to take note of along the way, such as chitarra, liuto and promessi sposi. In keeping with the theme of this episode, our ciliegina sulla torta is something musical! Listen until the end to hear this new Italian idiom.
CBG Mag 2.09 | Das Leben der Anderen
We’re discussing a film in this episode of the Coffee Break German Magazine: ‘The Life of Others’ by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck. Set in 1984, the film portrays life in the German Democratic Republic, in East Berlin, and follows a couple being spied on by a member of the Stasi. We hear more about the film through the text featured in this episode and Mark and Andrea focus on some of the key grammar points including: the passive, man and je… desto. Be sure to listen out for some new vocabulary, such as the words: bespitzelt, verdeckt and abgehört.
CBI 3.20 | Preterite | Storie di emigrazione
Welcome to the latest episode of Coffee Break Italian! In this episode we will be focusing on the passato remoto (past historic), on it’s formation and it’s use. We will then listen to a story from Carlotta’s grandfather about his family migrating from Italy to New York. Listen out for some key vocabulary such as dopoguerra, traversata and the classic storytelling phrase of c’era una volta + vissero tutti felici e contenti.
CBG 3.20 | Review episode 3.11 to 3.19
We’re halfway through Season 3 of Coffee Break German, so it’s time for a review episode! Join Mark and Andrea as they look back on some of the things we have learned in episodes 11 – 19; from prepositions with the Genitive to the future tense, qualifiers and reflexive verbs with the Dative – this episode is not to be missed!
