Podcasts – Episode Library

Coffee Break Italian

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

Coffee Break German

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

Coffee Break Italian

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

Coffee Break German

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,

Coffee Break Spanish

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

Coffee Break Italian

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

Coffee Break German

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

Coffee Break German

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

Coffee Break Spanish

CBS Mag 4.09 | Siglos de historia en Cádiz

In the penultimate episode in this series of the Coffee Break Spanish Magazine, we’re taking a virtual trip to one of the oldest cities in Europe – Cádiz. Marina shares an interesting text about the history of this city in the south of Spain before Mark and Anabel discuss some useful language points. Some of

Coffee Break French

CBF Mag 2.09 | La dernière reine de l’Ancien Régime

In this episode of the Coffee Break French Magazine we hear a text about Marie-Antoinette, the last Queen of France before the French Revolution. Join Mark and Pierre-Benoît as they discuss the language featured in the text and listen out for the following expressions: se rappeler qqch, tenter de faire qqch and faire des reproches

Coffee Break Italian

CBI Mag 2.08 | I Monti Azzurri – I Sibillini

In this episode of the Coffee Break Italian Magazine, we’re talking about the Sibillini Mountains – a mountain chain in central Italy which includes a beautiful natural park. Join Mark and Francesca as they discuss a text highlighting what these impressive mountains have to offer while talking about some key vocabulary and grammar points including:

Coffee Break German

CBG Mag 2.08 | Heißluftballonrennen im Januar

The topic of this Coffee Break German Magazine episode is hot air balloons – specifically the annual hot air balloon competitions which take place in the Alps during the month of January. As we learn about these fascinating competitions, we encounter some interesting vocabulary including the words: bunt, egal ob… oder… and lenken. Mark and

Coffee Break German

CBG 3.19 | Causative Adverbs | Also los nach dem Pieps

Welcome to another episode of Coffee Break German! In Lesson 19 Mark and Andrea discuss adverbs which connect clauses: daher, deswegen, deshalb, darum, also, folglich, demzufolge and somit. We then listen to three separate voicemails in which we hear causative adverbs in context. Listen out for these useful words and phrases: etwas hinterlassen, die Rückrufnummer,

Coffee Break Spanish

CBS Mag 4.08 | Fiesta de la Vendimia en Argentina

In this episode of the Coffee Break Spanish Magazine we’re talking about grape harvesting in Argentina! We learn how to create adverbs ending in -mente, and familiarise ourselves with the structure: continuar + gerund. We also hear a variety of verbs including alabar and constar de before Mark and Marina discuss la Guinda del pastel.

Coffee Break French

CBF Mag 2.08 | Entre les montres de luxe et le lac Léman

In this episode of the Coffee Break French Magazine, we’re transporting you to the city of Geneva. While hearing about what this wonderful Swiss city has to offer, we cover some interesting grammar points such as the agreement of tel(le) que and the use of être assis(e) à + infinitive. Sophie joins Mark at the end of the

Coffee Break Italian

CBI Mag 2.07 | Dante: il padre della lingua italiana

The topic of this Coffee Break Italian Magazine episode is the life and work of Italy’s greatest poet and ‘father’ of the Italian language: Dante Alighieri. We review various grammar points in this episode, including: the historical present, relative superlative adjectives, the passive with venire and si passivante. Be sure to listen until the end of the episode to hear

Coffee Break German

CBG Mag 2.07 | Großglockner Hochalpenstraße – ein österreichischer Roadtrip

In the latest instalment of the Coffee Break German Magazine, we’re heading on a road trip in the Austrian Alps! Throughout the text featured in this episode, we explore the Großglockner Hochalpenstraße – a scenic mountain road and one of Austria’s main attractions – while taking note of the interesting language points, including: adjectives, the

Coffee Break Italian

CBI 3.18 | Irregular plurals | Vacanze in Turchia

In this episode of Coffee Break Italian we’re covering the topic of irregular plurals both in terms of nouns and adjectives. In the dialogue featured in this lesson, Elisa meets her friend and tells her about her recent summer holiday in Turkey. She mentions the topics of food, methods of transport and a cycling injury.

Coffee Break German

CBG 3.18 | Reflexive verbs with the Dative | Das werde ich mir merken

Welcome to another lesson of Coffee Break German! This time, we are introducing reflexive verbs with reflexive pronouns in the dative. We hear these learning points in context during a discussion between characters Tim and Anna. Some words and phrases to listen out for include: sich die Nacht um die Ohren schlagen, sich etwas aus … machen and

Coffee Break Spanish

CBS Mag 4.07 | Deporte y diversión en Asturias

Welcome to another episode of the Coffee Break Spanish Magazine! This time, we discuss a text about a canoeing festival which takes place in Asturias every year. While hearing about the festival throughout the text, Mark and Anabel, discuss the grammar points which appear and explain the key vocabulary. We learn about the difference between