free-lessons

Coffee Break French

Season 2 – Lesson 08 – Coffee Break French

In this episode, we look at a different area of French grammar. We move on from verbs to adjectives and start by talking about colours and nationalities. Anna can’t be here for this lesson but she will be back with us next week as we look at adjectives in more detail. Please note that lesson

Coffee Break Spanish

Ordering food in Spanish: essential restaurant vocabulary

Ordering food in Spanish can seem difficult at first, but with a bit of practice, you’ll feel confident navigating menus and communicating with restaurant staff. Whether you’re a vegetarian, have food allergies, or just want to make sure your meal is cooked to your liking, this guide will equip you with the essential restaurant vocabulary

Coffee Break Spanish

How to order food in Spanish – The basics

Ordering food in a Spanish-speaking country can be an exciting yet daunting experience for beginners. Knowing the right phrases and vocabulary can make your dining experience smoother and more enjoyable. This guide will introduce you to essential Spanish restaurant vocabulary and teach you how to order food in Spanish like a pro. Don’t forget to

Coffee Break Spanish

How to ask for the check in Spanish and order snacks

If you’re a beginner learning Spanish, two of the most useful things you’ll want to know are how to ask for the check in Spanish and how to order snacks. This guide will walk you through these essential phrases, so you’ll feel confident the next time you’re at a Spanish-speaking restaurant or café. As always,

Coffee Break French

Season 2 – Lesson 07 – Coffee Break French

In this week’s lesson, Mark puts Anna and our listeners to the test on the verbs we have been looking at in the past few lessons. Please note that lesson 07 of Season 2 was originally known as lesson 47 of Coffee Break French. We have renumbered the lessons of each season as lessons 1-40

Coffee Break French

Season 2 – Lesson 06 – Coffee Break French

In this episode, we check if Anna has done her homework from last week and take a look at the conversations she has come up with. We also look at the present tense of two irregular verbs: avoir and être. Please note that lesson 06 of Season 2 was originally known as lesson 46 of

Coffee Break Spanish

How to order drinks in Spanish

When travelling to a Spanish-speaking country, one of the essential skills you need is how to order drinks in Spanish. Whether you’re in a bustling café in Madrid or a cosy bar in Mexico City, knowing the right phrases can enhance your experience and help you connect with locals. This guide is designed for beginner

Coffee Break French

Season 2 – Lesson 05 – Coffee Break French

In this week’s lesson, Mark and Anna talk about the verb aller, meaning ‘to go’ and introduce the concept of irregular verbs in the context of making arrangements and forming questions. By looking more closely at the grammar behind the French, we hope you will gain a better overall understanding of the language and be

Coffee Break Spanish

Exploring common places in Spanish

Whether you are planning to visit a Spanish-speaking country or just want to expand your language skills, knowing how to identify and ask about common places in Spanish is essential. In this article, we will explore some frequently visited places in town in Spanish.  However, before we start, remember to listen to the audio lesson

Coffee Break French

Season 2 – Lesson 04 – Coffee Break French

In this week’s lesson, Mark and Anna talk about making arrangements. By looking more closely at the grammar behind the French, we hope you will gain a better overall understanding of the language and be able to put what you learn to practical use. Please note that lesson 04 of Season 2 was originally known

Coffee Break Spanish

How to ask and understand directions in Spanish

When you’re starting to learn Spanish, one of the most practical and rewarding skills you can develop is asking for and understanding directions. Whether you’re travelling through a Spanish-speaking country or simply expanding your language skills, knowing how to ask for directions in Spanish can make your experience much smoother and more enjoyable. In this

Coffee Break French

Season 2 – Lesson 03 – Coffee Break French

In this week’s episode, we take a further look at daily routine, focusing particularly on reflexive verbs. We also look at time in more detail so we can say exactly when we carry out each part of our daily routine. Please note that lesson 03 of Season 2 was originally known as lesson 43 of

Coffee Break Spanish

How to say dates in Spanish? A quick guide for beginners

Learning how to say dates in Spanish is an essential skill for anyone beginning to learn the language. In this blog post, we’ll explore how to express dates, understand the days of the week, months of the year, and numbers in Spanish. By the end, you’ll be comfortable writing and speaking dates like a pro!

Coffee Break French

Season 2 – Lesson 02 – Coffee Break French

In this episode, we continue to look at ER verbs in the present tense by talking about our daily routines. Please note that lesson 02 of Season 2 was originally known as lesson 42 of Coffee Break French. We have renumbered the lessons of each season as lessons 1-40 to make things more simple for

Coffee Break Spanish

Learn how to say ‘I speak a little Spanish’ in Spanish

As a beginner, you might find yourself often needing to say ‘I speak a little  Spanish’ in Spanish. To express that, you would say: ‘Hablo un poco de español’.  As you can imagine, this phrase can be very useful in many situations. But what about capitalisation? Are languages capitalised in Spanish? Let’s dive into these

Coffee Break French

Season 2 – Lesson 01 – Coffee Break French

In this episode, we move on from looking at particular words and phrases to constructing the language so you can say exactly what you want to say. We start by taking a look at how to conjugate regular ER verbs in the present tense. Please note that lesson 01 of Season 2 was originally known

Coffee Break Spanish

How to say Merry Christmas in Spanish and other seasonal greetings?

The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and connecting with loved ones. If you’re a beginner learning Spanish, knowing how to greet people during this festive period can be both fun and useful. In this article, we’ll teach you how to say Merry Christmas in Spanish and also Happy New Year. In addition

Coffee Break Spanish

Is Spanish hard to learn? An honest guide for beginners

Learning a new language can be an exciting but challenging journey. If you’ve just started learning Spanish or are contemplating whether to begin, you might be wondering: “Is Spanish hard to learn”? This article addresses this question and provides some insights into how hard it is to learn Spanish, especially for beginners. Here in Coffee

Coffee Break Spanish

Understanding likes and dislikes in Spanish

One of the first things you might want to express in Spanish is your preferences – what you like and dislike. This guide will help you understand how to say ‘I like’ in Spanish, what me gusta means and how to talk about your likes and dislikes in Spanish. In the audio episode, we expand

Coffee Break Spanish

Understanding jobs in Spanish

Learning a new language opens doors to countless opportunities, and understanding how to discuss what you do for a living is a crucial part of that journey. In this article, we’ll explore jobs in Spanish, providing you with essential vocabulary and phrases to help you navigate conversations about professions. Whether you’re a beginner learner or