Coffee Break Spanish – Episode 10 (Holiday Special)
Posted on December 20, 2008
In lesson 10 join Mark and Kara for a seasonal special including greetings from our listeners from around the world and a Christmas song in Spanish.
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Tags: Christmas, Christmas song, holiday, interviews, seasonal, song, Spanish song, special
Nov 29, 2009
Okay why are IRISH PEOPLE TRYING TO SPEAK SPANISH? THIS IS WRONG, OKAY? THIS IS WRONG! Seriously what the heck? Did you know that I am now SCARRED FOR LIFE? MY INNOCENCE IS GONE! IRISH PEOPLE WITH THICK IRISH ACCENTS DON’T SOUND LIKE SPANISH! FAKE IRISH SPANISH OMG NEVER AGAIN! DO YOU HEAR ME? NEVER. AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!
Oct 02, 2010
Ay dios mio!! you need to learn common sense! Doesn’t matter where ur from lol. If u learn the proper pronounciation of any language u will be fluent. This is a good program. Que pasa contigo?
Jan 17, 2011
scottish accents you narrow minded fool! Obviously never left your country!
Jan 25, 2011
The professor speaks it like a native speaker and better than most
Nov 12, 2011
Whats your problem :/
Nov 30, 2009
Scotish accent or not, you guys are the best! The lessons are VERY easy to follow. Not too fast paced that you miss everything and not too slow that you get bored with the lessons.
Keep on keepin on!
Nov 30, 2009
@Irish… LOLOL I do love these comments. As we’ve said many times before on our website, on iTunes and in our episodes themselves, we are in fact Scottish, and as the teacher on the show I’m perfectly comfortable with my Spanish accent having lived and worked in Spain. It may not be the Spanish accent you’re used to if you’re in the US, but you don’t have to look very far to see very positive comments on my Spanish accent. Of course I sound Scottish when I speak in English – I’m hardly likely to put on an American accent, but my Spanish accent in Spanish is authentic and has helped hundreds of thousands of learners around the world to learn Spanish. Thanks for your comments nonetheless…
@Marieq Thanks, we’re pleased you’re enjoying the lessons.
Dec 02, 2009
Oh, Mark I beg you, do not feed the trolls!
I love your lessons (in Show Time Spanish)
and your Spanish accent too. There so no need
to discuss about it at all.
Saludos cordiales de Polonia.
Greg
Feb 27, 2010
Well said! I love these podcasts–Irish accent and all!
Dec 03, 2009
Hey Mark,
As an American, I have to say that I love the attempt at the flat American accent you and Kara did when you recorded this. And, thank god, we don’t all sound like that. Oh, and as to the comments about your “Irish accents”, I’m afraid that many of my countrymen aren’t even aware that there is a difference. I look forward each new, well new for me, lesson. And, one other thing, Me gusta cantar tambien, and enjoy the songs you share.
Hasta luego,
Arnie
Dec 08, 2009
Congrats Mark & Kara ; even for French people learning Spanish via coffebreakspanish is an outstanding way of both practicing English & learning Spanish ; can’t stop listening to the podcasts ; great job ! btw : I love the Scottish accent
Dec 27, 2009
I’m german and learning a little bit of spanish with your podcasts now. I did it with daily-phrase-italian and it was really nice to be not that non-speaking in italy
and also practise english as a side effect….. I know I’m not perfect after your podcasts, but… the “natives” in italy where delighted 
and I got everything I wanted… I hope for the same effect in Spain in February.. I will write you when I’m back 
Greetings from near Cologne
Annette
Jan 04, 2010
Mark – OMG !!!! I am an African American Irish Native American and I can tell you that your Scottish accent is very cool !!! This is what is great about your passion of teaching language – it does not matter where you are from, its what you are adding to this planet – YOU ARE HELPING PEOPLE and some people and you are making a difference. I love these lessons so much. Keep it up, especially with Matthew because he was the absolute cutest !!!! Ciao Mi Hermano
Jan 05, 2010
love coffee break spanish! You are amazing, and I think a little too hard on your singing voice…it is perfect for my commute in Los Angeles and beats listening to the news. Thank you sooo much!
Prosperos Anos Nuevos, Mark y Kara!
Jan 29, 2010
A good Scot has a leg up on the rest of us in pronouncing Spanish, since those trrrrrrrrilled r’s come naturally!
Feb 19, 2010
Hola
I am a friend of John Connell and Stuart Robertson. They directed me here and I’m enjoying your podcasts vey much.
I plan to be at the top of Machu Picchu on my 60th birthday next summer and hope to be able to speak with the locals! (Well, the Spanish speaking ones anyway!)
Many thanks.
Feb 19, 2010
Hola
My friends John Connell and Stuart Robertson directed me to your site. I plan to stand at the Sun Gate on Machu Picchu next summer on my 60th birthday. With your help I’ll be able to communicate with the locals. (Well, those who speak Spanish anyway!)
Many thanks.
Apr 16, 2010
Hola, Mark & Kara
I’m from Taipei, Taiwan. A place far far away from Scotland.(But I’ve been to Glasgow, I love it!) Just want to show my appreciation for your efforts in this great Spanish lesson. It’s really helpful for the beginners and you make the learning a joyful process. You did a very good job and I’ll keep supporting Coffee Break Spanish. Mucho gracias!!
Aug 19, 2010
Your lessons are great. I apologize for the narrow mindedness and lack of manners of my “AMI” “friend” Irisha. Your podcasts are among the best. There are many Spanish podcast, I use about 15 of them. Yours is a must. It is much easier to learn with yours.
Oct 28, 2010
Hi Mark & Kara,
having previously worked as a language teacher (Irish and heard all the usual jibes!) and used a few different language series to teach myself, I am blown away by your series.
Practical lessons, well structured, great progression and revision. The two of you are extremely likeable and your passion for the language and learning it is contagious (all too rare in most teaching).
I really like the fact that you include L American pronunciation too, and even though I’m a beginner, I can hear your Spanish accent (and German accent too) is pretty much perfect … even if it is the lispy Spain Spanish one!
Keep up the good work! I can’t wait to work my way through Coffee Break and into ShowTime Spanish!
Nick
Nov 20, 2010
I’m an American listener, and I have to admit that the Scottish brogue took some getting used to for me! But now I love it. I just about died from cuteness overload when Mark’s little son chimed in with his adorable accent (in lesson 6, I think).
Love the podcasts!
Dec 20, 2010
I think this would be handy to have the lyrics of the Navidad song in the comments:
Navidad, Navidad,
hoy es Navidad
con campanas este día hay que festejar
Navidad, Navidad
porque ya nació
ayer noche, Nochebuena,
el niñito Dios.
Dec 21, 2010
Hi everyone – I REALLY enjoyed learning Spanish 15 minutes a day…until we hit the heavy grammar lessons. I’m sorry, but I think it goes against everything that the program has been doing so well. It’s not possible to absorb complicated new grammar structures in 15 minute bites. The lessons lack context, are far too packed with nuances that can’t be absorbed at this early stage of learning, and simply confuse the beginning into getting caught up trying to think about what kind of verb we’re dealing. The lessons were WAY more effective when they were about learning little phrases and words that helped us get around. I look forward to the end of the grammar podcasts, and the resumption of the previous model.
Jan 21, 2011
I appreciate the grammar. Words and phrases are fine for holidays and survival, but pretty soon you need to learn about the patterns of the language to get further. There is actually less to learn if you don’t have to try to remember each phrase or sentence in a vacuum.
Feb 28, 2011
hi this is good but i canot find 11 thanks
Mar 01, 2011
Being an american who used to live in Spain, I have to say I really enjoy learning with your podcasts. I lived in Madrid in ‘97 and never really had practiced speaking spanish after I left. So I forgot a lot. Your podcasts are great. Keep up the great work.
Mar 08, 2011
hi! Mark and Cara. I love our voices and accent, especially your tones.
You’ve encouraged me to speak and learn Spanish. a lot of helps and
inspiration. Keep going on this. I’m looking forward to this podcast.
Aug 12, 2011
este navidad cancion me encanter. mucho gracias!
Sep 04, 2011
I’m believe the jeers are mostly from Almost-native (Latinos/Chicanos)who are afraid “White America” will soon speak their language, therefor taking away any so-called advantage (L/Cs) they think they may have in the workforce (cliques, etc.)
Sep 06, 2011
this is the most coolest website ever you guys are the best and it does sound like you are Irish and not Spanish but i guess everybody can learn Spanish
Sep 18, 2011
I don’t know if Mark and Cara are reading this website anymore, but if so, I want to say how much I enjoy Coffee Break Spanish. I discovered it in late July this year, and listen whenever I can. I started off with approximately 5 badly pronounced words, and now I’m practising at our local Mexican restaurant (and getting a lot of good natured laughs… they’re really helping me though!). I like the comparisons between languages, the background given, and the pace. Even when you go a little fast for me, I love that I can just listen again… and again… and again!
Oct 30, 2011
Mark
Your Scottish accent makes it a complete pleasure to listen to. I agree with those who mention they can listen over and again. Your voice is so pleasing to the ear. And your Spanish is superb. Thank you so much for making it so easy to learn.
Nov 07, 2011
I don’t normally comment, but I was so enraged by the comment at the top of the page that I felt I had to, even if it is two years later.
I am an Australian who has been living in and out of Spain for the past 2.5 years and have independently learnt Spanish in a very random way. I have found that this course easily breaks down the language and has filled in the missing pieces I need to communicate more fluently. My native Spanish boyfriend and his family have been so impressed with the improvements that I have made thanks to your course.
Just as in English there are many accents and versions, so too in Spanish. As I have lived in the mid to north of Spain, I have incredible trouble if I have to go to the south because of the change of accent. At the end of the day language is the most powerful means of communication and that is the point of this series – being able to communicate across borders. There is no one correct accent in any one language. I like learning from non-native speakers because you genuninely understand the problems that new learners can face. Plus your Scottish accent is awesome.
If anyone wants to hear about language crusifictions, you don’t have to go further than hearing ignorant Americans (which is not to say all Americans are like this) attempting to speak Australian English. I really hope that the first commenter on this page has either a) moved on to another “more genuine” source of learning or b) left their homeland and had some real world experience that challenged their view. Either way, keep up the fantastic work of allowing more people a new source of communication!
PS Loving the Coffee Break French course as well and your French accent is just as awesome as your Spanish
Nov 12, 2011
Dude what’s your problem :/
Nov 12, 2011
Dude what’s your problem :/ (Irisha)
Nov 24, 2011
that one is fool we are enjoying. your lessons are sooooo helpful keep it moving!
Dec 16, 2011
I just discovered these free podcasts and I am so excited to learn Spanish!
Dec 18, 2011
Hello Mark,
) and I like the “Show Time Spanish” programme most as it brings me the day to day language closer. As a busy working Mum it’s hard to still find time to learn truly, but with your podcast, the international environment
At last I’ve found a little time to write. I follow your Spanisch lessons for ca 1 year now (mostly while running
I’m working in and all the languages I’ve learned at some stage (English, Latin, French, Russian, Italien, Romanian and now for roughly 1 1/2 years Spanish) I manage, nevertheless to progress eventually.
I guess I share Mark’s (and probably a lot of the listeners’s) enthusiasm about languages and as many people confirmed, someone who has an understanding of foreigen languages/cultures easily appreciates your excellent skills. You should simply ignore rude comments as the one approx. two years ago.
Thanks for your brilliant podcasts and I wish everybody a
Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noël, Crăciun Fericit, Feliz Navidad
cheerio Heike (from Munich)