Season 1 – Lesson 10 – Coffee Break Spanish (Holiday Special)

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. Please note that lesson 10 of Season 1 was originally known as lesson 110 of Coffee Break Spanish. We have renumbered the lessons of each season as lessons 1-40 to make things more simple for our listeners.

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51 thoughts on “Season 1 – Lesson 10 – Coffee Break Spanish (Holiday Special)”

  1. 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!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
    • 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?

      Reply
    • They are Scottish actually, if you bothered to listen and find out…and they speak spanish very well. Why would having a Irish accent prevent a person from learning a language anyway? what accent do you have buddy? You are a very ignorant person and in the wrong place. Embrace other cultures, and accents and you might just succeed in learning a language, including your own!!!

      Reply
  2. 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!

    Reply
  3. @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.

    Reply
    • Hi Mark!:) It is too bad that some people even bother to write negative comments towards you or your Irish accent..when you are doing such a GREAT job!!:) I’m from Norway, and have so far learned everything I’ve heard (I believe) from the podcasts till now, and it is SO much FUN to listen to!:) I enjoy every single one of them and looking forward to each time I can sit down (or just when I’m cleaning up or whatever..) and learn more and more 🙂

      I think you have a GREAT TALENT in teaching away Spanish/languages, because you go through it so carefully, like someone wrote here, not too fast and not too slow, just perfect!:) And it’s good that you’re repeating the words so we can fully “get it in our heads/minds” and remember it. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOU AWESOME WORK!! And btw, I don’t mind your Scottish accent at all actually, even though I found it kind of weird/unusual in the beginning.. I have to admit that I haven’t really liked that accent..but now I actually find it pretty cool! 🙂
      Keep up the good work!;) And Kara too!:)
      Sincerely, Diana

      Reply
      • I second your praise. I have only just descovered these shows and I am very happy I did. I wish they were videos and there was spanish subtitles included…that would be fantastic. But language is all about listening, so a radio broadcast is great and I just love it. Well done guys.

        Reply
    • Hi Mark, no need to defend yourself, except for maybe your Scottish accented English -hehe (I’m from the US). I also speak a number of languages, including Chinese, that I learned in school before living abroad for the past 30+ years. I speak them very fluently although I must accept the fact that I do not speak like a native. I can help other non-native speakers learn these languages including the accents because I have spent so much time figuring them out and practicing getting them right. Native speakers acquire their languages naturally and are not able to take apart how they speak to be able to teach someone else. Often native speakers will assume that my language level is better than it is because I can pronounce words and phrases so accurately. This was no easy task, especially with a tonal language like Chinese. So, thanks for putting these podcasts together, cheers! and press on.

      Reply
  4. 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

    Reply
  5. 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

    Reply
  6. 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 😉

    Reply
  7. 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

    Reply
  8. 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 🙂

    Reply
  9. 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!

    Reply
  10. 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.

    Reply
  11. 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.

    Reply
  12. 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!!

    Reply
  13. 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.

    Reply
  14. 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

    Reply
  15. 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!

    Reply
  16. 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.

    Reply
  17. 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.

    Reply
  18. 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.

    Reply
  19. 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.

    Reply
  20. 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.

    Reply
  21. 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.)

    Reply
  22. 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

    Reply
  23. 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!

    Reply
  24. 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.

    Reply
  25. 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 🙂

    Reply
  26. Hello Mark,
    At last I’ve found a little time to write. I follow your Spanisch lessons for ca 1 year now (mostly while running ;-)) 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
    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)

    Reply
  27. Anyone having trouble with Downcast, I can’t get my lessons to load nor I can’t get the notes and flash cards to work,

    When I click on them , keeps taking me back to this website.

    Getting really frustrated with the whole thing !!!!!!??

    Cathrin

    Reply
  28. I adore these podcasts. I am learning English like this. Before I listened to Coffeebreakfrench. Mark is very funny. And the girl is very nice.

    Reply
  29. Love the Coffee Break Spanish! I am visiting Costa Rica, so really looking forward to practising my spanish. I especially love to hear Mark’s son Matthew…what a cutie.

    Reply
  30. I just found this program today and I already love it! I would recommend Coffee Break Spanish to anyone and everyone .

    Reply
  31. hi dear mark
    im saghar from Iran
    i love Spanish a lot,i cant deny that i love it so much. i wanna learn it and you help me, thanks

    Reply
  32. mark, kara, fantastic lessons via podcasts, but one small complaint, I don’t think we need to know the latin American sounds, they distract from the proper Spanish, once again love your work, gary

    Reply
  33. Hola Senor, I am an educator on Venezuela, originally from South Africa, these podcasts have been a lifesaver! Thank you for a great job, it is much appreciated. 🙂

    Reply
  34. Hello Mark!
    I’ve been so enlighted to hear your son as a special guest of you program! Excellent job! May I ask you a couple of questions? When have you started teaching him Spanish and how does your teaching process looks like?

    Gracias para ayudarme aprender Espanol (not sure about the grammar, still at the first season)))).

    Maria

    Reply

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