Advanced Spanish with Spanish Obsessed

Preguntas con Pilar: Los hábitos de los estudiantes exitosos Nov 01, 2023

Rob and Pilar discuss what they see most effective Spanish learners have in common. What are the qualities they all cultivate, and does "immersion" have an impact on language learning? Also, they delve into the interesting Spanish slang phrase "dizque", used by Karol G...!

Preguntas con Pilar 3: La emigración de Colombia Jun 01, 2023

Rob continues his conversations with Pilar. They discuss why so many people are looking to leave Colombia, and what some of the assumptions there are within Colombia about what it's like living abroad. Rob also asks about gender - so simple to understand, yet difficult to get right!

Preguntas con Pilar 2: Mexico Mar 31, 2023

Pilar has experience living and working in Mexico. Rob chats with her about life in Mexico, and how it compares to Colombia. They also touch on Spanglish, weird Mexican phrases, Netflix, and talk about how to understand the past tenses in Spanish.

Preguntas con Pilar: Conocer a Pilar Mar 31, 2023

We're introducing a new "mini-series" - Preguntas con Pilar. Rob chats with Pilar, who is one of the teachers in the Spanish Obsessed Academy. She has incredible experience teaching Spanish, and in her conversations with Rob they focus more on the language aspect of Spanish. In this episode, they talk a little about Pilar's experience, and Rob asks about a weird verb pattern he's heard in Colombia.

Advanced 31: La Gestión Urbana Jun 15, 2018

Rob talks with Lis’ sister, Judith. Judith recently completed her Masters in La Gestión Urbana (Urban Management), and discusses the current global migration to cities, amongst other topics.

Advanced 30: Ser popular Jun 04, 2017

Rob and Lis talk about being popular, having friends, and how to maintain contact in the age of social media…

Advanced 29: Education Jun 04, 2017

Rob, Lis and Colombian friend Dani talk about the education systems of UK vs Colombia and Latin America

Advanced 28: Interviews Jun 03, 2017

How important is the interview process for finding a job? Lis and Rob discuss their experiences in interviews in both English and Spanish, and how difficult the process can be.

Advanced 27: News of a kidnapping Oct 25, 2015

We recently had the opportunity to talk with Gilberto Torres, who was kidnapped by Colombian paramilitaries and held captive for 42 days several years ago. Gilberto was a Trade Union leader, and was kidnapped for organising strikes and getting in the way of some big business interests. He's taking BP to court in London for events surrounding his kidnapping, and in this podcast he tells his story.

Advanced 25: Javi de España Sep 13, 2015

Meet Javi, from Valladolid in Spain. He works near London as a Spanish teacher, and in this podcast he chats with Liz about teaching in the UK, how he finds English school children, and whether he wants to go back to Spain. Transcription coming hopefully before too long!

Advanced 26: A very brief gastronomic tour of Spain Sep 13, 2015

Continuing with Javi (and Castillian Spanish), Rob talks food - a mutually shared passion. We take a gastronomic tour around Spain, Javi gives us his opinion on English food (hint: it's not all bad), and Rob provides some constructive criticism for Spanish restaurants! Transcription on its way soon.

Advanced 24: Nuria de España Mar 15, 2015

Meet Nuria, from Alicante, Spain. Believe it or not, despite being called “Spanish Obsessed”, Nuria is the first Spanish person we’ve actually interviewed on the site! She talks to Rob about moving from Spain, and what she’s up to in London.

Advanced 23: Vanessa de Argentina Dec 14, 2014

We welcome another friend to Spanish Obsessed. Meet Vanessa, who's come to London from Argentina. She talks with Rob about her beloved country, and how she's getting on in her new life in England!

Advanced 22: Conversación de copas y niñas Dec 09, 2014

Liz takes the time to have a chat with our Mexican friend Mariana about all sorts of girly things – mainly men. What’s the difference between the Latin and European man? This, and more “relationship advice” from two Latinas.

Advanced 20: El viaje, part two Dec 08, 2014

After a few weeks, Rob also joined Liz in Colombia for a (well deserved) 2 week holiday. We talk about the first couple of days in Bogotá, the capital.

Advanced 21: Mariana La Mexicana Dec 08, 2014

We take a break in our trip to Colombia to bring you a guest podcast, with our friend Mariana, from Puerto de Veracruz, Mexico. Mariana talks with Rob about some of the stereotypes commonly held about Mexico, and how close they are to the truth.
This audio gets a little crackly at points - apologies!

Advanced 19: El viaje, part one Dec 07, 2014

After nearly three years, Liz returned to Colombia to see her family. She tells us about the surprises she had lined up for them, as well as her impressions of her home country after being away for so long.

Advanced 17: Colombia's big weekend Jun 22, 2014

Colombia just had a big weekend, with the co-incidence of its first world cup game and the second round of the general elections! Update - Colombia won both that game and the following, unfortunately England crashed out after its first two games...

Advanced 18: Spanish in the USA Jun 22, 2014

The majority of visitors to Spanish Obsessed come from the USA. We talk about the rise of Spanish in the States! However, we don't have any first hand experience of this, so we would love to our American visitors' (or anyone else with experience in this!) opinions on the rise of Spanish in the land of opportunity!

Advanced 16: Clarissa Jun 06, 2014

Clarissa talks to us about the situation in Venezuela

Advanced 15: Driving Jun 01, 2014

We talk about driving - the differences between driving in Colombia and England (can't be that many...!), what's required to get a driving licence, and our dreams of a road-trip around Colombia in a jeep!

Advanced Spanish 14: La Leyenda del Dorado Jan 22, 2014

We recently visited the British Museum's exhibition "The Legend of El Dorado", and here we discuss the exhibition and its importance!

Advanced Spanish 13: La Política Jan 14, 2014

We talk about the political set up in Colombia. Liz used to work in the Colombian senate, so has some good experience here! We talk about Colombian political parties, politicians, the political system, and key voting issues.

Advanced Spanish 12: Maria de Peru Nov 03, 2013

We have a very special guest in Maria, from Northern Peru. Maria tells Rob and Liz about her experience as an immigrant to the UK, including the difficulties of coming to a country whose language you don't speak, finding a job, and trying to start a new life! An inspirational story, thank you very much Maria!

Advanced Spanish 11: Travel around South America Aug 20, 2013

Meet Margarita, Liz’s cousin who’s visiting us from Colombia! Margarita is very well travelled, and here she gives us her three top tips for places to visit in South America. As you can tell, she’s very enthusiastic, and Liz can hardly get a word in edge-ways!

Advanced Spanish 10: Mexican Spanish Jul 01, 2013

Barbara, a Mexican friend, teaches us some Spanish slang only heard in Mexico. Not for the faint hearted!

Advanced Spanish 9: Peace in Colombia Jun 16, 2013

We discuss the latest rounds of peace talks between the Farc and the government, and how safe it is around Colombia these days.

Advanced Spanish 8: Salsa May 02, 2013

Liz tells us about how to dance - and listen to - La Salsa

Advanced Spanish 7: Holidays Apr 10, 2013

We discuss some of Colombia's favourite holiday destinations

Advanced Spanish 6:Alberto Apr 04, 2013

Meet Alberto, Colombian resident of London for nearly 20 years.

Advanced Spanish 5: La Rumba! Mar 19, 2013

We welcome a new "invitada" to our podcast - thank you very much Stephie! Stephie talks to Rob about "La Rumba", and how she and her friends celebrate a night out in Bogotá.

Advanced Spanish 4: Sonia la Cubana! Mar 12, 2013

Meet Sonia, a super cool Cuban who has been living in the UK. She tells us about her life in Cuba, and her experiences living in the UK.

Advanced Spanish 3: Como conquistar a las chicas! Mar 05, 2013

Liz talks to Rob about how to pick up Latin chicas, and how the dating scene in Colombia compares to that of England.

Advanced Spanish 2: Como es Vivir en Otro País? Feb 26, 2013

Liz and Rob talk about living in foreign countries - what did/do they miss the most? Why did they decide to live abroad?

Advanced Spanish 1: Acerca de Colombia Feb 19, 2013

Liz tells us about her beautiful country, Colombia!