This is my first post about my Italki conversation classes.
Italki
After reviewing several options I selected Italki for conversation classes. The site is easy to use and I like the teacher preview video. You can book a 30 minute trial class before committing to the full price classes.
It may take awhile to find a teacher that fits your level/style. I found a great teacher. Maria understands how I like to learn, she’s detailed, positive, and we work in the same industry. I look forward to my weekly 45 minute class!
2021-11-08 Vocab
I focus on the conversation but also jot down vocab to review later. Maria helps by typing words/phrases in the chat window.
+minar {to mine}
+es por el calor {it's because of the heat}
+cuando yo vivía allí no había {when I lived there there was no}
+es una tarea de por vida {it's a life long task}
+esto es muy de Bolivia {this is very Bolivian}
+No creo que haya {I don't think there is}
+no hay gente que no hable español {there are no people who do not speak Spanish}
+muy compleja
+fuimos a despedirnos {we went to say goodbye}
+nuestra despedida {our farewell}
+cuesta {hill...and other translations}
+batalla cuesta {uphill battle}
+a toda costa {at all costs}
+patrones {patterns, bosses}
+rasgos {features}
+matices {shades...and other translations}
+despectiva {derogatory}
+mañana va a estar muy nublado {tomorrow it will be very cloudly}
+a proposito {deliberately/on purpose}
+al intento {? I'm not sure. I will have to clarify ?}
Some translations are exact but others give the general idea as the context is more complex.
True Test
A 1-on-1 conversation class with a native speaker is the best true test for a language learner that I can think of. It’s incredible practice but also intense. There’s such a huge gap between my comprehension and speaking ability. The only way to improve it is to keep practicing.
Listening
While I reviewed my conversation notes and wrote this post I listened to 2 podcasts from El Washington Post:
Some vocabulary from the episodes:
+acaba de aprobar {just approved}
+no había habido {there had not been}
+el problema es que siete de los candidatos no pudieron competir {the problem is that seven of the candidates could not compete}
+el voto no mata a nadie {the vote does not kill anyone}
+y dijo que no fueron ni justos, ni libres ni democráticos {and said they were neither fair nor free nor democratic}
+subrayó por otra parte {stressed on the other hand}
+en sentido contrario {in the opposite direction}
+escudriñar {scrutinize}
+desigualdad {inequality}
+ningún hombre es una isla {No man is an island}
+desde el punto de vista juridico {From a legal standpoint}
+dos tercios {two thirds 2/3}
+tuvo lugar ayer {took place yesterday}
+...despierte de su letargo y salga de la rutina {wake up from your slumber and get out of the routine}
+cumbres internacionales {International summits}
A lot of coverage about the recent elections in Nicaragua.
Translation
I didn’t need a translation for all words/phrases in this post but when I did require a translation I used google translate and www.spanishdict.com. Both are excellent!