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Modismos españoles – Spanish exercises

We have given you some really interesting resources to use in order to express how we do something: “modismos españoles“. We challenge you to answer some questions using some of this idioms. But, first, match them with the corresponding picture.

1.A empujones        2.A gatas        3.A tientas        4.De carrerilla        5.A regañadientes

Modismos españoles - Spanish exercises
  • ¿Cómo recitas la tabla del 9?
  • ¿Cómo aceptas que tu jefe te pida trabajar un domingo por la mañana?
  • ¿Cómo entras y sales de los vagones del metro en las horas punta?
  • ¿Cómo buscas una vela si estás en casa y de repente se va la luz y tu móvil está sin batería?
  • ¿Cómo recuperas tus llaves si se te caen debajo de la mesa?

SOLUCIONES: 1.A 2.C 3.D 4.B 5.E | De carrerilla, A regañadientes, A empujones, A tientas, A gatas

Did you enjoy the “modismos españoles” and want to continue your Spanish learning and test your level? You can go to our Learning resources section page and and put you to the test with our quizzes.

If you want to continue your Spanish learning while discovering how to cook a tasty Spanish meal, check out this post.

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Madrid’s Teleférico – Featured after-class activity

How would you like to soar through the bright blue skies of Madrid without needing wings, feathers or even a boarding pass? With our featured activity this month, you can do just that! Madrid’s Teleférico cable car system is an exciting way to discover hidden areas of Madrid from a unique bird’s eye view.

Our journey begins

Our students join us in catching the Metro to the Argüelles station, from which we only need to walk for two minutes to arrive at the base of the Rosales Teleférico station. We climb into the stylish glass pods of the Teleférico and quickly begin our ascent into the air!

Madrid's Teleférico – Featured after-class activity

The landscape unfurls below us, revealing trickling mini waterfalls of the Parque del Oeste and the pink blossoms of the Rosaleda. We hover over the Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida, home to a stunning fresco painted by Goya, before gliding over the Manzanares river.

The beauty of the biggest park of Madrid

Our cable cars finally puncture the green lung of the city, the Casa de Campo, the biggest park of Madrid. If the day is nice and sun is shining, we often prepare a nice picnic basket and enjoy some treats at Casa the Campo, near to the lake while families paddle row boats lazily across it. Our students love this little green corner of the capital. We disembark from our pods, find a shaded spot and enjoy a picnic in the relaxing surroundings.

The striking beauty of the city of Madrid is often referred to with the saying ‘De Madrid al cielo’ (from Madrid to Heaven). We can’t think of a better way to live out this phrase than by taking to the skies yourself! Why not come along for our next visit to the Madrid Teleférico?

If you enjoyed the Madrid’s Teleférico ride, learn everything about this kind of activity in AIL Madrid and find out about other featured after-class activities, like our Spanish Cooking workshop.

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Featured AIL Student – Roy

Featured AIL Student – Roy

Hi! My name is Abhinav, but you can call me Roy. I’m from Calcutta, India, and I decided to come to AIL Madrid to take the Intensive and Evening Spanish Course.

My story

I need Spanish because of my work here in Madrid and I chose to enrol at AIL Madrid because a friend who was already taking classes told me that it was the best option. He was totally right! The thing that I love the most about AIL it’s the flexible schedule and the fact that the Student Care Team members like Martin or Steven always have a solution for any problem that I may have. Right now, I’m only taking the Evening Spanish Course, but previously I have also taken the Intensive Spanish course.

My teacher

I have been at AIL for more than a year already, and I love all my teachers. We not only learn theory, but we also practise a lot of speaking which is great because it’s exactly what I want. I have also had the opportunity to meet many friends from all over the world which is fantastic. We always try to speak in Spanish between ourselves inside and outside the classroom and that’s great for practice.

Spanish and me

When I started to learn Spanish, I found the subjunctive difficult, but now… it’s what I love the most! I know this it’s hard to believe, but I promise it’s the truth! What I’m recently struggling with is direct and indirect style, but that’s ok, because I love a challenge. For people who are considering taking up Spanish lessons, my advice would be to think out of the box and just don’t be afraid to take the first step!

Do you want to read another AIL Student experience? You can get to know Junko, a semi-intensive Spanish course student, in our Spanish Language Students of AIL Madrid section.

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Spanish expressions with “dar” – Spanish exercises

This week we give you some Spanish expressions with “dar”. You can level your knowledge about it with a little exercise. Good luck!

Spanish expressions with "dar"
  • ‘Dar a entender algo’. Insinuar algo sin decirlo claramente.
  • ‘Dar a conocer’. Manifestar algo con hechos o dichos.
  • ‘Dar que hablar’. Atraer la atención con hechos o dichos.
  • ‘Darle a algo’. Practicar algo de forma habitual e insistente.
  • ‘Dárselas de algo’. Presumir de algo.

And now, correct the following Spanish expressions with “dar”:

  1. Se desnudó en plena calle y le dio algo.
  2. Como ha ganado el premio da a entender sabio.
  3. Ha dado a entender su trabajo en la reunión.
  4. No sabía que ahora da a conocer la lectura.
  5. Dio que hablar que el culpable era él.

ANSWERS: 1.Dio que hablar 2.Se las da de sabio 3. Dado a conocer 4.Le da a 5.Dio a entender

Do you want to continue your Spanish learning? Check out our Learning resources section page to test your Spanish level with our quizzes.

Do you want to further expand your knowledge of Spanish? We recommend you this post about asking for directions in Spanish .

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Ordering drinks in Spanish – Spanish exercises

Ordering drinks in Spanish is not as simple as you might think. Let’s see how well you know your way around the world of alcoholic beverages in Madrid. Try matching the drink with the definition:

1. Bebida de alta graduación alcohólica mezclada con un refresco y hielo en un vaso de tubo. (Spirits mixed with a soft drink and ice in a tall glass)
2. Suele ser de ½ litro. (half a litre or more)
3. Botella de cerveza de 33cl. (a medium sized bottle of beer)
4. Botella de cerveza de 20cl. (a small 20cl bottle of beer)
5. Vaso de cerveza de 20cl. (a small draught beer)
6. Vaso de plástico con capacidad para un litro de cerveza o alcohol con refresco. (a huge plastic glass of beer or sometimes spirits designed to share, often at live music events)

a. CubataOrdering drinks in Spanish
b. Botellín
c. Tercio
d. Jarra
e. Caña
f. Mini

Are you ready now for ordering drinks in Spanish? If you want to continue your Spanish learning, take a look at the infographics of different levels that we have in our Learning resources.

Meet other Spanish students like yourself and discover their learning experience!

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How to speak castizo – Spanish exercises

Like any big city Madrid has its own distinctive slang. So if you want to sound like a real madrileño you need to learn how to speak castizo. Try dropping some of these words into your speech. First, you’ll have to match the slang with the definition:

1. ¡Este bar mola mazo!                                                          Genial
2. En mi keli no tengo internet.                                          Autobús
3. Esta canción está fetén.                                                  Rápidamente
4. Espérame abajo, llego en 0 coma.                             Casa
5. Esta mañana el bule iba llenísimo.                             Mucho

Use them with your madrileños friends and prove them that you have learnt how to speak castizo!

Speaking Castizo Style – Spanish exercises

Do you want to continue your Spanish learning and test your level? You can go to our Learning resources section page and and put you to the test with our quizzes.

If you want to continue your Spanish learning while discovering how to cook a delicious Spanish meal, check out this post.

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Easter Language Game – Spanish exercises

Spanish exercise about EasterThese days at Easter in Madrid many madrileños just enjoy the processions. However, for real devotees each day of La Semana Santa brings specific religious obligations. Try ordering these phrases correctly and learn what each of the Easter days is called in Spanish.

• Domingo de Ramos.
misa olivo Asistimos con de a bendecidas la ramas.
(We attend Mass with blessed olive branches)
• Jueves Santo.
la Última la Vamos ver representaciones a iglesia las para de Cena.
(We go to church to see representations of the Last Supper)
• Viernes Santo.
de importante Es día la Santa y más no Es comemos el Semana carne.
(The most important day of the week, and we don’t eat meat!)

Do you want to continue your Spanish learning? Check out the infographics of different levels that we have in our Learning resources section page.

Discover interesting and fun activities to do in Madrid in our After-class activities section.

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El pronombre “se” y los verbos de consumo – Spanish exercises

La primavera se acerca, y con ella los productos de temporada y las terrazas en las calles y plazas de Madrid. A los madrileños les encanta compartir en ellas momentos en los que la comida y la bebida son imprescindibles. Uno se toma una caña, otra se toma un chato de vino y el otro solo toma agua. Pero, ¿por qué uno ‘se toma’ una caña y otro ‘toma’ agua? Pues aquí vamos a enseñarte algo muy español sobre el pronombre “se” y los verbos de consumo:

El pronombre “se” y los verbos de consumo – Spanish exercises

Ahora elige la opción correcta:
1. Ayer merendé/me merendé galletas.
2. Ayer merendé/me merendé un bocata de atún.
3. Bebe/Se bebe un litro de gaseosa al día.
4. Bebe/Se bebe mucha agua cuando hace deporte.
5. Tengo ganas de comer/comerme pescado.
6. Tengo ganas de comer/comerme un pincho de pulpo.

SOLUCIONES: 1. MERENDÉ 2. ME MERENDÉ 3. SE BEBE 4. BEBE 5. COMER 6. COMERME

Do you want to continue your Spanish learning? Check out our Learning resources section page to test your Spanish level with our quizzes.

If you have a special someone and want to tell him/her some enchanting phrases in Spanish, go to our St. Valentine’s Day Piropos.

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Treasure Hunt in Retiro Park – Featured after-class activity

The flower beds bursting with colour, the sparkling lake filled with paddle boats and the welcome sunshine basking everything in a warm yellow glow, there can be no better time of year to pay a visit to the Retiro Park than spring. If you’re looking to escape the crowded streets of the city centre for some fresh air, why not join us on an activity-filled outing to the park?

Challenges in Retiro Park – Featured after-class activity

We begin our visit with a little walk through the manicured hedges and umbrella-fringed outdoor cafés of the Retiro, learning more about its history as a park that was once reserved exclusively for the Spanish royal family to use. After our students have gotten their bearings, we get started on an exhilarating gymkhana competition!With a 45-minute time limit, our students must race the clock to complete as many set mini challenges as possible, ranging from asking locals questions in Spanish to taking selfies with strangers and tracking down key landmarks to photograph. It’s a great way for students to practice their Spanish outside of the classroom with locals, and to get over any shyness they have about their language skills and start speaking!

With amazing warm weather predicted right up until the final few months of the year, we hope to take many more groups of students out to the park for this energetic activity. If you’re looking for an excuse to break out those new trainers and head out into the sunshine, why not sign up to our next after class activity?

Learn everything about this kind of activity in AIL Madrid and find out about other featured after-class activities, like our riverside bike ride.

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Featured AIL Student – Peter

Peter, Feature AIL Madrid Student

My name is Peter and I’m from the United States. I decided to come to AIL Madrid to take private and group classes in business Spanish.

My story

I chose to enrol at AIL Madrid as it offered not just group classes in business Spanish but also private lessons. Subjects like finance and business can be very specialised and every student has their own specific interests, so having personalised classes was really important to me.

My teacher

My teacher Marina was phenomenal and very intelligent. She was the only teacher I worked with during my time at AIL and taught me for both my private and group classes. Through these classes, I also got to meet other students from places like China and Turkey. I found the different perspectives of the international class really interesting.

Fun after class activities

Although AIL offered a lot of cultural activities after class, I was studying for my DELE exams and so I only went to one cultural workshop about Cervantes. The activity taught me so much new vocabulary and I ended up having an ‘aha!’ moment the next day when I overheard one of my newly learned words used by my host family! I think the cultural activities are a nice way to learn Spanish in a more relaxed atmosphere.

Why study Spanish

I’m not young, so I know that for others it’s a lot easier to learn a new language. It is challenging and at times I think, ‘Why am I doing this?’ Yet, on the days where I can speak really fluently, or when people can’t detect my American accent in Spanish and ask where I’m from, it’s amazing. For people who are considering taking up Spanish lessons, my advice would be to just do it!

Do you want to read AIL Student opinion? You can meet Rachel, a night Spanish course student, in our Spanish Language Students section.