Bola de Nieve

This technique from the chess grandmasters helps anyone at any age speak with Spanish verbs confidently and freely.

You might have seen a chess grandmaster play against 10 or even 30 other players all at the same time.

It’s AMAZING!
[…]

My Aussie friends are always surprised with my Mexican road trip stories.

Mexico is a much bigger country than people imagine.

The drive from Tijuana to Mexico City is 31 hours. And if you kept heading east to Cancun, you could drive for another 19 hours.

There is a lot to do and tons to see.

As big as […]

Great things happen when you can get by in Spanish.

You pick up extra language without trying. As you speak with your amigos, you absorb words, phrases and everyday language.

I remember one time when my Mexican friend Roberto was excited about a gig […]

Who conquered Mexico?

I’ve discovered it wasn’t the Spanish.

Have I been drinking a coco loco? (Coconut water with tequila)

Here’s un punto de vista diferente de la historia (a different point of view of the history).

Elena’s dad, Roman, always used to tell […]

Who conquered Mexico?

I’ve discovered it wasn’t the Spanish.

Have I been drinking a coco loco? (Coconut water with tequila)

Here’s un punto de vista diferente de la historia (a different point of view of the history).

Elena’s dad, Roman, always used to tell […]

Who conquered Mexico?

I’ve discovered it wasn’t the Spanish.

Have I been drinking a coco loco? (Coconut water with tequila)

Here’s un punto de vista diferente de la historia (a different point of view of the history).

Elena’s dad, Roman, always used to tell […]

When I first arrived in Tijuana, I got pulled over by a motorcycle policeman after I accidentally made an illegal turn.

He was a bit like a caricature of a policía … the obligatory moustache and overweight, in a too-tight shirt that stretched […]

They made me red-faced.

I once panicked when I lost my wife for hours in San Diego. Yes, it was before mobile phones.

I went to the library to meet her as we’d agreed, but she went to the bookstore.

Librería means bookstore in Spanish.

And there was the time I made her burst into […]

Seeing a giant snake descend from the heavens and slither down the pyramid in Chichen Itza, Mexico is number 1 on my Spanish-world bucket list.

On Sunday there’s a cosmic warm up.

At the exact moment of the summer solstice the effects of light and shadow […]

As the Women’s World Cup is on in Canada, it seems a good time to get these confidence boosting videos out of the vault.

The subject is el fútbol but even if el fútbol isn’t your thing, you can still use the structure […]

“An intellectual says a simple thing in a hard way. An artist says a hard thing in
a simple way.” – Charles Bukowski

Intellectual Spanish is all about studying the pluperfect, subjunctive, etc.

That’s great if you need to pass an exam.

It’s not so great for speaking in real life with real people though. […]

I’m feeling full of life energy.

Comments on my blog prove your chronological age isn’t the same as your biological age.

There’s plenty to look forward to in my 50s, 60s 70s and even 80s.

Here are some of the comments. […]

Better than university Spanish for $1

This video shows you my secret sauce.

I used to keep it to close to my chest. I thought this was too valuable to share outside of my paid programs.

Now I openly share it. […]

If you have ever doubted that you really can speak Spanish try these 3 free videos.

The sequence takes you from zero to flowing sentences of authentic everyday conversational Spanish.

Each step follows on gently from the last. All you have to do is speak to learn and real-life Spanish phrases will flow […]

We just finished the 3rd en la trilogía (in the trilogy) of big 5-0 speak-to-learn Spanish videos.

If you missed the first it’s here:

And the second is here:

If you’ve ever looked at a Spanish verb chart and said “o dios mío” (Oh my god), you’ll love […]

Why eaten bread?

“Pan comido” (eaten bread) is a handy Spanish expression.

I’ll tell you about the expression shortly. It relates to the comments about my latest free confidence-creating Spanish videos.

If you missed them, you‘ll find them here: […]

In my last article I promised you an all-new Spanish video with an easy pattern to tell your friends what you are about to do.

Voy a cumplir la promesa. (I am going to keep the promise.)
[…]

Back in 2000, when I was 35, I promised myself I would get by in Spanish antes de cumplir 36 años(before turning 36 years old).

After trying classes, textbooks and courses I still wasn’t able to keep that promise to myself.

If only Synergy Spanish was available back then keeping my promise would have been easy.

Do you know how to say “I am about to turn 50″ in Spanish?

What about…”I’m going to throw a party”?

Hint: Nothing gets thrown or turned in these Spanish sentences. […]

English is strange!

Spanish makes more sense.

In English, noses run and feet smell.

Shouldn’t the feet do the running?

And the noses do the smelling? […]

Here’s a good shortcut you can use to get things done in Spanish.

Did you know that Spanish has a complete tense for telling people what to do? It’s called the imperative.

I teach it in the advanced parts of my programs, but it complicates things for beginners. So it’s best left until […]

March 2 is Dr Seuss’ birthday And I’m sillier than Dr Seuss. Some kids see their dad’s as gods. Others, like my kids, see their dad as anything but that. […]

These Spanish videos are 100 percent relevant to your Spanish today or any day.

I made them for Valentine’s Day but there’s plenty of Spanish you can use any day of the year.

The first video has two handy Spanish expressions to add to your daily Spanish repertoire.

Once you know the expressions, you’ll […]

You can still speak Spanish in 2015.

Here’s the best of everything I’ve got and the most generous offer I can possibly make. […]

In these three short Spanish videos you’ll discover an easy way to unlock your language skills and live the dream of speaking Spanish. […]

In my last article we talked about the Seinfeld method of productivity for Spanish.

If you missed that article, it’s on the link below. You’ll want to read it to understand today’s tip.

Seinfeld’s Spanish System

There’s a small twist that makes Jerry’s system even better.

I’ve used this method to lose 24 pounds, get […]

In the next few days you can take steps to becoming one of the few people who experience the thrill of speaking a second language.

Traditional methods rarely get people to their language goals.

However, when you follow the step-by-step system outlined in the videos, speaking Spanish becomes completely doable at any age. […]

In 2007 Jerry Seinfeld, the famous New York Comedian, inadvertently became a guru of getting things done.

Aspiring comedian Brad Isaac asked Jerry’s advice on how to become great. The answer is now known as the Seinfeld method of productivity.

Here’s how it works:

First you pick a fun […]

Statistics show that 95 % of people who make a New Year’s Resolution have already broken it by today.

15 days into the year and it’s over.

Fortunately, there is a better way.

If speaking Spanish in 2021 is a resolution, a goal or even a wish for you… these FREE videos will show your potential.

At the end of the year I emailed a fantastic New Year’s offer.

It had all my best programs for a beginner to transform themselves into a Spanish speaker in 2015.

But I didn’t tell you about the best ingredient.

So, I decided to reopen the offer and put a note right on top of the page letting […]

2015 is closing in; let’s make it your year to speak Spanish.

A few days ago I sent an email with a fantastic Spanish offer.

Now, I’ve got an even better one. It’ll help you achieve something great with Spanish in 2015.

https://synergyspanish.com/oferta1

I’m giving away the farm here, so once the clock strikes […]

Back in the ’70s, everyone called me Santa.

Check out Santa’s Spanish Christmas offer – it’s here until midnight:

https://synergyspanish.com/navidad.html

Yep, everywhere I went I was Santa.

That was my nickname in high school. Santamaria, Santa, get it?

From Santa to you, thanks for tuning in to my Spanish tips this year. And I wish […]

Is 2015 going to be the year you finally get to speak Spanish?

Do you want to achieve something great with Spanish in 2015? Here’s my best offer to help you get there.

https://synergyspanish.com/navidad.html

However, once the clock strikes midnight on Christmas Eve, December 24th, the deal will be gone.

Here’s the special page […]

Why not delight your amigos while you enjoy yourself speaking some Christmas Spanish?

This free video makes it easy to start speaking about Navidad (Christmas) in Spanish.

Click the play button below for your speak to learn Christmas video. Es pagado por la casa (it’s on the house)

I often get emails about the overwhelm of being in a foreign country without speaking the language, I know what it’s like. I experienced it for the first time at just 11 years of age.

It was distressing.

Some of my experiences were traumatic.

I’ll tell you about the metal-pole-attack in an email soon but there’s an important […]

A few days ago I sent an email with a fantastic Black Friday Spanish offer. Now, I’ve got an even better one.

Black Friday Gets Better on Cyber Monday

Until Friday, you can trial the first fluency module, plus five conversation multipliers for just a buck.

And to make sure you get to […]

As I mentioned in an earlier article, “Why is Spanish so much like English”, many English Words can be turned into Spanish words by making very small changes.

On that blog post you can download 6 categories of Spanish words that give you 1066 Instant Spanish Words.

The IDAD category is mi […]

Black Friday is traditionally a day for great deals in the USA…

But I doubt you’ll find a better opportunity than the one I’m offering right now on my Spanish fluency program, Bola de Nieve.

Until Wednesday, (the positions may fill sooner) you can trial the first fluency module, plus 5 conversation multipliers for just a buck.

If […]

Have you ever seen the cartoon cliché where the cowboy and his horse slowly sink into quicksand?

My kids think it should be called “slowsand,” not quicksand, because that cowboy always takes a while to sink.

Sometimes things are misnamed.

Koala bears are marsupials.

On the outskirts of Mexico City there is a parque nacional (national park) called desierto […]

Want to put the language struggle to an end and finally start speaking Spanish?

Well, now is your chance:

Click Here to Discover How to Go From Failure to Success in Spanish

Recently I created an audiovisual program specifically designed for people over 40 who are struggling with traditional textbook language training.

My new […]

I recently had a profound learning experience.

It turned my thinking upside down on a subject I have dedicated myself to for years.

It also made me throw out much of what took me years to acquire. I’ve even questioned many things I held to be true.

It was so challenging and confronting that one girl cried nearly […]

If you’ve been told you’re too old for Spanish, or you’ve come to the conclusion you’re just not good at languages, it’s time for plan B.

The revolutionary video method in the programs below will start you speaking Spanish quicker and easier then ever before.

I guarantee you’ll start speaking Spanish.

If you tried before and no still […]

This free Spanish audio lesson is ideal for anyone who…

– Is over 40

– Is convinced they aren’t good at languages

– Has taken courses and still can’t string a Spanish sentence together

– OR lives in a Spanish-speaking country and still can’t have conversations in Spanish with their amigos.

If you know someone like this, please share this […]

Choose a link below and discover how simple it can be for you to start speaking beginner, intermediate or advanced Spanish.

Beginner Spanish Video

Intermediate Spanish Video 101

Intermediate Spanish Video 102

Advanced Spanish Video

This lesson follows on from the two videos on these blog posts:

http://www.synergyspanishsystems.com/blog/gol_101_video_gratis/

http://www.synergyspanishsystems.com/blog/
gol-102-free-spanish-video-lessons/

They were created for the el mundial (the World Cup). You don’t have to be a fan of el futbol to use this lesson to gain more confidence speaking Spanish.

The lessons have speaking patterns […]

I created this lesson as an audio for the World Cup 4 years ago.

Since then we’ve added a new video format, which for many of my students is the missing breakthrough to finally speaking the language.

I figured why not go back and turn the free audio lessons I’ve created in the past into the new […]

Seven Spanish-speaking countries celebrate their independence from Spain between September 15 to 18.

Let’s celebrate along with them by giving you the freedom that speaking Spanish brings to your life. Here is a special “Independence in Spanish” offer for you:

Independence in Spanish.

While Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Chile and […]

With Synergy Spanish, all you need is 138 words and a simple three-step pattern and you can make as many as 88,000 Spanish phrases.

For a limited time you get both the visual and audio combination of Synergy Spanish during my Independence in Spanish special.

And with the video added to the audio, it makes Spanish doable […]

I just want to check in one last time because I don’t want you to miss this free video.

Free Spanish video

It’s getting rave reviews on my blog.

“I find your lessons superb and they help me to speak to the Spanish people in Rojales Spain, my holiday village.”
Roger

“Your lessons are […]

Did you miss this free Spanish video?

Confidence-boosting Spanish video

Here’s an interesting comment about the video:

“This video will especially benefit visual learners – those who really get something when they can see it. Well done, Marcus.”

We’ve got five senses but we’ve only got two ways to absorb language.

You can’t smell language.

You […]

Hace un rato (a while back) I created some Spanish audios for El Mundial (the World Cup).

My favorite comment about the original audios came from Maureen, she said ”I am 72… You give me what I don’t have…..confidence.”

I just had two of the lessons converted to video, which makes them an even better format for […]

Back in 1999 tenia 34 anos. (I was 34.)

The street vendors in Mexico would call out ‘joven’ (young man) or ‘güerito’ (a term of endearment for a light-skinned or blond person).

These days they just seem to call me señor.

Once at my father-in-law’s house a vendedor (vendor) caught his attention by yelling ‘joven.’

He replied “gracias por […]

Cuando y era un joven de 19 años (when I was a 19-year-old young man) I spent some time in Londres (London).

While there I visited the National Gallery.

At 19 years old, most of the paintings bored me.

I’d just been in Rome for four months and I was immune and indifferent to all that “old stuff.”

To […]

Hace un rato (a while back) I wrote a post about the Beatles’ failure in Spanish.

Beatles’ failure in Spanish.

The post includes an interesting story about the Beatles getting rejected, a video of them singing Bésame Mucho (kiss me a lot) and a translation of the Spanish lyrics.

It generated some interesting […]

El domingo es el día internacional de la amistad. (Sunday is the International Day of Friendship.)

The Spanish videos at the bottom of this post are from Valentine’s Day. While Valentine’s Day is a day for lovers in the many Spanish speaking countries, it is also a day of amistades (friendships).

You’ll find the videos relevant to […]

These 3 levels of free audios show you how simple it is to speak Spanish.

El Mundial (the World Cup) inspired me to create them for you.

Choose a link below and discover how easy it is to speak beginner, intermediate or advanced Spanish can be for you.
[…]

Here is anther free Spanish lesson in celebration of el Mundial (The World Cup)

When I was writing the script for this lesson, I was tempted to write Brazil into the story as finalists. Am I glad I thought better of that!

I just watched them get thumped 7-1 by Germany.

Anyway, this lesson’s bigger purpose is to […]

Here are two free audio lessons inspired by el Mundial. (The World Cup)

They are at an intermediate level. However, we do ease you into it, so even a beginner will enjoy the lessons.

They even get you using some Spanish about the future, recent past and the past.
It’s very conversational.

Here’s some vocabulario de fútbol (football vocabulary) […]

I created an audio lesson here for the last Mundial (World Cup) 4 years ago.

Qué rápido pasa el tiempo; (Literally, “how quickly time passes”, but it’s just like saying in English “how time flies.”)

Por supuesto el fútbol es tan popular como siempre.
Of course the football is as popular as ever (always).

In my opinion 3 Spanish-speaking […]

Normal topics for enjoyable conversations with native Spanish speakers are:

Comida
Food

Familia
Family

Amigos
Friends

This month everything is different, there is only one subject. It trumps anything else.

Yes, it’s the 4 yearly La Copa Mundial (The World Cup).

It’s hands down the liveliest conversation topic among Spanish speakers for the next 30 days.

Here are some important facts you need to know […]

Happy Valentine’s Day! Yes, I know it’s almost 4 months ago.

I’ve had the lesson from Valentine’s Day converted to our new Video format. And I thought I’d sent it to you now rather than wait until next year.

I made them for Valentine’s Day but there’s plenty of Spanish you can use any day of the […]

One of my students just had a phenomenal time in Mexico’s Copper Canyon.

It’s on my bucket list.

Here are some insider tips from Vicki for a possible itinerary.

MEXICO – CHIHUAHUA – EL FUERTE, COPPER CANYON TRAIN TOUR
The best time of year to do this trip is either in the second part of February and 1 part […]

This simple system gave me a huge Spanish vocabulary in just a few short months.

There are two parts to this system.

Part 1 is mnemonics. If you missed my email on mnemonics I have posted it on my blog for you:

http://www.synergyspanishsystems.com/blog/mnemonics-memory-mastery-for-spanish/

The second part is flashcards.

I told you it was a simple system but […]

There are many reasons to learn Spanish. Some people learn to help themselves and some learn so they can help others.

This project is one of my students helping others. Her project is Mujeres Ayudando a Mujeres, Women Helping Women.

Mujeres Ayudando a Mujeres

If you find yourself in La Paz, Baja California, be sure […]

Have you ever seen a memory expert remember the name of everyone in the audience?

I’ll show you the technique they use.

And you can use the same principle to expand your memory at any age.

Take a look at these abbreviations.

FBI USA UFO UK UNICEF NEWS

Now imagine this vividly:

An FBI agent in a black suit and goes […]

English speakers face two distinct parts of the Spanish language.

One part is very easy and natural to use. The other isn’t intuitive to English speakers.

Guess which part of Spanish the traditional textbooks start with?

That’s right, the textbooks start with the Spanish that is hard for English speakers to grasp.

There’s a heavy focus on what works […]

I made this mistake. It’s very common. There’s a chance you are making it too.

When I first started learning Spanish, I decided I would start with vocabulary.

In principle, there’s nothing wrong with that idea, but it can lead you off track.

I had a vocabulary book. I opened it up. The first page was all about […]

Is your Spanish dying? If it is, the medicine prescribed by most textbooks is guaranteed to kill it.

The treatment they advise is worse than the cure. De hecho (in fact), their treatment is no cure, just more pain and suffering.

“I still can’t speak Spanish,” you say.

The textbook replies, “Well, you need the subjunctive mode.”

“But I […]