Viva Spanish - The Podcast

Lee Armstrong
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  • Language Learning

The story of a broke kid from Lincoln @vivaspanishlee that ends up living and working in Madrid, learns Spanish, opens a Spanish language academy and even starts his own podcast!Anecdotes and stories of things that happened along the way with guests that have been a part of my journey, Viva Spanish students that are beginning their Spanish language journey now and other figures from the Spanish language learning world.Practical Spanish language pointers within discussions about mistakes made, lessons learnt and how you can progress your Spanish...@vivaspanishlee on Instagram and Facebook

  1. Jul 1

    Shocking Cultural Differences in Spain (That Textbooks Won't Teach You!) 🇪🇸⏰

    Ever wondered why the streets of Spain are completely packed at 10:00 PM while the rest of the world is heading to bed? Or why a simple coffee invite can turn into a three-hour deep dive into the meaning of life? In this episode of the Viva Spanish Podcast, we break down the beautiful, chaotic, and heartwarming lifestyle differences between Britain and Spain. Discover why adjusting to the Spanish rhythm of life is the real secret to boosting your language confidence! 📝 What We Cover in This Episode: The 10 PM Dinner Shock: Why a late-night eating culture feels like a completely different universe for foreigners.The "Stop and Talk" Culture: How a passing greeting in Spain transforms into a genuine 20-minute conversation about your family, your holiday, and your dog.The Greeting Minefield: Navigating the social anxiety of the two-kiss greeting without accidentally headbutting someone!Coffee as an Event: Why the Spanish café isn't a quick caffeine pitstop, but an active therapy session.🗣️ 3 Life-Changing Phrases to Adopt: ¿Qué tal todo? ("How's everything going?") – An expansion of ¿Qué tal?. In Spain, when people ask this, they aren't just saying hello—they actually stand still and wait for your real answer.No te preocupes ("Don't worry") – The ultimate stress-reliever. Messed up your verb conjugation? Got on the wrong train? No te preocupes. It reflects Spain’s beautiful margin for error and lack of panic.Tomárselo con calma ("To take things easy / with calm") – More than an expression, it's a way of life. A reminder to step out of the hyper-productive hustle culture and enjoy the present moment.Key Lesson: Language learning isn't just about memorizing words. It's about getting a brand-new lens through which you can view the world. 🎯 This Week's Challenge: Try adopting just ONE piece of Spanish culture this week. Slow down over your morning coffee, have a longer-than-usual chat with a neighbor, or practice saying no te preocupes when something goes slightly off track. Love real-world Spanish insights? Hit that SUBSCRIBE button, drop a comment with the cultural difference that shocked you the most, and let’s take your Spanish beyond the classroom! 🌟 Connect with @VivaSpanish:  📱 Instagram: @vivaspanishlee  📞 WhatsApp: 07468 585404  👉 Spanish in context, not in textbooks. #LearnSpanish #SpanishCulture #VivaSpanish #ExpatsInSpain #LanguageLearning #CulturalShock #LivingInSpain Follow me @ https://www.facebook.com/VivaSpanishLee https://www.instagram.com/vivaspanishlee/ https://www.tiktok.com/@vivaspanishlee

    Shocking Cultural Differences in Spain (That Textbooks Won't Teach You!) 🇪🇸⏰

  2. Jun 24

    Stop Learning Textbook Spanish! (Do This Instead) 🇪🇸

    Ever feel like you’ve studied Spanish for years, but the second you step off the plane in Madrid, you can’t understand a word? You are not alone! In this episode of the Viva Spanish Podcast, we’re throwing out the rigid grammar worksheets and diving into the real, living language used by native speakers every day. From enthusiastic interruptions to the art of Spanish exaggeration, discover why communication will always beat perfection. 📝 What We Cover in This Episode: The Textbook Trap: Why classic school vocabulary won't help you chat with locals at a tapas bar.The Secret to Confidence: Why waiting until you feel "ready" to speak is keeping you stuck (and how to break the cycle).Spanish Exaggeration: How a tiny inconvenience becomes a dramatic catastrophe in real Spanish—and why it’s so much fun!🗣️ Key Real-World Phrases You'll Learn: Vale – The Swiss Army knife of Spanish. Learn how this one tiny word can mean everything from "okay" and "agreed" to "stop talking, I get it!"¿Tomamos algo? – The ultimate invitation to spontaneity. Find out how a simple "grab a drink" turns into a 6-hour Tuesday night adventure.Tirando – Literally "pulling," but culturally means "just getting by." The absolute perfect response to life's daily adulting struggles.No pasa nada – More than a phrase, it's a philosophy! Why you need to embrace the "nothing happens" mindset when making language mistakes.Estar hecho polvo – Literally "to be made of dust." The phrase you absolutely need when you are completely shattered and exhausted."Fluency isn't one magical breakthrough moment. It's hundreds of tiny, awkward moments where you simply choose to have a go."🎯 This Week's Challenge: Don't try to memorize 50 phrases this week. Pick just ONE expression from today’s video and use it—even if it's just out loud to yourself around the house. Build the habit poco a poco (little by little). Enjoyed this episode? Hit that SUBSCRIBE button, leave a comment with your favorite phrase from today, and let’s take your Spanish beyond the textbooks! 🌟 Connect with Viva Spanish:  📱 Instagram: @vivaspanishlee  📞 WhatsApp: 07468 585404  👉 Spanish in context, not in textbooks. Follow me @ https://www.facebook.com/VivaSpanishLee https://www.instagram.com/vivaspanishlee/ https://www.tiktok.com/@vivaspanishlee

    Stop Learning Textbook Spanish! (Do This Instead) 🇪🇸

  3. Jun 19

    Overcoming the "Blank Mind"

    Ever freeze up when trying to speak Spanish, even though you understand it perfectly? You are completely normal! In this video, we break down why the "blank mind" happens and how to overcome it. What You'll Learn: The "Blank Mind" Myth: Why struggling to speak is actually a sign of language progress.Redefining Mistakes: Why the fastest-improving students aren't the grammar experts, but the ones willing to fail forward.Action over Confidence: Why you'll never feel "100% ready"—and why you need to get behind the wheel anyway.3 Key Phrases to Help You Get By: Me defiendo ("I get by") – The perfect, humble way to answer "Do you speak Spanish?"Poco a poco ("Little by little") – Remembering that fluency is built on thousands of tiny, imperfect moments.Lanzarse a la piscina ("To take the plunge") – Stopping the endless preparation and just speaking the bloody language!Remember: Language isn't about perfection; it's about connection. Imperfect Spanish is still Spanish! 🎯 This Week's Challenge: Have just one conversation this week. Order a coffee, ask for directions, or message a language partner. It doesn't need to be flawless—it just needs to happen. If you enjoyed the insights from today's podcast, don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more real-world language tips! Follow me @ https://www.facebook.com/VivaSpanishLee https://www.instagram.com/vivaspanishlee/ https://www.tiktok.com/@vivaspanishlee

    Overcoming the "Blank Mind"

  4. Jun 17

    Stop planning, start doing - Are you actually doing the work?

    If you've ever felt overwhelmed trying to do it all, or stuck in a loop of planning without doing, this one is for you. We explore why success isn't about perfection, but rather the boring, beautiful grind of consistency. Key Takeaways & Spanish Phrases from this Episode: The "Do-It-All" Trap: Why trying to be the teacher, marketer, accountant, and video editor was holding the business back, and how working with coaches (like Paul Mort and Mark Newman) changed the game. Poco a poco (Little by little): It doesn't mean "do nothing and hope." It means taking small, repeated, consistent action until your goals become reality. Quedarse en palabras (To remain just words): How to stop becoming a collector of good intentions and start becoming a collector of results. Predicar con el ejemplo (To practice what you preach): Shifting away from announcing what you intend to do, and starting to build the actual evidence. My Challenge to You This Week: Stop waiting for the "perfect" moment. Take one uncomfortable action today that moves you closer to your goal. If it's Spanish, go out and speak it badly—because messy action is exactly where true improvement lives! 👉 Follow @VivaSpanishLee on all social media platforms for more real-world Spanish, slang, and community updates! #VivaSpanish #SpanishPodcast #PocoAPoco #LearnSpanish #ConsistencyWins #MindsetShift #SpeakSpanish #VivaSpanishLee Follow me @ https://www.facebook.com/VivaSpanishLee https://www.instagram.com/vivaspanishlee/ https://www.tiktok.com/@vivaspanishlee

    Stop planning, start doing - Are you actually doing the work?

  5. Jun 8

    The Viva Spanish Podcast is back!

    It’s been a while, but the mic is officially back on! 🎙️ In this catch-up episode, I’m sitting down to give you a proper update on everything that’s been happening behind the scenes at Viva Spanish - from the business evolution and life lessons to our recent expansion into Leeds. If this journey has taught me anything over the last few years, it's that consistency beats perfection every single time. Real success isn't about building the biggest empire; it's about freedom, connection, and watching students realise they are capable of far more than they ever imagined. Spanish is just the vehicle—the real magic is the incredible community we are building together. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey, whether you've attended a live class, liked a post, or listened to this podcast. None of this exists without you! Remember: Keep speaking Spanish, especially when you think you're not ready. Follow ‪@vivaspanishlee‬ on all social media! #VivaSpanish #SpanishPodcast #LearnSpanish #LanguageLearning #ConsistencyWins #SpanishLee #LeedsSpanishcommunity Follow me @ https://www.facebook.com/VivaSpanishLee https://www.instagram.com/vivaspanishlee/ https://www.tiktok.com/@vivaspanishlee

  6. 11/06/2024

    Viva Spanish meets LightSpeed Spanish!

    In this episode, Viva Spanish gets to know a bit about one of the BIG HITTERS in the Spanish language learning world  @LightSpeedSpanish and discuss all things around the language - including the characteristics for what would make an ideal student! Don't forget to follow  @vivaspanishlee on all social media and  @LightSpeedSpanish across all platforms too! Follow me @ https://www.facebook.com/VivaSpanishLee https://www.instagram.com/vivaspanishlee/ https://www.tiktok.com/@vivaspanishlee

  7. 10/09/2024

    The skills we don't know we have! (Inc. possessive pronouns!)

    After a bit of time of to build the teaching side of Viva Spanish, we are back! With inspo coming from the new students that I'm working with, this episode touches on the untapped potential of having lived a multitud of situations, thereby being able to predict the likely structure of conversations. Also, that 'thread' of masculine/ feminine/ plural that runs throughout Spanish is explained in detail, by way of 'possessive pronouns' - that which is: mine, yours, his, hers, ours, yours (pl.) and theirs... Follow @vivaspanishlee on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for más y mejor... Follow me @ https://www.facebook.com/VivaSpanishLee https://www.instagram.com/vivaspanishlee/ https://www.tiktok.com/@vivaspanishlee

  8. 04/12/2024

    Meet Neil - The Running Man

    Neil has jumped on the podcast to chat about how he's finding things as a student six months into his Spanish journey as a Viva Spaniard in the Viva Spanish - Lunes de Locos group. Topics covered include working in education, his history with Spain and being inspired by Viva Spaniard #001 Joey... This episode gives a real insight into what language learning in a group environment can do beyond giving the student words... Follow @vivaspanishlee on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for más y mejor... Follow me @ https://www.facebook.com/VivaSpanishLee https://www.instagram.com/vivaspanishlee/ https://www.tiktok.com/@vivaspanishlee

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About

The story of a broke kid from Lincoln @vivaspanishlee that ends up living and working in Madrid, learns Spanish, opens a Spanish language academy and even starts his own podcast!Anecdotes and stories of things that happened along the way with guests that have been a part of my journey, Viva Spanish students that are beginning their Spanish language journey now and other figures from the Spanish language learning world.Practical Spanish language pointers within discussions about mistakes made, lessons learnt and how you can progress your Spanish...@vivaspanishlee on Instagram and Facebook

Information

  • Creator
    Lee Armstrong
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Viva Spanish - The Podcast
  • Show Website
    Viva Spanish - The Podcast