Copyright © 2018-2020 Spectrum Monkey | monkey@spectrummonkey.com
BLOG ZONE
02 AUG 2018 | WELCOME | POST #1
1 MIN | by Spectrum Monkey
Welcome to the Spectrum Monkey Blog Zone. Let's begin our journey!
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PROGRESS UPDATE
06 AUG 2018 | SITE UPDATE | POST #2
2 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
A short progress report of site development to date.
If you're reading this today, hoping to see lots of new Spanish content. Sorry to disappoint.
Most of the recent efforts have been spent hunched over a keyboard, coding in an attempt to make this site work well on many platforms, particularly mobile devices. Good progress is being made, but please be patient, as the priority in the short term will be developing the blog and site functionality to work well for all, particularly for those on the move.
In the meantime, you can try out the new adjectives quiz. This is accessible by touching one of the square icons found at the top this page. Currently, there are more than 400 categorised adjectives stored within the quiz engine. Over time, this number is due to grow to contain several thousand of the most common and useful adjectives.
This is just one example of the interactive learning aids due to appear on Spectrum Monkey. A combination of fun and challenging interactive learning aids, info sheets, and good old-fashioned blogging will combine to form a rich multi-pronged approach to learning Spanish.
Until more content appears, things may continue to feel somewhat bewildering or confusing. Please bear with me, as all will become clear soon. In the meantime, if you have any questions or suggestions, get in touch via the contact form.
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08 AUG 2018 | BEGINNER | POST #3
20 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Pronunciation - Let's not run before we can "talk".
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14 AUG 2018 | BEGINNER | POST #4
10 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Following on from our ABCs. Why accents are important, both kinds!
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17 AUG 2018 | LEARNING TOOL | POST #5
3 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
How to get the most from the Adjectives Quiz.
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SPANISH PHRASES
23 AUG 2018 | BEGINNER | POST #6
15 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Let's looks at 10 simple Spanish phrases and really understand their sentence construction.
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28 AUG 2018 | BEGINNER | POST #7
20 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Exploring different types of numbers in Spanish and how they are affected by gender agreement.
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30 AUG 2018 | BEGINNER | POST #8
20 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Continuing on from the previous post. Let's expand our vocabulary beyond just numbers.
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05 SEP 2018 | BEGINNER | POST #9
10 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Examining how questions are formed in Spanish, using statement phrases and question words.
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14 SEP 2018 | BEGINNER | POST #10
15 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Exploring common ways to say Hello and Goodbye in various situation.
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24 SEP 2018 | BEGINNER | POST #11
7 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Introducing more concepts of Spanish grammar.
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27 SEP 2018 | BEGINNER | POST #12
10 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
¡El tiempo! - Looking at different ways to describe the weather.
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3 OCT 2018 | BEGINNER | POST #13
5 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Let’s look at five different words that have no direct English translation and see what we can learn.
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10 OCT 2018 | BEGINNER | POST #14
12 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
A beginner's guide to nouns, and why we have gender agreement.
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15 OCT 2018 | BEGINNER | POST #15
8 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Following our recent lesson on Nouns. Let's explore the articles that accompany them.
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17 OCT 2018 | BEGINNER | POST #16
5 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Learning words with their opposites in pairs.
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30 OCT 2018 | BEGINNER | POST #17
12 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Scratching the surface of "doing" words.
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08 NOV 2018 | BEGINNER | POST #18
20 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Continuing to explore verb forms. Learning by patterns.
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13 NOV 2018 | BEGINNER | POST #19
5 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Words that are not only reserved for small cute things.
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19 NOV 2018 | BEGINNER | POST #20
4 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Demystifying some common words that are phonetically similar.
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29 NOV 2018 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #21
15 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Learning more verb tenses, and how to use the auxiliary verb haber.
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10 DEC 2018 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #22
15 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Expressing commands, ideas, feelings and opinions with the subjunctive and imperative tenses.
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17 DEC 2018 | BEGINNER | POST #23
5 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Seasons greetings! A festive look at some Spanish Christmas phrases.
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30 DEC 2018 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #24
10 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Finishing our look at simple form verb tenses: The conditional and imperfect subjunctive.
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10 JAN 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #25
15 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Let's talk about verbs that don't follow the rules.
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15 JAN 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #26
10 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Indulging our inner foodie with this Spanish classic.
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19 JAN 2019 | BEGINNER | POST #27
3 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Five interesting yet completely different Spanish words that originate from the Canary Islands.
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22 JAN 2019 | BEGINNER | POST #28
15 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Taking our first look at one of the most fiddly aspects of Spanish grammar.
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24 JAN 2019 | LEARNING TOOL | POST #29
1 MIN | by Spectrum Monkey
Introducing the Spectrum Monkey verb conjugation tool.
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31 JAN 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #30
12 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
“To be, or not to be, what is the difference?”
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08 FEB 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #31
3 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Exploring a tiny little word that deserves a proper explanation.
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12 FEB 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #32
10 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Dissecting six “romantic” phrases in time for St. Valentine’s Day.
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19 FEB 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #33
15 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Continuing our look at fiddly Spanish grammar with relative pronouns.
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26 FEB 2019 | BEGINNER | POST #34
8 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
A brief look at linking words with some interesting alternative forms.
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07 MAR 2019 | BEGINNER | POST #35
5 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
How keeping fit in groups can improve our Spanish.
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14 MAR 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #36
20 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Furthering our look at Spanish pronouns with direct and indirect object pronouns.
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20 MAR 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #37
10 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Actions where we act upon ourselves
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26 MAR 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #38
15 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Explaining two easily confused prepositions.
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30 MAR 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #39
5 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
A word every newcomer should know "already".
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03 APR 2019 | BEGINNER | POST #40
2 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
An expression not only reserved for young people.
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05 APR 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #41
5 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Ideas for the future that have been left in the past.
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09 APR 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #42
5 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Explaining a very Spanish preposition.
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18 APR 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #43
10 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Describing actions completed and on-going.
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26 APR 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #44
8 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Focusing on the action rather than the subject.
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29 APR 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #45
7 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Learning how to form negative sentences.
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09 MAY 2019 | BEGINNER | POST #46
10 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Beyond just ordering a coffee.
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12 MAY 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #47
5 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Is it really this one?
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21 MAY 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #48
5 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
How to express having just done something.
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25 MAY 2019 | BEGINNER | POST #49
9 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Muletillas: words that offer us a little support through conversations.
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05 JUN 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #50
4 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
An alternative way to describe when things are occurring.
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13 JUN 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #51
7 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Expressing existence.
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23 JUN 2019 | BEGINNER | POST #52
5 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Words that aren't what they seem.
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01 JUL 2019 | BEGINNER | POST #53
9 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Some simple tips that will help us remain on the right path.
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10 JUL 2019 | BEGINNER | POST #54
12 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Taking a closer look at describing words.
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18 JUL 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #55
17 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Continuing our look at describing words.
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23 JUL 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #56
8 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Demystifying so-called back to front verbs.
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26 JUL 2019 | BEGINNER | POST #57
5 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Looking at different ways to apologise in Spanish.
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10 AUG 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #58
8 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Mastering when to include or omit articles in Spanish.
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11 AUG 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #59
8 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Dissecting six useful constructions that use por and lo.
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22 AUG 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #60
7 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Continuing our look at some more idiomatic expressions.
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26 AUG 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #61
5 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Distinguishing between the different ways to express what in Spanish.
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03 SEP 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #62
5 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Describing recently completed actions.
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07 SEP 2019 | BEGINNER | NSFW | POST #63
7 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
How to curse using a few choice Spanish words.
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14 SEP 2019 | BEGINNER | POST #64
8 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Words that are the same or similar in both English and Spanish.
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25 SEP 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #65
5 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Describing on-going actions that are happening right now.
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07 OCT 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #66
12 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Looking at different ways to express becoming.
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15 OCT 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #67
10 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Exploring different ways to use an essential word based around agreement.
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SPANISH PROVERBS
18 OCT 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #68
7 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Comparing a few wise words across both English and Spanish.
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25 OCT 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #69
6 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Four similar constructions with somewhat different meanings.
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05 NOV 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #70
5 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Explaining a meaning of sí that can go unnoticed by “itself”
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13 NOV 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #71
6 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Allowing ourselves and making suggestions.
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22 NOV 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #72
4 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Beginning to expand our knowledge of idiomatic phrases.
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30 NOV 2019 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #73
4 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
How to say "I miss you" in Spanish.
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11 DEC 2019 | BEGINNER | POST #74
3 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Emphasising and intensifying a statement.
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18 DEC 2019 | BEGINNER | POST #75
2 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Expressing incredulity, surprise and acceptance.
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26 DEC 2019 | BEGINNER | POST #76
20 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
How people or things relate to others.
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29 DEC 2019 | BEGINNER | POST #77
5 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Using @ (the at symbol).
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09 JAN 2020 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #78
8 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Expanding our knowledge of this essential Spanish verb.
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13 JAN 2020 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #79
3 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Alternative ways of expressing obligation or need.
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25 JAN 2020 | BEGINNER | POST #80
5 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Learning a few catchy phrases that are almost identical across both English and Spanish.
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“ME PONE” + ADJECTIVE
30 JAN 2020 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #81
5 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Two different constructions that help us describe how we feel.
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12 FEB 2020 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #82
5 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Nouns that can be both male and female.
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19 FEB 2020 | INTERMEDIATE | POST #83
7 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Expanding our knowledge with these useful phrases.
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20 FEB 2020 | BEGINNER | POST #84
3 MINS | by Spectrum Monkey
Two commonly used interjections that offer reassurance.
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