Tom Seryak - Spanish Language Coach and Tutor, Columbus, Ohio

Spanish pronunciation is one of the easier aspects of learning the language, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t present some challenges.

If you’ve ever had your tongue twisted while trying to pronounce difficult words like “desafortunadamente”, then this is the article for you.

I’ll be sharing a technique that I have used to quickly master the pronunciation of difficult words that contain lots of syllables, such as:

Definitivamente
Electrodoméstico
Indemnización
Adelgazamiento
Desafortunadamente

and, last but not least:

Otorrinolaringólogo

Let’s get started.

Explanation of the Verb Gustar + Practice

By Tom_Seryak

On May 10, 2023

In Tips and Advice

If you’re looking for an explanation of how the verb “gustar” works in Spanish – you’re in the right place.

My Grandma Likes to Read

Recently, a Spanish learner posted a question on the Facebook page “Learning Spanish” about why her answer to a Duolingo exercise was incorrect:

Here was my response:

Let’s take a deeper look into my explanation for how we talk about things we like in Spanish.

whatsapp, communication, smartphone-1357489.jpg

Guide: Spanish Listening Practice

By Tom_Seryak

On May 3, 2023

In Listening Practice, Tips and Advice

You’ve just broken your language app streak record and are feeling confident about your upcoming vacation in Mexico.

After all, you are able to understand the majority of the Spanish you hear on the app and have even ventured onto YouTube and watched hours upon hours of videos from your favorite Spanish learning channels.

And then you step off the plane and hear this:

…and meet reality head on. Between the speed, regional accents and slang there seems to be a decent sized gap between the Spanish spoken in language learning materials and that spoken on the street.

I’ve created this group to help close that gap.

How to Understand Fast Spanish

By Tom_Seryak

On March 28, 2023

In Tips and Advice

If you have ever thought to yourself that Spanish sounds like the fastest spoken language in the world, you are wrong.

Spanish is the second fastest language in the world behind Japanese.

However, just because Spanish is fast doesn’t mean you should throw your hands in the air and give up. There are techniques that you can apply during your listening practice that will help you understand even the fastest of the fast.

How To Set Language Learning Goals

By Tom_Seryak

On January 19, 2023

In Tips and Advice

“I want to become fluent in <insert foreign language here>”

I hear this phrase so often and can’t help but be reminded of my early days with Spanish and strangely, my time spent working as a personal trainer.

There’s nothing wrong with the desire to become fluent. In fact, that desire is what inspires us to start the process to begin with.

However, “I want to become fluent” is a result oriented and future oriented goal much like these commonly stated fitness goals:

“I want to lose weight”
“I want to get stronger”
“I want to look better naked”
Etc.

The desire is natural, but if you don’t take the additional step that I’m going to propose in this post, you’re likely setting yourself up for failure.

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Duolingo or Babbel: Which is Better?

By Tom_Seryak

On December 16, 2022

In Reviews

Have you been thinking about learning a foreign language but don’t know where to start?

Are you considering investing in a language learning course or app such as Rosetta Stone , Pimsleur, Duolingo or Babbel and you’re not sure which one to choose?

I hope that I can make that decision a little easier for you in this post by comparing two of the language learning app giants – Duolingo and Babbel.

“False Friends” Lesson #1 – Embarrassed/Embarazada

By Tom_Seryak

On November 24, 2022

In Short Stories

tomatoes, vegetable, food-3478061.jpg — “Me pongo rojo como un tomate cuando estoy embarazado.”

I was working at a local restaurant and bar as a server and bartender. I had already accepted a teaching position in Colombia and was beginning to practice Spanish on my own and at the restaurant with some of the Spanish speaking kitchen staff.

One day, I was in the kitchen waiting for an order when my face turned red. I can’t remember the reason why, but the only thing you need to know as it relates to this story is that for most of my life, my entire head turns into a dark red tomato whenever I feel embarrassed in front of a bunch of people.

At any rate, Rosie from the grill looks at me and says, “¿Por qué te pones rojo?”.

I answer, “Porque estoy EMBARAZADO.”

Spanish Listening Practice #22

By Tom_Seryak

On October 25, 2023

In Spanish Listening Practice

Introduction
Step 1: Dictation
Step 2: Listen
Step 3: Listen and Read (optional)
Step 4: Shadow
Writing Task

Introduction

Sandra, a school teacher from Mexico, talks about what happens to the trees in Mexico during the fall.

Spanish Listening Practice #21

By Tom_Seryak

On July 17, 2023

In Culture, Spanish Listening Practice

Introduction
Audio
Shadow
Writing Task

Introduction

Sandra, a school teacher from Mexico, talks about when and how Independence Day is celebrated in her country.

Spanish Listening Practice #20

By Tom_Seryak

On July 11, 2023

In Spanish Listening Practice

Introduction
Audio
Transcription
Vocabulary/Useful Phrases
Shadow
Writing Task

Introduction

Sandra, a school teacher from Mexico, talks about the dance culture in her city and in the country.

Audio

Transcription

Sí, sí, claro. Aquí nosotros los mexicanos bailamos mucho, tenemos muchos bailes regionales.

Cada estado de la República Mexicana se identifica con su baile regional, baile tradicional, en las fiestas bailamos también.

Ese viene siendo parecido, así como Colombia, como dices tú. De hecho las cumbias..eh..bailamos mucho aquí la salsa y otros otros nuevos géneros.

Spanish Listening Practice #19

By Tom_Seryak

On July 8, 2023

In Spanish Listening Practice

Introduction

Dayana Torregroza, a Colombian entrepreneur explains the meaning behind this meme:

Audio

Transcription

Tom, “chaparritas” acá en Colombia…bueno, en esta parte de la costa se les dicen a las personas pequeñas.

Por ejemplo, en mi caso algunos miembros de mi familia me dicen “chaparra” por mi estatura porque soy..mi estatura es pequeña.

laundry saloon, laundry, person-567951.jpg

Spanish Listening Practice #18

By Tom_Seryak

On June 25, 2023

In Spanish Listening Practice

Interview with Melissa Hernández: Part 7-9

Introduction
Part 7
Part 8
Part 9

Introduction

Melissa Hernández is an environmental and sanitary engineer from Colombia, currently working as an English professor.

In this series, she talks about her experience moving to the United States and learning English.

You can listen to the first 3 parts here.

You can listen to the second 3 parts here.

In the final segments, she talks about what she liked most and least about living in the United States and finishes up the interview with a funny story about her first experience in the laundromat.

Let’s listen in:

Part 7

Audio-Part 7

Transcription-Part 7

Tom: ¿Qué fue lo que más te gustó de vivir en los Estados Unidos? ¿Qué fue lo que más te gustó de la cultura?

Melissa: La verdad es que…bueno, pues Estados Unidos es un país que te brinda…poder organizarte de una manera muy fácil y más rápido que en un país como Colombia.

Spanish Listening Practice #17

By Tom_Seryak

On June 16, 2023

In Spanish Listening Practice

Interview with Melissa Hernández: Part 4-6

Introduction
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6

Introduction

Melissa Hernández is an environmental and sanitary engineer from Colombia, currently working as an English professor.

In this series, she talks about her experience moving to the United States and learning English.

You can listen to the first 3 parts here.

In parts 4-6, she talks about the techniques she used to learn English and her biggest challenges acquiring the language.

Let’s listen in:

Part 4

Audio-Part 4

Transcription-Part 4

Comencé con el Rey León. Porque si lo que a mí me gusta ver mucho películas.

Y pues, me estaba dando cuenta que hubo un tiempo en el que tuve que esperar mi transición de visa de turista a visa de estudiante y pues me veía películas y yo decía bueno, si estoy viendo películas pues voy a aprovechar y las voy a ver en inglés.

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Spanish Listening Practice #16

By Tom_Seryak

On June 7, 2023

In Spanish Listening Practice

Introduction
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Quiz

Introduction

Melissa Hernández is an environmental and sanitary engineer from Colombia, currently working as an English professor.

In this series, she talks about her experience moving to the United States and learning English.

Let’s listen to the first 3 parts:

Part 1

Audio-Part 1

Transcription-Part 1

Tom:
¿Cuando te mudaste a los Estados Unidos?

Melissa:
Bueno, buenos días para todos. Me acabo de levantar. Por eso van a escuchar una voz real en una entrevista cuando una persona se acaba de levantar en español.

bicycle, accident, mountain bike-592543.jpg

Spanish Listening Practice #15

By Tom_Seryak

On May 31, 2023

In Spanish Listening Practice

Introduction
Audio File
Transcription
Vocabulary/Useful Phrases
Quiz

Introduction

Costa Rican cyclist Eliécer González tells a story about an accident that he had while riding his bike one day.

Eliécer was one of my English co-teachers while I was on assignment in Costa Rica, and this accident happened during that time.

As a result, Eliécer was not able to come to school and teach, and so I worked alongside his substitutes until he was all healed up.

Let’s listen to what went down:

Audio File

Spanish Listening Practice #14

By Tom_Seryak

On May 23, 2023

In Spanish Listening Practice

Introduction
Audio File
Transcription
Vocabulary/Useful Phrases

Introduction

Costa Rican cyclist Eliécer González talks about what equipment is needed to ride a bike or compete in cycling. There is a ton of cycling specific vocabulary and verbs in this clip.

Let’s listen in:

Audio File