Spanish-related present for keen Spanish learner

[PurplePerm]

My niece is 18 and she started to learn Spanish last year. She absolutely loves it and I’d like to get her a present to do with the language. I thought of an easy spanish novel, but obviously she’s only a higher beginner, so that might be a little ambitious.Also, the stuff I’ve see on Amazon is aimed at younger learners. It doesn’t have to be a book though.

Any ideas? She has Duolinguo and the usual apps.

Once I got my dad one of those Spanish daily calendar things.

It's like a pad of paper with the date on and a Spanish phrase and translation that you rip off each day. It's handy for a desk etc and just a daily reminder! It was nice as if there was a funny/interesting phrase one day then he'd message me about it. Anyway here's a link if it works www.waterstones.com/product/2022-living-language-spanish-boxed-calendar/9781524865672

You need this book:

Https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B097QGB35K

It's a bilingual novel for higher beginners. It's great because it's written in the present tense (which makes it easy to follow), it comes with a vocabulary section per chapter and with the English translation. I loved the story, it really made me want to turn the pages! And it has a cool cover too .

If the link above doesn't work, you can check it out on Amazon: Viaje a Madrid.

Or you could get some nice Spanish food, a box of polverones, (Almondy Christmas biscuits)or some Turron ( Spanish Nougat).

¡Un abanico!

Get her a pedro amoldovar box set

Maybe a Spanish recipe book?

Look for a parallel text book. That’s one where each page of Spanish has a facing page in English, so if you get stuck, there’s a translation to refer to.

Some really good ideas. Is the bilingual novel suitable for children? As in nothing inappropriate? Ds will read anything and has been learning Spanish using duolingo for a year, I think it looks like something he will enjoy.

There's a Spanish streaming subscription my DH was telling me about. Hang on. I'll try and remember the name.

Another vote for the Spanish daily calendar - it gives a word, then puts it in a sentence for context

Another thing that I used to do when learning was to look for translations of English books I knew well already. Somewhere in my house are several Italian editions of the Harry Potter books, and the Italian translation of A Christmas Carol. Knowing the story already really helped with understanding the book!

+1 for a box set of Almodóvar films. Or perhaps, put together your own box set of Spanish language films from different directors like a taster collection
Almodóvar - Volver, or Todo Sobre Mi Madre
Del Toro - Shape of Water, or Pan’s Labyrinth
Cuarón - Y Tu Mamá También
Iñárritu - Amores Perros
Can’t remember who directed it but also the film of Como Agua Para Chocolate/Like Water for Chocolate is really lovely.

Or if she’s into horror/fantasy you could put together a Spanish language horror/fantasy theme collection - go with the two Del Toro films above, El Orfanato/The Orphanage and La Casa del Fin de los Tiempos/The House at the End of Time.

Or you could build a collection around a specific mainstream actor who has done a lot of Spanish language films - Javier Bardem perhaps. Maybe he would appeal less to an 18yo though . Penélope Cruz would be good too.

Films are great as a learner because you can have the English subtitles on and pay more or less attention to them as you need. Or you can watch with Spanish subtitles as you progress. Plus, they’re fun anyway and don’t feel like learning.

So many ideas, thanks!!

I’ve decided on the bilingual novel www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1919627308?tag=mumsnetforu03-21 Someone at work recommended it too, apparently it’s great and there’s a follow-up short story too. I can get both for my budget! I know she’ll love them.

Does she like spanish cooking and food? How about a paella pan?

Glad to hear you've gone for the books. I hope she enjoys them .

I quite enjoy the StoryLearning style of books by Olly Richards.
They're for beginner and intermediate learners and fun because they are more for adults and contain idioms. Plus, he offers stories in Castellano and Mexican Spanish.

iwillteachyoualanguage.com/books#spanish

Hi Elp30, thanks for the link. Those books sound good too, but they’re not bilingual from what I’ve seen. My niece has only been learning Spanish for a year, so I think having the English translation will really help her.

@MerylSqueak

There's a Spanish streaming subscription my DH was telling me about. Hang on. I'll try and remember the name.

Is it filmin?

It's Flix Olé

www.grantandcutler.com/section/F