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101 Conversations in Intermediate Spanish: Short Natural Dialogues to Boost Your Confidence & Improve Your Spoken Spanish
Real Spanish people don’t speak like your textbook… so it’s no wonder you feel unprepared when it’s your turn to speak!
Try the StoryLearning Method, and dive into a real-world, gripping drama between six characters that helps you learn natural spoken Spanish in the process. Created by Olly Richards, internationally-renowned language teacher and author, this proven method of the immersive experience not only entertains, it gives you the skills to master realistic encounters in shops, cafés, and other, everyday scenarios!
In this story, when a mysterious painting appears on the wall of the Prado Museum, Detective Augustina Sánchez is called in to investigate. Soon, she discovers that the painting is full of clues about five different crimes that will be committed somewhere in Madrid by the end of the day. As the race around the city to stop this crime wave starts, more questions Who is behind this network of organized crime? And who is trying to warn Detective Sánchez?
As the story unfolds, you’ll learn typical expressions in Castilian Spanish and neutral dialogue that are used in Spanish-speaking countries all over the world.
And get full confidence in the words, phrases and expressions you need to blend in with the locals wherever you go!
“I love Olly’s work - and you will too!” - Barbara Oakley, PhD, Author of New York Times bestseller A Mind for Numbers
Here’s what you’ll
101 Spanish conversations with over 15,000 words of dialogue — an unparalleled resource that will immerse you in Spanish at a level you can easily understand and reproduce.Expressions that real people use on the street. You’ll sound more authentic when you speak and make Spanish-speaking friends more easily.Situational Spanish dialogues that help you thrive in typical daily circumstances, so meeting people and making everyday arrangements will become second nature.Conversations that are accessible for intermediate learners (B1-B2 on the CEFR), so you can speak confidently, even with strangers.Each conversation is limited to around 15 lines of dialogue (150 words) to help you master the expressions more quickly, and keep you moving toward the finish line.Word lists with English definitions in every chapter, so you can skip the dictionary and focus on reading and enjoying the stories (eBook & paperback only)Unlock the simple genius that makes learning Spanish a breeze in 101 Conversations in Intermediate Spanish. You’ll improve your spoken Spanish, impress native speakers, and catapult your fluency to new heights
Try the StoryLearning Method, and dive into a real-world, gripping drama between six characters that helps you learn natural spoken Spanish in the process. Created by Olly Richards, internationally-renowned language teacher and author, this proven method of the immersive experience not only entertains, it gives you the skills to master realistic encounters in shops, cafés, and other, everyday scenarios!
In this story, when a mysterious painting appears on the wall of the Prado Museum, Detective Augustina Sánchez is called in to investigate. Soon, she discovers that the painting is full of clues about five different crimes that will be committed somewhere in Madrid by the end of the day. As the race around the city to stop this crime wave starts, more questions Who is behind this network of organized crime? And who is trying to warn Detective Sánchez?
As the story unfolds, you’ll learn typical expressions in Castilian Spanish and neutral dialogue that are used in Spanish-speaking countries all over the world.
And get full confidence in the words, phrases and expressions you need to blend in with the locals wherever you go!
“I love Olly’s work - and you will too!” - Barbara Oakley, PhD, Author of New York Times bestseller A Mind for Numbers
Here’s what you’ll
101 Spanish conversations with over 15,000 words of dialogue — an unparalleled resource that will immerse you in Spanish at a level you can easily understand and reproduce.Expressions that real people use on the street. You’ll sound more authentic when you speak and make Spanish-speaking friends more easily.Situational Spanish dialogues that help you thrive in typical daily circumstances, so meeting people and making everyday arrangements will become second nature.Conversations that are accessible for intermediate learners (B1-B2 on the CEFR), so you can speak confidently, even with strangers.Each conversation is limited to around 15 lines of dialogue (150 words) to help you master the expressions more quickly, and keep you moving toward the finish line.Word lists with English definitions in every chapter, so you can skip the dictionary and focus on reading and enjoying the stories (eBook & paperback only)Unlock the simple genius that makes learning Spanish a breeze in 101 Conversations in Intermediate Spanish. You’ll improve your spoken Spanish, impress native speakers, and catapult your fluency to new heights
242 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 10, 2020
253 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 30, 2024
even though I knew what I was getting into, I ended up not liking the super short conversations/chapters :/
May 12, 2021
I've been reading and listening to ly's books to keep my Spanish active even when i'm not using it in real conversations.
The story here is great (although I guessed some of the conclusion.)
What really sets it apart is the excellent reader on the audio, who balances at least 9 voices, women, men and children, young and old, so that they are distinguishable.
Now I am on to another Olly conversations story for intermediates.
The story here is great (although I guessed some of the conclusion.)
What really sets it apart is the excellent reader on the audio, who balances at least 9 voices, women, men and children, young and old, so that they are distinguishable.
Now I am on to another Olly conversations story for intermediates.
July 3, 2020
More engaging than the short stories books by the same author and very useful for learning
June 17, 2025
A short, simple book to help practice my Spanish, it turned out to be a pretty good story!
June 12, 2024
4.25/5.0!
Finished my first read through. Reading this, does remind me that I haven't forgotten Spanish per se, but I definitely needed a refresher! And this was such a good way to do so!
This book is marked as for readers at the B1-B2 level of Spanish, which I would say I was at one point, but haven't practiced in so long, so I definitely forgot a lot! It took me a bit to read through the first parts, as I had to get used to the language again, but once I did, towards the latter half of the book, it was much easier to comprehend, and I definitely felt I was getting back to that level.
I found this to be a good fun way to re-engage in the Spanish language, and I also found the story pretty interesting too! Our main character is Detective Augustina Sanchez, who works in Madrid, and finds herself in a new mystery. Coming off of helping solve a case involving art forgery, she is now tasked with tackling a new mystery, at a museum, where, rather than a piece of art going missing, a mysterious new painting appears, one that involves a few clues!
Overall, highly recommend this book to practice and improve, if you're learning Spanish!
Finished my first read through. Reading this, does remind me that I haven't forgotten Spanish per se, but I definitely needed a refresher! And this was such a good way to do so!
This book is marked as for readers at the B1-B2 level of Spanish, which I would say I was at one point, but haven't practiced in so long, so I definitely forgot a lot! It took me a bit to read through the first parts, as I had to get used to the language again, but once I did, towards the latter half of the book, it was much easier to comprehend, and I definitely felt I was getting back to that level.
I found this to be a good fun way to re-engage in the Spanish language, and I also found the story pretty interesting too! Our main character is Detective Augustina Sanchez, who works in Madrid, and finds herself in a new mystery. Coming off of helping solve a case involving art forgery, she is now tasked with tackling a new mystery, at a museum, where, rather than a piece of art going missing, a mysterious new painting appears, one that involves a few clues!
Overall, highly recommend this book to practice and improve, if you're learning Spanish!
August 26, 2021
Great as usual
Much like the first one, I enjoyed it. The flow was smooth, the dialogue was mostly understandable, and of course, it felt like I was learning something. It was also funny too. Particularly the arrest and interrogation of the crooked cop at the end. I really liked it. One thing I find confusing are some of the words. I understand there’re false friends, but does “trayectoria” really mean “career” in Spanish too? I thought it was just “careera”.
I notice the books are either in Castilian or in one case, Mexican Spanish. I really hope we get books available in the Chilean, Peruvian, Puerto Rican and Argentine dialect in the future. It would really help broaden one’s understanding of the various accents. Hell, thrown in the Equatorial Guinean accent if possible. All I’m saying is this’s a must read for those looking for a good book in Spanish. If I haven’t made it clear, check it out.
Much like the first one, I enjoyed it. The flow was smooth, the dialogue was mostly understandable, and of course, it felt like I was learning something. It was also funny too. Particularly the arrest and interrogation of the crooked cop at the end. I really liked it. One thing I find confusing are some of the words. I understand there’re false friends, but does “trayectoria” really mean “career” in Spanish too? I thought it was just “careera”.
I notice the books are either in Castilian or in one case, Mexican Spanish. I really hope we get books available in the Chilean, Peruvian, Puerto Rican and Argentine dialect in the future. It would really help broaden one’s understanding of the various accents. Hell, thrown in the Equatorial Guinean accent if possible. All I’m saying is this’s a must read for those looking for a good book in Spanish. If I haven’t made it clear, check it out.
November 29, 2021
This book's title is honestly misleading; while it takes the format of successive conversations (and accompanying summary texts), this is a mystery novel.
I wouldn't have read this book in English - while the dramatic tension is reasonably well-done, the story is trite. Also, I kept losing track of the random characters that would pop in and out.
That said, I suspect it was generally useful for my Spanish. New vocab is repeated across chapters, and the more difficult words are usually those highlighted and translated at the end of each chapter. Grammatically, this is ideal for B2's, and readable for B1's. I wouldn't recommend it for A2's; I suspect that would be a bit of a struggle.
I'll for sure read a couple more of these, as they're low-barrier and highly-accessible reading practice.
I wouldn't have read this book in English - while the dramatic tension is reasonably well-done, the story is trite. Also, I kept losing track of the random characters that would pop in and out.
That said, I suspect it was generally useful for my Spanish. New vocab is repeated across chapters, and the more difficult words are usually those highlighted and translated at the end of each chapter. Grammatically, this is ideal for B2's, and readable for B1's. I wouldn't recommend it for A2's; I suspect that would be a bit of a struggle.
I'll for sure read a couple more of these, as they're low-barrier and highly-accessible reading practice.
September 24, 2025
Muy divertido!
I like the way Olly Richards writes in a style that is easy enough, but entertaining for adults. I've used his short story books already. I liked this, but the title is misleading. I was expecting different topics of everyday conversation, but this was one story using conversations for the chapters. But the story was fun and suspenseful, so I didn't mind. Still, I wouldn't call conversations about crime " natural dialogues" LOL.
I like the way Olly Richards writes in a style that is easy enough, but entertaining for adults. I've used his short story books already. I liked this, but the title is misleading. I was expecting different topics of everyday conversation, but this was one story using conversations for the chapters. But the story was fun and suspenseful, so I didn't mind. Still, I wouldn't call conversations about crime " natural dialogues" LOL.
February 11, 2023
Better than many detective stories
The plot of this "textbook" deserves to be expanded into a full book and made into a movie. It is better than many "run-of-the-mill stories one sees on television.
Using Kindle, text can be selected and translated
The Spanish is direct and clear. Using Kindle, text can be selected and translated, making the book easy to read.
The plot of this "textbook" deserves to be expanded into a full book and made into a movie. It is better than many "run-of-the-mill stories one sees on television.
Using Kindle, text can be selected and translated
The Spanish is direct and clear. Using Kindle, text can be selected and translated, making the book easy to read.
October 30, 2020
A good level of Spanish for working towards B1. The story isn't bad (not great, but not too simplistic) and you can get the gist even without knowing every single word and phrase. Short chapters with a vocabulary/ phrase list after each.
August 28, 2021
Great way to solidify your Spanish comprehension
I loved the pace and the level of the vocabulary in this—just enough familiar words peppered with new ones that I could understand mostly through context. The story was fun, too!
I loved the pace and the level of the vocabulary in this—just enough familiar words peppered with new ones that I could understand mostly through context. The story was fun, too!
April 5, 2021
Nice, simple (actually way too easy for me) and very entertaining. I really enjoyed it. After La Marca del Zorro I will surely read Dan Brown in Spanish :)
September 14, 2025
tão chato como o outro mas como é mais avançado achei que não iria ser tanto
December 1, 2025
the "conversations" are absolutely batshit crazy and i probably did learn a little bit of Spanish, but overall ...
December 9, 2020
My Spanish study buddy and I have finally finished the book after translating 5 chapters per week. It was a good story and it was a great learning adventure for us both.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews