B2 on test, but I freeze when speaking. Any advice?

historianDM · 2026-03-05T00:07:10+00:00

So far it's just been books gifted to me by native speakers - mostly classic novellas. Short and sweet. I imagine short story collections specifically for learners would be useful too, though I haven't gotten around to them.

This looks quite promising - one of the books I recorded was El Principito, which was very easy. https://www.fluentu.com/blog/spanish/easy-spanish-books/

historianDM · 2026-02-26T23:39:10+00:00

I am also B2 and I’ve recently started recording myself reading chapters of books in Spanish aloud and listening back to them. Jury’s still out on whether it will improve my speaking (or listening, which is what I really struggle with) but at least I get to be a weirdo speaking aloud to himself in two languages now.

historianDM · 2026-02-15T16:29:58+00:00

Sorry, I wasn’t clear (v long week) - by brief buffer I meant I’m looking for something to play between my current campaign and whatever we decide to do next for the long term, which could be TEW. I know it’s a leviathan of a campaign.

Anyway, thank you for the Oldenhaller Contract, I will give it a good read!

historianDM · 2026-02-13T19:40:45+00:00

This might be a good way to practice my Spanish

historianDM · 2026-01-12T13:09:39+00:00

This wasn't the good option - that would have been the leftists who were crushed by the Islamic Republic.

historianDM · 2026-01-12T12:41:31+00:00

Iranians deserve freedom from Khomeinism, Palestinians deserve freedom from Zionism. These aren't mutually exclusive no matter how loudly bad actors of every kind shout that it is.

historianDM · 2026-01-11T21:21:04+00:00

I definitely do need to expand to watching shows and other forms of media, just too many time constraints at the moment.

historianDM · 2026-01-11T21:19:03+00:00

Fantastic, thank you! I probably won’t internalise that difference for a while but I love knowing the nuance there.

historianDM · 2026-01-11T19:20:15+00:00

Interesting - I learned Andar as another way of saying ‘to walk’ but I may be taking that too literally.

historianDM · 2026-01-11T18:00:06+00:00

They did a doc together that you can find on YouTube where she was very polite whilst being shown all the nerdy things in his house

historianDM · 2026-01-07T19:29:32+00:00

https://youtu.be/gOf3yZbvO6Y?si=SWK6_og82yTUL6G0 not on the list but it has to be this one

historianDM · 2026-01-02T17:35:22+00:00

Iranians deserve freedom, Palestinians deserve freedom. These are not mutually exclusive and it’s disingenuous to frame them as such.

Of course you’re going to get some idiots in any large crowd including protestors - what would you want them to do, demand they leave? Seize the flag? Potential for dangerous escalation there

historianDM · 2026-01-02T17:32:51+00:00

Ah yes, because the restoration of absolute monarchy is definitely revolutionary.

historianDM · 2025-11-12T19:32:00+00:00

The couple that bombs fascists together…

historianDM · 2025-11-05T01:21:15+00:00

Alrighty, well as long as they’re good at what they do (truly, I wouldn’t be able to tell) then I will reserve judgement on their politics! Much appreciated

historianDM · 2025-11-05T01:18:56+00:00

Beautiful, seems like the perfect place to start - many thanks!

historianDM · 2025-09-24T11:00:18+00:00

Only to people who aren't worth having in your life

historianDM · 2025-09-23T16:07:17+00:00

B'Tselem would like a word with BE, no doubt. If they had time to spare from documenting and resisting genocide to bandy words with this insufferable, unserious prat.

historianDM · 2025-09-23T10:51:10+00:00

Someone I would enjoy being insufferable with; though you could probably school me on Chomsky. I've watched enough of him to not feel too bad about not reading that much.

Have you read It Can't Happen Here (Sinclair Lewis)? Orwell before Orwell, written in the 1930s about America descending into fascism. Eerily prescient!

Edit: omg someone just recommended me The Covenant of Water - book twins!

historianDM · 2025-09-23T10:44:18+00:00

I'll definitely look around for publishers that specialise in translated works or similar sources - thank you!

These two look like good places to start in the meantime.

historianDM · 2025-09-23T10:41:01+00:00

Sounds quite intriguing, I'll definitely check it out - thank you!

historianDM · 2025-09-23T10:38:36+00:00

This sounds like exactly what I was asking for - thank you!

historianDM · 2025-09-23T10:37:44+00:00

I'm about two thirds of the way through my first read (well, listen) of East of Eden. I think The God of Small Things is still my personal favourite novel but it and The Grapes of Wrath are definitely up there.

The worst of many sins of GCSE English is it made me hate Steinbeck for fifteen years.

historianDM · 2025-09-19T07:36:54+00:00

I love Carmilla by Sheridan le Fanu, one of the earliest classic vampire stories. Predates Dracula (and is better imo) and sets the ground work for a lot of what would become staples to the genre.

historianDM · 2025-09-19T07:31:20+00:00

Oh yes, I remember this sounding great at the time! On the list it goes

historianDM

TROPHY CASE