Short Stories in Spanish for Intermediate Learners

Synopsis

An unmissable collection of eight unconventional and captivating short stories for young adult and adult intermediate learners of Spanish.

Olly's top-notch language-learning insights are right in line with the best of what we know from neuroscience and cognitive psychology about how to learn effectively. I love his work - and you will too! - Barbara Oakley, PhD, Author of New York Times bestseller A Mind for Numbers

Short Stories in Spanish for Intermediate Learners has been written especially for students from a low-intermediate to intermediate level, designed to give a sense of achievement, and most importantly - enjoyment! Mapped to B1-B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for languages, these eight captivating stories will both entertain you and give you a feeling of progress when reading.

What does this book give you?

· Eight stories in a variety of exciting genres, from science fiction and crime to history and thriller - making reading fun, while you learn a wide range of new vocabulary
· Controlled language at your level, to help you progress confidently
· Realistic spoken dialogues, to help you learn conversational expressions and improve your speaking ability
· Accessible grammar so you learn new structures naturally, in a stress-free way
· Beautiful illustrations accompanying each story, to set the scene and support your understanding
· Pleasure! Research shows that if you're enjoying reading in a foreign language, you won't experience the usual feelings of frustration - 'It's too hard!' 'I don't understand!'

With intriguing plots that will spark your imagination and keep you reading, Short Stories in Spanish for Intermediate Learners will take your grasp of Spanish to the next level with key features to support and consolidate your progress, including:

· A glossary for bolded words in each text
· A bilingual word list
· Full plot summary
· Comprehension questions after each chapter.

As a result, you will be able to focus on enjoying reading, delighting in your improved range of vocabulary and grasp of the language, without ever feeling overwhelmed. From science fiction to fantasy, to crime and thrillers, Short Stories in Spanish for Intermediate Learners uses reading as the perfect tool to not only delight in learning Spanish, but to accelerate your journey towards fluency.

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Summary

Chapter 1: "El Traje Nuevo del Emperador" (The Emperor's New Clothes)

* Summary: A vain emperor falls for two swindlers who claim to weave him a magnificent suit of clothes invisible to fools. The emperor parades in his "new" clothes, unaware of his nakedness, until a child points out the truth.
* Real Example: "El niño se lo dijo a sus padres, ellos se lo dijeron a sus vecinos, y pronto todo el pueblo supo que el emperador estaba desnudo." (The child told his parents, they told their neighbors, and soon the whole town knew that the emperor was naked.)

Chapter 2: "El Gato con Botas" (Puss in Boots)

* Summary: A cunning cat helps his master, a poor miller's son, win the heart of a princess and inherit a kingdom.
* Real Example: "El gato se puso unas botas grandes y unas espuelas, y se fue a visitar al rey." (The cat put on big boots and spurs and went to visit the king.)

Chapter 3: "Caperucita Roja" (Little Red Riding Hood)

* Summary: A young girl is tricked by a wolf and nearly eaten, but a hunter saves her.
* Real Example: "Caperucita Roja entró en el bosque y se encontró con el lobo." (Little Red Riding Hood entered the forest and met the wolf.)

Chapter 4: "Blancanieves y los Siete Enanitos" (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)

* Summary: A jealous queen orders the death of her beautiful stepdaughter, Snow White, but she is saved by seven dwarfs.
* Real Example: "Los siete enanitos trabajaban en una mina de diamantes." (The seven dwarfs worked in a diamond mine.)

Chapter 5: "La Cenicienta" (Cinderella)

* Summary: A young woman attends a ball with the help of her fairy godmother, where she meets and falls in love with a prince.
* Real Example: "La Cenicienta perdió su zapatilla de cristal en las escaleras." (Cinderella lost her glass slipper on the stairs.)

Chapter 6: "La Bella y la Bestia" (Beauty and the Beast)

* Summary: A young woman is imprisoned by a hideous beast, but learns to love him for his inner beauty.
* Real Example: "La Bella estaba asustada al principio, pero pronto se dio cuenta de que la Bestia era amable." (Beauty was afraid at first, but soon realized that the Beast was kind.)

Chapter 7: "El Patito Feo" (The Ugly Duckling)

* Summary: A clumsy and ugly duckling eventually grows into a beautiful swan.
* Real Example: "El patito feo se escondía de los otros animales porque era muy feo." (The ugly duckling hid from the other animals because he was very ugly.)

Chapter 8: "El Rey Midas" (King Midas)

* Summary: A greedy king is granted the power to turn everything he touches into gold, but soon learns the consequences of his wish.
* Real Example: "El rey Midas convirtió su comida en oro." (King Midas turned his food into gold.)

Chapter 9: "El Mago de Oz" (The Wizard of Oz)

* Summary: A young girl and her dog are swept away by a tornado to the magical land of Oz, where they embark on a journey to meet the Wizard and fulfill their wishes.
* Real Example: "Dorothy y Toto se encontraron en un lugar extraño y maravilloso." (Dorothy and Toto found themselves in a strange and wonderful place.)

Chapter 10: "Alicia en el País de las Maravillas" (Alice in Wonderland)

* Summary: A young girl falls down a rabbit hole into a surreal world inhabited by strange and whimsical characters.
* Real Example: "Alicia se encontró en un lugar donde todo era extraño y maravilloso." (Alice found herself in a place where everything was strange and wonderful.)