Spanish A2-level audio cramming

[arthaey]

One of my sisters will be visiting me in Mexico for a few days in November. She asked me for advice on what to do to be able to interact with Mexicans a little easier, and I was very excited to have a non-language-geek ask for such advice!

I told her to focus on listening, since that's both her weakest skill and also the one that makes the most difference in interacting with people day-to-day (IMO).

She learned Spanish in an American high school and hasn't really practiced since. I had her listen to a few YouTube videos on subjects she knows well to spot-check where her listening comprehension is. It seems like A1 or A2 to me: she picks out words here or there, but it needs to be very slow before she's at 90+% comprehension.

Unfortunately, most of the resources I'm familiar with are meant for longer-term goals and higher levels of Spanish. FSI drills seem too boring and long-term-oriented to be the right answer. Podcasts for natives are too advanced.

Perhaps L-R of a book she really likes? (She has expressed concern that she'll "just" read and tune out the audio, which I can understand...)

Do y'all have suggestions for cramming for listening comprehension when only at an A1-A2 level? She's willing to devote 3 hours per week (in 30-minute chunks) to practicing Spanish for the next 2 months.

[Brun Ugle]

I found http://learner.org/series/destinos/watch/ep1/ to be helpful at that level.

[Cavesa]

http://www.spanishpod101.com/

I really like this series of courses, even though I haven't bought any so far because I've already got other resources (the most usual reason). But the Spanish version is really rich in content and could be exactly what your sister needs.

http://www.notesinspanish.com/

This one has been recommended on htlal repeatedly. I haven't used it as I was already more advanced when i found out. But it seems to be quite a popular choice

I would recommend tvseries with latin american dubbing, which tends to be mexican or close to it, but your sister may find them too difficult for now. Destinos might be a nice choice.

http://www.audiria.com/index.php
this one looks good as well. I browsed a bit in past but haven't used it extensively.

http://radiolingua.com/coffeebreakspanish/
this one was mentioned repeatedly by various htlalers with positive comments

I recommend trying an audiobook, perhaps with an accompanying book. There are many graded readers for learners. Or not that hard translations. The first audiobook I ever enjoyed in Spanish (years before being ready for a tv series) was a translation Los Hombres son de Marte, las Mujeres de Venus. The translation was good, the pace relaxed and the reader had an awesome voice. Perhaps a Spanish audio version of her favourite book could serve?

[creamsodafan]

How about El mundo en espanol - Nivel A2.

It contains various stories and articles and an accompanying cd where you can listen along to the stories being read in reasonably paced Spanish of varying regional accent. It also has some practice exercises etc.

See:

http://www.hablaconene.com/shop/libros-cultura/el-mundo-en-espa-ol-lecturas-de-cultura-y-civilizacion-nivel-a2-isbn-9788461474950.html

[彥::Charles]

I recommend Notes in Spanish beginners' podcasts. There are about 30 episodes.
And, the video clips of Spanish Proficiency Exercises by UT-Austin (esp. "beginning" and "intermediate-A) can be helpful too.