A1 Spanish

Stories completed

23. Un enfermo en Ibiza

(A Sick Man in Ibiza)

Víctor's friends are going to Ibiza. Beach, parties, Shakira concert. Víctor has to work and can't go. Unless... he visits the doctor first.

Illustration of two friends celebrating with drinks, one wearing a cap and making a peace sign

Spanish version

Víctor vive en Madrid y trabaja en una oficina.

<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Next week" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">La próxima semana sus amigos van a Ibiza: playa, fiesta y un <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="concert" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">concierto de Shakira.

Víctor quiere ir, pero tiene trabajo toda la semana.

No puede <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="to ask for vacation" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">pedir vacaciones.

Víctor tiene una idea: va al médico para tener una <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="sick note" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">nota médica.

—Hola, Víctor. ¿Qué te pasa?

—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="it hurts me" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Me duele mucho la cabeza.

—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Since when?" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">¿Desde cuándo?

—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Since yesterday" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Desde ayer. Y también me duele <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="stomach" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">el estómago.

—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Does it hurt here?" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">¿Te duele aquí?

El doctor toca su <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="belly" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">barriga.

—Sí, <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="there" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">ahí me duele.

—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="What else?" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">¿Qué más te duele?

—Me duele <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="throat" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">la garganta.

—Abre <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="mouth" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">la boca. ¿Te duele mucho?

—Sí, mucho.

—¿Tienes <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="cough" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">tos?

—Sí, toso mucho.

—¿Te duelen <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="muscles" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">los músculos?

—Sí. Y <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="they hurt me" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">me duelen <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="legs" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">las piernas.

—¿Te duele <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="back" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">la espalda?

—Sí, me duele mucho.

—¿<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="feet" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Los pies?

—Me duelen los pies cuando camino.

—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Lift" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Levanta <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="arm" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">el brazo. ¿Te duele?

—Sí.

—Respira <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="deep" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">hondo. ¿Te duele <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="chest" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">el pecho?

—Eh... sí, un poco.

—Tienes muchos <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="symptoms" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">síntomas... <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="stay" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">quédate una semana en casa. Y toma esta <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="pill" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">pastilla <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="twice a day" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">dos veces al día.

—Muchas gracias, doctor.

Víctor envía un correo a su jefe: "Estoy muy enfermo. No puedo trabajar esta semana. Aquí está mi nota del médico."

Víctor va a Ibiza con sus amigos. Van al concierto de Shakira. Víctor baila. <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="He jumps" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Salta. Canta.

El lunes, Víctor llega a la oficina en Madrid.

—Víctor, ven a mi oficina —dice el jefe.

Víctor entra.

—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Sit down" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Siéntate. <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="How are you?" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">¿Cómo estás?

—Bien. <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="I'm better now" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Ya estoy mejor.

—¿Ya no te duele nada?

—Bueno... todavía me duele un poco la cabeza.

—Vale. Descansa.

El jefe saca su teléfono.

—Mira esta foto en <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="social media" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">las redes sociales. Es del sábado. En Ibiza. En el concierto de Shakira. ¿Eres tú?

Víctor está muy nervioso.

—Eh... no. No soy yo.

—¿No?

—Es mi hermano. Mi hermano gemelo.

—¿Tu hermano gemelo? Pero tú no tienes hermanos.

—Sí, sí tengo. Tengo un hermano gemelo.

—¿Y tu hermano <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="wears" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">lleva tu chaqueta <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="orange" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">naranja? ¿La chaqueta que llevas todos los días?

—Sí... nos gusta la misma ropa.

—¿Y tiene el mismo <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="tattoo" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">tatuaje en el brazo?

—Sí... hacemos todo igual.

—¿Y lleva el reloj de nuestra empresa?

—A veces <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="I lend" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">presto mi reloj a mi hermano.

—Víctor, quiero conocer a tu hermano gemelo. Mañana.

—¿Mañana?

—¿Sí o no?

—Sí... puede venir.

—Perfecto.

Víctor sale y piensa:

"Necesito un hermano gemelo para mañana."

Spanish story with English translation

Víctor vive en Madrid y trabaja en una oficina.

Víctor lives in Madrid and works in an office.

La próxima semana sus amigos van a Ibiza: playa, fiesta y un concierto de Shakira.

Next week his friends are going to Ibiza: beach, party, and a Shakira concert.

Víctor quiere ir, pero tiene trabajo toda la semana. No puede pedir vacaciones.

Víctor wants to go, but he has work all week. He can't ask for vacation.

Víctor tiene una idea: va al médico para tener una nota médica.

Víctor has an idea: he goes to the doctor to get a medical note.

—Hola, Víctor. ¿Qué te pasa?

"Hello, Víctor. What's wrong with you?"

—Me duele mucho la cabeza.

"My head hurts a lot."

—¿Desde cuándo?

"Since when?"

—Desde ayer. Y también me duele el estómago.

"Since yesterday. And my stomach also hurts."

—¿Te duele aquí?

"Does it hurt here?"

El doctor toca su barriga.

The doctor touches his belly.

—Sí, ahí me duele.

"Yes, it hurts there."

—¿Qué más te duele?

"What else hurts?"

—Me duele la garganta.

"My throat hurts."

—Abre la boca. ¿Te duele mucho?

"Open your mouth. Does it hurt a lot?"

—Sí, mucho.

"Yes, a lot."

—¿Tienes tos?

"Do you have a cough?"

—Sí, toso mucho.

"Yes, I cough a lot."

—¿Te duelen los músculos?

"Do your muscles hurt?"

—Sí. Y me duelen las piernas.

"Yes. And my legs hurt."

—¿Te duele la espalda?

"Does your back hurt?"

—Sí, me duele mucho.

"Yes, it hurts a lot."

—¿Los pies?

"Your feet?"

—Me duelen los pies cuando camino.

"My feet hurt when I walk."

—Levanta el brazo. ¿Te duele?

"Raise your arm. Does it hurt?"

—Sí.

"Yes."

—Respira hondo. ¿Te duele el pecho?

"Breathe deeply. Does your chest hurt?"

—Eh... sí, un poco.

"Eh... yes, a little."

—Tienes muchos síntomas... quédate una semana en casa. Y toma esta pastilla dos veces al día.

"You have many symptoms... stay home for a week. And take this pill twice a day."

—Muchas gracias, doctor.

"Thank you very much, doctor."

Víctor envía un correo a su jefe: "Estoy muy enfermo. No puedo trabajar esta semana. Aquí está mi nota del médico."

Víctor sends an email to his boss: "I am very sick. I can't work this week. Here is my note from the doctor."

Víctor va a Ibiza con sus amigos. Van al concierto de Shakira. Víctor baila. Salta. Canta.

Víctor goes to Ibiza with his friends. They go to the Shakira concert. Víctor dances. He jumps. He sings.

El lunes, Víctor llega a la oficina en Madrid.

On Monday, Víctor arrives at the office in Madrid.

—Víctor, ven a mi oficina —dice el jefe.

"Víctor, come to my office," says the boss.

Víctor entra.

Víctor enters.

—Siéntate. ¿Cómo estás?

"Sit down. How are you?"

—Bien. Ya estoy mejor.

"Good. I'm better now."

—¿Ya no te duele nada?

"Nothing hurts anymore?"

—Bueno... todavía me duele un poco la cabeza.

"Well... my head still hurts a little."

—Vale. Descansa.

"Okay. Rest."

El jefe saca su teléfono.

The boss takes out his phone.

—Mira esta foto en las redes sociales. Es del sábado. En Ibiza. En el concierto de Shakira. ¿Eres tú?

"Look at this photo on social media. It's from Saturday. In Ibiza. At the Shakira concert. Is that you?"

Víctor está muy nervioso.

Víctor is very nervous.

—Eh... no. No soy yo.

"Eh... no. It's not me."

—¿No?

"No?"

—Es mi hermano. Mi hermano gemelo.

"It's my brother. My twin brother."

—¿Tu hermano gemelo? Pero tú no tienes hermanos.

"Your twin brother? But you don't have brothers."

—Sí, sí tengo. Tengo un hermano gemelo.

"Yes, yes I do. I have a twin brother."

—¿Y tu hermano lleva tu chaqueta naranja? ¿La chaqueta que llevas todos los días?

"And your brother wears your orange jacket? The jacket you wear every day?"

—Sí... nos gusta la misma ropa.

"Yes... we like the same clothes."

—¿Y tiene el mismo tatuaje en el brazo?

"And he has the same tattoo on his arm?"

—Sí... hacemos todo igual.

"Yes... we do everything the same."

—¿Y lleva el reloj de nuestra empresa?

"And he's wearing our company's watch?"

—A veces presto mi reloj a mi hermano.

"Sometimes I lend my watch to my brother."

—Víctor, quiero conocer a tu hermano gemelo. Mañana.

"Víctor, I want to meet your twin brother. Tomorrow."

—¿Mañana?

"Tomorrow?"

—¿Sí o no?

"Yes or no?"

—Sí... puede venir.

"Yes... he can come."

—Perfecto.

"Perfect."

Víctor sale y piensa:

Víctor leaves and thinks:

"Necesito un hermano gemelo para mañana."

"I need a twin brother for tomorrow."

Part 2

Vocabulary Flashcards

Part 3

Story Challenge

Part 4

Patterns Challenge

Part 5

Listening Challenge

Part 6

Writing Challenge

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Question 1

A friend asks what's wrong with Víctor. Reply in Spanish: His throat hurts. His legs hurt too.

Example: Le duele la garganta. Le duelen las piernas también.

Notes:

"Le duele" for one thing hurting (throat). "Le duelen" for multiple things (legs).
"La garganta" not "su garganta." Spanish says "le duele LA cabeza." The "le" already tells you whose body it is.

Question 2

You are the doctor. Víctor visits your office. Ask him in Spanish: Does your head hurt? Does your stomach hurt? Do your legs hurt?

Example: ¿Te duele la cabeza? ¿Te duele el estómago? ¿Te duelen las piernas?

Notes:

"Le duele" (his) in Q1 → "te duele" (your) here. Only the pronoun changes.

Question 3

The doctor asks you the same questions. Answer in Spanish: Yes, my head hurts a lot. My legs hurt too. My throat doesn't hurt.

Example: Sí, me duele mucho la cabeza. Me duelen las piernas también. No me duele la garganta.

Notes:

Three questions, three pronouns: le duele (his) → te duele (your) → me duele (my).

Question 4

Translate to Spanish: My head hurts. Your legs hurt. His stomach hurts. Her back doesn't hurt.

Example: Me duele la cabeza. Te duelen las piernas. Le duele el estómago. No le duele la espalda.

Notes:

Singular body part → duele. Plural body part → duelen. Always. The body part is the subject of DOLER, not the person.
"His stomach" and "her back" both become "le duele." Spanish doesn't distinguish his/her here (context does the work).

Question 5

Translate to Spanish: Víctor's throat hurts a lot. His legs hurt too. He has to take a pill two times a day.

Example: A Víctor le duele mucho la garganta. Le duelen las piernas también. Tiene que tomar una pastilla dos veces al día.

Notes:

"A Víctor le duele" → when you name the person, add "a" before their name. Same pattern as GUSTAR: "A Hugo le gusta."
"Al" = "a + el" combined. Spanish never allows "a el." Dos veces al día, tres veces al mes, una vez al año. It's always "al" when you're saying how often per time period. Same contraction as "voy al parque" or "al lado de."

Question 6

Translate to Spanish: On Monday Víctor is at the office. The boss has a photo of Víctor in Ibiza. Víctor is very nervous. Now his head hurts.

Example: El lunes Víctor está en la oficina. El jefe tiene una foto de Víctor en Ibiza. Víctor está muy nervioso. Ahora le duele la cabeza.

Notes:

"El lunes" = "On Monday." No "en," no "on." Spanish just puts "el" before the day. Works the same for all days: el martes, el miércoles...

Reply in Spanish and join the discussion!

Víctor lies to everyone and goes to Ibiza to see Shakira! Tell us:

Is Víctor's lie to the doctor and the boss a good idea or a bad idea? Why?
What normally hurts when you have a cold?
Do you like Shakira? Who is a Spanish-speaking musician you like?

Part 7

Speaking Challenge

From the doctor's office to the front row of a Shakira concert, Víctor's week has been... eventful. Step into his world and see if you can talk your way through it.

Back at the Doctor's

Víctor can't find a twin brother. One last idea: go back to the same doctor and get more time off. You're the doctor and Víctor walks in again... looking suspiciously healthy.

Your task - examine Víctor again:

Greet Víctor; ask how he is
Ask what hurts
Ask if his head hurts and if his stomach hurts
Ask if his legs and feet hurt too; ask if he has a cough
Say he has many symptoms; say he should stay home one more week
Say it's strange - he has many symptoms but he is very well

Speak for 30-45 seconds

Reveal sample answer

Hola, Víctor. ¿Cómo estás?
1. Hi, Víctor. How are you?
¿Qué te duele?
1. What hurts?
¿Te duele la cabeza? ¿Te duele el estómago?
1. Does your head hurt? Does your stomach hurt?
¿Te duelen las piernas y los pies también? ¿Tienes tos?
1. Do your legs and feet hurt too? Do you have a cough?
Tienes muchos síntomas. Debes quedarte en casa una semana más.
1. You have many symptoms. You should stay home one more week.
Es raro - tienes muchos síntomas pero estás muy bien.
1. It's strange - you have many symptoms but you are very well.

The Copycat

Víctor's trick worked and he's going to Ibiza right now. You're his friend and you also want to go - but you have to work. Time to call your boss and pull a Víctor.

Your task - call your boss:

Greet your boss; say you can't work this week
Say your head hurts a lot and your throat hurts
Say your stomach hurts too
Say you need to stay home this week
Say you're going to go to the doctor and then send a note
Say you're sorry; say you're going to be better next week

Speak for 45 seconds - 1 minute

Reveal sample answer

Hola jefe, buenos días. No puedo trabajar esta semana.
1. Hi boss, good morning. I can't work this week.
Me duele mucho la cabeza y me duele la garganta.
1. My head hurts a lot and my throat hurts.
También me duele el estómago.
1. My stomach hurts too.
Necesito quedarme en casa esta semana.
1. I need to stay home this week.
Voy al médico y después envío una nota.
1. I'm going to the doctor and then I'll send a note.
Lo siento. Voy a estar mejor la próxima semana.
1. I'm sorry. I'm going to be better next week.

Camila from the Office

You're Víctor and you're in the front row at the Shakira concert in Ibiza. Your phone rings - it's Camila, your colleague. You need to pretend you're in bed, very sick, while Shakira is singing two metres behind you.

Your task - pretend you're still sick at home:

Answer the phone; say you're in bed and you're very sick
Say your head hurts a lot
Say you can't talk much because your throat hurts
Camila says she hears loud music - say it's the noise from the television
Say you feel worse than yesterday; say you have to rest
Camila asks if you're really at home - say yes, of course; say you're going to take a pill and sleep

Speak for 45 seconds - 1 minute

Reveal sample answer

¿Hola? Hola, Camila. Estoy en la cama y estoy muy enfermo.
1. Hello? Hi, Camila. I'm in bed and I'm very sick.
Me duele mucho la cabeza.
1. My head hurts a lot.
No puedo hablar mucho porque me duele la garganta.
1. I can't talk much because my throat hurts.
No, no, es el ruido de la televisión.
1. No, no, it's the noise from the television.
Estoy peor que ayer. Tengo que descansar.
1. I'm worse than yesterday. I have to rest.
Sí, claro. Estoy en casa. Voy a tomar una pastilla y dormir.
1. Yes, of course. I'm at home. I'm going to take a pill and sleep.

The Ibiza Plan

You're one of Víctor's friends and you're organising the trip to Ibiza. Everyone is on a group call waiting for the details. Time to tell the group the plan.

Your task - tell the plan for the weekend:

Say you're all going to Ibiza on Friday
Say the hotel is big and is near the beach; say there is a pool
Say on Saturday night you're going to the Shakira concert
Say everyone should bring comfortable shoes because you're going to walk a lot
Say you like the beach more than the city
Say your friend Pablo can't come because his back hurts
Ask who wants to go to the beach on Saturday morning

Speak for 45 seconds - 1 minute

Reveal sample answer

¡Todos vamos a Ibiza el viernes!
1. We're all going to Ibiza on Friday!
El hotel es grande y está cerca de la playa. Hay una piscina.
1. The hotel is big and is near the beach. There is a pool.
El sábado por la noche vamos al concierto de Shakira.
1. On Saturday night we're going to the Shakira concert.
Todos deben llevar zapatos cómodos porque vamos a caminar mucho.
1. Everyone should bring comfortable shoes because we're going to walk a lot.
Me gusta más la playa que la ciudad.
1. I like the beach more than the city.
Mi amigo Pablo no puede venir porque le duele la espalda.
1. My friend Pablo can't come because his back hurts.
¿Quién quiere ir a la playa el sábado por la mañana?
1. Who wants to go to the beach on Saturday morning?

The Shakira Fan Page

You're in an online Shakira fan group. Someone posts a photo from the Ibiza concert and writes: "Who is this guy in the orange jacket? He was dancing like crazy." You know exactly who it is. You hit record on a voice note.

Your task - tell the full story:

Who is Víctor? (city, work)
Why does he want to go to Ibiza?
What's the problem?
What's his plan?
What does he tell the doctor hurts?
What else hurts?
What does the doctor say?
What does Víctor write to his boss?
Describe what Víctor does in Ibiza
What happens on Monday at the office?
What does Víctor say?
Why doesn't the boss believe him?
How does the story end?
Now as yourself - what do you think about the story? Why?
Is Víctor a good employee or a bad employee?
Do you also want a week of vacation? What do you want to do?

Speak for 2.5-3.5 minutes

Reveal sample answer

Víctor vive en Madrid y trabaja en una oficina.
1. Víctor lives in Madrid and works in an office.
Sus amigos van a Ibiza. Hay playa, fiesta y un concierto de Shakira. Víctor quiere ir.
1. His friends are going to Ibiza. There's beach, parties and a Shakira concert. Víctor wants to go.
Trabaja toda la semana y no puede pedir vacaciones.
1. He works all week and can't ask for vacation.
Va al médico para tener una nota médica.
1. He goes to the doctor to get a medical note.
Le duele mucho la cabeza. Le duele el estómago. Y le duele la garganta.
1. His head hurts a lot. His stomach hurts. And his throat hurts.
Le duelen las piernas, la espalda y los pies. Le duele el pecho.
1. His legs, his back and his feet hurt. His chest hurts.
El doctor dice que debe quedarse en casa una semana. Y tomar una pastilla dos veces al día.
1. The doctor says that he should stay home for one week. And take a pill twice a day.
Víctor envía un correo a su jefe. Dice que está muy enfermo y no puede trabajar. Tiene la nota del médico.
1. Víctor sends an email to his boss. He says that he is very sick and can't work. He has the note from the doctor.
Víctor va a Ibiza con sus amigos. Van al concierto de Shakira. Víctor baila, salta y canta.
1. Víctor goes to Ibiza with his friends. They go to the Shakira concert. Víctor dances, jumps and sings.
El lunes, Víctor llega a la oficina. El jefe quiere hablar con él. Tiene una foto de las redes sociales - Víctor en el concierto de Shakira.
1. On Monday, Víctor arrives at the office. The boss wants to talk to him. He has a photo from social media - Víctor at the Shakira concert.
Víctor dice que no es él. Dice que es su hermano gemelo.
1. Víctor says that it's not him. He says that it's his twin brother.
Porque el "hermano" lleva la misma chaqueta naranja, tiene el mismo tatuaje en el brazo y lleva el reloj de la empresa.
1. Because the "brother" wears the same orange jacket, has the same tattoo on his arm and wears the company watch.
El jefe quiere ver al hermano gemelo mañana. Pero Víctor no tiene hermanos.
1. The boss wants to see the twin brother tomorrow. But Víctor doesn't have brothers.
Esta historia es muy divertida. Me gusta mucho porque las excusas de Víctor son muy malas.
1. This story is very funny. I like it a lot because Víctor's excuses are very bad.
Víctor es un mal trabajador. No es responsable.
1. Víctor is a bad worker. He is not responsible.
Sí, quiero una semana de vacaciones. Quiero ir a la playa con mis amigos.
1. Yes, I want a week of vacation. I want to go to the beach with my friends.

Part 8

Culture

1. Shakira and the Spanish Music Takeover

Víctor went to a Shakira concert in Ibiza. He danced. He jumped. He sang.

All while his boss thought he was home in bed taking pills twice a day.

His judgment? Terrible. His taste in music? Solid.

From English-only to Spanish everywhere

Shakira signed her first record deal at 13. Her first two albums had no success.

Then her label let her write her own songs and Pies Descalzos came out in 1995 and sold millions across Latin America.

But in the late 1990s if a Latin artist wanted global success… they had to record in English.

That was the rule. Ricky Martin did it. Enrique Iglesias did it.

Shakira did it too. But she learned English specifically to write her own lyrics.

Then the hits started coming:

"Whenever, Wherever" (2001) - #1 in over 30 countries. Her global breakthrough
"Hips Don't Lie" (2006) - #1 in 55 countries. Over 1.6 billion Spotify streams. One of the best-selling singles of the 21st century
"Waka Waka" (2010) - official FIFA World Cup song. Nearly 6 billion YouTube views

Over 95 million records sold.

The best-selling Latin female artist of all time. Billboard ranked her #1 on its list of the 50 greatest female Latin pop artists ever in 2025.

Remember Alejandro Sanz from Santiago's karaoke night in Toledo?

In 2005 he teamed up with Shakira on "La Tortura." One of the first Spanish-language songs to break into the US Billboard Hot 100.

Put it on. Don't worry about understanding everything… just enjoy it. See what words you catch along the way.

Shakira and Alejandro Sanz - La Tortura (Lyrics)

Why this matters for the language you're learning

Multiple music journalists and industry figures credit Shakira's crossover as one of the moments that started making Spanish-language music mainstream outside of Latin America.

Today, artists like Bad Bunny, Karol G and Rosalía release global hits entirely in Spanish. No English version needed.

Spanish is now the second most consumed language in music worldwide behind only English.

Researchers at the Nebrija Spanish Language Observatory have linked the explosion of Latin music directly to a surge in global interest in learning Spanish.

More people are hearing the language in their daily lives… in bars, at the gym, in playlists, on TV…

And more of them are deciding they want to understand what they're hearing.

You're already doing that.

So if Víctor ever invites you to a Shakira concert… you won't just be dancing. You'll understand every word!

2. The Island Víctor Called in Sick For

Víctor risked his entire job for a trip to Ibiza.

Terrible plan. Great destination.

A lot more than the clubs

Most people hear "Ibiza" and think of DJ sets and all-night parties.

That's part of it. But it's a small part.

Ibiza is one of the Balearic Islands (a group of Spanish islands in the Mediterranean, off the east coast of Spain).

About 163,000 people live there year-round. But over 3.2 million tourists visit every year and in peak summer the island's population triples.

The island has been inhabited for over 2,500 years.

The Phoenicians founded a settlement there in 654 BC. Romans, Moors and Catalans came after.

And in 1999, UNESCO gave Ibiza World Heritage status… not for the nightlife but for its history and ecosystems.

The centrepiece is Dalt Vila ("Upper Town" in Catalan).

A fortified old town on a hill above the harbour with massive Renaissance walls, a 13th-century cathedral and cobblestone streets that twist up to a viewpoint over the sea.

View from the walls of Dalt Vila at sunset, looking out over Ibiza Town and the harbour

The view from Dalt Vila's walls at sunset.

You climb up through narrow streets past old churches and when you reach the top you can see the sea in every direction.

(Pro tip: go at sunset. I went midday the first time and spent the first five minutes at the top just trying to breathe normally.)

The beaches, the food, the night

The beaches alone are worth the flight. You’ll experience some of the best beaches in Europe. If I had to pick three beaches… these are the ones.

Cala Comte - the water is beautiful. Every shade of blue you can think of. But the real reason to come is the sunset.

Turquoise water and rocky coastline at Cala Comte beach, Ibiza

Cala Comte. The photo isn't edited. The water just looks like this

Cala Salada - feels like a secret even though it's not. Pine forests, cliffs and water so clear it doesn't look real. Walk five minutes to Cala Saladeta for an even quieter version
Cala d'Hort - a giant rock called Es Vedra sits in the sea right in front of you. It looks photoshopped. It's not

Oh and let me tell you that the food is its own reason to go:

Bullit de peix - the island's signature dish. A fisherman's stew served in two parts: first the fish with potatoes and aioli (garlic and olive oil sauce) then rice cooked in the leftover broth. Two courses from one pot
Flaó - a cheesecake made with local goat cheese, mint and anise. The recipe dates back to the 13th century. You'll find it in bakeries all over the island

And you probably know Ibiza is famous for nightlife.

But have you ever wondered how a tiny island in the middle of the Mediterranean became the clubbing capital of the world?

Ibiza was a hippie island in the 1960s. Cheap, quiet, off the map.

Musicians and artists moved there to disappear for a while. That crowd started throwing parties in old farmhouses… open air, no rules, everyone welcome.

A couple of those parties turned into clubs that are still open today. Pacha has been going since 1973.

In the 1980s, DJs on the island started mixing rock, disco and electronic music into something new.

They called it the Balearic beat… and British DJs brought that sound home. Most of modern electronic music traces back to this island.

So whether you're into that world or not… a tiny Mediterranean island quietly (no pun intended) changed the way the whole planet listens to music.

Or just skip Ibiza and stay in Formentera

If clubs and crowds aren't your thing… you don't have to stay in Ibiza at all.

Formentera is a tiny island a 30-minute ferry away. Only 20km long. No mega clubs. Just wild beaches and turquoise water.

Back in the 1960s while Ibiza was starting to attract the party crowd, Formentera went the other way.

Artists, musicians and people who wanted to vanish for a while (Bob Dylan and members of Pink Floyd) were going there.

Today it's still the quieter island. The kind of place where you rent a bike, ride to a beach and don't see another person for an hour.

Ses Illetes beach in Formentera with white sand and turquoise water

Ses Illetes, Formentera. No crowd. No rush. No noise

The water is some of the clearest in the Mediterranean… and that's not an exaggeration.

Some people (like me) go for a day trip from Ibiza and spend the whole ferry ride back wishing they'd booked a week there instead.

How to actually do Ibiza (without getting fired)

Best time to go - June or September. Still warm, beaches aren't packed and prices drop. July and August are peak season… hotter, more expensive and you'll fight for a parking spot at every beach. If you're there for the clubs the season runs May to October and that's when all the big names play.

Rent a car - I've been to Ibiza twice. First time without a car… big mistake. Half the best beaches are on the other side of the island and buses barely cover them. Second time I rented one and saw more in two days than I did in a whole week without it.

A week is perfect - You won't run out of things to do. Here's what you absolutely can't miss:

Dalt Vila at sunset - walk up through the stone gateway, wander the streets and end up at the top for the view over the harbour. Go in the evening when the light is soft
Cala Comte late afternoon - for the sunset. Non-negotiable
Cala d'Hort - for Es Vedra. Sit there and stare at it

Cala d'Hort beach at sunset with Es Vedra rock rising from the sea in the background

Cala d'Hort. Es Vedra in the background.

Bullit de peix lunch - find a restaurant on the coast, preferably in the north. Order it. Thank me later
Formentera - Worth a full day if you're based in Ibiza. Or do it the other way round… base yourself in Formentera and take the ferry to Ibiza when you feel like it
One night out - even if clubs aren't your thing. Just to understand where it all started

Ibiza is one of those places where a week feels like a month in the best way. Go. Eat everything. Swim everywhere.

And if someone takes a photo of you dancing at a concert… who cares. You're not on a fake sick leave. (…right?)

Did You Know?

🧂 Ibiza's salt flats have been producing salt since the Phoenicians arrived over 2,500 years ago. For centuries salt was the island's main source of income… and the profits helped pay for the walls of Dalt Vila
🌊 The crystal-clear water Ibiza is famous for? It's filtered by Posidonia seagrass meadows between Ibiza and Formentera… estimated to be over 100,000 years old and one of the oldest living organisms on the planet
🎵 Ibiza's name may come from the Phoenician word for "island of Bes"… an Egyptian god of music and dancing. Víctor would approve
🎤 "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi spent 16 consecutive weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2017. It was the first Spanish-language song to top that chart since "Macarena" in 1996
🗣️ Shakira speaks at least four languages fluently: Spanish, English, Portuguese and Italian. She also sings in French and Arabic

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