LOLA Spanish Academy

LOLA Spanish Academy Hi! I am Lola and I have been a qualified teacher in Languages for 12 years. I am the founder of Lola Spanish Academy.

I teach: young learners, Spanish for adults, professional learners from all over the globe. Free resources for you
We publish interesting grammar, vocabulary, games and guides and make them available to everyone on our social networks. If you are also interested in an article or learning topic on a particular topic, please let us know!

14/09/2026

What does Spanish actually sound like?

There are expressions you’ll never find in a textbook, yet native speakers use them every single day:

«No ver un pijo»: When it’s super foggy or you desperately need glasses but refuse to wear them, so you can’t see a blooming thing. - English equivalent: Blind as a bat/Can't see a bloody thing / Can't see a dickey bird

«Tener una flor en el culo»: That stroke of pure luck when you snap up the only free parking space left in a jam-packed city. English equivalent: To have the luck of the devil/To Jammy / To be a jammy dodger

Real Spanish isn’t about memorising rules—it’s about living it! And that’s why this language is so addictive.

👉 What’s the bizarre-sounding phrase you’ve heard in Spain? Let us know in the comments and save this post to sound like a local!

¿Cómo suena realmente el español?

Hay expresiones que jamás verás en un libro de texto, pero que los nativos usan todos los días:

«No ver un pijo»: Cuando hay tanta niebla o necesitas gafas pero te niegas a usarlas, no ves absolutamente nada.

«Tener una flor en el culo»: Esa suerte divina de encontrar el único sitio libre para aparcar cuando la ciudad entera está imposible.

El verdadero español no se memoriza, ¡se vive! Y por eso este idioma engancha tanto.

👉 ¿Cuál es la frase más rara que has oído en España? Cuéntanos en comentarios y no olvides guardar este post para sonar como un nativo.

08/09/2026

Thought all of Spain speaks and acts the same? 🌧️☀️ Textbooks teach you proper grammar, but no one warns you that crossing regional borders changes the vocabulary entirely.

Just like in Spanish Affair (Ocho apellidos vascos), the culture clash is REAL:

The North: Basque Country, León, Galicia... Straight to the point, T-bone steak lovers, who tell you "it's a bit nippy" at 5 °C, blurt out "fai un frío de carallo!" (it's freezing cold!), or use the Leonese "marchar" as a catch-all verb. 🥩⚡

The South: Andalusia... Pure charm and flair, replacing entire sentences with a quick "¡chiquillo!", dropping consonants purely for efficiency, and treating "no ni ná" as absolute gospel truth. 🎉🔥

Are you team North or South? Drop your favourite word in the comments. 👇✨

¿Pensabas que en toda España se habla e interactúa igual? 🌧️☀️ Los libros de texto te enseñan la Gramática Real, pero nadie te avisa de que cruzando fronteras regionales hasta el vocabulario cambia por completo.

Como en Ocho apellidos vascos, el choque cultural es REAL:

El Norte: Euskadi, León, Galicia... Directos, amantes del chuletón, te dicen «hace fresquito» a 5 °C, te sueltan un «¡fai un frío de carallo!» o usan el «marchar» leonés como verbo universal. 🥩⚡

El Sur: Andalucía... Arte puro, sustituyen frases enteras con un «¡chiquillo!», se comen las consonantes por pura eficiencia y el «no ni ná» es la verdad absoluta. 🎉🔥

¿Has visitado el norte y/o sur de España? Comenta tu lugar favorito. 👇✨

Life in Spain isn't something you learn from textbooks: it's lived in the little details. ✨It's understanding that turni...
02/09/2026

Life in Spain isn't something you learn from textbooks: it's lived in the little details. ✨

It's understanding that turning up 10 minutes late to a social plan isn't bad manners—it's standard. That the real summer drama isn't the heat, but finding an empty water bottle left in the fridge, and that no night out is complete without proper churros at the end.

It's the charm of sitting outside on the doorstep in the evening breeze, clapping your hands when you laugh out loud, and taking half an hour to say goodbye with an endless loop of kisses. It's the luxury of the baker delivering fresh bread straight to your door, and clothes pegs sealing half-eaten crisp packets.

Spain is that delightfully imperfect warmth that captures your heart. 💛❤️

España no se aprende en los libros: se vive en los pequeños detalles. ✨

Es entender que llegar 10 minutos tarde a un plan no es impuntualidad, es la norma. Que el verdadero drama del verano no es el calor, sino encontrar la botella de agua vacía en la nevera, y que ninguna gran noche de fiesta está completa sin unos buenos churros.

Es la magia de tomar la fresca en la puerta de casa, dar palmadas al reírnos a carcajadas y tardar media hora en decir adiós con un bucle infinito de besos. Es el lujo del panadero en la puerta y las pinzas de tender cerrando patatas fritas.

España es esa calidez imperfecta que te atrapa. 💛❤️

31/08/2026

🔥 THE BOOK EVERYONE’S RAVING ABOUT! 🕵️‍♂️✨
If you’re seeing this today, Monday, take it as a sign: Murdoku is the viral sensation that’ll hook you from page one. 💥

A brilliant blend of Sudoku logic and addictive crime-solving. 🧩🔪 You won't be able to put it down: "just one more" and you’ve cracked ten cases straight. ⏳

☀️ Perfect for making the most of the remaining summer in the shade.
🍂 Or for the cosy autumn vibes ahead: a throw blanket, a hot cup of tea, and an afternoon playing detective at home. ☕️🌧️

Are you up for the challenge? Save this reel 📌 and grab your copy before it sells out. 👇

🔥 ¡EL LIBRO DEL QUE TODO EL MUNDO HABLA! 🕵️‍♂️✨
Si ves esto hoy lunes, tómatelo como una señal: Murdoku es el fenómeno viral que te va a enganchar desde la primera página. 💥

Un híbrido perfecto entre la lógica del sudoku y los crímenes más adictivos. 🧩🔪 No vas a poder parar: «solo uno más» y terminas resolviendo diez casos seguidos. ⏳

☀️ Ideal para exprimir lo que queda de verano bajo la sombra.
🍂 O para el mood otoñal que viene: mantita, café caliente y tarde de detectives en casa. ☕️🌧️

¿Aceptas el reto? Guarda este reel 📌 y consigue el tuyo antes de que se agote. 👇

Some summers never end; they just take up residence in our memories. 🌊✨Learning Spanish is also about understanding this...
25/08/2026

Some summers never end; they just take up residence in our memories. 🌊✨

Learning Spanish is also about understanding this nostalgia, these shared cultural codes, and the warmth of a culture that knows how to enjoy the simple things. 💛☀️

If you grew up in Spain (or lived there in the 90s and 2000s), you know summer wasn't just a season: it was a sacred ritual.

Do you remember these?

Dad's early start: Waking up at 7:00 AM to claim the best spot right by the shore with the beach umbrella, then spending the afternoon gazing at the horizon from his folding beach chair.

The legendary blue cooler: Capable of holding an entire universe. Breaded chicken cutlet sandwiches, freshly made tortilla de patatas, and—surprisingly—the occasional hot stew, even when "Lorenzo" (the sun) was scorching hot.

The iconic beach umbrellas: Floral or multicolored stripes. They didn't block much sun, but they were the ultimate landmark so you wouldn't get lost coming back from the sea.

Retro essentials: A bottle of Delial sunscreen, the inflatable Nivea beach ball, and the unmistakable tap-tap of wooden beach paddles echoing along the shore.

The taste of childhood: A Frigopie ice cream after lunch and your mother’s unyielding rule: "You have to wait two hours for digestion before getting back in the water!" (under threat of being called back at the top of her lungs across the entire beach).

The soundtrack: Those hit summer songs playing on repeat on the radio that we still know by heart today, note for note.

💬 What about you? What summer memory or tradition do you cherish from your childhood? Let us know in the comments below! 👇

☀️

24/08/2026

Controversy served at the table? 🚨 Spain boasts a globally acclaimed gastronomy, but even the best traditional recipes have their haters. The famous food guide Taste Atlas has revealed the list of the worst-rated Spanish food according to foreigners.

From typical dishes to traditional desserts, these are the 7 specialties that failed to win over their palates, ordered from worst-rated to the "least bad":

Sardine sandwich (The worst-rated of them all!) 🐟🥖
Huesos de Santo (Saint's Bones) 🦴
Hojaldres de Astorga (Astorga Puff Pastries - León) 🥐
Peladillas (Sugared almonds - Valencia) 🍬
Mango gazpacho (Andalusia) 🥭
Snails (Catalonia) 🐌
Baked rice (Baked Rice / Arroz al horno - Valencian Community) 🥘

Culinary injustice or culture shock? 🇪🇸 Tell me in the comments which Spanish dish is your absolute must-have and if you'd defend these culinary gems!

¿Polémica servida en la mesa? 🚨 España presume de una gastronomía mundialmente aclamada, pero hasta las mejores recetas tradicionales tienen detractores. La famosa guía gastronómica Taste Atlas ha revelado la lista con la comida española peor valorada por extranjeros.

Desde platos típicos hasta postres tradicionales, estas son las 7 especialidades que no conquistaron sus paladares, ordenadas de la peor puntuada a la "menos mala":

Bocadillo de sardinas (¡La peor valorada de todas!) 🐟🥖
Huesos de Santo 🦴
Hojaldres de Astorga (León) 🥐
Peladillas (Valencia) 🍬
Gazpacho de mango (Andalucía) 🥭
Caracoles (Cataluña) 🐌
Arroz al horno (Comunidad Valenciana) 🥘

¿Injusticia gastronómica o choque cultural? 🇪🇸 Cuéntame en comentarios cuál es tu plato español imprescindible y si defenderías estas joyas culinarias.

The great total solar eclipse is tomorrow, Wednesday! 🌒✨📍 Where is the best view?In the path of totality crossing northe...
12/08/2026

The great total solar eclipse is tomorrow, Wednesday! 🌒✨

📍 Where is the best view?

In the path of totality crossing northern and eastern Spain (Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, the Basque Country, Castile and León, Aragon, Valencia, and the Balearic Islands), as well as Iceland and Greenland.

⏱️ Duration:

The entire event lasts nearly two hours, but the phase of total darkness lasts between one and two minutes depending on your location, just before sunset.

👓 Safety advice:
Use certified eclipse glasses only (ISO 12312-2 standard).
Never look directly at the Sun without a proper filter or through standard sunglasses.

🧠 Test your knowledge!
Swipe to take the quiz in the following images and learn fascinating facts about the Sun and this incredible phenomenon ☀️👇

¡El gran eclipse solar total es mañana miércoles! 🌒✨

📍 ¿Dónde se verá mejor?

En la franja de totalidad que cruza el norte y este de España (Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, País Vasco, Castilla y León, Aragón, Valencia y Baleares), además de Islandia y Groenlandia.

⏱️ Duración:

El evento completo dura casi 2 horas, pero la fase de oscuridad total dura entre 1 y 2 minutos según la ubicación, justo antes del atardecer.

👓 Recomendaciones:
Usa exclusivamente gafas homologadas (ISO 12312-2).
Jamás mires al Sol directamente sin filtro ni con gafas de sol normales.

🧠 ¡Pon a prueba lo que sabes!

Desliza para responder al test de las siguientes imágenes y aprende curiosidades fascinantes sobre el Sol y este fenómeno único ☀️👇

The great total solar eclipse is tomorrow, Wednesday! 🌒✨📍 Where is the best view?In the path of totality crossing northe...
12/08/2026

The great total solar eclipse is tomorrow, Wednesday! 🌒✨

📍 Where is the best view?

In the path of totality crossing northern and eastern Spain (Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, the Basque Country, Castile and León, Aragon, Valencia, and the Balearic Islands), as well as Iceland and Greenland.

⏱️ Duration:

The entire event lasts nearly two hours, but the phase of total darkness lasts between one and two minutes depending on your location, just before sunset.

👓 Safety advice:

Use certified eclipse glasses only (ISO 12312-2 standard).

Never look directly at the Sun without a proper filter or through standard sunglasses.

🧠 Test your knowledge!

Swipe to take the quiz in the following images and learn fascinating facts about the Sun and this incredible phenomenon ☀️👇

¡El gran eclipse solar total es mañana miércoles! 🌒✨

📍 ¿Dónde se verá mejor?

En la franja de totalidad que cruza el norte y este de España (Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, País Vasco, Castilla y León, Aragón, Valencia y Baleares), además de Islandia y Groenlandia.

⏱️ Duración:

El evento completo dura casi 2 horas, pero la fase de oscuridad total dura entre 1 y 2 minutos según la ubicación, justo antes del atardecer.

👓 Recomendaciones:
Usa exclusivamente gafas homologadas (ISO 12312-2).

Jamás mires al Sol directamente sin filtro ni con gafas de sol normales.

🧠 ¡Pon a prueba lo que sabes!

Desliza para responder al test de las siguientes imágenes y aprende curiosidades fascinantes sobre el Sol y este fenómeno único ☀️👇

10/08/2026

Happy Monday! 👋 Want to sound like a proper native in Spain and stop talking like a textbook? Today I’ve got 8 essential gestures and expressions to help you understand real everyday Spanish:

Vaya jeta / vaya cara – What a nerve! / What a cheek! 😤

Por ahí va la cosa – That’s about right / You’re getting warm 👌

¿Lo pillas? – Do you get it? / Get it? 🤔

Está petado – It’s packed / It’s rammed 👥

Vas a cobrar – You’re going to get hit! / You’re going to get a smack! 👊

No tener dos dedos de frente – Not having two brain cells to rub together 🤦‍♂️

¡Qué susto! – What a shock! / What a fright! 😱

Me piro – I’m off! / I’m off then! 🏃‍♂️

Save this post for your next trip to Spain and share it with your Spanish-learning mate! 👇

¡Feliz lunes! 👋 ¿Quieres sonar como un verdadero nativo en España y dejar de hablar como un libro de texto? Hoy te traigo 8 gestos y expresiones imprescindibles para entender el español de la calle:

Vaya jeta / vaya cara – What a nerve! / What a cheek! 😤

Por ahí va la cosa – That’s about right / You’re getting warm 👌

¿Lo pillas? – Do you get it? 🤔

Está petado – It’s packed / It’s crowded 👥

Vas a cobrar – You’re going to get hit! 👊

No tener dos dedos de frente – Not having two brain cells to rub together 🤦‍♂️

¡Qué susto! – What a shock! / What a scare! 😱

Me piro – I’m leaving! / I’m off! 🏃‍♂️

¡Guarda este post para tu próximo viaje a España y comparte con tu amigo estudiante de español! 👇

Dirección

Madrid
28008

Página web

Notificaciones

Sea el primero en enterarse: le enviaremos un correo electrónico cuando LOLA Spanish Academy publique novedades y promociones. Su dirección de correo electrónico no se utilizará para ningún otro fin y puede darse de baja en cualquier momento.

Contactar Con La Escuela/facultad

Enviar un mensaje a LOLA Spanish Academy:

Atajos

Compartir