Basics

As an online video-rich experience, Mi Vida Loca requires a broadband connection.

You can find out more about broadband on BBC Webwise. If you don't have a broadband connection, our other beginner courses, Spanish Steps and Talk Spanish work on dial-up connections.

It may sound obvious but make sure your speakers or headphones are plugged in and working. Although at times you have to say things out loud, you don't need a microphone.

Video player

The video player consists of:

• 1. Main video screen

• 2. Spanish subtitles: click on ESP to turn them on and off

• 3. English subtitles: click on ENG to turn them on and off

• 4. Play/pause control

• 5. Review control: click to replay a phrase while a video is playing

• 6. Skip control: click to jump forward

• 7. Progress bar: click to go back over individual scenes

• 8. Expand button: click to make the video bigger

• 9. Mute button: click to mute the sound

Loading problems

Mi Vida Loca has been optimised as far as possible for a smooth experience. However, the video and subtitles may not load or play properly if your internet connection slows down. Possible reasons are given on BBC Webwise, though you may need to contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

If you are having trouble loading an episode there are a few things you can try. Close the windows of any other episodes you may have open before starting a new one. Close any other video players or high volume downloads. You could also close and re-open your browser and start again. The problem may be related to high demand on the network, in which case, it's worth trying again at another time.

If all of this fails or you experience any other glitches or problems, please let us know.

Translations

The English commentary is translated in the subtitles, but not always word for word. The word order may be different in each language, or some expressions just don't translate, so an equivalent in the other language is used.

As this is a beginners' course, the more advanced Spanish isn't explained, just translated. If you're learning the language from scratch, you may want to use the subtitles to get a feel for the language at a higher level. If you already know some Spanish, you may find them useful for picking up new expressions.

Real Spanish

Throughout Mi Vida Loca people speak at different paces:

• 1. The talking phrasebook speaks slowly and clearly to help you learn the language

• 2. The actors in the dramatic scenes perform at normal native speed but take care to speak clearly.

• 3. The real people, such as the taxi drivers or the waiters, play themselves in their everyday jobs. They speak at their normal pace, which may sound fast and unclear to a beginner, but you have the opportunity to replay and, eventually, develop the skill to understand them. This will stand you in good stead when you go to a Spanish-speaking country.

Printouts

Printable versions of the vocabulary, grammar and practice pages are available in the Learning Sections (accessed underneath each episode from the Mi Vida Loca homepage) and on the Syllabus & printouts page.

Downloads, DVDs and Mini Vida Loca

Unfortunately, policy restrictions at present prevent us from providing video downloads for Mi Vida Loca. We hope this will change in the future. And there are no plans to make the series available as a DVD. The good news is that Mi Vida Loca does not have a shelf-life: we won't be taking it offline.

We have made several TV versions (without the interactivity) of Mi Vida Loca which were broadcast on the Learning Zone in the summer of 2009, and we are currently adding them to the website. Mini Vida Loca is one of these versions with English commentary.