# Working at a Valencia startup

**Language:** Spanish  
**CEFR Level:** B1  

> Join Lucía and Pablo for life inside a Valencia tech startup, one short conversation at a time. Each lesson trains your ear until you can follow every word and answer back.

**Setting:** Lucía has temporarily relocated to Valencia to work for a tech startup while continuing her civil-service exam prep, renting a desk at Wayco Abastos. Pablo, taking a sabbatical from his Madrid taxi job to help his nephew launch a logistics app in the Marina de Valencia, shares a work area with her.

## Lessons

### 1. Declining a quick break offer

Pablo tries to convince Lucía to go down for a mid-morning lunch break, but Lucía insists she only needs a quick coffee while finishing her tasks.

### 2. Discussing workload and study breaks

Lucía explains her tight study schedule for an upcoming exam, while Pablo tries to persuade her that taking a short break will boost her focus.

### 3. Comparing different working environments

Pablo mentions that his nephew's startup works at La Marina, leading him and Lucía to compare quiet tech hubs with crowded co-working spaces.

### 4. Recommending a local food spot

After Lucía admits she wears headphones to avoid distractions, Pablo invites her to a nearby market bar known for its signature cuttlefish sandwich.

### 5. Negotiating departure time and schedule

Lucía declines eating cuttlefish so early, asks Pablo for ten minutes to finish a campaign, and asks him about his work plans for the day.

### 6. Discussing work hours and expenses

Lucía shares her early remote work routine and mentions her company pays for her co-working desk, prompting Pablo to complain about his lack of perks.

### 7. Talking about commuting and weather

Lucía points out that Pablo works for his nephew's firm, and the two discuss commuting around Valencia by city bike and surviving summer heat.

### 8. Inviting a colleague to an event

Lucía calls out Pablo for hesitating, leading him to invite her to a tech networking event, which Lucía initially rejects due to bad experiences.

### 9. Asking a favor for someone

Pablo reveals his nephew needs help with his pitch presentation, bargaining with Lucía to spare an hour in exchange for buying her whatever she wants.

### 10. Coordinating schedules around commitments

Lucía brings up her afternoon exam prep class, but Pablo demonstrates that he checked the timetable and that the event starts right after her class.

### 11. Setting time limits and declining plans

Lucía agrees to attend the Thursday event until ten, but firmly shuts down Pablo when he tries to invite her to a weekend startup market.

### 12. Giving advice and finishing tasks

Lucía explains why family members rarely take advice from relatives, then quickly sends her email so she and Pablo can finally head downstairs.

### 13. Commenting on weather and clothing

Lucía tells Pablo to grab a jacket, prompting a debate about wearing shorts in November and adapting to local habits in Valencia.

### 14. Finalizing plans and offering to pay

Pablo reflects on his formal past in Madrid, and he and Lucía agree to get horchata together after he promises to cover the bill.