Can you learn Spanish with podcasts? The internet has brought us many new language learning tools, among which the podcast.
For those who have been living under a rock, a podcast is like a radio show, without the musical interruptions, and you decide when you listen to it.
Since the invention of podcasts, it has become a great favorite of both language instructors and language learners. Here’s why.
Why should I use podcasts to learn Spanish?
• It’s made for language learners
Anyone can start a podcast, which means these days you have endless options when it comes to picking one out.
Besides picking one that is close to your interests, there are many podcasts out there that are made for language learners. This means they will focus on stories that will be interesting for foreigners, share a little bit of cultural information, and help you learn your target language.
Even within the category of language learning podcasts, you will find many different types focussing on different aspects of language learning, as well as different levels of language skills.
Whatever it is you are looking for, you’ll sure find one that matches your needs.
• Learn at your own speed
Literally.
The great thing about podcasts is being able to adjust the playback speed to be slower or faster than the regular speed. If things are going too fast, play it at 0.75x, but if a podcast is making a deliberate effort to speak clearly and you think you can handle a bit more speed, change it to 1.25x and really train your listening skills.
• Improve your pronunciation
The great thing about radio, audiobooks and podcasts is that because you are only listening, it really trains your ear to focus on the pronunciation.
Many times, a foreign accent is a result of your brain thinking certain letters that are written down should be pronounced a certain way. This can be because of your native language, or because the pronunciation of a word doesn’t always make sense with phonetic rules.
By solely focusing on the listening you are training your ears to hear past the written form of words, and simply hear the way native speakers are pronouncing them.
• You can do it anywhere, anytime
As long as you have your phone with you (and let’s be honest, that is pretty much always), you can put on a podcast and start the language learning.
Whether you are brushing your teeth, commuting to work or taking a deliberate moment to practice your language skills, your favorite podcasts are always available and ready.
• It’s free
Language learning isn’t just for those who can afford fancy language schools.
Podcasts are freely available across many platforms like Apple podcasts, Soundcloud or Spotify.
How can I use podcasts to learn Spanish?
Okay, so we’ve gone over the why, but how exactly do you learn Spanish with a podcast?
• Use lost time
One of my favorite things about podcasts is that because you are only listening, you can do it while doing something else.
Of course, to really take something in you need to pay some attention, but I used to listen to podcasts on my way to class, while walking the dog or even when I was cooking and cleaning.
It’s a great way to practice your language skills while doing something else, and taking advantage of the time you are already spending on another mindless activity.
This way, you don’t need extra hours in the day, you can simply use the ones you already have to squeeze in a little extra language learning.
• Create a habit
Building on the previous point:
If you have a daily commute, walk, or time dedicated for language learning – make it a daily or at least weekly habit.
Nothing will help your language skills unless you do it on a regular basis.
If you have a daily habit that you can use to listen to podcasts to learn Spanish, you can easily create a new habit without having to change your current lifestyle. After all, habits are easier to keep up when integrated into your already existing routine.
• Listening practice
Listening is one of the most daunting aspects of language learning because it happens in real time.
Where an online chat conversation leaves time to think, or a quick Google Translate consultation, actual conversations happen in real-time, and if you have difficulty understanding spoken language, it can be a real struggle to have a conversation with a native speaker.
Podcasts offer you a safe space to practice your listening skills without having to answer back immediately. Unlike movies, you don’t have the visuals to help you understand context and meaning, but it is precisely the pure audio based learning that will help you master the skills of listening to an actual conversation.
• Cultural Context
Language and culture are two things that can not be separated. That is why many podcasts try to teach a language while talking about culture.
This is great, because it allows you to practice your skills, learn vocabulary that will be relevant when speaking to native speakers, and allows you to better understand the language as something beyond the rules of grammar.
Though it is great to be able to have a regular conversation about what your name is, how old you are and what your favorite color is, it is even better when you are able to reference a national holiday, or talk about music.
• Find something that matches your skills
There is no fun in listening to something you don’t understand because it’s way too complicated, or something that is too easy.
Not all language learning podcasts are alike, and neither are podcast listeners, so make sure you find one that matches your language skills as well as your interests.
• Write a review
Many podcasts are available for free, but that doesn’t mean you can’t help the creators. Let them know what you think, and show off your language skills by writing a review in your target language.
• Focus on the pronunciation
Because it is purely audio based, podcasts are a great way of improving your pronunciation.
Repeat a certain fragment and try to speak along.
Instead of listening for words, try listening for syllables. This will make it a lot easier to break down sounds and really get that native-like pronunciation.
Write down a phrase or paragraph, then record yourself saying it and compare it to the podcast recording. Comparing directly can help you pin-point and improve the areas you are struggling with the most.
• Look at the transcripts
Many podcasts to learn Spanish these days offer a transcript of what is said. This allows you to read along, or refer back after you’re done listening to an episode.
This way you can easily see the spelling of new words, and look them up if you are unsure what they mean.
20 Spotify podcasts to learn Spanish
1. A Zero To Hero: Learn Spanish
Level: Beginner
Learn Spanish with Spotify through this one that is created by Babbel, A Zero To Hero is a podcast where host Catriona, a total beginner in Spanish, takes you on her journey to fluency.
She is joined by Spanish native Héctor Hernández as they explore the ins and outs of the Spanish language.
2. Coffee Break Spanish
Level: Beginner
This is a great source for those starting their Spanish journey as it gives room to learn for only 10-25 minutes, which is great if you are taking a short break from work.
There are 40 lessons each season, and beginners can start with lesson one and work their way through the entire four series.
3. The Unlimited Spanish Podcast
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Unlimited Spanish is a great podcast that helps you improve your fluency in Spanish through questions, short stories, and answering techniques.
You do not just learn Spanish through Spotify because they also teach the Spanish culture and language in 20 minute episodes.
4. Let’s Speak Spanish
Level: Beginner
This podcast has been designed to take you through different levels of Spanish. Learn Spanish through Spotify with an effective and proven learning structure.
5. Spanish Obsessed
Level: Beginner to Advanced
The hosts of this podcast are a nice couple who share their passion for the language with the audience.
They have guests every now and then from different Spanish-speaking countries which lets you practice various dialects.
6. Notes in Spanish
Level: Beginner to Advanced
Whether you’re an absolute beginner or an advanced learner, this is the podcast for you!
The hosts, Marina and Ben create interesting topics about the lovely Spanish culture, interesting news, travel, world events, and so on.
7. Españolistos
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
If you are looking for fun and interesting conversations in Latin American Spanish, this is for you. Every topic is educational which is good for practicing your listening skills and vocabulary.
8. DuoLingo Podcast
Level: Beginner
An easy to understand Spanish podcast with English translation. DuoLingo tells fascinating real-life stories so that Spanish learners can gain a new perspective in every episode. You will not only learn Spanish through Spotify, but you will also learn journalistic stories through them.
9. Radio Ambulante
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
This podcast was awarded the prestigious Gabriel Marques Prize for Innovation in Journalism in 2014 and the Third Coast/Richard H. Driehaus Best Foreign Language Documentary Award in 2017. It is a really great way to learn award winning journalism while improving your Spanish skills at the same time.
10. Learn Spanish In Your Car
Level: Beginner
This is a good way to learn Spanish on Spotify. It starts with basic Spanish and later on gets more and more advanced.
11. Learn Spanish
Level: Beginner to Advanced
This is a great way to learn Spanish through a Spotify podcast as it is massive and has over 400 tracks of different lengths.
This playlist has different courses where it’s being taught by different teachers. So if you don’t really feel like listening to one of the teachers, there’s no need to worry as there is one waiting for you on the the episode.
12. Buenos Dias America
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Just like the Good Morning America talk show, this everyday 30-minute podcast features an overview of the day’s top stories. Enjoy deciphering subject-specific vocabulary for stories you have already heard about, only if you take note of the news in English.
13. Sangre Celestial
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
A fun radionovela with a supernatural twist. Sol and Mundo, twins, travel around the US and Latin America to finding family secrets and meeting long lost siblings. This is the first ever bilingual radionovela podcast that you should definitely not miss.
14. Fausto
Level: Advanced
If you are into addicting true crimes, these podcast is for you. An eight-episode series is based on a yearlong investigation. Every episode is testimonies from real people involved with the case. And of course, the last piece of unsolved mystery is to be known on the finale.
15. TED en Español
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
This is where you could find various Spanish accents and dialects as the presenters come from different Spanish-speaking countries.
The talks are not more than 20 minutes each and presents eye-opening and inspiring stories and ideas of speakers.
16. Algarabia Radio
Level: Advanced
Algarabia, is actually a renowned arts and culture magazine based in Mexico. Algarabia Radio is a weekly discussion of the present magazine’s themes by its editors. This is great if you are curious about the Mexican culture.
This podcast is great if you want to pass time on long travels.
17. Libros Para Emprendedores
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
If you love talking about business, this is your podcast! Each episode of this top-ranked business podcast is a great summary of a business or a self-help book.
Topics are anything related to business such as marketing, sales, motivation, public speaking, networking, and so on.
18. Leyendas Legendarias
Level: Advanced
A weekly comedy-horror show based in Ciudad Juarez. The hosts examine cases of real crime, paranormal activities, and notorious historical events with a good amount of black humor.
19. Historias Perdidas
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Hosted by a Mexican journalist, Leon Krauze, this amazing series examines historical mysteries such as the resting place of Noah’s Ark, the whereabouts of lost Nazi loot, etc.
20. El Souvenir
Level: Advanced
Learn Spanish with Spotify and learn more about Mexico. It offers in-depth discussions of Mexican destinations, as well as different cities all over the world.