Sometimes, we are unable to commit time to take Spanish lessons and we try to study Spanish grammar textbooks and follow some websites to learn by ourselves but we give up and feel demotivated because we don’t find a good way to learn Spanish. There are other methods to engage yourself in language learning. Even if you are taking Spanish lessons, these alternatives are the perfect way to complement your classes and improve your listening and increase your vocabulary. Podcasts are a great resource to help you on your Spanish journey.

WHY LEARN SPANISH WITH PODCAST?

• Anytime and anywhere.

• Immersing yourself in the Spanish language! 

• Improve your listening skills, pronunciation, rhythm and learn new vocabulary.

Doesn’t matter if you are a complete beginner or advanced in Spanish, I have selected some podcasts which I consider the best or my students recommend. Just choose those according to your interests, level or needs. Don’t panic and take it easy if you don’t understand the full content or basically you understand nothing at all! being in touch with the language constantly will help you to assimilate Spanish sounds, and get used to it! Have a great listening! 🙂

1. Hoyhablamos.com 

• What they do: Daily podcasts classified by thematic categories: the topic of the month, Spanish culture, expressions or idioms, news and miscellanea.
• Availability: Website, iTunes and Android.
• Difficulty: It is quite natural, good rhythm. It is great for intermediate levels. My students love this website because it is neither too easy nor too difficult.
• Duration: 10 minutes approximately.
• Price: Free or premium ($9.95 per month). Audios and part of the scripts are free. The premium account provides full scripts, explanations, vocabulary, and exercises.

2. Podclub: A mi aire

• What they do: Podcasts every 2 weeks. Podcasts based on a fictional character called Alicia, a Spanish girl who lives in Switzerland and she talks about global issues and interesting facts about Spain and Latinoamerica. One of my students recommended this website
• Availability: Website and iTunes
• Difficulty: Good rhythm, it’s very clear. It is from A2/B1 Level (upper beginner/intermediate)
• Duration: 10-12 minutes approximately.
• Price: Completely free. You get audios, scripts and vocabulary explanations in Spanish.

3. hablacultura.com

• What they do: It is not a podcasts website but you can find texts with audio. You have two options with very interesting topics:
  • Textos para aprender español: Classified by themes; Performing arts, science, films, culture, literature, new technologies, politics and society, debates, interesting facts.
  • Viajar a España: travellers and traditions
• Availability: Website
• Difficulty: Contents organised by levels. All of them are Intermediate and advanced level, except “Interesting facts” and “Debates” where you will find the elementary level too. My students think they speak very natural and quiet
• Duration: Between 6 and 8 minutes approximately.
• Price: Completely free. You get audio, text, Spanish vocabulary with definition and a glossary in different languages (English, French, German and Portuguese)

4. NotesinSpanish.com

• What they do: we can find conversations between an English-speaker and a Spanish-speaker.
  • For beginners: conversations focused on explanations and how to use the language in different situations and contexts.
  • For intermediate and advanced levels: Discussions about different topics. Informal and natural conversation.
• Availability: Website, iTunes and mp3 player.
• Difficulty:
  • Good for beginners because the explanations are in English. Educational approach.
  • Intermediate and advanced levels the speaking is quite natural and informal.
• Duration:
  • Beginners: between 15 and 30 minutes
  • Intermediate and advanced levels: between 10 and 12 minutes.
• Price: Free and premium packs for different levels (47€ each). Audios and part of the scripts are free. The pack for each level provides all the podcast for a specific level with full scripts, explanations, vocabulary and grammar list and exercises.

5. Podscastfromspain.com

• What they do: Two Spanish guys talk about global issues and different topics about Spanish culture. They provide details about the grammar, vocabulary or skills you are going to work with each audio.
• Availability: Website
• Difficulty: All the levels (A1 to C1). Speaking is quiet, good rhythm but you might sometimes find difficult if you are a beginner.
• Duration: Short podcasts, between 1 and 5 minutes approximately.
• Price: Free (10 audios) or premium ($10 single payment lifetime access). It’s absolutely worth it. The premium account provides unlimited access to more than 100 audio activities, comprehension test for every audio, scripts included for every audio, key vocabulary explanations, explanations of the grammar related to every audio.

6. Easypodcasts.org 

• What they do: Short podcasts about the Hispanic world (culture, history, music, etc). There are really interesting podcasts even for Spanish-speakers. It never hurts learning a little about your own culture!
• Availability: Website.
• Difficulty: Probably for intermediate and advanced level as there are not transcriptions. The speaking is slow and easy to understand but natural. The accent from Latinoamerica and Spain.
• Duration: Less than 5 minutes. Good for people who don’t have much time.
• Price: Free. You can only find audios.

7. Lengalia.com

• What they do: Specific podcasts about Spanish and Latinoamerican culture (family, hobbies, work, shopping, interpersonal relationships, etc)
• Availability: Website
• Difficulty: Speaking is quiet. It is for intermediate and advanced levels but maybe for advanced levels is a bit slow and not very dynamic and natural.
• Duration: 12 minutes approximately.
• Price: Free audios or premium (you need to buy a course to get  scripts, vocabulary explanations and interactive activities. You can try a free trial  lesson for 48 hours)