SpanishPod101.com Blog

As October turns to November, Mexico enters one of its most visually striking and spiritually rich seasons. While Halloween is gaining ground among younger generations, the country’s true cultural centerpiece is Día de los Muertos — the Day of the Dead — a vibrant celebration of life, death, and memory that has captivated visitors and locals alike. Table of Contents Halloween in Mexico The Origin of Day of the Dead Traditions and Symbols Modern Celebrations and Tourist Highlights A Celebration of Life 1. Halloween in Mexico So, is Halloween celebrated in Mexico? Yes, though in a lighter and more localized way. In major cities, children dress in costumes and go door to door chanting for candy in a tradition known as “pedir... Show more

What if you could take an actual class from home? With a native teacher and four other learners? A class where you're speaking with a native. You're having fun practicing dialogues. Where the teacher corrects your on the spot, which means you're improving on the spot. And so are the other learners in this small group class, because everyone gets plenty of attention and practice. It's not just a possibility. Group classes are the most fun and engaging way to learn , and you can attend these classes with . Table of Contents What is in a Live Group Class? Why Learn in a Group? What You Get Out of It What Our Students Say Conclusion 1. What is in a Live Group Class? With 's Live Group Class program, you can take a... Show more

For English speakers diving into Spanish, one of the many fascinating aspects can be exploring idioms. These phrases may be confusing if taken literally, but they show cultural and language variations in Spanish-speaking countries. That means they can be a useful part of your Spanish vocabulary, and help you sound more fluent. Let's look at some of these idioms, focusing on Mexican Spanish. Table of Contents Let's Dive In! More Common Spanish Idioms Learner's Edge: The Impact of Spanish Idioms Embracing Idioms: The Joy of Mexican Spanish 1. Let's Dive In! Spanish idioms, or modismos, are phrases with meanings that aren't obvious from their individual words. These expressions are essential in conversational Spanish, particularly in... Show more

Do you know that Peninsular Spanish and Mexican Spanish are different? This is because different varieties of the same language are used by native speakers in distinct parts of the world. So, the Spanish you can hear among Spanish-speaking countries may sound quite different.  The English language, for example, has regional varieties such as American English, British English, Australian English, etc. In the case of the Spanish language, there are also many possible pronunciations and accents. Table of Contents Where Are Peninsular Spanish And Mexican Spanish Spoken? Vocabulary Differences Pronunciation Differences Tenses Used Using Vosotros And Ustedes So, Which Spanish To Learn? 1. Where Are Peninsular Spanish And... Show more

Learning a language, whether in the classroom or on your own, is a rewarding and fun experience. It allows you to watch movies and understand lyrics in another language, and it can even help you make new friends. When you reach an advanced level, however, a world of opportunities opens. If you’re dreaming of an academic or professional career in Spain or another Spanish-speaking country, you’re already aware that it can be the pathway to a brilliant future. More than 500 million people around the planet speak the language—just imagine the possibilities!  Need a little help getting there? Here are some advanced Spanish phrases that can put you on track. Also, stick around for some bonus everyday Spanish idioms that will make... Show more

Once you’ve mastered the basics of a language, you’re ready to move on to the next level and start handling more complex interactions. Learning intermediate Spanish phrases will allow you to have everyday conversations, get around with confidence in a Spanish-speaking environment, and make new friends! However, even if you’ve studied the grammar and memorized long vocabulary lists, sometimes it’s difficult to actually put your skills to the test. Have you ever found yourself having a conversation in Spanish and going completely blank, forgetting every lesson you’ve learned? If the answer is yes, don’t worry. SpanishPod101 is here to help. In this guide, you’ll find a list of intermediate Spanish phrases for everyday conversations.... Show more

Are you looking for new ways to learn Spanish? Do you want to find new resources to complement your lessons? Or are you simply tired of using the traditional language learning methods?  Podcasts are a great resource for learning a new language in a fun and lively way. The good news for Spanish learners is that a ton of useful Spanish-language content is being produced every day—not surprising, considering the language’s more than 500 million speakers around the world. But where to start?  In this guide, SpanishPod101 has listed the best Spanish podcasts for learners. We have done our best to include something for everyone, from beginners to more advanced students; we’ve also included podcasts on a variety of topics ranging from... Show more

When you first start learning any language, the first few lessons can feel overwhelming. If Spanish grammar seems too challenging or vocabulary lists just aren’t for you, why don’t you start by picking up some simple Spanish phrases for beginners? Fortunately, you’ll be able to handle the most basic interactions by learning just a few of these ready-to-go expressions and sentence patterns. Saying hello and goodbye, making small talk, ordering in a restaurant…it’s really not so complicated. You’ll see! In this guide from SpanishPod101, you’ll find more than 50 easy Spanish phrases for beginners that’ll help you navigate a variety of situations using this beautiful language.  If you want to meet Spanish people, you’ll need to... Show more

Speaking Spanish in casual conversations is a rewarding experience. Sure, native Spanish speakers converse at a really fast pace. But, if you ask them to slow down, they will—and they will probably try to help you understand and be part of the conversation. At the end of the day, there’s a reason why Spanish-speaking countries are said to have some of the friendliest people! But what happens when, instead of an informal chat over some wine and tapas, you have to face a doctor’s appointment or a super important business meeting? Formal situations will call for advanced Spanish words, which might be scary for those who are still learning. Namely, you’ll have to step up your game in order to succeed in conversations related to higher... Show more

If you’re here, it’s because you succeeded in mastering Spanish at the beginner level. Enhorabuena! (“Congratulations!”) Now it’s time to take it a step further by picking up some intermediate Spanish words.  Jumping from beginner to intermediate level can be a scary move. It means that you have to get out there and try out your newly acquired skills…and actually speak Spanish to people!! But that’s why we’re here, right? Intermediate Spanish lessons are very exciting because they allow you to start expressing yourself more freely and having more fluent conversations. At this stage, you can master everyday vocabulary and actually start making friends within the native Spanish-speaking community. This intermediate Spanish wordlist... Show more