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The 10 Best Podcasts for Learning Spanish

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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 soccer to fictional stories. You’re sure to find the perfect podcast to help you learn Spanish while having fun.

A Woman Lying in the Grass with Her Eyes Closed and Headphones On

Listening to podcasts is a fun and easy way to learn Spanish!

Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Spanish Table of Contents
  1. Benefits of Using Podcasts to Learn Spanish
  2. The 10 Best Spanish Podcasts
  3. Tricks to Help You Learn Spanish More Effectively with Podcasts
  4. Final Thoughts

1. Benefits of Using Podcasts to Learn Spanish

Podcasts are a great resource for those learning a new language. Listening to Spanish podcasts is an excellent way to start from scratch and get used to how the language sounds from the very beginning; it can also be a good way to complement any classes you might be taking. With podcasts, you can hear how natives speak using real, everyday language. 

Podcasts are also economical as you can listen to most of them for free and will require very little equipment to get started. The minimum requirement is a device with speakerphones or a pair of headphones. This also means you can choose whether you want to be sitting in front of your computer and taking notes or simply relaxing on the couch. In fact, podcasts are a productive and educational tool you can use to make the most of your time when commuting, working out, or cleaning the house.

And, of course, learning while listening to podcasts is fun! There are many Spanish podcasts you can choose from that match your interests. Whether you like fictional stories, cultural insights, or comedy, you’ll find a podcast that will keep you entertained while you expand your knowledge. What a deal!

2. The 10 Best Spanish Podcasts

1 – Unlimited Spanish

  • Level: Beginner to Advanced
  • Theme: Teaching Podcast
  • Free

This podcast has over two hundred episodes that vary in terms of level, topic, and format. Some of the Unlimited Spanish episodes are vocabulary or grammar lessons, but many others are mini-stories or discussions about a specific topic related to Spanish culture. It’s a great option for beginners who want to learn everyday spoken Spanish. 

2 – Un día en español 

  • Level: Beginner 
  • Theme: Stories
  • Free 

Un día en español (“One Day in Spanish”) features stories about a day in the life of a Spanish speaker. This is one of the best Spanish podcasts for beginners, as the episodes are recorded in very basic Spanish and cover a variety of Latin American accents. There are two versions uploaded: one with the narration in English and the dialogues in Spanish, and another one only in Spanish. Unfortunately, the podcast hasn’t been updated with new episodes for a while.

3 – Notes in Spanish

  • Level: Beginner to Advanced
  • Theme: Conversations
  • Free + Paid additional content

This podcast is a very well-structured tool for Spanish learners, as it categorizes the episodes by level. It features conversations about many different topics that get more complex as you level up, and it also employs different learning techniques. What’s great about Notes in Spanish is that you can learn real and useful conversational vocabulary. Also, there are additional materials available for purchase.

A Man Smiling while Listening to a Podcast with Headphones

Learn everyday Spanish with podcasts!

4 – SpanishPod101

  • Level: Beginner to Advanced
  • Theme: Teaching Podcast
  • Free content + Premium subscriptions

If we’re talking about the best Spanish podcasts, we have to add SpanishPod101 to the list, of course! Our platform offers short audio (and video!) lessons for fast and easy learning, with lessons ranging from the absolute beginner level to the advanced level. Also, you’ll have access to different study tools, such as flashcards and free vocabulary lists, to help you on your Spanish learning journey. And you can even get personal coaching with a Premium PLUS subscription!

5 – Hoy Hablamos

  • Level: Intermediate to Advanced
  • Theme: Teaching Podcast
  • Free + Premium subscription

Hoy Hablamos (“Today We Speak”) is a daily podcast that has more than 1000 episodes and 180 hours of content. It includes episodes that focus on grammar, other aspects of the Spanish language, and Iberian accents, but most of the episodes introduce listeners to a variety of topics related to Spanish culture. Hoy Hablamos offers premium subscribers additional tools, including transcripts, exercises, and premium episodes as well.

6 – El gran apagón

  • Level: Intermediate to Advanced
  • Theme: Fiction
  • Free

El gran apagón (“The Great Blackout”) is one of the most popular Spanish fiction podcasts ever. Hosted on the Podium Podcast platform, which is home to many interesting Spanish podcasts, it tells the story of a worldwide blackout that occurs after an enormous solar storm and leaves the whole planet without internet or electricity. The three seasons of this thrilling podcast are available to help you learn Spanish in a very fun way! 

7 – Play Fútbol

  • Level: Advanced
  • Theme: Soccer
  • Free

Fútbol (or “soccer”) is the biggest and most popular sport in Spain. Big teams such as FC Barcelona and Real Madrid have millions of fans all over the world. If you love Spanish soccer, Play Fútbol is a great way to stay up to date with the sports world and learn all the latest news while also learning Spanish. It’s broadcast live from Monday to Friday, but you can also find the episodes uploaded on their website.

Three Guys Sitting on a Sofa, Intensely Watching a Soccer Game

There are podcasts for soccer fans, too!

8 – Ciberlocutorio

  • Level: Advanced
  • Theme: Love and relationships
  • Free 

This podcast is like a chat with your girlfriends about love and relationships, but in Spanish! Ciberlocutorio is conducted by two young women who express their views on modern dating life in a fun and informal way. It’s hosted by Primavera Sound Radio, which gathers in one place the coolest podcasts about music, cinema, art, and life itself. 

9 – Entiende tu mente

  • Level: Intermediate to Advanced
  • Theme: Self-development
  • Free

Entiende tu mente (“Understand Your Mind”) is a very popular weekly Spanish podcast that focuses on self-development. Led by experts in psychology, it’s an informative podcast that deals with issues such as coping mechanisms, relationships, and personal goals. Besides improving your Spanish, you’ll also learn a lot about yourself!

10 – Nadie sabe nada

  • Level: Advanced
  • Theme: Comedy
  • Free

Nadie sabe nada (“Nobody Knows Anything”) is the most popular Spanish podcast. Led by two of the most well-known comedians in Spanish media, Andreu Buenafuente and Berto Romero, this weekly podcast brings you 50-minute episodes with the funniest improv. The two comedians start each episode talking about a topic, and then they take it to the wildest extreme. Only for advanced Spanish listeners!

A Woman Giving a Radio Broadcast at a Station

Discover the most popular Spanish podcasts!

3. Tricks to Help You Learn Spanish More Effectively with Podcasts

Listening to Spanish-language podcasts is a wonderful way to improve your comprehension skills. However, you have to take a few things into account if you want to make the most of them. Here are some tricks that will help you choose the best podcast for you: 

  1. Set your personal goals.

    If you think that listening to podcasts can help you learn Spanish, think about what you want to take away from them. You might want to improve your grammar, expand your vocabulary, refine your pronunciation, or learn about Spanish culture. Or you might want it all! Setting your goals will help you choose the best podcast for you.
  1. Pick a podcast for your level.

    Picking a podcast beyond your level might be frustrating as you’ll probably feel that you’re missing out on too many things. If you really want to listen to that soccer podcast, but it’s too hard for you, don’t worry! You’ll get there eventually. Start with a podcast that’s easier for you to follow so that you’ll stay motivated.
  1. Pick a podcast according to the attention you can pay.

    Ideally, we would have endless time to listen to all the interesting podcasts in this guide. In reality, however, we usually have to fit our podcast-listening time into our busy schedule. That’s why we listen to our favorite podcasts while jogging or cleaning the house. If you know you’ll be busy when listening, pick something light and easy.
  1. Select the right topic for you.

    Learning a language gives you the awesome possibility to align your study time with your hobbies. Tuning in to a Spanish podcast that matches your interests is one of the most entertaining and enjoyable ways to learn. Choose the podcast that appeals to you the most, and it won’t feel like a lesson!
  1. Choose the right accent or dialect.

    Fortunately, Spanish is such a huge language that you have endless content to listen to, watch, and read. There are many podcasts online that can help you with your Spanish, but you need to take into account which Spanish dialect you’re trying to learn. If one of your goals (step number 1!) is to learn Iberian Spanish, choose the podcast accordingly.
  1. Listen to different podcasts.

    Variety is key if you want to keep the magic alive! Listening to podcasts in Spanish can feel like a treat at the beginning. However, when it’s part of your routine, you might lose some interest. To spice things up, it’s important that you try to listen to different podcasts and discover new ways to learn Spanish while having fun.
  1. Be perseverant.

    Learning a language demands that you be perseverant, which means studying and practicing regularly. The same concept applies when you’re learning with podcasts. If you listen to them on a daily basis, you’ll see how your level of understanding and knowledge increases dramatically. La constancia es la clave. (“Perseverance is key.”)
  1. Use all the tools available to you. 

    Podcasts allow you to use different tools, which can help you get a richer and more educational experience. Some of them offer transcripts and worksheets, most platforms let you adjust the speed, and all of them allow you to go back a few seconds if you missed the meaning of an expression. Be active and use everything you have at hand in order to make the most of the podcast!

A Woman Sweating and Tired After a Workout, Listening to a Podcast with Earbuds

Pick a podcast that will keep you entertained while working out.

4. Final Thoughts

In this guide, we introduced you to our Spanish podcast recommendations and discussed how this kind of resource could enrich your learning experience in a fun way. We categorized our top picks based on level and topic, so you can start listening to your first episode today! 

Which of these podcasts are you going to listen to first? Are there any you’re already listening to that we didn’t list? Let us—and your fellow language learners—know in the comments. 

If you want to take your Spanish learning journey further, don’t forget to check out SpanishPod101. We have plenty of free vocabulary lists to help expand your Spanish vocabulary, as well as useful lessons starting from a beginner level.

Happy learning!

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How Long Does it Take to Learn Spanish?

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At some point, every Spanish learner has asked the question: How long does it take to learn Spanish? And there’s no easy answer! It depends on many factors, such as your commitment and available resources. The total amount of time it takes you to reach a certain level of fluency may vary significantly from that of another learner. 

But don’t get discouraged! Beginning your Spanish language learning journey now will be well worth it. Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world (second only to Mandarin), and is growing in use every day. In addition to reaping the benefits of knowing such a widely spoken language, this journey will help you get closer to the wonderful Spanish culture and give you the confidence needed to travel solo to many Spanish-speaking countries!

In this article, you’ll get an estimate of how long it will take you to learn Spanish fluently based on your objectives and circumstances. We’ll also provide you with a list of the best ways to learn Spanish fast, so you can speed up your progress!

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Planning a trip to Spain? Then keep reading for the best way to learn Spanish fast.

Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Spanish Table of Contents
  1. Factors You Should Take Into Account
  2. Mastering the Basics
  3. Reaching an Intermediate Level
  4. Native-Like Fluency
  5. Your Journey to Learning Spanish Starts Now!

Factors You Should Take Into Account

The journey of learning Spanish (or any other foreign language) is different for everyone. There are several factors that you should take into account before deciding to learn a language from scratch, as they play a key role in determining how long the process will take you. 

Try to answer the following questions:

What languages do you speak?

Your native language (and any other languages you speak) is a crucial factor to consider when you begin learning Spanish.

First of all, it’s much easier to learn a language if you can already speak another language with similar roots. For example, if you can speak a Romance language such as French, you’ll learn Spanish faster than someone who only speaks Japanese, for example. 

Being able to speak English is a good starting point for learning Spanish, as the two languages share many of the same Latin influences. For this reason, they use the same alphabet and have many similar words and structures. This similarity even extends to idioms and proverbs, many of which are almost the same in both languages; you can see this firsthand in our SpanishPod101 blog entry on Spanish Proverbs.

Another reason to consider the languages you speak is because bilinguals find it easier to learn a third language. Research shows that the more languages one knows, the easier it is for that person to learn a new foreign language. The human brain applies language skills from one language to another, so learning other languages can even improve your speaking skills in your native language! 

Which learning method are you following?

Time estimations on how long it takes to learn Spanish are usually based on classroom hours. However, there are many different types of methodologies when it comes to foreign language learning, and different methodologies can also coexist within a given classroom.

Are you learning Spanish in an academic environment? Or maybe you’re following SpanishPod101’s lessons? Are you consistently investing several hours a week, or casually using online tools when you feel like it?

Keep in mind that you need a balance between intensity and consistency to really master a language. Doing intensive training helps you take a big leap forward when learning a language, but you’ll quickly forget what you’ve learned if you’re not consistently practicing your knowledge afterward. Likewise, if you commit every week but invest little time, your progress will be very slow. 

If you’re interested in how to learn Spanish fast, remember: Balance is key!

A Row of Three Students Taking a Test in the Classroom

What methodology are you following to learn Spanish?

What’s your level of immersion?

Besides the hours you spend actually taking lessons and practicing what you’ve learned, the best way to learn Spanish fast is to surround yourself with the language as much as you can. In other words: Your level of immersion is very important.

Learning Spanish while living in downtown Madrid is not the same as having limited contact with the language a few hours per week in your classroom. But don’t worry, it’s not compulsory to move to a Spanish-speaking country! There are many ways to increase your exposure to Spanish and immerse yourself in the language. 

You can watch Spanish TV shows with English subtitles, read Spanish media, find a Spanish conversation partner or group, translate Spanish lyrics, and the list goes on… 

Later in this article, we’ll give you some more tips to increase your level of immersion in relation to your level of fluency.

How motivated are you?

The reason you’re learning Spanish has more influence on your learning progress than you might think. Are you moving to a Spanish-speaking country? Does your job require you to be fluent in Spanish? Do you have Spanish-speaking friends? Do you like Spanish pop music?

If you’re learning Spanish out of obligation, it’ll be harder for you to commit and you won’t progress very quickly. If that’s the case for you, try finding elements that motivate you based on your interests. For instance, watching Spanish football games or going to a Spanish cooking class could be just the extra motivation you need! 

The more incentives you have to learn a language, the faster you will learn. Your level of motivation will determine the amount of time and effort you’ll be willing to invest in learning Spanish. Try to always remember the reason you started your learning journey in the first place and, at the same time, search for new sources of motivation to avoid losing interest. 

    SpanishPod101’s blog is a great tool for learning new things and curious facts about the Spanish language and culture. Keep up with our latest posts to stay inspired!

What’s your objective?

In addition to your motivations, you should consider your objectives when you start learning a language. What level of fluency do you want to reach? Would you be satisfied with some basic knowledge to help you get around during a trip to Spain? Or maybe you want to be able to hold a one-on-one conversation in Spanish? Do you have your sights set on reaching a native level of fluency?

    → At SpanishPod101.com, you get lessons based on your goals and needs. You can start speaking Spanish from the first lesson!

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages has categorized knowledge of European languages into three levels: Basic (A), Intermediate (B), and Advanced (C). Here’s a quick breakdown: 

  • Basic User (A)
    • Breakthrough (A1)
    • Waystage (A2)
  • Independent User (B)
    • Threshold (B1)
    • Vantage (B2)
  • Proficient User (C)
    • Effective Operational Proficiency (C1)
    • Mastery (C2)

The Common Reference Framework also states the estimated number of hours needed to reach each level. Keep reading to find out what they are!

Asian and Caucasian Coworkers Chatting

Do you want to be proficient in Spanish in a professional environment?

Mastering the Basics

When you first start studying the Spanish language, you’ll learn how to engage in basic interactions and how to get by in a Spanish-speaking environment. Here are the two beginner levels and how long it takes to reach each one: 

Breakthrough > 90-100 hours: 

It takes between 90 and 100 hours to reach a basic level of Spanish that allows you to use and understand common everyday expressions and basic phrases. At this point, you can introduce yourself and talk about some personal details about where you live, your friends and family, etc. You can also hold a conversation if the other person speaks slowly and uses a basic vocabulary.

Waystage > 180-200 hours: 

The elementary level of Spanish can take you up to 200 hours to master. At this level, you can understand frequently used expressions in everyday life (such as asking for directions or tips for shopping). You’re able to describe your environment and have simple conversations about your current situation or familiar routines.

Here are some tips on how to learn Spanish faster at the Beginner stage:

Reaching an Intermediate Level

Wondering how long it takes to achieve an intermediate level of Spanish? Here’s some useful information on the two intermediate levels:

Threshold > 350-400 hours:

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages estimates that it takes around 350-400 hours to reach the Threshold level of Spanish. At this level, you can understand conversational and written input on everyday matters such as work, school, and leisure. You can also be independent when traveling to a Spanish-speaking country and give your opinion on plans or events. In addition, you can produce texts and describe abstract issues such as your dreams and hopes.

Vantage > 500-600 hours:

This level will take you between 500 and 600 hours to master. Once you do, you’ll be able to understand the main ideas of complex and technical texts. You’ll also be able to hold one-on-one conversations with a certain degree of fluency and spontaneity without causing strain on native speakers. Finally, you’ll be able to produce detailed texts on a wide range of topics while voicing your opinion.

Here are some tips you can follow to reach an intermediate level of fluency in Spanish:

Beautiful Buildings in Barcelona, Spain

An intermediate level of fluency in Spanish will help you interact with the locals in Barcelona.

Native-Like Fluency

If your ambition is to reach an advanced and proficient level of Spanish that allows you to blend in with the natives, pay attention to the following sections:

Effective Operational Proficiency > 700-800 hours:

If you want to learn Spanish fast, you need to be aware that the Effective Operational Proficiency level will take you up to 800 hours to achieve. Of course, at this level, you can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognize implicit meaning. You can express yourself with fluency and flexibility in social, academic, or professional situations without searching for words or expressions too much. You’re able to produce complex and well-organized texts using connectors.

Mastery > 1000-1200 hours:

The top Spanish level is Mastery, which you’ll achieve after investing between 1000 and 1200 hours of your time. At this level, you can understand almost everything you hear or read. You’re able to summarize information and reconstruct arguments from different written and spoken sources. You can express yourself fluently and precisely, and you can distinguish between different shades of meaning in complex situations. 

If you’re looking to give your Spanish knowledge a boost and reach a proficient level, here are some things you can do:
  • Read Spanish newspapers on a daily basis.
  • Listen to Spanish podcasts. Of course, you can start with SpanishPod101!
  • Translate Spanish poetry into your native language.

Your Journey to Learning Spanish Starts Now!

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Did this article help motivate you? We hope so! The Spanish language is not only beautiful, but it can also be helpful in the professional and academic world as it’s the second most spoken language in the world. 

So, without further ado, let’s get on with it! At SpanishPod101.com, you’ll find tons of tools for learning Spanish that cater to a variety of levels, objectives, and interests. There are plenty of lessons, videos, and blog posts that will help you achieve your desired level of fluency in Spanish.

Start by planning a schedule, and then stick to it. Consistency and motivation are the keys to successfully learning a language. Savor this first step in your Spanish learning journey, and never give up.

See you soon, hasta pronto!

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Happy Holidays and Happy New Year From SpanishPod101.com!

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year from everyone here at SpanishPod101.com! We’re grateful to have listeners just like you, and we’re eagerly waiting for the upcoming year to learn Spanish together!

And when the New Year comes around, be sure to make a resolution to study Spanish with SpanishPod101.com!

Have a healthy and happy holiday season.

From the SpanishPod101.com Team!