Do you relate to any of these?
👉The podcasts I’ve tried in the past have always gone over the same language
👉When I listen to other people learning, I remember their mistakes more than the correct phrases
👉If I tune out even for a second, I feel lost, defeated and/or bored
👉When the speakers speak too quickly, the words all blur into one
I don’t know about you, but I always related the first three when trying News in Slow Spanish and Coffee Break Spanish, two podcasts that consistently appear in lists of “must-listen” materials.
My problem with these two in particular is that like many podcasts on the scene at the moment, they make us passive and hopeful that the learning will just happen. Picking the right podcast at the right level is really important to ensure you stay motivated, which is harder than it sounds.
Podcasts are not your teacher. You are the teacher and podcasts are your tools. This is a craft you have to hone, of course. Check out my post on how to become the ultimate “active listener” before we dive into what you should be listening to.
Now that you know the method, here are my most recommended podcasts per level:
Beginner (A1)
Duolingo Spanish podcast
Average episode length: 20 minutes
The Duolingo Spanish podcast is probably the only part of the owl-fronted operation I can get behind.
A native speaker narrates a story on anything from tacos to Frida Kahlo to rap, and an English speaker provides context in between the Spanish snippets.
The best part of this series is that you can access the full transcript, which you should refer to as you listen.
If you’re a complete beginner, don’t expect to understand full phrases, but instead you’ll spot cognates, Spanish words we use in English, and plenty of language from your school Spanish (or American TV). Make sure to pick episodes that pique your interest and that will increase your curiosity for all things Spanish or Latin American.
Listen to Mexico City – A comer…¡tacos! (Let’s eat…tacos!), whilst reading the episode’s transcript.
Pre-intermediate (A2)
Un Día En Español
Average episode length: 10 minutes
Babbel created Un Día En Español, offering two versions of each episode: one in Spanish only, and the other with interjections in English.
A lot of the interjections are fairly literal translations of the Spanish; try pausing before the English part now and then to think about what you’ve understood. Then press play to check.
Both versions come with transcripts. Try listening to and reading the Spanish version, then listen to the narrated version to check your understanding. There are pictures embedded in the transcripts, which helps with comprehension too!
Listen to the Spanish only version of A new life over the Atlantic here (plus transcript), or the English narration version here (plus transcript).
Spanish for false beginners
Average episode length: 9 minutes
César Rodríguez ropes in an English friend for original conversations on lots of funny topics, which whilst slow, are quite complex for false beginners, so make sure to read the transcript as you listen.
Watch as you listen on his Youtube channel (where the words are embedded, or access the transcripts here (you’ll need to set up an account for free).
Listen to Problemas de comprehensión (or how drag queens helped me to get over my fear of not understanding Spanish speakers) and read the transcript.
Intermediate (B1)
Español Automático
Average episode length: 13 minutes
Español Automático covers some really useful and less typical topics. From teaching you how to make friends in Spain with 10 easy phrases, to giving you things to do in Madrid – whilst using the subjunctive, creator Karo Martínez has you covered.
You can even watch as you listen on her Youtube channel, and you can access the transcripts here.
Listen to No One Understands Your Spanish? Try THESE Simple Tips! and listen to the transcript.
Unlimited Spanish
Average episode length: 10 minutes
Unlimited Spanish covers topical episodes, as well as some that discuss language.
Creator Òscar Pellus speaks at a nice moderate speed and provides transcripts for all of his episodes.
Listen to Una de mascotas – Animales de compañía en España and read the transcript as you listen.
Intermediate Spanish podcast
Average episode length: 17 minutes
César Rodríguez – who also created Spanish for false beginners – offers some really interesting topics in his intermediate episodes.
Watch as you listen on his Youtube channel (the words are embedded), or access the transcripts here (you’ll need to set up an account for free).
Listen to Kardashian, Premios Nobel y San Agustín – Comprehensible input in Spanish and read the transcript.
Yo hablo, tú hablas
Average episode length: 3 minutes
Yo hablo, tú hablas has a nice easy pace, and the short episodes make it perfect for snippet-learning when you’re short of time.
Access the transcripts here along with accompanying comprehension questions.
Listen to La Siesta and read the transcript.
Upper-intermediate (B2)
Spanishpodcast.net
Average episode length: 17 minutes
Spanishpodcast.net doesn’t classify the levels of its episodes, but the episodes generally range from B1 to C1. They have various episode categories, including basic, daily expressions, Spain, festivities and festivals, and more.
Watch the episodes on Youtube, or access the transcripts separately.
Listen to Misterios Sin Resolver and read the transcript.
Radio Ambulante
Average episode length: 40 minutes
Radio Ambulante is Latin America’s answer to one of my favourite podcasts – This American Life.
Hear fascinating stories from all over the Spanish-speaking world, and read the transcript as you listen. Their app – Jiveworld – provides activities relating to each episode.
Listen to iLe: canciones contra el poder and read the transcript here.
Final thoughts
You don’t have to settle for the same boring stuff just because you’re not fluent yet; you can be discerning about what you listen to at every level. The quickest way for me to get bored with a podcast, is to choose a topic that isn’t something I’d listen to in English.
Before you know it, those words that seem to be bleeding into each other will start to reveal themselves to you as separate words and whole phrases that you can understand!
What do you think of this selection? Are there any other podcasts you swear by on your Spanish learning journey? Comment below!
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