10 Spanish Podcasts for Intermediate Learners
Once you’ve mastered the basics of Spanish, podcasts become an invaluable resource for improving your listening comprehension and expanding your vocabulary. Here are ten excellent Spanish podcasts specifically suited for intermediate learners.
1. Notes in Spanish - Intermediate
What it’s about: Ben and Marina, a British-Spanish couple, discuss everyday topics and Spanish culture in a clear, conversational style.
Why it’s great for intermediates: The hosts speak at a moderate pace and explain difficult vocabulary. Each episode comes with a transcript and worksheet.
2. Radio Ambulante
What it’s about: This NPR podcast features compelling stories from across Latin America.
Why it’s great for intermediates: While the narration can be challenging, the high-quality production and engaging storytelling keep you motivated. Their companion app “Lupa” allows you to slow down the audio and access transcripts.
3. Españolistos
What it’s about: A Colombian Spanish teacher and her American husband discuss various topics about Latin American culture and current events.
Why it’s great for intermediates: The hosts speak clearly and at a moderate pace, with the non-native speaker occasionally asking for clarification, which helps learners.
4. Duolingo Spanish Podcast
What it’s about: True stories from the Spanish-speaking world, narrated in slow, clear Spanish with English explanations.
Why it’s great for intermediates: The bilingual format provides scaffolding for learners, with English introductions and Spanish storytelling.
5. How to Spanish
What it’s about: Practical Spanish lessons focused on everyday conversations and expressions.
Why it’s great for intermediates: The podcast focuses on practical, conversational Spanish rather than grammar rules, helping you sound more natural.
6. No Hay Tos
What it’s about: Two Mexican Spanish teachers discuss various topics in authentic, conversational Mexican Spanish.
Why it’s great for intermediates: Exposes you to natural Mexican Spanish with explanations of slang and colloquial expressions.
7. Hoy Hablamos
What it’s about: Daily short episodes about Spanish culture, language, and current events.
Why it’s great for intermediates: The hosts speak clearly, and the short format (10-15 minutes) makes it easy to fit into your day.
8. Charlas Hispanas
What it’s about: Conversations about various topics with guests from different Spanish-speaking countries.
Why it’s great for intermediates: Exposes you to different accents and dialects from across the Spanish-speaking world.
9. Coffee Break Spanish
What it’s about: Structured Spanish lessons in a conversational format.
Why it’s great for intermediates: Season 3 is specifically designed for intermediate learners, with natural conversations and cultural insights.
10. Se Habla Español
What it’s about: Discussions about Spanish grammar, vocabulary, and cultural topics.
Why it’s great for intermediates: Focuses on explaining nuances of the language that intermediate learners often struggle with.
Tips for Learning with Podcasts
- Listen actively: Take notes on new vocabulary or expressions.
- Use transcripts: Many podcasts offer transcripts, which can help you follow along.
- Re-listen: Try listening to the same episode multiple times to catch more details.
- Slow down: Many podcast apps allow you to reduce the playback speed.
- Focus on comprehension, not perfection: You don’t need to understand every word to benefit from listening practice.
With consistent practice using these podcasts, you’ll notice significant improvements in your listening comprehension and overall Spanish fluency. ¡Buena suerte!