Listening to podcasts in your target language is not only a great strategy to train your ears but also a great way to keep your language study dynamic and entertaining. If you would like to learn how listening to podcasts can improve your language study, along with some fabulous recommendations, keep reading!

Podcasts Help with Habit Stacking

We’ve already learned that the brain does tremendous things when you’re learning a new language, so why not take advantage of that skill using a process called Habit Stacking?

Habit stacking is a technique that builds new habits along with old ones. According to Habit enthusiast and author, James Clear, pairing old habits (i.e. taking a shower each morning, making coffee) with new ones, (i.e. learning a language), can make the new habit stick. This happens through a process called synaptic pruning.

Synaptic pruning happens when your brain strengthens synaptic connections that are used often while getting rid of old connections it never uses. For example, if you’ve been drawing every day since you were ten, your brain will strengthen this connection for years to come. Conversely, if you had stopped drawing after age 10, you may have lost your ability to draw in the present day.

With synaptic pruning, you may notice that you’ve gotten so good at certain skills that it's as if you're performing them on autopilot. Consider how easy it is to perform your daily routine; barring any illnesses, most of us don’t struggle to get dressed, get into the shower or make coffee.

Common examples of habit stacking:

• Listening to an audiobook while cleaning

• Listening to music while working out

• Cooking while watching a show

Starting a new habit can be difficult because our brain has not yet developed those connections; however, we can develop new habits that stick by pairing them with our old ones.

Listening to Spanish language podcasts provides a great opportunity to apply this technique because podcasts pair well with many tasks and are generally accessible (and free!).

Whether you enjoy listening to life advice or to thrilling true crime sagas, there is something for everyone. Here is a list of Spanish language podcasts to keep your language study interesting and dynamic!

1. News in Slow Spanish

Jumping straight into listening to Spanish language podcasts can be quite unnerving, especially if you aren’t used to the speaking speed of the average Spanish speaker. To ease you into the listening process, try News in Slow Spanish. News in Slow Spanish is a Podcast that presents world news in a way that is accessible to beginners. News in Slow Spanish is available in two versions: Latin American Spanish and Spanish spoken in Spain.

2. Real Spanish Club

Real Spanish Club is a Spanish language podcast by Angel Lovado from Lima, Peru. The episodes are in slow Spanish and are very accessible for beginners. Each episode comes with free transcripts so you can follow along. You can also visit their website of the same name and download a learning guide. Angel recommends that you have to be in a peak and relaxed emotional state before listening to the episode.

3. Spanish Obsessed

Spanish Obsessed is a Spanish language podcast hosted by couples Liz and Rob from Colombia and England respectively. They teach functional, everyday Spanish that is useful for various real-life situations. They offer episodes for beginners, intermediate and advanced learners.

4. Déjame contarte la historia: History Stories in Spanish for Kids & Families

This educational podcast is all in Spanish and tells “bedtime history stories” about some of the most famous and iconic people such as Nikola Tesla and Frida Kahlo. Transcripts for the podcasts are also available on their website.

5. Nómadas

If you love to travel and you enjoy a bit of a challenge, then Nómadas might be the podcast for you. Nómad is a Spanish language travel podcast that seeks to share and explore special places around the world. It is great for listeners who have an intermediate-level understanding of Spanish.

6. Qué Spooky Podcast

Qué Spooky Podcast is a true-crime podcast with two producers Kevin Melendez and Andrez Blanco, who are also members of the LGBTQIA community. The podcast features episodes in both English and Spanish. The podcast features “paranormal encounters, urban legends, and other scary things around the world.” If you don’t have a strong stomach for true crime, you can skip this one. But if you are a true crime enthusiast, this one is worth checking out.

7. Spanishland School

Got 10-minutes a day to spare? Spanish-language school is a podcast designed to teach you Spanish in 10-minutes or less. The podcast is hosted by professor Andrea who speaks with a Latin American Spanish accent and is for advanced to intermediate language learners.

8. Las Raras

If you like documentary-style podcasts, be sure to check out Las Raras. Las Raras is a Spanish-language podcast that provides a dynamic listening experience featuring voices across many topics such as family, feminism, migration, and social movements. This podcast is great for intermediate to advanced learners.

9. Despertando

Meaning “awakening” Despertando is a conscious Spanish language podcast that produces 5-minute episodes to help you lead a better life. Listeners can look forward to reflecting on important life questions, becoming more intentional about their day, and changing their moods. This podcast is great for all levels.

Want to get more serious about your Spanish language journey? Book a Spanish class with Na’atik. Our professionally certified native-speaking Spanish teachers from Mexico can get you to speak the language from day one. Connect with Dafne at say@naatikmexico.org to inquire and book a package.