Spanish is second only to Mandarin as the language with the most native speakers worldwide. It is estimated that a third of all Americans will speak Spanish by 2050. So if you don't know the language, now is a great time to learn Spanish for free through these podcasts. And if you already know the language, there is more content than ever for you to enjoy!
This list includes Spanish podcasts for listeners at all levels, starting from the easier ones and building up to more advanced levels. Some are designed to teach English speakers how to improve their listening and speaking skills, while others cover non-language topics and are created with fluent or near-fluent Spanish speakers in mind. Pick one—or several—on a subject you're interested in. You'll be more motivated to continue your studies or stick with a series that you find enjoyable and interesting.
Finally, don't be afraid to listen to something a little above your current capabilities—it'll teach you new words and give you a better feel for the language. You might even be more fluent than you thought!
The best way to learn a language is to jump right in. Easy Spanish, as the name suggests, is aimed at true beginners. Host Paulina José and her team teach listeners the basics through conversations about travel, the cultural history of Spanish-speaking countries, and much more. You'll get fluent a lot faster by listening to conversations like these than by simply repeating rote phrases out of a textbook—and you'll have a lot more fun!
For many learners, it's easy enough to get through the Spanish basics, but then they get bogged down somewhere between the beginner and intermediate stages. Spanish for Beginners is designed for people like you. It covers every tricky yet critical topic, from irregular verbs to past participles and the present perfect tense, in 25 lessons, running from five to 24 minutes each. From the language learning experts at Linguistica 360, this informative podcast might be just the listen to finally help you take your Spanish to the next level.
For those with limited time for language learning, try taking your morning or afternoon respite from work or chores with Coffee Break Spanish from the Radio Lingua Network. The longest episodes run 30 minutes, and most are much shorter than that. If you're a real beginner, start with the early episodes, which cover the basics. The further you get in the series, the more advanced the lessons become. If you feel really confident, you can start somewhere in the middle and see how it goes!
If your goal is to read a novel or watch a movie in Spanish, you'll want to practice following along with a narrative. Duolingo Spanish is just what it sounds like: the narrator reads entertaining stories to you about real-life people and even animals who are facing difficult situations. Each 20-minute episode introduces you to a different topic, from preventing food waste in Uruguay to becoming one of the few women grill masters in Argentina.
Who doesn't like Latin music? Learn Spanish con Salsa uses songs, interviews, travel tidbits, local traditions, and more to teach both beginning and intermediate learners their target language. Taught by language coach Tamara Marie, each lesson includes tips on how to improve your conversational Spanish, as well as a great song that will improve your mood. Upbeat and packed with fascinating insights into Hispanic culture, this podcast can smooth the way from Spanish beginner to bilingual.
If formulaic Spanish lessons don't appeal to you, try News in Slow Spanish from the language learning experts at Linguistica 360. Made for intermediate learners, it uses current events to help listeners practice their skills and inform them about what's going on in the world. This version of the podcast uses Castilian Spanish, or "Spanish from Spain." There is also a Latin American version, if you are learning Latin American Spanish. Or pick the version you are least familiar with to teach yourself about regional differences.
Doorway to Mexico is a fun conversation-based podcast designed for intermediate and advanced Spanish language learners. In the first 22 episodes, join Spanish teacher Paulina and her real-life high school students as they travel through Mexico exploring the history, culture, food, and local customs. In the next 22 episodes, follow two students and their family back at home in their own neighborhood as they go about everyday life. In each season, you'll learn new vocabulary through discussions on topics including travel, cooking, pets, cars, dating, friends, self care, and social media.
NPR produces top-quality podcasts in Spanish as well as English, and Radio Ambulante is one of the best. Hosted by Peruvian writer Daniel Alarcóna, this award-winning Spanish-language program highlights the histories, triumphs, and contributions of people throughout Latin America. Each week, you'll hear human interest stories about ordinary people who overcame extraordinary challenges, like Karla, a Cuban woman who coped with the fall of the Soviet Union and its consequences by bicycling, and Dennis, a Chilean man whose career in California took several surprising turns.
Here's a fun way to learn a language—listen to a podcast in English, then listen to the Spanish translation of that same podcast. This way, you already know what is being said and can pick up new words and phrases more easily. Hosted and reported by Laura Beil, Dr. Muerte (in English Dr. Death) is the perfect podcast for this. You'll hear the chilling tale of Dr. Duntsch, a Dallas-based surgeon who did severe and irreparable harm to his patients—patients who later found it all but impossible to get justice.
If you're already pretty comfortable with Spanish, learn more from a podcast designed for native speakers rather than students. En Defensa Propia (In Self-Defenses) is aimed at women looking to reinvent themselves into the kind of person they truly want to be. Venezuelan actress and television host Erika de la Vega talks to other women who have already achieved their dreams and are willing to share their secrets with listeners who might want to make a change but aren't sure how.
If you want to be really ambitious by studying the Spanish language and Spanish history at the same time, try this Audible Original Podcast. Over the course of 20 episodes, La Guerra Civil Escuchada brings to life the Spanish Civil War, which ripped Spain apart from 1936 and 1939 and led to the decades-long dictatorship of Francisco Franco. Narrated by Esther Giralt and Joan Rufas, punctuated by interviews with historians and mood-setting music, La Guerra Civil Escuchada is an immersive experience that will improve your Spanish while keeping you on the edge of your seat.
For the true-crime junkie wishing to be bilingual, the Audible Original Planeta Crimen is the perfect listen. Spanning 26 episodes, narrated by Ricardo Ribón and Mariana Perusquía, this podcast tells the stories of some of Mexico's most infamous criminals, including Gregorio "Goyo" Cárdenas Hernández, that nation's first "celebrity" serial killer. You will get the most out of this podcast if you are already fluent in Spanish, as it is not designed for students. Think of it as a reward for all of the hard work you put into learning this beautiful language.
