Learn Spanish and Go

In this episode of Learn Spanish and Go, we interview Verónica Cubillo, who works for Mi Cafecito Coffee Tour, a project of Coopesarapiqui, a cooperative of small coffee producers in northern Costa Rica. Verónica shares the history of the cooperative and the coffee industry in Costa Rica, including how the cooperative started as a way for coffee farmers to have more opportunities and guarantees. S...

In this episode we share our top nine things we loved about our recent trip to Costa Rica. From the beautiful beaches to the friendly locals, we recount our favorite experiences and explain why Costa Rica is a must-visit destination. Listen in as we talk about the delicious food, exciting outdoor activities, and rich culture of this amazing country. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or just...

Join us as we explore Costa Rican Spanish with Freddy, a native Tico and teacher at Tico Lingo in Costa Rica. In this interview, we delve into unique slang words and the significance of the "Pura Vida" expression in Costa Rican culture. Freddy shares his experience teaching Spanish and tips to improve language skills. Whether you're planning a trip or interested in learning Costa Ri...

In this eye-opening episode of Learn Spanish and Go, we delve into the cultural differences that give away a gringo abroad. We discuss the challenges of adapting to new environments and how our luxuries and entitlements can affect our travels. With funny anecdotes and insightful observations, we explore the nuances of cultural differences and offer valuable insights into being a traveler in the Sp...

Join us on this week's episode of Learn Spanish and Go as we delve into the captivating and dark history of William Walker, the American filibuster who attempted to conquer Nicaragua. Discover the story behind his audacious invasion and learn how this event affected the Spanish-speaking world. Get ready to be transported back in time and learn a new piece of history while improving your Spani...

In this episode of Learn Spanish and Go, we explore how to improve your Spanish with the help of ChatGPT. Discover how this cutting-edge technology can assist you in mastering the Spanish language, from understanding grammar to practicing conversation skills. Join us as we dive into the world of AI language learning and take your Spanish to the next level. Links: 239 - Mejora Tu Español Usando Int...

Join Jim and May on the Learn Spanish and Go Podcast as they share their favorite Spanish music. Jim, a metalhead with a soft spot for Gipsy Kings and Spanish pop/rock, will surprise you with his love for Spanish hits. May shares her favorite pop and powerful female singers like Natalia Lafourcade, Elsa y Elmar, and a her new favorite band from Argentina. Not only will you discover new music, but...

In this episode, we're tackling something that's been on our minds lately... filler words! Specifically, we've noticed that we've been saying "así es" a little too often, and we want to mix it up a bit for our own benefit and for all of you out there who are learning Spanish with us. So, we decided to share some alternative filler words that you can use to say "t...

In today's episode, we're talking about Spanish nicknames. Our guest is Paulísima, a teacher at Spring Languages who is originally from Cancún, Mexico. Paulísima shares some common Spanish nicknames and explains the stories behind them. She'll also discusses some nicknames that are commonly used in Spanish-speaking countries but might be considered inappropriate or offensive in othe...

Costa Rica is a tropical paradise located between the Caribbean and Pacific oceans. From its white sand beaches to its lush rainforests, Costa Rica has something for everyone. In this episode of the podcast, we explore what makes Costa Rica such an incredible destination. We will learn about the country’s history, culture, and attractions that make it one of Central America’s most popular tourist...

Start the year off with a routine that will help you stay focused and productive. In this episode, we explore how exercise, writing, reading, meditation, and affirmations can improve our productivity and self-esteem. And somehow, we manage to tie it all together to learning Spanish and accomplishing whatever you put your mind to. 😅 Let’s start the year off right together with successful routine t...

La Rama is a traditional celebration that takes place throughout Mexico during the Christmas season. It is a festive event that usually occurs during the nine-day Posada processions, when villagers parade through their town singing villancicos and carrying a decorated branch. La Rama has been an important part of Mexican culture for centuries, representing joy and togetherness within communities....

In this episode of the podcast, we take a look at the importance of Spanish Christmas carols and some notable examples of these songs. By listening to popular carols such as "Campana sobre Campana" or "Los Peces en el Rio" you’ll not only pick up useful vocabulary but also gain insight into the history and culture of Spanish-speaking countries. Links: 036 - Las Posadas Navideña...

Jo Franco is an entrepreneur, traveler, and polyglot. She's a first-generation immigrant from Brazil who has carved out a name for herself on social media in the travel, self-care, and language spaces.  In this episode, Jo shares her story of how she has used language to create cultural bridges and navigate the world as someone who grow up surrounded by multiple cultures. She talks about how...

Making mistakes is part of learning a new language. Often these errors include using the wrong verb tense, forgetting to use gender agreement, or translating a phrase literally. While these mistakes can be frustrating, they are also opportunities to learn and improve your language skills. With a little practice and patience, you can avoid making these common errors and become a more confident Span...

If you want to fit in at a Mexican birthday party, there are a few things you need to know. One is the “mordida,” another is the piñata chant, and perhaps the most important is the traditional Mexican birthday song! In this episode, we share the lyrics and the meaning behind this unique song so that you can be prepared the next time you’re at a Mexican birthday party. Links: 018 - Tradiciones de l...

Learning one new language is hard, but what about learning six? Does language learning get easier the more languages you learn? What’s the best way to learn quickly? In this episode, we sat down with interview Benny Lewis, world renowned polyglot and founder of Fluent in 3 Months, to find out. Links: Check out Benny’s blog, Fluent in 3 Months Visit Benny’s Facebook Page Follow Benny on Instagram @...

Hairless dogs aren’t often people’s first choice when adopting a new pet, but to the Aztecs, a curious breed of canine helped them cross into the underworld. In this episode, we explore the topic of the Xoloitzcuintle; the curious Mexican hairless dog breed with a fascinating history. Links: 028 - Día de Muertos: Lo Que Tienes Que Saber | Day of the Dead: What You Need to Know 135 - Día de Muertos...

Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday that’s often misunderstood. Every autumn, people around the world turn to the internet to ask if it’s Mexican Halloween, where it comes from, and how it’s celebrated. So in this episode, we decided to answer some of the most commonly searched for questions about this fascinating celebration. Correction @ 00:10:27 : se quedan toda la madrugada hasta el dos de no...

Mexico is rich in pre-hispanic traditions that you can still experience to this day. One of our favorites is a beverage you can taste in Oaxaca called “tejate.” This delicious corn and cacao-based drink has been used to help energize people for hundreds of years. Find out more in this episode where we interview doña Lucrecia, maker of some of the best tejate in Oaxaca. Links: Drink Tejate with Doñ...

Airbnb can be a breath of fresh air from hotels or an absolute nightmare. We should know. We’ve stayed in over sixty of them. In this episode, we share our worst experience with Airbnb yet. It’s a harrowing tale about a filthy house, an out-of-state landlord, and two vengeful admins. This is an experience no one should ever have to go through. Links: 088 - Pesadillas de Airbnb Parte 1 | Airbnb Nig...

It’s every Spanish students’ worst enemy: the dreaded subjunctive form. This beast of a grammatical concept is too big to fit in one episode, but you would do well to know about and practice some of its most common uses in every day conversation. In this episode, we cover ten or so of the most common phrases that use the subjective mood in Spanish. Links: Level up your Spanish with our Podcast Mem...

For most, chocolate is a sweet made for enjoying as a dessert or in a candy. But for some communities in Oaxaca, it’s a cultural tradition passed down from generation to generation, where even the question “when are we going to drink chocolate” has a deeper meaning. Find out what cacao and chocolate means to Ervit from Chimalapa Cacao con Origin in this interview. Links: Drink chocolate with Ervit...

Tacos, burritos, and guacamole - these are foods that everyone thinks of when they think of Mexican food. But Mexican cuisine goes much deeper than just tortillas and tomatoes. In this episode, we take a look at some of the Mexican dishes you’ve probably never heard of before. Links: 013 - La Comida Mexicana | Mexican Food Level up your Spanish with our Podcast Membership Get the full transcript o...

One of the funnest things about learning a new language is learning new words that don’t have an easy translation into English. In part three of our of our “Words in Spanish That Don’t Translate” series, we dive into even more uniquely Spanish vocabulary. Links: 117 - Palabras del Español que no Existen en Inglés Parte 1 | Words in Spanish That Don’t Exist in English Part 1 121 - Palabras del Espa...