Learn Spanish and Go

Can you have an entire conversation without saying “um” or “like?”These words are examples of filler words, or muletillas, that people use all the time in order to organize their thoughts as they speak.It’s completely natural and learning how to use them in Spanish will actually help you sound more like a native!This week, Jim and May share popular filler words that are used throughout Latin America, and also words specific to certain countries.Links:Level up your Spanish with our Podcast MembershipGet the full transcript of each episode so you don’t miss a wordListen to an extended breakdown section in English going over the most important words and phrasesTest your comprehension with a multiple choice quizThank you to our patrons for making this podcast possible:Tiansheng Lian, Jennifer Wilson, Nicolas Romano, Adrian Major, Jenny, Christy Warne, Marisol, Russ Moore, Sallie Boden, Annette Baesel, Christian Gonzalez, Jill Heichelbech, Jean Lorio, Cindy Sanchez, Rebecca D Robison, Wylie Hargrove, Kristin Royer, Deb Shroyer, Adam Tinkoff, RamPandaPuss, Amy, Hal Brookins, Josh Powell, Hoy Shih, Neil Moore, Craig Stenger, Jennifer Wilson, Paula Lisowsky, Joseph Scriba, Kenneth Revelson, Dennis Knappe, Mark Wilson, and Josue.Support the show

Obviously, this year has been one for the history books. Both Jim and May check in with everyone this week to reflect on their journey through the pandemic and quarantine. They recognize that the ability to adapt is key in times like this, where the impact of COVID-19 has been felt in everyone’s life.Tune into this week’s episode to check out the details and more!Links:Our podcast on “COVID-19 and the Future of Travel”Spanish and Go: check out our YouTube channelLevel up your Spanish with our Podcast MembershipGet the full transcript of each episode so you don’t miss a wordListen to an extended breakdown section in English going over the most important words and phrasesTest your comprehension with a multiple choice quizThank you to our patrons for making this podcast possible:Tiansheng Lian, Jennifer Wilson, Nicolas Romano, Adrian Major, Jenny, Christy Warne, Marisol, Russ Moore, Sallie Boden, Annette Baesel, Christian Gonzalez, Jill Heichelbech, Jean Lorio, Cindy Sanchez, Rebecca D Robison, Wylie Hargrove, Kristin Royer, Deb Shroyer, Adam Tinkoff, RamPandaPuss, Amy, Hal Brookins, Josh Powell, Hoy Shih, Neil Moore, Craig Stenger, Jennifer Wilson, Paula Lisowsky, Joseph Scriba, Kenneth Revelson, Dennis Knappe, Mark Wilson, and Josue.Support the show

Birthday or block party?There’s always a reason to celebrate, especially in Mexico! This week, Jim and May run down the ways that set Mexican birthdays apart.From the music and food, to the piñatas and cake, check out the latest episode to see how everything goes down.Having just celebrated her birthday a few days ago, listen as May gets nostalgic and looks back on the very first birthday she can remember. She also sings some of the popular songs you typically hear at a Mexican party, including Las Mañanitas and the piñata song!Jim laughs as he recalls the first time he realized getting your face smashed into your cake is a classic move at these parties. He also clarifies how birthdays in the States are totally different!May shares the process of setting up the piñata for the kids, and the importance of karaoke for the adults.Maybe you’ll even add one of these traditions to your next party!Related links:Las Mañanitas music: https://youtu.be/cDT12zAWDuMLevel up your Spanish with our Podcast MembershipGet the full transcript of each episode so you don’t miss a wordListen to an extended breakdown section in English going over the most important words and phrasesTest your comprehension with a multiple choice quizThank you to our patrons for making this podcast possible:Tiansheng Lian, Jennifer Wilson, Nicolas Romano, Adrian Major, Jenny, Christy Warne, Marisol, Russ Moore, Sallie Boden, Annette Baesel, Christian Gonzalez, Jill Heichelbech, Jean Lorio, Cindy Sanchez, Rebecca D Robison, Simon Larsson, Wylie Hargrove, Kristin Royer, Deb Shroyer, Adam Tinkoff, RamPandaPuss, Amy, Hal Brookins, Josh Powell, Hoy Shih, Neil Moore, Craig Stenger, Jennifer Wilson, Paula Lisowsky, Joseph Scriba, Kenneth Revelson, and Dennis Knappe.Support the show

Burritos. Nachos. Chimichangas. Fajitas. Ever wonder where these dishes came from? Although a lot of Americans tend to think of these items as “Mexican food,” they are in a category of their own: Tex Mex.Find out this week what exactly brought the southern States and northern Mexico together in a way that resulted in its own regional cuisine.Links:Ep 13: La Comida Mexicana - Mexican Food: https://spanishandgo.com/podcast/mexican-foodLearn about real authentic Mexican food. Hint: It’s not Doritos locos tacos.Level up your Spanish with our Podcast MembershipGet the full transcript of each episode so you don’t miss a wordListen to an extended breakdown section in English going over the most important words and phrasesTest your comprehension with a multiple choice quizThank you to our patrons for making this podcast possible:Tiansheng Lian, Jennifer Wilson, Nicolas Romano, Adrian Major, Jenny, Christy Warne, Marisol, Russ Moore, Sallie Boden, Annette Baesel, Christian Gonzalez, Jill Heichelbech, Jean Lorio, Cindy Sanchez, Rebecca D Robison, Simon Larsson, Wylie Hargrove, Kristin Royer, Deb Shroyer, Adam Tinkoff, RamPandaPuss, Amy, Hal Brookins, Josh Powell, Hoy Shih, Neil Moore, Craig Stenger, Jennifer Wilson, Paula Lisowsky, Joseph Scriba, Kenneth Revelson, and Dennis Knappe.Support the show

When you hear people speaking Spanish, do you often hear them slip in any English words or words that sound just like something you’d say in English? Well, it’s probably code-switching you are hearing, which is the topic of the week!In this episode, Jim and May compare code-switching to “Spanglish” in order to teach us the difference. They in fact are very similar, but not quite the same. Links:Level up your Spanish with our Podcast MembershipGet the full transcript of each episode so you don’t miss a wordListen to an extended breakdown section in English going over the most important words and phrasesTest your comprehension with a multiple choice quizThank you to our patrons for making this podcast possible:Tiansheng Lian, Jennifer Wilson, Nicolas Romano, Adrian Major, Jenny, Christy Warne, Marisol, Russ Moore, Sallie Boden, Annette Baesel, Christian Gonzalez, Jill Heichelbech, Jean Lorio, Cindy Sanchez, Rebecca D Robison, Simon Larsson, Wylie Hargrove, Kristin Royer, Deb Shroyer, Adam Tinkoff, RamPandaPuss, Amy, Hal Brookins, Josh Powell, Hoy Shih, Neil Moore, Craig Stenger, Jennifer Wilson, Paula Lisowsky, Joseph Scriba, Kenneth Revelson, and Dennis Knappe.Support the show

Many language learners face the daunting fear of speaking Spanish, often feeling anxious about making mistakes. Personal stories emphasize the importance of practice and exposure to overcome this anxiety. The speakers share strategies, including the 'five-second rule,' encouraging quick engagement in conversation. Cultural differences can further complicate feelings of intimidation, but embracing imperfections as part of the journey can foster confidence. Practical tips and relatable experiences highlight how to conquer language fears and enhance communication.

Andrea Alger, co-creator of Spanishland School and co-host of the Españolistos podcast, shares her insights on Colombian Spanish. She discusses the regional accents and dialects, revealing how accents differ between cities like Medellín and Bogotá. Listeners will learn about unique Colombian expressions, like 'dar papaya' and 'chimbo,' along with cultural nuances. Andrea also shares her journey from teaching English to Spanish and explores the culinary diversity of Colombia, setting the stage for deeper language immersion.

Delve into the world of Mexican food with Jim and May as they discuss ingredients like corn, chiles, and avocado. Learn the differences between Tex-Mex and authentic Mexican cuisine, with insights into traditional dishes like tamales and mole. Explore variations in queso preparation between the US and Mexico, the origins of posole, traditional Mexican sauces, and regional variations in popular dishes.

What does it mean to be fluent in a language? How long does it take?In this episode, Jim and May dissect what it means to be fluent and how to get there.Jim goes into depth about his own journey and what methods he used to achieve fluency in less than 2 years.Links:State Department of Language Categories[VIDEO] How Jim learned Spanish[ARTICLE] How Madison (one of our writers) learned SpanishMargarita Madrigal’s Magic Key to SpanishDuolingoSupport us on PatreonLevel up your Spanish with our Podcast MembershipGet the full transcript of each episode so you don’t miss a wordListen to an extended breakdown section in English going over the most important words and phrasesTest your comprehension with a multiple choice quizThank you to our patrons for making this podcast possible:Tiansheng Lian, Jennifer Wilson, Nicolas Romano, Adrian Major, Jenny, Christy Warne, Marisol, Russ Moore, Sallie Boden, Annette Baesel, Christian Gonzalez, Jill Heichelbech, Kim Kaleta, Jean Lorio, Cindy Sanchez, Rebecca D Robison, Simon Larsson, Wylie Hargrove, Kristin Royer, Deb Shroyer, Adam Tinkoff, RamPandaPuss, Amy, Hal Brookins, Josh Powell, Hoy Shih, Neil Moore, Craig Stenger, Jennifer Wilson, Paula Lisowsky, Joseph Scriba, and Kenneth Revelson.Support the show

Have you heard the phrases “la carne de burro no es transparente” or “la suerte de la fea, la bonita la desea” before? Literally, the first one translates to “the donkey meat isn’t transparent,” and the other, “the ugly’s luck, the beautiful want.” But what do they truly mean?In this episode, Jim and May break down multiple Spanish idioms: common phrases that native speakers use that might be hard to understand for Spanish learners.Links:[VIDEO] 21 Must-Know Food Related Saying and IdiomsLevel up your Spanish with our Podcast MembershipGet the full transcript of each episode so you don’t miss a wordListen to an extended breakdown section in English going over the most important words and phrasesTest your comprehension with a multiple choice quizThank you to our patrons for making this podcast possible:Tiansheng Lian, Jennifer Wilson, Nicolas Romano, Adrian Major, Jenny, Christy Warne, Marisol, Russ Moore, Sallie Boden, Annette Baesel, Christian Gonzalez, Jill Heichelbech, Kim Kaleta, Jean Lorio, Cindy Sanchez, Rebecca D Robison, Simon Larsson, Wylie Hargrove, Kristin Royer, Deb Shroyer, Adam Tinkoff, RamPandaPuss, Amy, Hal Brookins, Josh Powell, Hoy Shih, Neil Moore, Craig Stenger, Jennifer Wilson, Paula Lisowsky, Joseph Scriba, and Kenneth Revelson.Support the show