In this listener Q&A episode,  I’m answering a question from John, a member of the Learn Spanish con Salsa community.

John shared his frustration about not knowing words he needs to use during conversations and struggling to keep the flow going.

If you’ve ever faced a similar challenge, this episode is for you!

I’ll review 7 practical steps to expand your vocabulary, build confidence, and keep your Spanish conversations smooth and natural.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How to take advantage of forgetting words to improve your vocabulary 💡
• Tamara’s favorite resource to help you keep track of words you don’t know how to say in Spanish📱
• 3 Spanish phrases to use when you get stuck in conversation so you don’t have to revert to English 🫢
• The best way to learn and recall new vocabulary when you need to use it 🧠

Listen to this episode for actionable tips to keep your Spanish conversations flowing.

Resources:

• Quizlet: quizlet.com – Create and review flashcards
• Anki vs. Quizlet: The Best App to Learn Spanish Vocabulary
• Episode 49: La forma correcta de aprender vocabulario nuevo (The Right Way to Learn New Vocabulary) 

Do you struggle to find Spanish conversation practice time?
Don't have anyone to speak Spanish with?
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Sign up here ▶ spanishconversationchallenge.com

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⭐Leave us a rating & review and we just might give you a shout out on a future episode ;)

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In this festive episode, Tamara Marie shares conversational Spanish phrases for New Year gatherings, including greetings, toasts, and ways to express gratitude.

She also explores the backstory of the classic holiday song Feliz Navidad, offering cultural insight and conversation tips to connect with others during the season.

Listen now to...

• Learn 7 Spanish phrases to use during New Year’s celebrations 🍾
• Hear the inspiring story behind a classic Latin American holiday song (you might be surprised where it's really from) 🎶
• Find out how to connect with friends and family during the holidays by improving your Spanish vocabulary 🤗
  
  

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Decoding 'Despacito': An Oral History of Latin Music (Interview with author Leila Cobo, VP at Billboard) ♫ 121
• Feliz Navidad

Do you struggle to find Spanish conversation practice time?
Don't have anyone to speak Spanish with?
Join us for the 5-Day Spanish Conversation Challenge...it's FREE!
Sign up here ▶ spanishconversationchallenge.com

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Can you imagine living on only $300 USD/month? 

That's exactly what Jamarr Black did when he first moved to Cali, Colombia.

In part 2 of our conversation, Jamarr shares how much money you need to live comfortably in Cali--including the cost of health care.

I asked him about the best places to dance salsa in the area, and how Americans are treated by the locals and the police.

Jamarr also shares his #1 piece of advice for anyone thinking about moving abroad but is still on the fence.

Learn Colombian Spanish with Maribel 🇨🇴 

Resources Mentioned 

• Tarjimly - Volunteer to be an interpreter
• Hola Cali City

Do you struggle to find Spanish conversation practice time?
Don't have anyone to speak Spanish with?
Join us for the 5-Day Spanish Conversation Challenge...it's FREE!
Sign up here ▶ spanishconversationchallenge.com

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⭐Leave us a rating & review and we just might give you a shout out on a future episode ;)

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Every thought about leaving behind your life in the US an moving abroad?

In my interview with Jamarr Black, he shares why he decided to leave his job as a technical writer in Washington, DC to move to Cali, Colombia and how he got there on a $5 flight.

He also talks about how he overcame the frustration of being the only non-native Spanish speaker in a conversation and not understanding what was happening around him.

Jamarr gives his recommendations on how to prepare before complete immersion in a Spanish-speaking country, and gives an overview of the different Colombian Spanish accents.

Tune in to learn some caleño Spanish phrases you won't find in Google translate.

Learn Colombian Spanish with Maribel 🇨🇴

Do you struggle to find Spanish conversation practice time?
Don't have anyone to speak Spanish with?
Join us for the 5-Day Spanish Conversation Challenge...it's FREE!
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Do you dream about leaving everything behind and moving to a Spanish-speaking country? 💼

If you're thinking about taking the leap, then you'll want to hear Kai Cesaire's story.

Kai runs a YouTube channel called Kai's Foreign Adventures where you can find out anything you need to know about moving to and living in Spain from the experience of an African-American. 🇪🇸 ✊🏽

Kai lives in Spain and he speaks Castilian Spanish.

In part 1 of our conversation he shares why he decided to move to Spain and how he was able to meet people in different regions of the country.

Kai also explains how to find job opportunities and which language is in highest demand if you want to work in Spain.

We also touch on the cost of living and his experience with the Spanish healthcare system after he became very ill when he first moved there, and I think you'll be surprised by what happened when he checked out of the hospital.

At the end I give an update on what's going on with Kai since we originally spoke back in October 2020.

Links
YouTube: Kai's Foreign Adventures
Instagram: @kai.cesaire
Listen to Part 2: The Black Expat: Creating a New Life in Spain Pt. II (Interview with Kai Cesaire, Kai's Foreign Adventures) ♫ 96

Do you struggle to find Spanish conversation practice time?
Don't have anyone to speak Spanish with?
Join us for the 5-Day Spanish Conversation Challenge...it's FREE!
Sign up here ▶ spanishconversationchallenge.com

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⭐Leave us a rating & review and we just might give you a shout out on a future episode ;)

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In this episode, we’re reviewing the lyrics to Siembra by Panamanian singer and songwriter Rubén Blades and Puerto Rican singer and trombonist Willie Colón.

You'll learn the song lyrics with the meaning and English translation, along with 9 Spanish words & phrases you can use in conversation.

What You'll Learn in This Episode: 

• 3 common Spanish phrases with the verb recoger that you can use in daily conversation 🫳🏽
• The preposition you have to say before a verb when referring to a person (hint: it's just one letter, but it's an important one)
• How to say you reap what you sow in Spanish 👨🏽‍🌾
• The two different ways to say fruit in Spanish and the meanings of each word 🍇

Listen to this episode to add another classic salsa song to your playlist and learn more conversational Latin American Spanish.

Resources:

• Siembra (Lyrics Video)
• Ramón Betances (El Padre de la Patria de Puerto Rico 🇵🇷)
• UnidosUS, previously known as NCLR (National Council of La Raza)
• Spanish Grammar Mastery Course

Do you struggle to find Spanish conversation practice time?
Don't have anyone to speak Spanish with?
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In today’s episode, we’re talking about politics – but don’t worry, we’re keeping it interesting. 😉 

With the U.S. election happening right now and a lot of political news coming out of Latin America, it’s the perfect time to brush up on some Spanish phrases for political conversations. 

Whether you want to jump into a discussion, ask questions, or just understand what people are saying, we’ve got you covered. 🎉 

What You'll Learn in This Episode: 

• How to talk about how you feel about the election (or if you don't want to discuss it at all 😬)
• Which Latin American countries already have women in political leadership, including Vice Presidents and Presidents ♀️
• Basic phrases you can use to ask your Spanish-speaking conversation partners about the government in Latin America 🌎

Listen to this episode so you can be prepared when you're asked about the US election. 

Do you struggle to find Spanish conversation practice time?
Don't have anyone to speak Spanish with?
Join us for the 5-Day Spanish Conversation Challenge...it's FREE!
Sign up here ▶ spanishconversationchallenge.com

Support the show

⭐Leave us a rating & review and we just might give you a shout out on a future episode ;)

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In this special Q&A episode of Learn Spanish con Salsa, Tamara Marie responds to a listener question from Jude, who’s facing the challenge of brain fog due to menopause while trying to learn Spanish.

If you’ve ever struggled to remember new vocabulary or feel overwhelmed by the learning process, this episode is packed with practical, research-backed strategies to help you stay consistent and motivated. 

Tamara shares tips that will make language learning more enjoyable and effective--even with memory challenges. 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• 🌱 Why short, frequent study sessions might be the brain hack you’ve been missing – especially with memory challenges
• 🎶 How music can work wonders for language learning – but what’s the science behind it?
• 🧠 Why cramming doesn’t work for language learning – and what to do instead
• 🧘🏽‍♀️ The daily habits support memory and focus – you might be surprised by what makes the biggest difference.

Listen to find out the small lifestyle tweaks that can help clear brain fog while learning Spanish.

Additional Resources:

• Join the Spanish Fluency Club waitlist for community and conversation practice! Doors open in January: spanishconsalsa.com/join
• Check out the Learn Spanish with Music Course to start learning Spanish through your favorite songs: spanishconsalsa.com/course
• Meditación guiada para dormir
• Meditación para calmarse (3 minutos)

Related Episodes:

• 9 Language Learning Strategies for ADHD Adults ♫ 182
• Busy Nurse & Mom Learns Spanish at Age 40: Interview with Kimberly Winfrey ♫ 171

Listen now and discover how to stay motivated and connected to your Spanish learning journey!

Do you struggle to find Spanish conversation practice time?
Don't have anyone to speak Spanish with?
Join us for the 5-Day Spanish Conversation Challenge...it's FREE!
Sign up here ▶ spanishconversationchallenge.com

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⭐Leave us a rating & review and we just might give you a shout out on a future episode ;)

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In this episode, we continue our conversation with Kelly Delgado and Maribel Zapata on how to translate American English expressions 🇺🇸 to Spanish

You'll learn:

• Latin American expressions for the American English expressions get cold feet ❄️👣 and the ball is in your court 🏀
• How to ask someone if they're serious or joking in Spanish (it's nothing like "are you pulling my leg?" 🦵🏽) 
• The translation for the American slang term "ride or die" in Spanish, and why it may be a red flag in relationships 🚩

Special Offer Just for You!

Eager to learn more practical Spanish phrases? 🎶 Join my Learn Spanish with Music course! It’s a fun way to boost your vocabulary and listening skills through the joy of authentic Latin music.

Plus, when you enroll, you’ll receive access to our Spanish Vocabulary Booster course—absolutely free! This bonus includes over 100 idiomatic expressions to help you speak more naturally in conversations. 🌟

👉 Visit https://www.spanishconsalsa.com/music to grab this amazing offer! 

Do you struggle to find Spanish conversation practice time?
Don't have anyone to speak Spanish with?
Join us for the 5-Day Spanish Conversation Challenge...it's FREE!
Sign up here ▶ spanishconversationchallenge.com

Support the show

⭐Leave us a rating & review and we just might give you a shout out on a future episode ;)

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In this episode, we shift gears from our recent focus on Colombian and Cuban Spanish to explore some common American English phrases 🇺🇸

Tamara takes the expert seat as Kelly and Maribel attempt to guess the meanings behind these expressions. 

We’ll find out whether these American phrases have similar expressions in Spanish, so you can connect with native speakers more effectively. 🌎

You'll learn:

• The different Spanish expressions used in Colombia and Cuba for the American English expressions bite the bullet and kick the bucket 
• How to say spill the beans in Spanish 🫘 and refer to a person that tells everyone's business 🤫
• The one American English phrase you can literally translate to Spanish and it has the same meaning (hint: it's related to hielo 🧊)

Join in on our guessing game as Kelly and Maribel take a stab at guessing these idioms! 

Their reactions are priceless. 😂 

Special Offer Just for You!

Eager to learn more practical Spanish phrases? 🎶 Join my Learn Spanish with Music course! It’s a fun way to boost your vocabulary and listening skills through the joy of authentic Latin music.

Plus, when you enroll, you’ll receive access to our Spanish Vocabulary Booster course—absolutely free! This bonus includes over 100 idiomatic expressions to help you speak more naturally in conversations. 🌟

👉 Visit https://www.spanishconsalsa.com/music to grab this amazing offer! 

Do you struggle to find Spanish conversation practice time?
Don't have anyone to speak Spanish with?
Join us for the 5-Day Spanish Conversation Challenge...it's FREE!
Sign up here ▶ spanishconversationchallenge.com

Support the show

⭐Leave us a rating & review and we just might give you a shout out on a future episode ;)

📩 Join our e-mail list and be the first to know when new episodes are released, plus get access to exclusive listener discounts + giveaways

Connect with us...
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▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel
📜 Get transcripts when you sign up as a show supporter