If you're thinking about traveling to a Spanish-speaking country this summer, I know you'll want to be able to chat with native speakers while you're there. There are specific tactics you can use to help you improve your Spanish so you'll be prepared to chat with the locals. Listen to this episode before you book your next trip abroad.

Show Notes: https://www.learnspanishconsalsa.com/119

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In this episode, we're joined by the newest member of the Spanish con Salsa team: José Hernández.

José shares why he started learning languages, how music and literature opened the doors to new cultures, and his experience moving from a small town to the city in his native Dominican Republic.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 

• The differences between Spanish spoken in el campo 🛖 vs. la ciudad 🌆 in the Dominican Republic 🇩🇴
• How José went from just learning English to speaking the language (💡hint: you can use this tip to speak more Spanish, too)
• The best technique to improve your pronunciation and vocabulary 🗣️

Listen to this episode to learn more about Dominican culture and expert advice on how to become bilingual.

Want to learn Dominican Spanish? Schedule a lesson with José

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In the last episode, I shared how a travel disaster turned into an unexpected viaje to Cartagena. In this episode, the journey continues with a spontaneous trip that will change my perspective forever: San Basilio de Palenque.

This episode takes you inside Palenque, a place with deep African roots, a unique culture, and a language all its own. 

If you've ever felt like your Spanish lessons were missing a connection to the real world, this historia is for you. It's proof that the best language lessons happen when you step out of your comfort zone and into the world.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The role trenzas (braids) played in the founding of this historic town 👩🏾‍🦱
• What makes the language of Palenque so unique in Latin America 💬
• The strategy that made this community a nearly impenetrable fortress 🛖

Listen to this episode to continue a story that will inspire you and deepen your understanding of Afro-Latino history and culture.

Resources:

• Historia de viaje: Las calles de Cartagena ♫ 229 
• Learn more about San Basilio de Palenque (UNESCO)

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What happens when a trip that was supposed to be a relaxing getaway goes completely off the rails?

In this episode, find out how a travel plan gone wrong led to an unexpected solo adventure in the beautiful, historic city of Cartagena, Colombia.

This story starts with a desperate, last-minute decision to scrap the original itinerary and fly to a new country, inspired only by a classic salsa song 💃🏽. 

What followed was an incredible adventure of spontaneity and discovery, from stumbling into a chocolate-themed hotel to connecting with locals and learning the unique Spanish of the Colombian coast.

This episode is packed with travel stories, cultural insights, and the real-world Spanish you won't find in a textbook.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• 9+ essential Cartagena slang words you need to know to sound like a local (and understand what they’re saying) 😲
• How one common word can mean both "a little" and "a lot" depending on the context 🤏🏽
• The key differences between the Spanish spoken on the Caribbean coast (el costeñol) versus in the interior of Colombia 🇨🇴
• Why you need to be careful when ordering eggs for breakfast in Colombia (you might say something you don't mean!) 🍳

Listen to this episode to immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Cartagena and learn the secrets of the coastal Colombian accent!

Mentioned in this episode:

• Historias de viaje: La Fugitiva Negringa en Rio ♫ 25
• Historias de viaje parte 2: la turista accidental en Buenos Aires ♫ 91
• Aprende español con la música [Rebelión por Joe Arroyo] ♫ 37

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Ever get confused between traer and llevar? You’re not alone!

In this episode, we’re reviewing how to use these two commonly confused Spanish verbs—and why knowing the difference can make your conversations sound way more natural. 🗣️✨

Whether you’re heading to a party, talking about what you’re wearing, or explaining how long you’ve been doing something, these two verbs come up a lot. 

We'll walk through practical examples, useful expressions, and even regional differences so you can feel confident using them.

No more second-guessing at the cookout or in your next conversation 😉

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The difference between traer ("to bring") and llevar ("to take") 🔄
• Useful phrases like llevarse bien 🤝, traer cola 🐍, and llevar la delantera 🏁
• How llevar is used to talk about time ⏰ and clothing 👗
• Why these verbs can vary depending on where you are in the Spanish-speaking world 🌎
• A simple rule you can use so you always choose the right verb 🧠✔️

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In this episode, we’re breaking down the lyrics to the bachata classic "Llévame Contigo" by the one and only Romeo Santos.

If you've ever wanted to expand your vocabulary with phrases you'll actually use (instead of just singing along to your favorite songs in the shower 🚿🎶), this episode is for you!

You'll learn the song lyrics with their meaning and English translation, along with 5 Spanish words & phrases you can start using today.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How to say "I can't stand it!" and "That's not fair!" in Spanish 😠
• How to use the verb llevar like a native speaker (hint: it means more than just “to take”) 🤯
• An easy way give suggestions in Spanish (without needing to use the subjunctive)🤝

Listen to this episode to add a bachata hit to your playlist and take another step towards Spanish fluency. 👣

Resources:

• Llévame Contigo (Lyrics)
• Learn Spanish with Music Course
  • BONUS 1: Pronunciation Mastery Course
  • BONUS 2: Vocabulary Booster Course

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Bad Bunny steps away from his typical reggaetón style with his new salsa song “Baile Inolvidable.” 

In this episode, we'll breakdown the lyrics so you can turn one of your favorite songs into confident Spanish conversations. 

You'll learn...

• 5 everyday Spanish phrases you can use from the song lyrics 🎶
• An easy hack to understand hundreds of Spanish words with just one prefix 💯
• How to express everyday frustrations from bad traffic to annoying situations 😒

...plus find out Bad Bunny's real name 🤫

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In this episode, Kesia from the Spanish con Salsa team shares the history of bachata music in the Dominican Republic. We discuss the different styles of bachata dance and the genre’s most popular artists.

En este episodio, Kesia del equipo de Spanish con Salsa comparte la historia de la música bachata en la República Dominicana. Discutimos los estilos de baile y los artistas más populares del género.

📣 The long-awaited season 3 of the Dominican Spanish 101 Podcast is now available! Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Click here to access the show notes with all the vocabulary mentioned on the podcast + transcripts

Learn conversational Spanish the way it's spoken in the Dominican Republic

> Dominican Spanish 101 Course at DominicanSpanish101.com

> Schedule a Spanish Lesson with Kesia and learn more Dominican Spanish: spanishconsalsa.com/kesia

> Follow us on Instagram @dominicanspanish101

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Ever found yourself wishing you could’ve said something better—in Spanish? 👀

In this episode of the Learn Spanish con Salsa podcast, we’re throwing it back to Episode 223 where we covered Karol G’s hit song “Si Te Hubiera Conocido.” Now we’re digging into the grammar behind the feels 😭 — so you can master those emotional, regret-filled “what if” moments in Spanish.

We’ll break down the conditional perfect and the past perfect subjunctive (a.k.a. pluscuamperfecto del subjuntivo), using examples straight from the lyrics to help you recognize and actually use these structures in conversation.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

😬 How to express regrets, hypothetical situations, and missed opportunities in Spanish

🔄 Real lyrics from Karol G to show you how Spanish speakers use these tenses naturally

🎤 How to say things like “If I had known…” and “I would’ve gone…” like a native speaker

If you’ve ever struggled with sentences that start with “If I had…” or “I would have…”, this episode will clear up the confusion con estilo ✨

Mentioned in This Episode:

🎙️Episode 223: Learn Spanish with Music: “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” by Karol G

🎶 Learn Spanish with Music Course

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In this episode, host Tamara Marie talks with Brittany, a passionate educator, all about her journey to Spanish fluency.

Despite years of studying Spanish, Brittany felt stuck when it came to real conversations. 😞

Her motivation? To connect better with her students and with Spanish speakers in her Zumba classes. 👟

Tamara and Brittany discuss why traditional learning methods often fall short and how a personalized approach can make all the difference.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why academic Spanish often fails in real-world conversations 🤓
• How Brittany built confidence speaking with native speakers (even after making a few embarrassing mistakes 🫢)
• The power of music and culture in language learning 🎶
• How accountability and coaching can help you overcome mental blocks 💡

Before you download another app or sign up for another program, listen to this episode.

Resources Mentioned:

• Spanish Language Coaching (1:1 Spanish Language Coaching)
• Spanish Fluency Club (Group Coaching Program)

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