Learn Spanish con Salsa | Spanish lessons with Latin music and conversational Spanish

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

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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