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In this episode, we continue our deep dive into the lyrics of "Nueva York" by Bad Bunny with Puerto Rican linguist Adriana Lopez. In Part 2, we explore the heavy cultural references in the song—from Dominican rap anthems to Puerto Rican boxing legends—and discuss the controversy surrounding Forbes naming Bad Bunny the "King of Pop." You'll also learn key vocabulary distinctions and cultural nuances between island life and city life. What You'll Learn in This Episode: The meaning of 7 Puerto Rican Spanish words & phrases used in the song, like está buena, las gatas, and sacarla del estadio 🇵🇷How Bad Bunny really feels about being named "King of Pop" by Forbes Magazine (and how he addresses it in the lyrics) 👑The critical difference between the verbs mover and mudar (and why mixing them up changes your meaning completely) 💃🏽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... 📲 Follow us on Instagram 👩‍👩‍👧‍👦 Join our Facebook Community ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel 📜 Get transcripts when you sign up as a show supporter

In this episode, we’re breaking down the lyrics to Nuevayol by the Puerto Rican superstar and future Super Bowl 2026 headliner, Bad Bunny. Joined by Puerto Rican linguist Adriana Lopez, we explore how this song pays homage to the legendary salsa group El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico. Plus, you'll learn the cultural significance of the lyrics and the unique sounds of the Puerto Rican accent. What You'll Learn in This Episode: 🗣️The linguistic reason why Puerto Ricans pronounce "New York" the way they do (and the specific sound change that creates the Puerto Rican accent)   🥳The meaning of the slang word rulay and the specific feeling it describes when you are out with friends   🇵🇷 The classic 1970s salsa anthem Bad Bunny samples in this track and what it reveals about the history of the Puerto Rican diaspora  Listen to this episode to get ready for the Bad Bunny Super Bowl halftime show 🏈 and learn more conversational Puerto Rican Spanish. 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... 📲 Follow us on Instagram 👩‍👩‍👧‍👦 Join our Facebook Community ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel 📜 Get transcripts when you sign up as a show supporter

In this episode, we answer a listener question from Jo-Anne.  She struggles with forgetting words and feeling nervous speaking Spanish with adults.  Tamara shares actionable tips for consistent practice, reducing anxiety, and building fluency. In this episode, she covers: Learn how to schedule consistent, structured conversations with adults in Spanish 📆Discover techniques to ease speaking anxiety 🧘🏽‍♀️Easy way to practice everyday Spanish and learn conversational phrases 🗣️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... 📲 Follow us on Instagram 👩‍👩‍👧‍👦 Join our Facebook Community ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel 📜 Get transcripts when you sign up as a show supporter

In this special 7th anniversary episode, we are celebrating a major milestone! To mark the occasion, I’m sharing 7 songs that will transform your Spanish. These are hand-picked favorites that have been featured on the podcast or in our courses because they teach specific grammar concepts, cultural nuances, and conversational phrases.  And of course, they're also great songs to dance to.💃🏽 Whether you want to master the subjunctive mood, understand colloquial expressions, or just get comfortable with the future tense, this curated playlist has something for every learner. You'll learn the lyrics, the meaning behind the music, and how to use these songs to take your Spanish to the next level. What You'll Learn in This Episode: How to use the simple future to easily say what you're "going to do" without memorizing complex verb tables 🔮The difference between a verb tense and a "mood," and why it is the key to expressing wishes and emotions in Spanish 🇩🇴How to use diminutives to soften your speech and sound more authentic in daily conversation 🗣️Listen to this episode to get the ultimate playlist for learning Spanish and celebrate 7 years of Learn Spanish Con Salsa! Resources: Join the Spanish Fluency Club (Get free access to the 7 Mini-Lessons, exclusive artist interviews, and games for this anniversary special!)Become a Podcast Supporter (Get the transcripts and mini-courses sent to your inbox)Spotify Playlist: Songs from the PodcastEpisode 237 Show NotesSupport 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... 📲 Follow us on Instagram 👩‍👩‍👧‍👦 Join our Facebook Community ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel 📜 Get transcripts when you sign up as a show supporter

In this episode, we break down the 5 stages of Spanish Conversational Fluency.  Listen to find out what your true fluency level is, not a letter score based on a grammar quiz.  If you want to take your Spanish to the next level, this episode is for you. Get your FREE Spanish Fluency Assessment at spanishconsalsa.com/myfluencylevel 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... 📲 Follow us on Instagram 👩‍👩‍👧‍👦 Join our Facebook Community ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel 📜 Get transcripts when you sign up as a show supporter

In part 2 of my conversation with Desta Haile, we explore how Spanish con Salsa got started, how learning languages can provide relief from the stress of daily life, and the many benefits of learning with music (beyond just having an amazing playlist 🎵).  I also share a few facts about the Piedra de Rosetta we saw in the British Museum in London. 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... 📲 Follow us on Instagram 👩‍👩‍👧‍👦 Join our Facebook Community ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel 📜 Get transcripts when you sign up as a show supporter

In this episode, I'm sharing an interview with me and Desta Haile from Languages through Music.  This time, I'm in the guest chair as Desta asks me about my early experiences learning languages and how music makes learning languages easier and more relevant to conversations with real people. 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... 📲 Follow us on Instagram 👩‍👩‍👧‍👦 Join our Facebook Community ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel 📜 Get transcripts when you sign up as a show supporter

In this episode, we follow up on our lyrics breakdown of Better Late Than Never by Romeo Santos and Prince Royce. We review 7 Spanish verbs from the song that you can use in daily conversation to discuss desires, goals, and relationships.  You'll also find out if you're a true Latin music fan when we reveal the easter eggs dropped in the bridge of the song. Plus, you'll learn the answer to our trivia question about El Rey de la Bachata. In this episode, you'll learn: 🗣️ A verb you can use instead of vale la pena to sound more like a native speaker 📱 Essential vocabulary for modern dating and setting boundaries on social media ⚡ A simple grammar hack to conjugate Spanish verbs without memorizing grammar charts 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... 📲 Follow us on Instagram 👩‍👩‍👧‍👦 Join our Facebook Community ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel 📜 Get transcripts when you sign up as a show supporter

 In this episode, we break down the long-awaited collaboration Better Late Than Never by Romeo Santos and Prince Royce. We analyze the lyrics of this instant classic, exploring the drama, the romance, and the clever musical references hidden within the verses. You'll learn how to express regret, handle modern dating conflicts (like blocking exes), and use the subjunctive mood. In this episode, you will learn: 🇩🇴 How to say the common phrase “better late than never” in Spanish 📱Useful vocabulary to discuss relationships and dating in Spanish 👑 Interesting trivia about Romeo Santos for true bachata fans 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... 📲 Follow us on Instagram 👩‍👩‍👧‍👦 Join our Facebook Community ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel 📜 Get transcripts when you sign up as a show supporter

If you're looking for the right time to dedicate to achieving Spanish fluency, you need to hear Phillip Hargrove's story. In this episode, he explains why he decided to take the leap on coaching and how the program's personalized approach forced him to rapidly improve his conversational fluency in Spanish. Phillip shares how he went from learning Spanish on Duolingo and not being comfortable with speaking Spanish to easily having a 30-minute conversation with a native Spanish speaker in less than 90 days. This was despite facing several challenges during the 12-week program that most Spanish learners think would knock them off course. From this episode you'll learn: Why now is the perfect time to commit to speaking Spanish fluentlyHow to get comfortable speaking Spanish by stepping outside of your comfort zoneWhy the conversational method used in Spanish Language Coaching is the best way to correct your grammar mistakesSupport 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... 📲 Follow us on Instagram 👩‍👩‍👧‍👦 Join our Facebook Community ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel 📜 Get transcripts when you sign up as a show supporter

If you're learning Spanish, you probably find grammar challenging--especially when it comes to the dozens of verb conjugations.  In this episode, you'll learn why most Spanish learners mix up indirect objects with reflexive verbs and other verb conjugations (and why this can be a problem) We'll take a look at examples in the lyrics of the song Casi Te Envidio by Puerto Rican 🇵🇷 salsa singer Andy Montañéz. From this episode you'll learn: How you can quickly differentiate between indirect objects & reflexive verbsHow to say nearly, kind of, or almost in SpanishHow to use reflexive verbs in the present perfect tense 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... 📲 Follow us on Instagram 👩‍👩‍👧‍👦 Join our Facebook Community ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel 📜 Get transcripts when you sign up as a show supporter

The number one reason most Spanish learners don't reach fluency is they can't understand native Spanish speakers. The reason we struggle with listening comprehension is because we go about it the wrong way from the beginning. In this episode, we'll share 3 simple ways you can improve your Spanish listening skills so you can confidently jump into conversations with native speakers. 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... 📲 Follow us on Instagram 👩‍👩‍👧‍👦 Join our Facebook Community ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel 📜 Get transcripts when you sign up as a show supporter

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 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... 📲 Follow us on Instagram 👩‍👩‍👧‍👦 Join our Facebook Community ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel 📜 Get transcripts when you sign up as a show supporter

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 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... 📲 Follow us on Instagram 👩‍👩‍👧‍👦 Join our Facebook Community ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel 📜 Get transcripts when you sign up as a show supporter

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)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... 📲 Follow us on Instagram 👩‍👩‍👧‍👦 Join our Facebook Community ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel 📜 Get transcripts when you sign up as a show supporter