Cómo Entender a los Nativos - How to Understand Natives

Cómo Entender a los Nativos - How to Understand Natives

Author: Spanish and Go February 23, 2021 Duration: 29:10

“Help! I’m studying Spanish, but I can’t understand native speakers when they ask me something!” or the classic, “I don’t have anyone to practice with!”

Don’t worry, we’ve all been there.

Learning to have a natural conversation is probably the hardest part of learning a language.

What the process is really about is finding a balance between genuinely advancing your target language vocabulary (and grammar too of course!) and allowing your brain to do its job. 

A lot of communication is subconscious. Remember how you learned your first language as a child. You listened and listened and listened….until one day you tried to speak. And then some words, and then sentences, and then out of nowhere - you were a pro.

As long as you practice consistently, your brain will do the rest.

Jim and May share a few funny stories this week about having difficulties understanding each other’s families while learning their target language. And they provide tips on comprehension when it comes to dealing with natives!

Links:

Thank you to our patrons for making this podcast possible:

Tiansheng Lian, Jennifer Wilson, Adrian Major, Jenny, Christy Warne, Russ Moore, Annette Baesel, Christian Gonzalez, Jill Heichelbech, Jean Lorio, Rebecca D Robison, Wylie Hargrove, Kristin Royer, Deb Shroyer, RamPandaPuss, Amy, Josh Powell, Hoy Shih, Neil Moore, Craig Stenger, Jennifer Wilson, Paula Lisowsky, Joseph Scriba, Kenneth Revelson, and DJ Brasier.

Support the show


Ever feel like your Spanish studies are stuck in a classroom? Learn Spanish and Go pulls you out of that textbook and drops you into the vibrant, unpredictable reality of the Spanish-speaking world. Hosts Jim and May are your guides, weaving together language learning and authentic travel experiences in every episode. You’ll be right there with them, eavesdropping on street market negotiations in Oaxaca, understanding the local history behind a plaza in Seville, or picking up the subtle slang used among friends in Buenos Aires. This isn’t about rehearsed dialogues; it’s about the spontaneous, natural conversational Spanish you actually need, whether you're ordering *churros* or discussing traditions with a local artisan. The podcast regularly features interviews with Spanish speakers from diverse regions, offering a direct ear to different accents and cultural perspectives. Each conversation, story, and practical tip is designed to advance your listening comprehension and build your confidence. If your goal is to truly connect with places and people, this is the companion you need. Tune in to hear how language comes alive on the road, and find the motivation to both Learn Spanish and Go.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 317

Learn Spanish and Go
Podcast Episodes
La Semana Santa en Iztapalapa - The Holy Week in Iztapalapa [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:02
We take you inside the dramatic Semana Santa celebration in Iztapalapa, where the Passion of Christ is brought to life in a way that’s both emotional and incredibly realistic. We talk about how this tradition started nea…
El Murmullo de las Abejas - The Murmur of the Bees [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:34
May talks about the novel El Murmullo de las Abejas by Sofía Segovia, a beautiful and emotional story set in Linares, Nuevo León, during the early 1900s. We explore the life of Simonopio, a mysterious child with a deep c…
Piropos en Español - Piropos in Spanish [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:48
We break down what a piropo actually is and why it’s more than just a romantic line — it’s a mix of language, humor, and culture. We share cute, funny, and cheesy examples you might hear in movies or conversations, and w…
Cómo Tomar el Camión en México - How to Take the Bus in Mexico [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:58
From figuring out which bus to take to knowing when and how to signal the driver, we walk you through the reality of using urban buses in Mexico. We talk about routes, schedules (or the lack of them), payment methods—fro…