Spanish Lessons in Darwin

El Patrón del Mal - Netflix Series

This engaging series about drug dealer Pablo Escobar will have you at the edge of your seat for hours: you’ll never be bored throughout its almost 80 episodes! Based on the true story of this Colombian drug lord, “El Patrón del Mal” depicts Pablo Escobar’s story, from his days as a petty thief until he became the head of a drug-trafficking empire. This polemic production shows all the atrocities committed by Escobar during his life. If you are looking to improve your listening skills and pick up the Colombian accent, this is the ideal show for you. Read more about the series here

El Secreto de sus Ojos - Movie

The award-winning film “El Secreto de sus Ojos” will leave you speechless. This gripping Argentinian crime drama is a tale of obsession, vengeance and, ultimately, love. The movie depicts a judiciary employee, portrayed by the talented Ricardo Darin, as he investigates a case of rape and murder. If you are looking to improve your Spanish listening comprehension skills, pick up some slang and even learn some Argentinian hand gestures, then this is the movie for you. You can give it a try, even if you are just starting with your Listen & Learn course, and watch it with English subtitles. Read more about the movie here.

Vida Latin Summer Festival

This is a free annual event that celebrates Australia’s Latino heritage in different cities, such as Melbourne or Brisbane. You will find live music, tango, batucada, cumbia, samba and salsa performances, food stalls with dishes from Chile, Mexico, Argentina, Perú and Colombia, and workshops dictated in Spanish. Also, more than 20 DJs perform throughout the entire event. Why not attend and have a great time with your friends and family while learning more about Latin American cultures and traditions? Furthermore, you can get to know others who love the Spanish language as much as you. Find out more about the festival here.

Agua - Jarabe de Palo

“Agua” by Jarabe de Palo is the perfect starting point for beginner Spanish learners who wish to improve their language skills through music. The tune is slow-paced and sung with very clear diction, so it’s easy for learners to understand exactly what the singers are saying. This song is about a man who falls in love with his friend and does not want to ruin the relationship they have, so you’ll pick up words related to love and friendship like “por ti daría la vida” or “un mensaje entre líneas”. Listen to the song here!

Yo Te Amo - Chayanne “Yo Te Amo” is a timeless song by Puerto Rican singer Chayanne where the poetic persona declares his devotion for a woman and promises her they will be together in the near future. The best thing about this song is that the lyrics don

“Yo Te Amo” is a timeless song by Puerto Rican singer Chayanne where the poetic persona declares his devotion for a woman and promises her they will be together in the near future. The best thing about this song is that the lyrics don’t blend into one another, as Chayanne has excellent diction and pronounces each word very clearly. Thus, the lyrics are easy to understand and repeat, which makes the perfect song for beginners. Soon, you’ll be singing along to Chayanne’s “Yo Te Amo” with flawless Spanish pronunciation! Sing along to this romantic song!

Muñeca de Trapo - Oreja de Van Gogh

If you are looking to improve your Spanish diction and comprehension, there is no better way to do it than by listening to Oreja de Van Gogh. The song “Muñeca de Trapo” is the first single of the album Guapa (which won a Latin Grammy back in 2006). This beautiful song tells of a woman who compares herself to a rag doll when she cannot express her feelings for her loved one. Sing along and increase your vocabulary while becoming acquainted with Spanish regional accents and slang. You will soon find yourself singing in Spanish almost without trying! Sing along to this romantic song!

Yuya

If you are looking for a Youtuber who talks about fashion in a fun, relaxed way, then Yuya’s channel is the one for you. The videos started by talking exclusively about makeup, but today they include topics like clothing, beauty and style. Soon, you’ll be picking up vocabulary related to styling your hair, like “peinar”, “rizar”, “planchar” and more! And don’t forget to access the comments section, where you will find a lot of text in Spanish and can ask the YouTuber specific questions about her videos. Click here to subscribe.

Hey, Soy Priscilla

Listening to native Spanish speakers is crucial to increase your skills and understanding of different accents. And while it might be hard to find native speakers in the place you live, you can always watch YouTubers like Hey Soy Priscilla, an influencer from Mexico who talks about food, fashion and healthy lifestyles. She speaks very slowly and clearly, so a lot of her videos will allow you to capture her lip and mouth movements, making it easier to understand what she’s saying. And don’t forget, you can watch and rewind content to make sure you pick up some useful vocabulary! Check out her videos here!

Alex Tienda

Alex Tienda is a travel vlogger from Mexico who loves showing his followers all the fabulous places he visits around the world. Not only will you improve your Spanish skills, but you’ll also get to know more about the world and some amazing places to travel. You can also follow Alex’s Facebook page if you want to engage with his followers and practise reading in Spanish, too. He has an easy-going style and uses a lot of Spanish slang, so while it might be a challenge for absolute beginners, you can always use the subtitles to clarify any doubts. Check out this videos here!

Knowing About Messi or Maradona Will Help You Learn Spanish

There’s no better way to achieve fluency in a language and develop your receptive skills than by watching or listening to something you enjoy. For example, are you a soccer fan? Then, you are in luck because soccer is one of the most popular sports in most Spanish-speaking countries, meaning you can literally follow hundreds of teams, ligas and players. Some of the most famous football players in the world are Argentinian (like Messi or Maradona), so it’s a great idea to learn some terms in Spanish (like “es una bestia” or “siempre elude la marca”) to bond with locals about their idols! Click here to know more about Messi!

Regional Soccer Varieties

Are you visiting Spain or a Latin American country soon? Then, it would be a good idea to learn a bit about soccer. You will surely catch the locals’ attention by talking about their passion! For example, you’ll find millions of fans in Argentina or Colombia. But watch out: with soccer being so popular in Latin America, there is a lot of regional variation in the words and terms used to describe aspects of the sport. For example, a referee can be called árbitro or referí, the ball can be pelota, bola or balón and the football boot can be zapatilla, botín or bota. Click here to know more about Colombian soccer!

Take a Trivia to Test Your Knowledge

Would you like to know more about Spanish soccer vocabulary and facts? Then, you can take a trivia in Spanish to test your knowledge about the teams that play in La Liga. Some of the questions are related to the most popular stadiums around Spain, the players, and slang used to describe the matches. For example, did you know that the expression le dio una leña means that a player just fouled his opponent in a very nasty way? You can even share the results with your friends in your social media networks and show off how proficient you are in Spanish! Check out the trivia here!

SBS Español

SBS Español is one of the most popular Australian multicultural and multilingual broadcasters. You can watch the news, sports and entertainment programmes, documentaries and film, all in Spanish! You can watch their daily “telediarios” to train your listening skills, as presenters speak in a very clear, articulate manner. Some of the shows even have subtitles, which is great for students still training their ear. The channel focuses on delivering news about Australia, which is especially useful as you will be familiar with the events and places covered while attempting to understand what the presenters and reporters are saying. Check out the channel here.

TeleSur

TeleSUR is one of the leading news outlets in Latin America which focuses mostly on the political situation of different countries throughout the region. You can expect to find a lot of coverage about the governments from Mexico to Argentina and everywhere in between, and sharp criticism of right-wing policies. Watching TeleSUR’s telediarios can be a great opportunity to acquire political and economic vocabulary if you are an upper-intermediate or advanced level student. You will not find these programmes on TV but you can live stream them in Australia and New Zealand for free. Check out this website for the best news in Spanish.

BBC Mundo

This news outlet provides content in Spanish from a European point of view. The content is more suitable for advanced students, as the hosts and reporters speak very quickly and use complex vocabulary. Also, they provide quite in-depth analyses of what is happening around the world. Though the website does not offer 24-hour streaming, it does upload free-to-watch video clips regularly. Also, the site publishes written articles for free, so you can combine hearing the day’s headlines with reading the details develop both sets of skills at the same time. Check out the channel here.