There are numerous podcasts out there that claim to help you learn Spanish. Most are really “free trials” and try and get you to buy something else or subscribe to premium content, which is fine as long as it’s worthwhile.

A couple of my requirements are that they are on iTunes. I have an iPod and it’s just easier to download and sync. iTunes isn’t a requirement for most people, but it’s a major convenience issue for me.

And I’d really like ongoing content. A lot of podcasts have a few episodes and stop. Even if they have a lot of episodes, if a new episode hasn’t come out in a few months, it may not mean they weren’t any good, it just means they didn’t catch on and become popular or the artists gave up. And it makes a difference if you want to ask any questions.

A few I’ve tried:

Spanishpod.com has their lessons split up between different levels from newbie to advanced. In about fifteen minutes they cover a short conversation, translating, dissecting and discussing some grammar. The last few minutes the instructors (two, an American male and a Mexican female) talk about a part of culture in Mexico or Latin America. They also have a show they devote the entire fifteen minutes with a guest to discuss a Latin American country or one guest was from the Basque area of Spain. Very good. I’ve subscribed and listen to augment the other mp3’s I use to study for a change of pace. Spanishpod has premium content they sell what looks like personal consultations.

Coffee Break Spanish - I started Coffee Break Spanish, but kind of gave up after a few lessons. It’s a little strange hearing a Scottish accent teaching Spanish. You are learning along with Mark’s student as Mark teaches her. They are pushing their bonus materials which is their premium content and I think they are teaching more Spain Spanish and I want to learn the Latin/Mexican Spanish. They have a ton of content, a forum and the bonus materials, definitely a lot of Spanish.