Speak Argentinan Spanish Blog

Train Your Ears Using The Stairstep Approach

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMT

When I first started watching native content in Argentinian Spanish, it would take me SO LONG to get through one episode of a show. I'd have to pause a million times. I'd see a new phrase and have to search the depths of WordReference forums just to get through a scene.

Then I'd rewatch the episode at least two more times. It was brutally painful. Why did it feel like they were speaking on 2x?!

Luckily, this feeling has disappeared.

Now, I'm at a Level 6 comprehension level with native content. I can throw on a video and it just flows.

I don't need subtitles. I don't need to do word lookups. It just clicks. And it's awesome.

How long did it take to get there?

I want to preface this that I spent a lot of hours. I don't keep track but it took me two years to get here...So it's not a quick journey. Granted, I have a family, a full-time job and other things so you might be able to go faster.

I think my peak input would be 4 hours in a day? So if you have that kind of time or more, you could probably get to this point 2x faster than me.

And I want to help you get there which is why I want to introduce you to the approach I used so that you can do the same.

The Stairstep Approach

Imagine a staircase where each step is a level of comprehension. At the ground floor, you're a Level 2/3 in terms of comprehension. And at the top is Level 6 comprehension where it's all automatic.

To get there, we have to go one step at a time starting with easier content and increasing the difficulty incrementally.

Here's the content I suggest starting from least difficult to most difficult:

Dreaming Spanish - Agustina

Dreaming Spanish is well-known catalogue of comprehensible input. One of their teachers is actually from Argentina and her name is Agustina. You can find videos with her ranging from Super Beginner to Advanced.

Start here and watch her videos until you can watch Advanced videos without subtiles comfortably.

Traé Alfajores

This is a podcast made by a native Argentinian guy. Think of this is a bridge to native content. It's at a slower pace because it's made for learners, but because it's a podcast, you have no visual context.

I also picked this because there is only one host. Less mental overhead for you as the learner.

That means you really need to stretch your listening skills. He does offer transcripts for free online if you need them here.

Once you have a Level 4/5 comprehension level with this, move on to the next step.

Entrelazados

Our first true piece of native content! I say this because this is made by Argentinians for Argentinians (well, Latin America in general). Do not be surprised if this is really hard.

What I like about this show is:

it's modern (season 2 came out in 2023)
it's a good plot (kinda sci-fi/magic)
it's made for a younger audience so language isn't difficult

I'd categorize it as "slice of life" so you'll find common expressions here.

TV shows and movies move at a different pace so you may have to watch with subtitles in the beginning. Your goal though is to get to a point where you can follow along comfortably without subtitles.

Once you can do that, move on to the next step.

Conrado Ev

Next up, we have an Argentinian vlogger. Again, native content made for natives the it's going to get more difficult. He has videos where he's right in front of the mic and you hear him clearly.

But then he also has videos where he's walking around, or you can't see his face and read his lips.

Most of the time though it's just him so your ears don't have to jump between different speakers.

Once you feel comfortable watching his videos without subtitles, move on to the next step.

Salud Mental con Alan Disavia

Heading back over to podcast land, this is a show with a single host, but no transcripts available (at least last time I checked).

He talks about a variety of topics. My favorite is his sleep hypnosis episodes. I like these because they're slow and calming.

Once you feel comfortable with these, move on to the next step.

Urbana Play 104.3

There may be a jump in difficulty here. This is a local radio station in Buenos Aires so that means the hosts are going to talk really quickly.

What I like about Urbana Play though is they do interviews with guests and their mics are so good which means you get a really crisp audio.

You can listen live (they livestream on YouTube/Twitch) or you can look for interviews they do (like one with Messi).

Don't worry if you need subtitles for this one for a while. That's expected.

Once you feel comfortable with this, move on to the final step.

Antes Que Nadie

Congrats on making to the final step of the staircase! This is going to be the most difficult level so have patience. This is one of the many shows on LUZU TV which is livestreamed on YouTube/Twitch.

It's a group of people (I think they're all influencers?) who talk about random things, interview guests and just talk about life. It's entertainment mainly.

What makes it difficult though is:

you have 4 hosts
they talk over each other
they don't always talk directly into the mic

This is hard mode. If you can comprehend what they're saying without subtitles, you've made it.

And an added bonus/challenge is understanding Whatsapp voice messages. They have guests answer questions or share stories which they play on air. Some of these have terrible quality so it's great for you as a learner.

Summary

I lay out this approach to share what worked for me with the hopes that it can also work for you :)

If you haven't already, I highly recommend checking out Refold which inspired a lot of ideas in this approach and convinced me to use immersion learning to take my Spanish to the next level.

Also, don't be a stranger! Sign up for the newsletter, hit reply and keep me posted on your language learning journey. I love meeting other people studying the Argentinian dialect :)

Stop Procrastinating and Start Shadowing

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMT

For the last 6 months, I've said, "Okay, I'm going to do it. I'm going to shadow this month." A week goes by. Then another week...Then a couple months and I still haven't done it!

Why?

Because I'm trying to complicate it too much. It's simple. So I thought, "How can we reduce the friction?" And this is what I came up with - a template for shadowing with a mix of chorusing.

In case you're new to "shadowing", it's basically when you imitate another speaker in close-to real-time whereas a similar concept called "chorusing" is similar except you hear a sentence, pause, and then repeat.

A Template for Shadowing

This template is as basic as it gets:

Video

Find a video on YouTube -> clip a 15-30s segment -> put link here

Transcript

Go to https://www.downloadyoutubesubtitles.com/ -> download the SRT and put here

Reps

Spend 5mins practicing and do 5 sessions

[] session 1 - chorusing
[] session 2 - chorusing
[] session 3 - half chorusing & half shadowing
[] session 4 - shadowing
[] session 5 - shadowing

A Real Example

Video

Diego Leuco - 20sec clip

Transcript

Me divierte conocer Me divierte la variedad

Me gusta divertirme me gusta también de

golpe hablar de política de economía

Entonces siempre a mí me gustó esto el

el los matices los colores estar en

lugares donde no me siento cómodo para

aprender ese nuevo lugar Me divierte

Reps

[x] 11/2/23
[x] 11/3/23
[x] 11/4/23
[x] 11/5/23
[x] 11/6/23

Enjoy!

If you need help finding someone to shadow, let me know! I love researching and looking for good folks to stream. Feel free to reach out at joe (at) speakargentinianspanish dot com.

I should also mention I chose YouTube as a platform because it allows you to slow down the speed below 1x (whereas I don't think Netflix/Disney+ do).

Kids Shows in Spanish on YouTube

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMT

As a parent of a young child whom I'm raising bilingual, I'm always on the lookout for kids shows in Spanish on YouTube that my daughter can watch. This is a short list of shows or channels I've found in the last 2 years for here. Most are native-content (made for native Spanish speakers) but some are dubbed. Enjoy!

Shows for Kids in Spanish on YouTube

Blippi Español - dubbed show (originally made in US in English) that kids absolutely love
Mundo Zamba - Argentinian kids cartoon show
Pakapaka - think of this as the PBS of Argentina (content made for kids)
Plaza Sésamo - Seasame Street but in Spanish
POCOYÓ en ESPAÑOL - Canal Oficial - Animated kids show from Spain
Spanish Immersion for Babies & Toddlers - with Liz - this is the Ms.Rachel equivalent in Spanish

If you have more to add to the list, feel free to email joe@speakargentinianspanish.com and I can add them for you!

A List of Coding Terms in Spanish

Tue, 02 May 2023 00:00:00 GMT

When you're thinking of expanding your vocabulary, one area you should pick is the industry you work in. For me, I work professionally as a programmer so I chose to make a list of coding terms (with the help of my Argentinian friend who is also a programmer).

I decided to share this here so it'll help you learn these words too!

Coding Terms

Here is a short list of words you should know:

server - servidor
front-end - frontend
back-end - backend
client - cliente (like a machine, host, pc)
API - api
request - consulta
library - libreria
NPM module - modulo npm
function - función
developer - desarrollador
programmer - programador
website - sitio web
app - aplicación
click - cliquear
scroll - desplazar
full-stack - full-stack

See something that's missing? Send an email to joe at this domain and let me know!

The Best Live Radio Shows in Argentina

Sat, 29 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMT

One thing that I absolutely love about Argentina is how much they’ve embraced technology in the last few years. By that, I simply mean there are many radio shows that not only go live locally, but stream to YouTube (and some do Twitch too)! It’s wonderful because it means people like you and me who don’t live there can enjoy it from the comfort of our homes.

Here’s a list of radio stations and shows that you can listen to on YouTube:

Urbana Play 104.3 FM

Urbana Play 104.3 FM is a radio station in Argentina that offers a variety of shows ranging from news, talk shows, and music. Most people know it for the quality programming and has gained a large following in Argentina.

Some of the popular shows on Urbana Play 104.3 FM include "La tarde de Urbana Play," which is a daily show that covers a wide range of topics such as news, entertainment, and lifestyle.

Another popular show on the station is "Urbana Club," which is a music show that plays a mix of Latin and international hits. Overall, Urbana Play 104.3 FM is a great station to tune into if you want to experience the best of Argentinian radio.

LUZU TV

This is probably my all-time favorite of the ones in this list. They are the largest in terms of size (over 1M subscribers at the time of writing) and offer a variety of shows hosted by various guests. There are too many to cover here but my all time favorite is called Antes Que Nadie. You can search for the hashtag here. The shows happen live a couple times a week but the timezones never work out for me (I’m in Arizona). They also engage with listeners through Whatsapp and oftentimes play voice messages on air. It’s a great chance for you to participate as well.

Radio Mitre

Radio Mitre is probably one of the more “traditional” shows. They’re a typical radio station in that they offer a wide range of shows, including news, sports, and music. One of their most popular shows is "Lanata sin filtro," which is a political talk show hosted by journalist Jorge Lanata. It’s known for its in-depth analysis of current events in Argentina and beyond. Another popular show on Radio Mitre is "Cienradios," which is a music show that plays a mix of classic and contemporary hits. Give it a listen and see if you like it!

Radio La Red

This one is for the sports fans. Maybe the equivalent of our ESPN. They offer extensive coverage of both local and international sports, with shows dedicated to football, rugby, and more. One of their most popular shows is "Un buen momento," which is hosted by journalist Gustavo López. This show is known for its lively discussions and debates about the latest sports news and events. Another popular show on Radio La Red is "Futbol 910," which is a football-focused show that covers everything from the latest transfer rumors to post-match analysis.

NacionalAM870

This one came up when I was researching this blog post. I believe it’s a public radio station that covers culture, music, history and news. I know the least about this one but wanted to include it because it’s worth investigating for yourself.

Summary

Live radio shows are an excellent way to experience the culture and traditions of Argentina. And improve you’re listening skills! Whether you are interested in politics, sports, or music, there is a show for you. This are some of the best ones I’ve found and I’m sure you’ll find yourself slowing turning into a fan of one of them in no time. Enjoy!

Argentinian Podcasts on Spotify

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Similar to finding Argentinian content on YouTube, it's also hard to find good podcasts on Spotify with at least one host from Argentina.

And that's exaclty why I wrote this: to save you some time 😃

I've spent the last year looking for Argentinian content on Spotify and I finally have enough to warrant this blog post. So here's the list along with a short description about each podcast. Enjoy!

Podcasts with Argentinian Hosts

Here's the list along with a brief description

Cripto para boudos - crypto
Easy Argentine Spanish - culture and language tips
Salud Mental con Alan Disavia - mental health
La Cruda - stories of real people
¿Cuándo llegamos? - kids stories
El Verdadero Roblo del Siglo - bank robbery
Argentalk: Stories in Argentine Spanish - culture
Hablo Argentino - unique phrases, 2-min episodes weekly
Budismo en Zapatillas - Buddhism
Panorama diario de noticias de Clarín - news
La Primera Jugada - soccer
Economía al día - business
Subamos el volumen - finances
Mindset Emprendedores - entrepreneurship
Sin Sucursal - fintech
Toda Por La Tarde - technology
Un Mundo Maravilloso - talk show
¿Por qué no te habré hecho caso? con Santiago Siri y Hernán Zin - crypto
Traé Alfajores - Rioplatense Spanish
Spanish with Keilans - Spanish with Keilans

How do I contribute?

If you want to add a suggestion, you can do so directly on GitHub here or you can email me at joe at this domain and I'll add it for you 😊

Argentinian Content on YouTube

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMT

You'd be surprised at how difficult it is to search YouTube for Argentinian content. Specifically, finding channels where the creator is from Argentina.

But that's probably why you're here...Don't worry, I have answers for you :)

I've spent the last year looking for Argentinian content on YouTube and I finally have enough channels to warrant this blog post. So here's the list along with a short description about the channel. Enjoy!

YouTube Channels by Argentinian Creators

Here's the list along with a brief description:

Dustin Luke - American who makes videos in Spanish
Locos x el asado - bbq show
Conrado Ev - travel vlogger
DR LA ROSA - health and wellness
flat&white - coffee show
Gonzalo Pozzo - coding livestreams
Manu Guija - travel vlogger
Merakio - food critic
Soy Rada - comedian
el denguee - vlogger (rapper, party-er?)
EstoEsBoca12 - soccer channel
Fernando Lerner - tech podcaster
Flo Cárdenas Yoga - yoga channel
Beibi Venus - life advice vlogger
GabinoSilva - vlogger
Gaby Olarieta - voice actor
Japatonic LITEvlogger/channel about Japan and Japanese culture
Jero Freixas - vlogger with family
La Cocina del Código - coding teacher
Lean Riccio - vlogger? reacts to news? content is strong
Lean Della Savia - film critic
Cámera en Mano - film critic
Te lo resumo - film critic
ZEPfilms Directo - film critic
LoCo Arts - weird cartoon
Mandarin Lab - learn Mandarin and Chinese culture in Argentinian Spanish (yeah, still wrapping my head around it)
Mateo & Lisanna - couple vloggers, guy is Argentinian
Melany Di Leva - Spanish teacher
Español con Michelle B. - Spanish teacher
Spanish by Fede - Spanish teacher
Native Spanish with Ms Lily - Spanish teacher
Cocineros Argentinos - national cooking show
NacionalAM870 - national public radio
Pakapaka - national kids show
Televisión Pública - national TV
Televisión Pública Noticias - national news
Mundo Zamba - cartoon kids show
Nacho Z - travel vlogger
Un Topo por el Mundo - travel vlogger
Soy Dalto - videos about programming
The Spanish Express - Spanish teacher
Ultimos Cartuchos - old podcast/show
Un Mundo Inmenso - videos about the planet
Pass Thor - vlogger/gamer?
Spreen - gamer
Unicornio - gamer
Urbana Play 104.3 FM - radio show
YoMeAnimo! - travel tips
Paulina Cocina - cooking show
Damian Kuc - history
dinosaur vlogs - mystery
Vicky Armida - mystery
Detrás del Dato - history
Sofi Maure - vlogger
LESA - history
Ramiro Diz - Videos sobre autos generalmente nacionales y la cultura alrededor de algunos modelos
Marcos Di Cesare - Pro chef, habla sobre cocina y cosas relacionadas desde su punto de vista, también enseña a cocinar
Matias Jurisich - Barman, todo lo relacionado con bebidas (alcohólicas y no alcohólicas)
Navaja Crimen - Se podría decir que es sobre medios audiovisuales pero hace lo que se le da la gana
Pato Horneado - Gameplays
AxlKss - Reviews/críticas de películas
CoffeTV - Reviews/críticas de películas y series
Charlie Knight - Ensayos sobre guiones de películas
Cosas del jardín - El nombre lo dice
Expediente Möbius - Canal sobre música argentina
Jota. - Historia de videojuegos
Kenai V Souza - Gameplays
Leandro Gastón - Charlas sobre historias/mitos/leyendas de argentina y también hace videos sobre el origen de palabras usadas acá, muy recomendados esos para los que quieren aprender español argentino
LO QUE SE PESCA SE COME - Videos sobre pesca y recetas con pescados locales
Paz Baker - Rectas de repostería y pastelería
Proyecto mueble - Carpintería
Ruido Barilari - Musica centrada en el bajo, ahora está con un podcast principalmente, es el hijo de Adrián Barilari, cantante de Rata Blanca
Ultra Argentina - Videos sobre pueblos, países, historia y geografía
Gente Rota - Animations of crazy Whatsapp messages
LESA - The suburbs of Buenos Aires and recently more international adventures
El señor de la 48 - A guy who travels around in his VW Combi
Paulina Cocina - Recipes and cooking
Nico Astegiano - Music gear
Rodriguez Galati - Humor
Martín Garabal - Humor

How do I contribute?

If you want to add a suggestion, you can do so directly on GitHub here or you can email me at joe at this domain and I'll add it for you 😊