FrenchPod101

This not only a podcast, but a Youtube channel, and an online interactive learning site under Innovative Language (which you can learn over 30 different languages through their programs). Their podcast allows you to learn French in bite size amounts. You can learn correct pronunciation, grammar notes, useful phrases specific to a certain settings, and even get to hear conversations you might run into with some cultural context. Their podcasts is very much beginner friendly regardless of which language you choose to learn from them.

News in Slow French

I found this when I was in high school taking AP French. This a good way to get caught up on current events on your way to work. This is brought to you by Linguistica 360 who’ve created a series of podcasts in various languages, but at a slower pace so you’re able to fully grasp every word you’re hearing. Also if you visit their webpage, you’re able to read along and they will highlight key words for you. I love it because not only are you getting immersed in the language, but you’re in a space where you’re able to understand at an easy pace, and have tools to ensure that you understand.

Choses à Savoir

I stumbled upon this one and if you’re looking for really short…I mean like no more that 5 minute podcast episodes that are talking about real topics in French then I stronly encourage you to check this one out. I personally try to stay away from podcasts that are strictly for beginnners because I feel like we don’t have to be in French class to know how to say things like “bonjour” and “comment allez-vous?” I want you to help your brains get used to hearing the target language and even learning new things about the world in the target language. They have individual podcasts for a variety of topics like: health, sports, nature, culture, tech, economics, travel, history, and so many other topics to peek your curiosity.

Un Temps pour Soi: Méditer avec Valentine

I have personally enjoyed this podcast to relax into the French language. If you’re fan of meditation or just want something to distress you (in French) while you do other things throughout your day, this could be a great resource of immersion for you.

The Spanish Dude

This guy gets straight to the point without any useless information while managing to entertain me. He does go pretty quick through his points, but the beauty of a podcast is that you’re able to go back and listen as many times as you like. In one episode, I did learn the phrase me caes bien as well as the difference between traer and llegar. The other aspect I like, is how he managed to explain WHY Spanish speakers say things a certain way which is very helpful as well when correcting your own Spanish.

Duolingo Spanish Podcast

I found this podcast in college and what I particularly liked about it is that they tell stories from people who speak Spanish (all over the Spanish-speaking world). They will go back and forth between Spanish and English to give you consistent understanding of what the storyteller is saying. This great because you’re hearing authentic Spanish, and you get to test how well you understood between each point of their stories.

Doorway to Mexico

This can be rather entertaining because it does talk about a person’s real life experience traveling in Mexico, so if that’s your next destination, this is a good one. He does comment on all aspects of entering the borders, renting a car, having the right information for different things which is super helpful. Also, he does go in depth regarding cultural aspects to keep in mind.

SpanishPod101

This not only is a podcast, but a Youtube channel, and an online interactive learning site. Their podcast allows you to learn Spanish in bite size amounts. You can learn new vocabulary, phrases specific to a certain settings, slang, and even get to hear conversations you might run into with some cultural context in between.

News in Slow Spanish (Available in Latin American and Spain Spanish)

If it’s really important to you to keep up with current events, I recommend this podcast full-heartedly. If you want the news at a slower speed to fully grasp what they’re saying, you can check out these podcast. Depending on which version of Spanish you want to learn. I think it’s a good idea to listen to both so you can recognize the differences between the 2.

Medical Spanish Podcast

I would say this an essential podcast to listen to if you’re ever in a situation where you need medical attention and the people you’re speaking with don’t understand English. It’s helpful when you can not only tell someone what’s wrong with you, but understand if they have to prescribe you with something, if they’re asking you further questions about your condition, or possibly diagnosing you with something.

Hoy Hablamos

I stumbled upon this while I was looking for Spanish podcasts with native speakers to practice my listening comprehension skills. This podcast is in European Spanish and they cover so many topics from food, current events, and varying topics around Spanish culture. This is a great recommendation from me because beginners can start getting exposure to spoken Spanish, and more advanced speakers can assess what they know.

GermanPod101

This is a podcast created by Innovative Language, with their very own YouTube channel, and online learning site. This podcast has been active since 2011, so there’s plenty of content to look through. There’s plenty of content for beginners, but if you ever get bored and want to challenge yourself a bit then you can do so as well. You have access to cultural context, expressions, conversations, and more.

News in Slow German

I highly recommend this for those of you who love to keep up with current events. This podcast allows you to get the news in on a weekly basis…in German. The primary appeal for me is that they speak at a slower pace to clearly hear what they’re saying, and if you’re following along on their webpage, you’re able to read along as they highlight key words as well in order to enhance your understanding.

Easy German

I started following this podcast because I’m a fan of their YouTube channel where each video is based around a topic and asking Germans on the street for their opinion about it. I really enjoy that they teach you how they use certain words, compare dialects, discuss politics, and other popular topics in German culture while teaching you German at the same time. Talk about an all-in-one deal.

Deutsch Lernen Durch Hören

I originally found this podcast on Spotify and I think this is a great podcast with short episodes to get you listening to actual German conversations. Each episode is a different conversation you’d normally have if you’re living in Germany and they’re also short…like about 3-5 minutes per episode. This might be a bit advanced for you if you’re new to the language, but I’m all for immersion in which it’s never a bad idea to get used to hearing what the language sounds like. If you’re paying attention to their voices, you can generally figure out what the conversation is generally about.

Meditations Für Jeden Tag

I discovered this podcast from Chartable as I was trying to find podcast popular in German. I think this podcast is great if you’re a lover of meditation because it makes me feel calm. I also become calm enough that I’m not overthinking which makes it easier to process the language I’m listening to.

ItalianPod101

This podcast is under Innovative Language and is a great way to get quick lessons in at bite size amounts. I know that people can get overwhelmed by sitting through a long lesson they might not have time for with so much information, so you’re able to take it one step at a time here. This podcast is completely beginner friendly, so you can learn the basics with some cultural contexts at the same time. They also have a Youtube channel and a website for interactive learning.

News in Slow Italian

This is part of a series that Linguistica 360 created to allow people to receive the news on a weekly basis but in Italian. The speakers are talking at a slower pace so people just starting out can clearly understand what’s being said. It’s a pretty short podcast no more than 15-20 minutes, and online you can follow along as they highlight key words for you to know.

Speak Italiano: Pensieri & Parole

I found this podcast on Spotify and I ended up listening to 3 straight episodes. It’s fairly easy to understand since she does speak at a natural place and speaks very clearly. This podcast good to kill 2 birds with one stone, you get to practice your listening skills while learning about Italian history, cutlture and literature. I would say each episode is about 15-20 minutes long.

21 Giorni di Meditazione

This is a perfect podcast to practice your listening skills while getting a good meditation session in if that’s what you’re into. This is a 21 day series with a different theme to focus on each day. We recommend you give it a try!

La Bottega di Babbel

This is a great podcast to have in the background about different aspects of Italian culture while training your brain to get used to hearing the language. There’s a native speaker having a conversation with someone who’s a non-native speaker in each episode. Each episode lasts about 30 minutes.

Italian Grammar Made Easy with Margherita

We found this podcast through the Italian Matters Instagram account. She breaks down every aspect of grammar, gives you phrases to help you out in certain situations, and provides exercises if you listen to them on her website. The episodes are bite-sized at around 10 minutes long on average.

PortuguesePod101

This is a podcast through Innovative Language, if you’re a beginner, I believe this is a really good podcast if you want to start learning in bite size pieces. This podcast can seem like 2 birds with 1 stone because you’re able to get small lessons of vocabulary, conversational Portuguese while learning about the culture. Learning the cultural aspects can help you become more well rounded as you continue learning. You can also check out their YouTube channel and their interactive learning site.

Café Brasil

This podcast series, I would say…is not really beginner friendly because it’s completely in Brazilian Portuguese. I highly recommend this for more advanced learners. However, one of my German friends told me he learned English by constantly being surrounded by the language, so you can still listen to this podcast on your daily commute or have it playing in the background so you’re consistently training your brain to recognize words and sounds specific to Portuguese. It might seem frustrating at first, but that’s how babies learn. They don’t really get a translation guide from your language to “babiese”, they just go with it. You can always listen to it when you want to test your skills every so often.

Dutchpod101

I personally am a fan of Innovative Language, simply because they have different outlets for you to learn a language regardless of whether or not you’re on YouTube or on the go. There’s also an interactive website for you to learn more in depth. I personally recommend this for beginners because you’re able to learn the language 1 step at a time, but learn about the culture simultaneously.