Learn Spanish and Go

Latest Episodes:

Aprendizajes de nuestro primer viaje con Santi - Learnings from Our First Trip with Santi Nov 04, 2025

Show notes

After months of staying home, we finally took our first trip as a family — and it was quite the adventure! We talk about May’s initial fears of flying with a baby, my rush to get Santi’s passports, and how we handled everything from formula prep to stroller logistics. You’ll also hear what went surprisingly well (spoiler: Santi was a dream traveler!) and what we learned along the way. Whether you’re a new parent planning your first flight or just curious about how it went, this episode is full of honest moments, funny mishaps, and practical tips for making travel with a baby smoother and less stressful.

Key Takeaways:

Traveling with a baby is easier when you’re organized — think pre-measured formula and the right stroller.
Babies often handle flights better than car rides thanks to white noise and comfort.
Preparation and flexibility turn stressful trips into meaningful family memories.

Relevant Links And Additional Resources:

277 – El Nombre Más Complicado En México | Most Complicated Name In Mexico
271 – La Vacuna BCG – Un Símbolo De Identidad Mexicana | The BCG Vaccine – A Symbol Of Mexican Identity
270 – Padres Primerizos – ¡Bienvenido, Santi! | First-Time Parents – Welcome, Santi!
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Cómo hablar por teléfono en español - How to Talk on the Phone in Spanish Oct 28, 2025

Show notes

Have you ever felt nervous speaking Spanish on the phone? You’re not alone! In this episode, we break down how phone conversations work in Mexico, from answering with “¿Bueno?” to asking “¿Con quién tengo el gusto?” and handling tricky moments like poor connections or giving your address. We also share real-life examples, practical phrases for everyday calls, and funny stories from our own experiences. Whether you’re setting an appointment, calling customer service, or just trying to understand what someone said, this episode will make your next Spanish phone call much easier.

Key Takeaways:

Learn the most common and natural ways to start and end phone calls in Spanish.
Master useful phrases for different situations, from introducing yourself to fixing connection issues.
Gain confidence speaking Spanish on the phone with real examples and cultural insights from Mexico.

Relevant Links And Additional Resources:

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El Halloween en México - Halloween in Mexico Oct 21, 2025

Show notes

Halloween in Mexico isn’t quite what you’d expect! In this episode, we explore how the holiday has grown in popularity, how Mexican families have added their own twist to it, and the big differences between Halloween and Día de Muertos. From funny stories about homemade costumes and trick-or-treating adventures to deeper reflections on cultural meaning, this conversation blends laughter and learning. Whether you’ve celebrated one, both, or neither, you’ll come away with a better understanding of how these traditions coexist — and how we’re passing them on to our son, Santi.

Key Takeaways:

Halloween celebrations in Mexico are becoming more common and creative.
Día de Muertos and Halloween are distinct holidays with different purposes.
Traditions may change, but their cultural meaning remains deeply rooted.

Relevant Links And Additional Resources:

240 – La Flor de Cempasúchil – Historia, Cultura y Leyendas | The Cempasúchil Flower – History, Culture and Legends
187 – Día de Muertos: Una Perspectiva Local | Day of the Dead: A Local Perspective
136 – Xoloitzcuintle, Perro Sagrado | Xoloitzcuintle, Sacred Dog
029 – Calaveritas de Azúcar: Origen y Tradición | Sugar Skulls: Origin and Tradition
028 – Día de Muertos: Lo Que Tienes Que Saber | Day of the Dead: What You Need to Know
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La saga del sillón y la PROFECO parte I - The Saga of the Couch and PROFECO, Part I Oct 14, 2025

Show notes

What would you do if you paid for a sofa but only half of it showed up, and the company refused to fix it? In this episode, we tell the full story of our months-long battle with Sam’s Club, from endless customer service runarounds to finally getting justice through PROFECO’s online complaint system. This episode will give you a clear picture of how to protect yourself as a consumer and make sure big companies don’t take advantage of you, whether you live in Mexico or plan to shop here.

Key Takeaways:

How to file a consumer complaint in Mexico through PROFECO’s ConciliaNet platform.
What your rights are when companies fail to deliver a product or service.
Why persistence (and knowing the law) can make all the difference when dealing with customer service issues..

Relevant Links And Additional Resources:

302 – La Saga del Sillón y la PROFECO Parte II | The Saga of the Couch and PROFECO, Part II
222 – Protégete de las Estafas con la PROFECO | Protect Yourself from Scams with PROFECO
How to Defend Your Consumer Rights in Mexico With PROFECO [Blog Post]
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Chatea como nativo con acrónimos parte II - Chat Like a Native Using Acronyms Part II Oct 07, 2025

Show notes

Part two of our acronym series explores the explicit, slang-filled world of texting in Spanish. From ALV and MVV to NMM, we explain what these phrases mean, how locals use them, and when not to use them. Even if you never plan to say these words yourself, understanding them will help you catch the nuances of real Mexican Spanish and sound more culturally fluent.

Key Takeaways:

Learn the meaning and context behind Mexico’s most common swear acronyms.
Understand when these phrases are acceptable (and when they’re definitely not).
Gain insight into real, unfiltered Mexican Spanish to boost your cultural awareness.

Relevant Links And Additional Resources:

279 – Chatea Como Nativo con Acrónimos | Chat Like a Native Using Acronyms
275 – El Chingonario | The Chingonary
086 – Las Groserías Mexicanas con Mextalki | Mexican Swear Words with Mextalki
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Cómo aprovechar al máximo un viaje de inmersión - How to Get the Most Out of an Immersion Trip Sep 30, 2025

Show notes

Have you ever wondered what makes a Spanish immersion trip truly effective? In this episode, we chat with Rory Foster about his journey building Common Ground International and the lessons he’s learned from running immersion programs in Costa Rica, Ecuador, and beyond. We discuss practical strategies for language learners, including how to prepare before you travel, ways to practice Spanish in real-life settings, and why both cultural experiences and formal classes are key to lasting progress.

Key Takeaways:

Setting clear goals before traveling makes immersion more effective.
Surrounding yourself with Spanish-speaking environments helps you grow faster.
Combining cultural experiences with formal classes creates lasting language progress.

Relevant Links And Additional Resources:

Thinking about joining a Spanish immersion program? Use our special link to save $100 off your trip.
Explore Common Ground International website for details on immersion programs and resources
Follow Common Ground International on Facebook for Spanish tips, cultural insights, and updates on upcoming programs
Subscribe to Common Ground International YouTube channel for free Spanish lessons and immersion advice
Boost your confidence in real-life Spanish conversations with our Spanish Immersion Retreats
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El agua parte II - Water Part II Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

Part 2 of our discussion about water in Mexico explores why tap water is often avoided and how families and travelers manage their water needs. We share our own home filtration setup, explain the use of garrafones, discuss historical events that shaped public distrust, and offer tips for safe drinking water and ice. This episode gives you practical advice and cultural context from traditional filtering methods to modern solutions like LifeStraws. You’ll learn how to stay safe, save money, and reduce plastic waste.

Key Takeaways:

Why most Mexicans avoid drinking tap water and the history behind it
Practical tips for travelers on how to safely drink water in Mexico
Eco-friendly alternatives to bottled water that can save money and reduce plastic waste

Relevant Links And Additional Resources:

285 – El Agua Parte I | The Water Part I
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El agua parte I - The Water Part I Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

In this conversation, we start with a fun look at Spanish grammar: why agua takes the article el but still requires feminine agreement, and how this rule applies to words like águila, hacha, and hambre. From there, we shift into something every traveler should know: the truth about drinking water in Mexico. We explain why tap water isn’t recommended, how household systems like tinacos and cisterns work, and why purified water in garrafones is the norm. If you’re curious about the culture, language, and everyday realities of life in Mexico, this episode gives you both useful knowledge and insider perspective.

Key Takeaways:

Why agua and similar words use el but are still feminine.
The real reason tourists are advised not to drink tap water in Mexico.
How Mexicans store and access safe drinking water through tinacos, cisterns, and garrafones.

Relevant Links And Additional Resources:

Is Mexico Safe? [The Best Tips for Staying Safe in Mexico]
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Un progenitor, un idioma - One Parent, One Language Sep 09, 2025

Show notes

Have you ever wondered how to raise a child with two languages without causing confusion? In this episode, we dive into the OPOL method, where each parent consistently speaks one language with the child, and discuss how it can be combined with other strategies like “time and place.” We share scientific studies, clear up common myths about bilingualism, and give practical advice on how to provide enough input, prioritize the minority language, and keep things flexible. As bilingual parents ourselves, we’re learning along the way and invite you to join the conversation about raising confident, bilingual kids.

Key Takeaways:

What OPOL (One Parent, One Language) is and how it works in daily life
Why myths like “bilingualism delays speech” are untrue
Practical strategies to make bilingual learning fun, natural, and effective

Relevant Links And Additional Resources:

016 – Alternancia de Código | Code Switching
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Spanglish: Identidad, mezcla y aprendizaje - Spanglish: Identity, Mixture and Learning Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

We explore the phenomenon of Spanglish and why it’s more than just mixing two languages. From everyday words like postear and textear to full-on code-switching, we share examples that highlight how Spanglish works in real conversations. You’ll hear about its cultural impact in places like Puerto Rico and Mexico, how music and social media are spreading it worldwide, and why younger generations use it more than older ones.

Key Takeaways:

What Spanglish is and why it happens.
Real-life examples of Spanglish in daily speech, music, and media.
How learners can recognize Spanglish while keeping languages separate in formal settings.

Relevant Links And Additional Resources:

281 – ¿Cómo, Cuándo y Qué Se Come en México? | How, When, and What People Eat in Mexico?
199 – Rutinas de Ejercicio | Exercise Routines
016 – Alternancia de Código | Code Switching
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