Do you know that Peninsular Spanish and Mexican Spanish are different? This is because different varieties of the same language are used by native speakers in distinct parts of the world. So, the Spanish you can hear among Spanish-speaking countries may sound quite different.  The English language, for example, has regional varieties such as American English, British English, Australian English, etc. In the case of the Spanish language, there are also many possible pronunciations and accents. Table of Contents Where Are Peninsular Spanish And Mexican Spanish Spoken? Vocabulary Differences Pronunciation Differences Tenses Used Using Vosotros And Ustedes So, Which Spanish To Learn? 1. Where Are Peninsular Spanish And... Show more

Can you believe it’s almost Christmas? It’s the time of year when the cold of winter culminates to a time of warmth, joy, and compassion.  Did you know that in Mexico, there’s an entire nine-night festival leading up to Christmas?  In this article, you’ll learn about the Las Posadas holiday, how it got started, and more fun Las Posadas facts. Are you ready? 1. What is Las Posadas? Each year, Mexicans observe the Las Posadas festival from December 16 to December 24. For these nueve noches ("nine nights"), Mexicans commemorate the journey of Mary and Joseph, the parents of Jesus.  This long holiday, leading up to Navidad ("Christmas"), first came to Mexico in the year 1586. Prior to this, the... Show more

https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZngHfXDEIjs The way you think about and react to death has a lot to do with how you were raised. Your cultural background, religious beliefs, life experiences, and many other factors can all play a role in your perception of death.  The Día de Muertos ("Day of the Dead") in Mexico is a festival steeped in the beliefs of many cultures, and it focuses on the joyous occasion of the living and dead reuniting. In this article, you’ll learn all about the Day of the Dead, from its history to how it’s celebrated today.  Let’s get started! 1. What is the Day of the Dead? The Day of the Dead festival is an annual three-day celebration in Mexico, beginning on October 31 and ending on... Show more

Every country has a story behind its independence, and many have a figure whom they credit with their victory. In fact, Mexican Independence Day is really more about the country’s national hero, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, than its actual independence!  In this article, you’ll learn more Mexican Independence Day facts, delve into the country’s history, and explore the most popular traditions.  Let’s get started. 1. What is Mexican Independence Day? Each year on September 16, Mexicans celebrate their country’s Día de la Independencia ("Independence Day"). The most important holiday in the country, Mexican Independence Day marks the date in 1810 when Mexico took its first major step toward gaining independence from... Show more

Do you remember the moment you fell in love with languages? Do you desire to learn or advance in Spanish quickly and effectively? Then you need a Spanish tutor. A common question that first-time language-learners ask is "Where do I begin?" The answer? Guidance. For native English-speakers who want to learn Asian languages, for example, timelines provided by the U.S. Foreign Service Institute can appear discouraging. However, defeating these odds is not unheard of. If you want to beat the odds yourself, one of the best learning options is a subscription to Premium PLUS from Innovative Language. As an active Premium PLUS member of JapanesePod101.com and KoreanClass101.com myself, I have an enjoyable experience learning at an accelerated... Show more

https://www.youtube.com/embed/5fp4uVY1woU It’s amazing how a person can permeate a country’s culture at one point in time, and have their influence carried over through the years. While Spain certainly has a number of important historical figures, St. James is arguably one of the most popular. So much so that he has his own feast day each year, which we’ll talk about in this article. Let’s get started. 1. What is Día de Santiago? On Día de Santiago, or St. James Day, Spain celebrates its patron saint. Saint James is credited with bringing Christianity to the country around the time of the Moorish occupation. However, upon returning to Israel, he was killed and his remains were sent back to Spain, near Galicia. From... Show more

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Aqzon7DQKz0 What are your favorite things about summer? For me, I think it’s the food and the sunshine! I could do without all the bugs, though… In Spain, two of the highlights of summer are the Midsummer festival and the St. John’s Eve holiday. Spain is alight during this time, celebrating the longest day (Midsummer) and shortest night (St. John’s Eve) of the year. In this article, you’ll learn about traditions for St. John’s Eve and Midsummer in Spanish culture. There’s so much going on that it would be difficult to cover everything, but we’ll do our best. ;) Let’s get started! 1. An Overview of St. John’s Eve & Spanish Midsummer St. John’s Eve is a popular holiday in the... Show more

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mcv9ZHVCjqU Every culture has its own body gestures and language, but sometimes we don’t even realize we do them until someone points it out. People say you’re not completely fluent in a language until you master idioms, sayings, and gestures, even if they’re not necessary to speak well. We agree that knowing body gestures to improve your Spanish is essential… But there’s a problem: body gestures in Spanish lessons are so hard to come by! When it comes to some gestures, there’s nothing to worry about, since they’re understood worldwide, such as waving to say hello or goodbye. But then there are others that might leave you a little bit confused. Do you feel like you don’t understand body language in... Show more

National Grandparents Day in Mexico, thought to have been derived from the holiday of the same name in the United States, is a day set aside to honor grandparents. In a society where it’s common for Mexican grandparents to live in the same house as their family, it’s no wonder that this holiday would be adapted. In this article, you’ll learn all about Mexican Grandparents Day. This, in turn, will lend you greater cultural understanding—a vital step in mastering any language. At SpanishPod101.com, we hope to make this learning journey both fun and informative! 1. What is Grandparents Day in Mexico? Each year, Mexicans set aside a special day just to honor their grandparents. This tradition is actually based on Grandparents Day... Show more

¡Feliz Dia de la Madre! Mother's Day, or Dia de la Madre, is a deeply significant holiday in Spain. Take, for instance, the following information: A study was done in 2012 about the role of European mothers. The psychologist responsible for the Spanish case said that "the Spanish mother has become the administrator of the household and is the fundamental pillar of the family structure." A surprising fact was learning that they dedicate only thirty-nine minutes to themselves, versus fifty minutes for the rest of European mothers. The study also showed that fifty-three percent consider the hug to be the best demonstration of gratitude, even ahead of helping with the household chores. What better day than this celebration for... Show more