Stories of perseverance and determination, communities working together, following your dreams, and overcoming hardships. Each story facilitates the learning of Spanish and its different cultures in a specific and unique way.
Positive Role Models
a lot
Stories center around powerful messages of female empowerment, independence and personal safety. One episode tells the story of a Colombian special education teacher who moved to the U.S. with her daughter to try to make a better life overcoming challenges to start her own bilingual school for kids. Another tells the story of a Mexican-born chef fighting to build a successful barbacoa business after being smuggled into the U.S. to escape her abusive husband.
Diverse Representations
a lot
Each episode focuses on real-life stories of Latino citizens from different Central, South American countries and the Caribbean, including Colombia, Cuba, México, Venezuela, Perú, Chile, Uruguay, Costa Rica, and more. Both their triumphs and struggles are highlighted with specific insight into their specific culture and upbringing. There are powerful messages of female empowerment, personal safety, and independence. Portrays how sexism affects Latin American culture and how toxic masculine attitudes still exist in many Latino societies.
Kids and families can learn more broadly about different Latino cultures and customs while refining their Spanish listening skills at an intermediate level. Episodes are both language lessons and life lessons for intermediate or advanced Spanish speakers who demonstrate decent comprehension of the language. English is infused throughout the story to explain the Spanish narration and give English learners a chance to practice their skills at an intermediate level as well. Allows immersive listening practice through narrative storytelling.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Duolingo Spanish Podcast is a narrative show that highlights compelling true-life stories on a wide variety of topics that recognize the significance of Latino experiences and culture. Hosted by Martina Castro, co-founder of NPR's Radio Ambulante, each episode aims to provide life lessons with its intimately personal stories of overcoming adversity. The stories are narrated in easy-to-understand English told in a clear, steady voice for Spanish listeners. Spanish is integrated throughout the stories as an integrated learning experience for listeners with an intermediate or advanced skillset in Spanish. Castro regularly chimes in in English, speaking in between the narration, providing context or background information about the stories. With themes of perseverance, determination, community bonding, overcoming obstacles, and family, the show's inspiring and uplifting stories offer an accurate, unbiased, and compassionate representation of Latinos. There are mentions and references to abuse and domestic violence, but nothing is graphic.
A few of the episodes center around transgenderism, homosexuality, and drag in a way that validates them.
I really like this podcast. It is great lower intermediate Spanish content. The stories are interesting to listen to. Some of the stories center around transgenderism, homosexuality, and drag, so if you don't want your child hearing about these topics in a way the supports and validates these lifestyles, you should read the summary of each episode first. I have listened to all the episodes, and I think I remember about 5-7 of them containing these topics. There is also one episode where a woman talks about sleeping around with different men after her boyfriend breaks up with her. She would go to clubs, dance to one song, and the man would say to her "Your house or mine?" So I am surprised the website says there is no sex in this podcast. Certainly most of the episodes don't contain sexual content, but several do. It is also obvious the the podcast is left-leaning. Some of the episodes talk about issues of violence, but not in a way that glorifies it.
What’s It About?
DUOLINGO SPANISH PODCAST focuses on true stories that highlight how Latino people of diverse backgrounds embrace their American experience. This podcast is a language learning tool for more intermediate to advanced level English or Spanish learners. The true stories are told primarily in Spanish with simple English narration. Each episode presents compelling true accounts featuring ordinary people and occasional historical nonfiction. Specific seasons have moved away from from this format and focus on historical figures. For example, one season highlights the stories of iconic Latin American artists like Frida Kahlo, Gabriel García Marquez, and María Lejárraga. Full transcripts of each episode are available for listeners who want to follow along with the audio or use it as a reference.
Providing uplifting, immersive stories these audio journeys embrace different Latin American cultures with a realistic and objective view. Duolingo Spanish Podcast uses storytelling as a powerful device to communicate diversity and its many implications while highlighting eye-opening accounts that inspire empathy and understanding. The show succeeds at taking listeners through each person's journey with integrity and fairness and isn't coy about highlighting the more complicated aspects of each story. Stories usually end with a positive message, showing that life is a journey with its many ups and downs. It doesn't gloss over real-life issues and concepts that may be too abstract for a younger audience -- especially with Spanish and English proficiency at an intermediate level throughout.
At the same time, younger listeners fluent in the language—or who come from Latino communities and backgrounds—may find some of the real-life situations presented on the show as distressing. This presents a great opportunity for wider discussions between parents and kids or for educators in the classroom. The show isn't shy about discussing sexism in Latino culture and how toxic masculine attitudes still exist in many Latino societies today. Castro mentions these concepts and does so with objectivity, avoiding giving her opinions or reducing them to stereotypes. These situations are presented along with powerful messages of female empowerment, personal safety, and independence.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Duolingo Spanish Podcast presents Latino culture and experience. Was there any experiences you could relate to? If so, how did that feel? If not, what did you learn from these different experiences?
How do the people featured on the show demonstrate courage, perseverance, and teamwork? What obstacles did they face and what do you think could have helped them be more supported?
Some experiences in the stories told involved people having to leave their homes to escape unhealthy or abusive situations. Why do you think it is important to remove yourself from an unhealthy or dangerous situation? What does that feel like in your body? What are some tools and resources you can use to gain the courage to leave or change your environment, even when it feels scary or uncomfortable?
What are the benefits of learning and understanding a different language?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Juan Rodriguez Aguilar
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
