If you've decided to practice Spanish, speaking with native speakers is one of the most effective and enjoyable ways to do it. You’ll improve your fluency while connecting directly with the language and culture. But you might be wondering: “What can I talk about?” Don’t worry! Here are five conversation topics that will make your chats more engaging, enjoyable, and productive. As they say, “The best way to learn a language is by sharing stories and laughter,” and with these topics, practicing Spanish will be an absolute delight.
1. Traditional Foods and Recipes
Talking about food is always a winning topic. Traditional dishes not only reflect a country's culture but also introduce you to its culinary delights. To start a conversation, you can ask: “¿Cuál es tu comida favorita y por qué?”. You can share your experiences and discover how to prepare certain recipes. For instance, learning about Spanish paella or Venezuelan arepas can lead to fun anecdotes and family stories.
Discussing food is also a way to discover new flavors and even new words. Just think of dishes like ajiaco, gazpacho, ceviche, paella, hallaca, or pozole—there’s a whole world of vocabulary in Hispanic cuisine!
Here are some phrases you can use:
- “Me gusta mucho la comida típica. ¿Qué plato debería probar de tu país?” / “I really like typical food. What dish should I try from your country?”
- “¿Hay alguna comida que te recuerde a tu familia o a tu infancia?” / “Is there any food that reminds you of your family or your childhood?”
- “En mi país tenemos un plato especial llamado ___. ¿Te gustaría probarlo?” / “In my country, we have a special dish called ___. Would you like to try it?”
2. Festivals and Cultural Traditions
Have you heard of La Feria de Abril in Seville or the Día de los Muertos celebration in Mexico? There’s so much to discover and experience! Discussing festivals is a great way to explore cultural diversity. To learn more, ask: “¿Cuál es tu festividad favorita y cómo la celebras?”. These types of dialogues not only help improve your Spanish but also deepen your understanding of the historical and social context of the culture.
Share your own traditions and learn about others. For example, you could say: “ En mi país celebramos la Navidad de una forma muy especial, ¿cómo es en el tuyo?” .
Here are some ideas for discussing festivals and traditions:
- “¿Conoces alguna leyenda famosa de tu país?” / “Do you know any famous legend from your country?”
- “Me gustan las historias misteriosas. ¿Tienen muchas en tu región?” / “I like mysterious stories. Do you have a lot in your region?”
- “En mi país tenemos una leyenda de ___. ¿Hay algo parecido en el tuyo?” / “In my country, we have a legend about ___. Is there something similar in yours?”
3. Places to Visit and Travel
Talking about travel is another topic of conversation that many people are passionate about. If you want to broach the subject, ask: “¿Cuál es el lugar más hermoso que has visitado en tu país?” / “What is the most beautiful place you have visited in your country?” This type of conversation can lead to recommendations, anecdotes of adventures and, of course, an exchange of dreams of exploring new destinations.
Also, if you want recommendations of places in a Spanish-speaking country, who better than a native to give them! Don't miss the opportunity to comment and ask questions about it, you can say something like: “Siempre he querido visitar Machu Picchu, ¿qué me recomiendas para esa visita?” (I have always wanted to visit Machu Picchu, what do you recommend for that visit?)This way, you not only improve your Spanish, but also get to know more about the cultural and natural treasures of Spanish-speaking countries.
Here are some other travel-related questions:
- “¿Cuál es un lugar bonito en tu país que debería visitar?” / “What’s a beautiful place in your country that I should visit?”
- “¿Has visitado algún lugar que te sorprendió mucho?” / “Have you visited a place that really surprised you?”
- “Si yo fuera a tu país, ¿qué lugares me recomendarías?” / “If I went to your country, what places would you recommend?”
4. Popular Myths and Legends
If you’re interested in mystery, discussing popular myths and legends is a captivating conversation starter. To begin, ask:
“¿Conoces alguna historia de tu región que te haya impactado?” / “Do you know any story from your region that has impacted you?” This often leads to fascinating discussions about beliefs and ancient tales, like La Llorona in Mexico or the Hombre Caimán myth in Colombia.
When sharing stories, you can say something like: “En mi país hay una leyenda sobre un tesoro escondido que solo aparece bajo la luna llena” / “In my country, there is a legend about a hidden treasure that only appears under the full moon” or any story you know. This exchange is not only entertaining, but also allows you to practice narrative expressions and have an engaging conversation.
Explore myths and legends with these prompts:
- “¿Conoces alguna leyenda famosa de tu país?” / “Do you know any famous legend from your country?”
- “Me gustan las historias misteriosas. ¿Tienen muchas en tu región?” / “I like mysterious stories. Do you have a lot in your region?”
- “En mi país tenemos una leyenda de ___. ¿Hay algo parecido en el tuyo?” / “In my country, we have a legend about ___. Is there something similar in yours?”
5. Music and Popular Artists
Music is the universal language and a perfect conversation topic for practicing Spanish. To talk about music, you can ask: “¿Cuál es tu canción favorita en español y por qué?” / “What is your favorite song in Spanish and why?”. Talking about artists and musical genres will allow you to discover new songs and better understand the culture of Spanish-speaking countries.
You can share your tastes and comment something like: “Me encanta la música de Juanes, ¿qué otros artistas colombianos me recomendarías?” / “I love Juanes' music, what other Colombian artists would you recommend?”. This will not only help you practice your Spanish, but will also expand your playlist with Latin rhythms.
Here are some phrases to get the conversation going:
- “¿Qué tipo de música es popular en tu país?” / “What type of music is popular in your country?”
- “¿Conoces algún artista que me recomendarías escuchar?” / “Do you know an artist you’d recommend I listen to?”
- “¿Tienes una canción en español que te guste mucho?” / “Do you have a Spanish song that you really like?”
From delicious traditional recipes to fascinating popular legends, each of these topics allows you to dive into the Spanish language and culture in a unique and enjoyable way. Practicing Spanish is not just about learning a language—it’s about connecting with people, stories, and experiences beyond words.
Each conversation topic you choose is an opportunity to grow and learn. Whether discussing food, traditions, or music, you can be sure that every exchange will be a valuable lesson on your journey to mastering Spanish.
At WorldsAcross, we have everything you need to support you in your learning process. Our native Spanish-speaking tutors and coaches will not only help you improve your Spanish but also guide you through real and authentic conversations.
If you’re looking for something even more exciting, we invite you to experience the WorldsAcross Experience, where you can travel to Spanish-speaking countries, guided by our experts. Imagine immersing yourself fully in the culture, language, and traditions while being supported by professionals who help you live Spanish authentically and immersively. It’s a unique experience that will make your learning journey unforgettable!
So why not take advantage of all this? Keep practicing, exploring, and enjoying every conversation—we’re here to support you every step of the way. Practice makes perfect, and you’re closer than you think to mastering Spanish!
