12 Must-See TED Talks in Spanish for Learners of Every Level

Have you ever watched TED talks in Spanish? They’ve become super popular all over the world. According to TED, the videos are “viewed at a rate of 1.5 million times a day—which means that a new viewing commences 17 times a second.” 

TED talks are held in 180 countries and are usually 10-20 minutes long. They are meant to inspire, entertain, and prompt thinking about important topics. And TED talks in Spanish are no exception! 

Here’s a complete list of TED talks in Spanish. Keep reading for a curated list of 12 of the best!

Learning Strategies for Beginners

If you’re a Spanish beginner learner, here are some tips to help you follow along:

• Make sure to turn on the closed caption found on the YouTube videos. 
• You can change the speed of the videos to make the audio go slower. 
• Pause and repeat whenever you’re not sure of a word or phrase. 

12 Must-See TED Talks in Spanish

All of these TED talks in Spanish are for learners of all ages. Consider watching these videos with friends and family and discussing them afterwards. With each talk description, I’ve included several key Spanish vocabulary words to listen for. Let’s begin!

1. ¿Y Si Nos Conocemos? (And If We Knew Each Other?) by Ignacio Iglesias 

This TED talk in Spanish is about being a soccer referee and the psychology behind managing a game with millions of viewers. He shares the amount of pressure he’s under and what it can teach you. He also shares how much he loves it, even though he might not be liked by others. 

This talk is from 2012. I like how honest and real this TED talk in Spanish is and how much we can learn from the middle ground. This video is great for grammar practice and for listening to Spanish from Spain. 

Vocabulary words to look out for:

2. Yo vivo en una isla (I Live on an Island) by Reyna Oleas 

This TED talk in Spanish has English subtitles, so it’s perfect for intermediate students and those who like to read along while watching. This talk is by a resident of the ecological paradise, the Galápagos Islands. It is 97% protected and only 3% inhabited, so it’s a challenging place to live. 

Reyna shares about the many problems in the populated parts of the islands such as electricity, water, and garbage disposal and explains why these are such major issues worldwide. Watch this amazing talk to expand your vocabulary related to the environment and nature. 

Vocabulary words to look out for:

3. Canaliza tu energía y termina tus proyectos (Channel Your Energy and Finish Your Projects) by Stefany Cohen 

Panamanian Stefany Cohen talks about a common issue for many people—ideas or projects that we start and never finish. In this Spanish TED talk, Stefany gives advice on how to manage your energy to complete projects. 

She talks about how the energy we exchange with each other affects us more than we think. It’s a unique video because she speaks clearly and her body language is open and friendly. 

Vocabulary words to look out for:

4. A mi mala suerte la escribo yo  (I Write to My Bad Luck) by José Playo

This is a TED talk in Spanish from Córdoba, Argentina. José talks about overcoming a major challenge in a light-hearted way. He shares some of his greatest fears and how he overcame them. We can all apply these lessons to the problems we face. 

This humorous TED talk also provides a wonderful opportunity to see how many of the jokes you understand. He’s a wonderful public speaker and storyteller, and the TED talk just flies by. 

Vocabulary words to look out for:

5. ¿Cómo promover la felicidad de los peruanos? (How to promote the happiness of Peruvians) by Jorge Yamamoto

In this TED talk in Spanish, Jorge Yamamote shares how Latin America is the happiest place on Earth, focusing specifically on Peru. He also discusses the pros and cons of living in Latin America. 

Not only will you learn about what feeds happiness, but you’ll also be encouraged to travel and practice your Spanish as much as you can—and to see first-hand why people are so happy in Latin America. 

Vocabulary words to look out for:

6. Secretos de la relación corazón-cerebro (Secrets of the Heart-Brain Relationship) by Luciano Sposato

Luciano is from Argentina, and he focuses on the connection between the heart and the brain. In this TED talk in Spanish, he explains how we make decisions, why gut feelings are real, what butterflies in your stomach are, and why we feel heartbreak. 

He uses clear examples and speaks slowly. You might be surprised to learn why the World Cup may actually be bad for public health.

Vocabulary words to look out for:

7. No Vayas Más Gimnasio (Don’t Go to the Gym) by Julian Rud

In this TED talk in Spanish, Julian Rud argues that we shouldn’t go to the gym. He is a fitness expert and he explains fitness in a way that we can all relate. This talk uses simple vocabulary, although he speaks quickly. It’s great practice if you want to test your skills in Spanish.

For most of us, working out is hard and Rud’s 2015 talk offers a humorous way to turn pain into fun!  

Vocabulary words to look out for:

8. Por Qué Son Obras De Arte Los Videojuegos (Why Videogames are a Work of Art) by María Luján Oulton

In this TED talk in Spanish, María Luján Oulton explains the art of videogames. It’s an interesting topic that leads to a deeper discussion of art. 

According to this speaker, if art is defined by beauty then maybe it’s just a reflection of society. She gives examples and uses video games in her talk to explain her point. She uses many words to compare and express which are amazing Spanish practices. She explains why some video games are art while others are not.

Vocabulary words to look out for:

9. Cómo Construir La Mejor Casa Del Mundo (How to Build The Best House in the World) by Bejamín García

If you are a fan of architecture, you will love this talk. Bejamín García designed a home that won the Best House in the World award at the World Architecture Festival in 2010. 

The Costa Rican architect describes how he designed a home for his mother called A Forest for a Moon Dazzler. The stunning bamboo house is in the rainforest of Costa Rica. 

Vocabulary words to look out for:

10. Las Historias de la Historia (The History of History) by Javier Olivares 

There’s a popular TV show in Spain called Ministerio del Tiempo about a “minister of time” who protects the doors of time travel so that no one can go back in history to change it. 

Javier Olivares is the producer of the show and starts his talk by explaining how this story came about. You may be inspired to write your own story after watching this TED talk in Spanish. 

Vocabulary words to look out for:

11. Risaterapia (Laugh therapy) by Andrés Aguilar

In this TED talk, the founder of the Risaterapia foundation makes a lively argument that we shouldn’t take everything so seriously. He explains how much better life can be if you don’t take problems so seriously.

This is an exceptional talk to listen to because he speaks clearly and uses adjectives for emotions such as happiness, sadness, emotional health, and more.

Vocabulary words to look out for:

12. ¿Vivirías en una Ciudad Flotante en el Cielo? (Would You Live in a Floating City in the Sky?) by Tomás Saraceno

This is a mind-bending talk about science and art. Tomás Saraceno discusses sustainability options for the future. He talks about how much he wanted to live in the clouds and how it’s not that far off. 

He encourages us to dream of living in the clouds without burning a single drop of fossil fuel. He invites us to explore our own mind and come up with solutions to the ecological problems we’re currently facing. 

This is an optimistic and a beautiful TED talk in Spanish. Sometimes his vocabulary is advanced, so I recommend watching it with English subtitles. This futuristic TED talk will have you dreaming of grander worlds. 

Vocabulary words to look out for:

What are your Favorite TED Talks in Spanish?

Whichever kind of TED talk you prefer, they’re a fun way to learn Spanish and be inspired by fascinating speakers of the language. 

I love to watch TED talks because they’re so uplifting. What’s more, they’re excellent practice for language learning. But the best way to advance in your Spanish-speaking journey is by talking with a native Spanish speaker. Sign up for a free trial class and practice your skills today! 

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Mar Z. Luna

Freelance Writer at Learn Grow Travel

Mar Z. Luna is a published writer and communicator who loves to explore and educate. She majored in Communications and strives to help others improve their lives. She recently published a book, Inside, and has contributed to different publications such as Que Pasa Magazine. Communicating comes naturally to her and she hopes to simplify what seems complex by using reliable sources and her teaching experience. You can find her at www.learngrowtravel.com

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