I really hope that people come across this video when starting their Spanish journey. It sets realistic expectations and gives strategies I've found effective for my own language learning, as well as ones I've recommended to my students when I was an ESL teacher. I agree that repeated listening/reading/watching is very underrated. I think people can fall into the trap of feeling that by re-watching something, they're "not making progress", when in fact it's the opposite. Learning words, phrases, or grammatical structures takes repetition, so repeatedly consuming something whose meaning you already mostly grasp is excellent for learning. Proper pronunciation is also often overlooked (I'm American and I find Americans especially tend to ignore this step). The RUclips channel "Ten Minute Spanish" has some great pronunciation tutorials as well. Lastly, I think motivated learners can focus on comprehension almost from day one. I would recommend the PBS telenovela "Destinos" to any beginner. It's available free online and scaffolds vocabulary and grammar concepts in a really effective way.
I sincerely think every plan should include Language Transfer initially because it makes Spanish soooo much less daunting for an English speaker. Realising how many shared Latin words there are and getting you used to the systems of Spanish without jumping into grammar just makes it much more fun, and it really sticks. I’ve not found anything remotely like it, nor anything at a beginner level which offers as much potential to improve for time spent on it. And it’s free!!!
Also, I’ve found the Language for False Beginners podcast, with transcripts for reading along, to be a good resource for repeated listening/reading and for pushing me out of my comfort zone as a beginner.
Thank you so much for the Pimsleur recommendation! I speak Spanish pretty well, my father is Peruvian and I've lived in Miami just about my entire life. Most apps start at the beginning and don't explain anything. I started at level 2 on this which feels easy but it's great practice and I already feel like I learned a lot in my first lesson. This has me thinking more in Spanish than other apps. I appreciate your video!
My advice is to not sweat the grammar ! Don’t get bogged down in it .Yes you need it but I just went with the flow and let spoken Spanish wash over me rather than try to understand individual words or worry about grammar . However, you MUST at some point learn the Subjunctive ! I know that sounds contradictory 😀 Don’t fret over it ,it comes naturally eventually. As the guy says , just learn in small chunks each day and your ear will get used to Spanish . Also , speak, speak speak ! As much as you can .make stuff up and talk to yourself or get a friend in another country as I did .A language exchange . Remember , learning a language is a LIFE LONG endeavour .Good luck ! You can do this ! and remember that it is just a hobby ! It is fun !
I have an interesting question ,do you think it's possible to know multiple languages at the same very advanced level ? I talking about something like 5 languages....
You have to supplement it with other stuff but it’s a good base to work with IMO. The match madness is very good for learning vocab. It’s also a good way to keep you going. I paid for it and have a streak of 145 days and it definitely has helped me immensely. I gotta say out of all things, watching Peppa Pig and Bluey, with my kid en español has helped the most. Also highly recommend Destinos the tv novella intro to Spanish. Very well done.
Apps are good for input. We get simple sentences in structure, but you could do that for 4 years, and you'll be like most of everyone who took Spanish in school. You could conjugate some verbs, but you can't converse. I realized that after 200+ days, so now I practice speaking with friends, I use chatgpt, and I read conversation books.
Alot of people hate on Duolingo, but I think it's a helpful tool to get you started. Nothing will make you fluent except the necessary hard work, but, once again, Duolingo is a good tool to get you started.
that's right. I do have some videos on my channel that are fully in Spanish (the thumbnail usually says "en español") which you are welcome to check out. Thanks for watching
@@BreakthroughSpanish I watch a lot of your videos. I taught English in Colombia to school kids for a few years but my Spanish is nowhere near as good as yours so I appreciate how good you are at teaching. Cheers.
![How to Roll Your R's, Step-by-Step [Spanish Pronunciation]](/img/1.gif)
I really hope that people come across this video when starting their Spanish journey. It sets realistic expectations and gives strategies I've found effective for my own language learning, as well as ones I've recommended to my students when I was an ESL teacher.
I agree that repeated listening/reading/watching is very underrated. I think people can fall into the trap of feeling that by re-watching something, they're "not making progress", when in fact it's the opposite. Learning words, phrases, or grammatical structures takes repetition, so repeatedly consuming something whose meaning you already mostly grasp is excellent for learning.
Proper pronunciation is also often overlooked (I'm American and I find Americans especially tend to ignore this step). The RUclips channel "Ten Minute Spanish" has some great pronunciation tutorials as well.
Lastly, I think motivated learners can focus on comprehension almost from day one. I would recommend the PBS telenovela "Destinos" to any beginner. It's available free online and scaffolds vocabulary and grammar concepts in a really effective way.
I sincerely think every plan should include Language Transfer initially because it makes Spanish soooo much less daunting for an English speaker. Realising how many shared Latin words there are and getting you used to the systems of Spanish without jumping into grammar just makes it much more fun, and it really sticks. I’ve not found anything remotely like it, nor anything at a beginner level which offers as much potential to improve for time spent on it. And it’s free!!!
Also, I’ve found the Language for False Beginners podcast, with transcripts for reading along, to be a good resource for repeated listening/reading and for pushing me out of my comfort zone as a beginner.
Totally agree
Language transfer I always recommend, it is the best app
As I’ve been learning Spanish, the things you said in this video is accurate and I’ve learned the things you said in the process!
Thank you so much for the Pimsleur recommendation! I speak Spanish pretty well, my father is Peruvian and I've lived in Miami just about my entire life. Most apps start at the beginning and don't explain anything. I started at level 2 on this which feels easy but it's great practice and I already feel like I learned a lot in my first lesson. This has me thinking more in Spanish than other apps. I appreciate your video!
My advice is to not sweat the grammar ! Don’t get bogged down in it .Yes you need it but I just went with the flow and let spoken Spanish wash over me rather than try to understand individual words or worry about grammar . However, you MUST at some point learn the Subjunctive ! I know that sounds contradictory 😀 Don’t fret over it ,it comes naturally eventually. As the guy says , just learn in small chunks each day and your ear will get used to Spanish . Also , speak, speak speak ! As much as you can .make stuff up and talk to yourself or get a friend in another country as I did .A language exchange . Remember , learning a language is a LIFE LONG endeavour .Good luck ! You can do this ! and remember that it is just a hobby ! It is fun !
Your wish is my command! I shall learn the Subjunctive right now. Thanks for the headsup.
Thank you for this video
I have an interesting question ,do you think it's possible to know multiple languages at the same very advanced level ? I talking about something like 5 languages....
Your Spanish is very good. Do people ever confuse you for a native speaker?
Thank you so much!
Great advice. Well considered and laid out. Gracias.
Is Duolingo a good tool to use?
it's not my favorite but it can be useful as a tool (not the core of your learning)
You have to supplement it with other stuff but it’s a good base to work with IMO. The match madness is very good for learning vocab. It’s also a good way to keep you going. I paid for it and have a streak of 145 days and it definitely has helped me immensely. I gotta say out of all things, watching Peppa Pig and Bluey, with my kid en español has helped the most. Also highly recommend Destinos the tv novella intro to Spanish. Very well done.
NO!
Apps are good for input. We get simple sentences in structure, but you could do that for 4 years, and you'll be like most of everyone who took Spanish in school. You could conjugate some verbs, but you can't converse. I realized that after 200+ days, so now I practice speaking with friends, I use chatgpt, and I read conversation books.
Alot of people hate on Duolingo, but I think it's a helpful tool to get you started. Nothing will make you fluent except the necessary hard work, but, once again, Duolingo is a good tool to get you started.
🌟🌹🔥🌹🌟😊
i dont think fluent in 30 days is possible 😂😂😂
You would have to do about 10 hours a day straight for 30 days and that only if you retain everything well lol
Por qué tú no hablas en este video en español
Because he’s talking to people who don’t speak Spanish.
that's right. I do have some videos on my channel that are fully in Spanish (the thumbnail usually says "en español") which you are welcome to check out. Thanks for watching
@@BreakthroughSpanish I watch a lot of your videos. I taught English in Colombia to school kids for a few years but my Spanish is nowhere near as good as yours so I appreciate how good you are at teaching. Cheers.