Great stuff here, as usual. It's encouraging to see your timeline. I feel like I am pretty much between the first and second bubble. It's frustrating, but progress is happening. Vamos a ver.
No tengo dudas de que lo vayas a lograr Rocco! 💪 I'm sure you've seen lots of advancements now that you're in Spain, and definitely don't despair at those plateau phases, progress is happening below the surface.
Ah I really want to learn a language 'properly' (since GCSE level French and German is a long way back now!) but I can't afford the cost of classes or tuition at the moment and am just doing Duolingo, which I know isn't really cutting it!! I know I need to make more time for it too, and I'm coming up with all the excuses in my head! Is there anything you'd recommend that's a step up from Duolingo learning if you can't currently spare the time/money for lessons? x
- Watch a tv show that you already have seen before, dubbed in the foreign language you want to learn with subtitles in that language. This made the biggest difference for me (Thanks, 'Friends'!)
- Read YA books in the language, I found children's books to be too simple but YA books hit the sweet spot. Again, better if it's a book you've already read and loved. I've heard it's best to just highlight words you don't know but keep reading through and then look up the words later. Otherwise it gets too laborious to stop every few words, and you never really get into the book. Plus, some words you learn just through repetition and context clues.
- Podcasts, usually there are simple language learning ones that are good starters.
- Music in the language. Bonus points if you can look up the lyrics and try to memorize them/sing along. I still do this and it helps a lot with getting more comfortable speaking the language.
Seconding the recommendation to read YA books. I started with Harry Potter. I commit to 15-20min per day. I literately set a timer and try to focus for just that time. It really does get easier! After many YA books, I even graduated to a full on adult book. Good luck!
The "creativity while learning" thread resonates with me. On a ski trip to the French Alps, armed only with 2 yrs of HS French and a phrase book, my ski binding came loose at the top of the first chair my first day in France. I spent 10 mins trying to explain to the lift operator I needed a screwdriver. He didn't speak English and I was using a French verb that didn't mean "adjust". We finally figured it out and laughed. When I caught up to my friend I told him "This is great. I spent $100 for a lift ticket so I could play charades with the lift operator." Never forgot the French verb for "adjust" after that.
Exactly, love stories like this that manifest along the language learning journey. Fun day on the ski slopes, $100. Learning a new French word you'll never forget, priceless! ;)
I suppose I would be considered a high beginner level in Spanish. I always start my (brief!) conversations with “lo siento, mi español es limitado”, then I go on with my question, or whatever. I always get a slower, simpler, and more patient response. It’s a fun way to engage while hopefully keeping things simple enough for me. I know word order and a fair amount of grammar, but I lack the vocabulary for so many things. It is pretty important to avoid trying to say things in the same way you would in English. Now, after years of slowly getting better at Spanish, I might be on a left turn path into Portuguese. I’m hoping some of what I know will translate!
Such a great idea to start with that phrase! Otherwise they can just jump head first into a rapid fire monologue and you're left in the dust haha. I've heard there's a lot of crossover between Spanish and Portuguese, I'm hoping it's smooth for you! The incredible seafood in Portugal is worth the effort anyway ;)
Enjoyed your insights! I love how you highlighted that fluency is an ongoing endeavor and evolves as your context and needs evolve. I too, have been in so many scenarios describing a word I am looking for. I find it the best way to learn. A long time ago I remember trying to describe vanilla. It went something like "it smells really good and is used to make cakes..."
Great stuff here, as usual. It's encouraging to see your timeline. I feel like I am pretty much between the first and second bubble. It's frustrating, but progress is happening. Vamos a ver.
No tengo dudas de que lo vayas a lograr Rocco! 💪 I'm sure you've seen lots of advancements now that you're in Spain, and definitely don't despair at those plateau phases, progress is happening below the surface.
Ah I really want to learn a language 'properly' (since GCSE level French and German is a long way back now!) but I can't afford the cost of classes or tuition at the moment and am just doing Duolingo, which I know isn't really cutting it!! I know I need to make more time for it too, and I'm coming up with all the excuses in my head! Is there anything you'd recommend that's a step up from Duolingo learning if you can't currently spare the time/money for lessons? x
Hi Louise! A few ideas for you! :)
- Watch a tv show that you already have seen before, dubbed in the foreign language you want to learn with subtitles in that language. This made the biggest difference for me (Thanks, 'Friends'!)
- Read YA books in the language, I found children's books to be too simple but YA books hit the sweet spot. Again, better if it's a book you've already read and loved. I've heard it's best to just highlight words you don't know but keep reading through and then look up the words later. Otherwise it gets too laborious to stop every few words, and you never really get into the book. Plus, some words you learn just through repetition and context clues.
- Podcasts, usually there are simple language learning ones that are good starters.
- Music in the language. Bonus points if you can look up the lyrics and try to memorize them/sing along. I still do this and it helps a lot with getting more comfortable speaking the language.
Hope these help, you got this!
Ah this is brilliant, thank you! Harry Potter Book 1 and Friends in Spanish it is!! :D
Seconding the recommendation to read YA books. I started with Harry Potter. I commit to 15-20min per day. I literately set a timer and try to focus for just that time. It really does get easier! After many YA books, I even graduated to a full on adult book. Good luck!
Thank you Lena!! 🙏
The "creativity while learning" thread resonates with me. On a ski trip to the French Alps, armed only with 2 yrs of HS French and a phrase book, my ski binding came loose at the top of the first chair my first day in France. I spent 10 mins trying to explain to the lift operator I needed a screwdriver. He didn't speak English and I was using a French verb that didn't mean "adjust". We finally figured it out and laughed. When I caught up to my friend I told him "This is great. I spent $100 for a lift ticket so I could play charades with the lift operator." Never forgot the French verb for "adjust" after that.
Exactly, love stories like this that manifest along the language learning journey. Fun day on the ski slopes, $100. Learning a new French word you'll never forget, priceless! ;)
I suppose I would be considered a high beginner level in Spanish. I always start my (brief!) conversations with “lo siento, mi español es limitado”, then I go on with my question, or whatever. I always get a slower, simpler, and more patient response. It’s a fun way to engage while hopefully keeping things simple enough for me. I know word order and a fair amount of grammar, but I lack the vocabulary for so many things. It is pretty important to avoid trying to say things in the same way you would in English. Now, after years of slowly getting better at Spanish, I might be on a left turn path into Portuguese. I’m hoping some of what I know will translate!
Such a great idea to start with that phrase! Otherwise they can just jump head first into a rapid fire monologue and you're left in the dust haha. I've heard there's a lot of crossover between Spanish and Portuguese, I'm hoping it's smooth for you! The incredible seafood in Portugal is worth the effort anyway ;)
It's funny, I know how to say umbrella in Italian, but I don't yet know how to say stick, or fabric, or protects, or rain!
Enjoyed your insights! I love how you highlighted that fluency is an ongoing endeavor and evolves as your context and needs evolve. I too, have been in so many scenarios describing a word I am looking for. I find it the best way to learn. A long time ago I remember trying to describe vanilla. It went something like "it smells really good and is used to make cakes..."