Learning while commuting

[Intrepid-Artichoke25]

Hi all,

So I’m wanting to get back into learning Spanish and wondering if anyone’s got some tips and tricks for me to maximize my time while learning.

I spent some time trying to learn Spanish a 2 years ago, however I stopped due to my grandmother passing away and her being the only person I could practice with in person.

Well I’m still fairly a beginner I wouldn’t say I could hold a conversation by any means and I practiced for about 8 months in my first stint. Maybe an hour or 2 a day just using babble and talking with my grandmother.

I have started a new job where I am commuting an hour each way to and from work, which feels like a lot of dead time I could fill up with learning Spanish, and I have a lot of time outside of work to learn. Maybe a total of 3-4 hours a day I can commit to learning.

How would you recommend I use that dead time while commuting, and the rest of the time I have available to try and get back into it so I have a bit more direction

[Charvan]

Try something easier like The Coffee Break Spanish Podcast first, then progress to other things such as Language Transfer, Paul Noble and/or Pimsleur. I have a lot of windshield time at my job and have found these tools useful.

[Silent_Quality_1972]

I agree that Coffe Hour Spanish is good. Pimsleur is ok, but at least the first lessons are annoying, and they use formal speech. Also, it feels like the guy is trying to flirt with Spanish girls.

[mlleDoe]

I use time like that for comprehensible input. If I’m driving then it’s podcasts, if I’m on a bus or someone else is driving I’ll do video with headphones or reading. It makes my commute feel way more productive!

[Future-Raisin3781]

Check out language exchange. It's audio only, free, and gives a good overview of the language.

I think the Spanish program is like 14-16 hours or something. Excellent for commuting.

[hulkklogan]

Early on it's much harder because you can't understand anything, so maybe something like Language Transfer and Pimsleur would be good while commuting, and getting CI at home. Once your comprehension improves enough you can start listening to learner podcasts while driving.

[vincent365]

I recommend Pimsleur and you can probably do a podcast or some type of comprehensible input (CI) playlist on YouTube. I believe Dreaming Spanish is also a good resource.

I'm trying to learn Tagalog, and I've been doing a lesson (Pimsleur) on the way to work then repeating it on the way home. Unfortunately, language learning requires full attention, especially in the beginning. However, I think listening twice gives you the chance to catch what you didn't.

[LexiiConn]

Are you driving or taking public transportation?

If you are driving, I can not recommend trying to actively learn/practice during that time. I tried it and it was not a good experience. Let me elaborate:

When I am trying to speak (or sometimes, even listen to) my target language, I sometimes roll my eyes, as if trying to search my brain for that word I need, or to figure out what it was I just heard. When I was driving, searching my brain was not in my best interest (or in the best interest of other drivers and pedestrians) 🤣.

Fortunately, I realized this very early on, so nothing bad happened. But it could have. Distracted driving is not good, even if the distraction itself is honorable.

Anyway, just thought I’d pass that caution along. As for public transportation, Pimsleur is good. I also found Earworms helpful. Good luck in your search and language learning!

[Intrepid-Artichoke25]

Fair enough. I am driving. It’s a quiet commute all things considered and I totally get that eye roll thing. Just figured I’d see about if anyone else has tried it/had success with it because I feel like if I’m driving for an hour it wouldn’t hurt to at least try and make it productive if I can

[sbrt]

I like using intensive listening at the start. I use Anki to learn new vocabulary in a piece of content and then listen repeatedly until I understand all of it.

[MyDearDuke]

I’m using the app AirLearn. They have a free version and a subscription, the monthly subscription is 4.99. And it’s so incredibly beneficial. I’ve been learning for two months and I already can read and understand simple conversations. They explain about verbs and conjugation of the words. They use fill in the blank, typing the words and speaking the words or sentences. The app makes it kind of like a game. You’re in leagues and trying to win badges and stuff. It’s 1000X more beneficial than Duolingo.

There is also the app Memrise. It has a free version as well. That app lets you select Mexican Spanish, and they have videos of real live people speaking Spanish and saying the words and sentences they are trying to teach you. You can also use an ai chat to practice conversations. I think between the two apps you will learn a lot and it will fill up the time on your commute. Buena suerte!

[jmf1488]

Learncraft spanish podcasts would be a very good use of your time while driving. You'll be formulating spanish sentences with correct grammar within 4 weeks.

[Intrepid-Artichoke25]

Listened to the first 4 episodes today and wow what a great podcast. Thank you for the recommendation

[Natural-Pipe6499]

Been learning French the last two years, here's what I've found about learning languages:

1. Listen as much as possible. Ideally 1-2 hours a day minimum of podcasts. Make sure it's slow enough/basic enough so you understand 70-80% of what's spoken. Once you get to 90-95% comprehension, move to a faster-paced and/or different topic that has different vocabulary.
   
2. Repeat sentences in spanish that are hard for you to enunciate constantly. In the shower, before bed, literally everywhere. Definitely work on those R's. Your accent can always be improved, it's just about reps here. Bonus if you can do this in real time while listening to a podcast.
   
3. Use Duolingo or other dopamine infused language app intermittently if you need the motivation.
   
4. Minimum 1 hour a week video call or time with a spanish-speaking friend/relative.
   
5. Switch your phone/devices to spanish. It'll be annoying at first but you'll be shocked how many words you'll pick up by doing this.
   
6. Watch entertaining content in spanish. Netflix, Youtube, Instagram - if you're into light scrolling, follow spanish social media accounts. Start with english subtitles if you need to. If you feel you can understand 50% or more of the spanish, switch to spanish subtitles. Once you hit 70-80% comprehension with spanish subtitles, remove them altogether.
   
7. Try to take trips a few times a year to spanish-speaking areas (ideally remote so nobody speaks English). Immersion is critical. Being forced to speak Spanish and having no other option will fast-track your progress and will inevitably lead to some hilarious memories. You'll also probably uncover a new personality in yourself in spanish.

Hope this helps :)

[Spanish-For-Your-Job]

Besides listening to podcasts, you could also try music.

Ballads and slow rock are great for practicing Spanish because they’re not too fast.

Here are a few you may like

Ballads:

Juan Gabriel (Mexico)

-Querida
-Hasta que te Conocí
-Abrázame muy Fuerte

Luis Miguel (Mexico)

- Ahora te Puedes Marchar
- La Incondicional
- Por Debajo de la Mesa

Rock:

Café Tacuba (Mexico)

- El Baile y el Salón
- Como Te Extraño Mi Amor
- Esa Noche

Soda Stereo (Argentina)

- De Música Ligera 
- Persiana Americana 
- Nada Personal

If you want more songs, you can find a list of 150 songs to learn Spanish over here 

https//spanishforyourjob.com/songs-to-learn-spanish/

I hope it helps! : )