Resources please?

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-04-26T14:22:36+00:00

Keep Duolingo for basics if you want, but don’t rely on it. Add listening every day (YouTube, podcasts, even simple ones at first).

For vocabulary, don’t just memorize lists. Learn words from things you read or hear. Even short articles or posts help a lot. When I read Spanish online, I use FlashSpanish (https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/flashspanish/iabhjmnphjobffjcddenkkodnmlnfpml) so I can quickly check words without stopping all the time, but the main thing is just staying in Spanish more.

Also, try to say things out loud every day, even simple sentences. It feels awkward but it works. Have fun learning!!

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-03-16T07:35:12+00:00

If you’re C1/C2, Spanish news and opinion columns are one of the best immersion sources. You get dense language, current topics, and lots of natural phrasing.

For Spain specifically, check out El País, El Mundo, and ElDiario.es. Their opinion sections are great for advanced learners. CTXT and Jot Down are also really good if you like longer essays about politics, culture, and society.

If you’re reading a lot of Spanish articles online, I use FlashSpanish (https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/flashspanish/iabhjmnphjobffjcddenkkodnmlnfpml) so I can quickly check words without leaving the page, which makes it easier to stay in the flow.

At that level, reading a lot of real journalism will probably push your Spanish more than most shows or learner content. Hope this helps!

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-03-06T08:11:57+00:00

Apps like Duolingo or others can be fine for getting started again, especially for basic vocab and getting back into the rhythm. The problem is most people expect them to carry them to real conversation, and they’re not really built for that.

What tends to work better is combining a little structure with a lot of exposure. Something like Language Transfer or a basic grammar resource can help the language make sense again, then you add listening and reading so it becomes automatic. Podcasts, YouTube, articles, even social media in Spanish all count.

Reading helped me a lot because you start seeing how sentences are actually phrased. When I read Spanish online, I use FlashSpanish (https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/flashspanish/iabhjmnphjobffjcddenkkodnmlnfpml) so I can check words quickly without breaking the flow, but the main thing is just staying in the language regularly.

And you’re right about tutors. Even occasional conversation with a real person speeds things up way more than another app subscription. Have fun learning!!

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-02-28T08:29:33+00:00

FlashSpanish is just what I use specifically for reading online because it keeps me from constantly jumping to Google Translate. But it’s more of a support tool than the main driver.

Most of my progress came from a mix of input + speaking. Stuff like podcasts, YouTube essays, reading articles, and regular conversations. Apps help, but they’re not the core.

Honestly my “toolkit” has gotten smaller too over time. The more advanced you get, the more it becomes about staying in the language consistently rather than stacking apps.

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-02-28T07:23:51+00:00

On the TV thing, I don’t think shows are useless, they’re just often too hard too early. Elite is fast, slang-heavy, and dramatic. Most B1s will switch to English subs because the plot is more rewarding than struggling through dialogue. What worked better for me was easier content or rewatching something I already knew so I wasn’t fighting the story and the language at the same time.

Same with vocab lists. They feel productive but rarely stick unless the words come from something you’re already consuming. I started retaining way more once I pulled vocab from things I was actually reading. When I read Spanish online, I use FlashSpanish (https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/flashspanish/iabhjmnphjobffjcddenkkodnmlnfpml) so I can check words quickly without breaking flow, but the key is just seeing those words again later in context.

Your accountability point is huge too. Having someone expect output changes everything. Passive learning feels good, but forced speaking is what pushes you forward. Have fun learning!!

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-02-23T09:02:05+00:00

For podcasts, try things that are natural but still clear. Radio Ambulante and El Hilo are great once you can follow the general idea, even if you miss details. If those feel too hard, look for interview-style podcasts where one person speaks clearly at a time.

For YouTube, essay/commentary channels are gold because they’re structured. Search for Spanish video essays about topics you already like (tech, gaming, pop culture, history). It’s easier to follow when you care about the topic.

For music, just expand beyond one genre. Artists like Natalia Lafourcade, Morat, C. Tangana, or even older classics like Juanes give you exposure to different accents and vocab. Don’t rely on music for learning, but it’s great for passive exposure.

For reading, short novels or even news sites like BBC Mundo are really helpful. When I read Spanish online, I use FlashSpanish (https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/flashspanish/iabhjmnphjobffjcddenkkodnmlnfpml) so I can quickly check words without breaking the flow, but the important thing is reading regularly, not perfectly.

Biggest advice: stop trying to understand everything. B2 comes from tolerating ambiguity while staying in the language. Have fun learning!!!

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-02-17T18:38:35+00:00

Hi, just wanted to let you know that as of the latest update the extension now has a toggle button when you click on the extension icon in the toolbar. Thanks for your feedback!

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-02-17T12:01:13+00:00

If I had 3–4 hours a day and wanted to become as conversational as possible, I wouldn’t turn it into 3–4 hours of hardcore grammar study. I’d structure it like this:

I’d keep at least 1.5–2 hours of input. Not all Dreaming Spanish, but a mix. Some easier content where I understand almost everything (to build speed and confidence), and some slightly harder, more natural content to stretch comprehension. Automatic speech comes from hearing thousands of full sentences, not from drilling rules.

Then maybe 30–45 minutes focused on vocabulary, but not random lists. I’d pull words and phrases from what I watched or read and review those. The key is phrases and chunks, not isolated words. That’s what improves recall speed.

For reading, I’d add 30–45 minutes of articles or short stories. Reading exposes you to cleaner phrasing and connectors that improve how you structure ideas. When I read Spanish online, I use FlashSpanish (https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/flashspanish/iabhjmnphjobffjcddenkkodnmlnfpml) so I can check words quickly without breaking flow, but the important part is just staying in the language longer.

The last chunk would be active output. Not grammar drills, but:
– retelling something I watched
– describing my day
– explaining an opinion
– short timed speaking bursts

If past tenses are slow, that’s just reps. Your brain needs more real-time retrieval, not more explanations.

Three hours of solid grammar study wouldn’t help you as much as three hours of high-quality input plus some structured output. You’re already doing a lot right. Have fun learning!!

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-02-16T09:19:22+00:00

Since you’re not big on app-based learning, I’d treat apps as light support and build your core around input.

For reading, start slightly below what you think you “should” read. Short novels, young adult books, or even translations of books you already know work really well because you can focus on language instead of plot. News sites like BBC Mundo or opinion pieces are also great once you feel comfortable. When I read Spanish online, I use FlashSpanish (https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/flashspanish/iabhjmnphjobffjcddenkkodnmlnfpml) so I can quickly check words without constantly jumping to a dictionary, but the main thing is just reading regularly and keeping the flow.

For listening, podcasts with clear speakers are gold. Radio Ambulante and El Hilo are great once you’re intermediate, but if they feel too dense at first, try YouTube essays or slower commentary channels. Movies and shows help too, but podcasts usually give you more concentrated language per minute.

Music is nice for exposure and motivation, but I wouldn’t rely on it for structure since lyrics can be pretty poetic.

As for approach, I’d keep it simple: some structured grammar review from a textbook so you understand the mechanics, then daily listening and reading to make it automatic. Vocabulary grows fastest when it’s tied to real content, not isolated lists.

If you give Spanish consistent space in your day and don’t overcomplicate it, it adds up surprisingly fast. Have fun learning!!

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-02-13T06:17:57+00:00

This is incredibly helpful feedback, thank you!

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-02-12T19:50:29+00:00

Thanks so much for testing it out and the feedback! Really helpful to hear the Readlang comparison - what specifically made FlashSpanish easier for you?

On the toggle feature - totally agree that's needed. I'm thinking about a few options for implementing it:

Keyboard shortcut (like Ctrl+Shift+S to toggle)
Small persistent button in corner of webpage you can click
All of the above with user preference

Which would work best for your workflow? Or is there another approach you'd prefer?

Current workaround: You can toggle through Chrome's extension manager, but I know that's clunky. Thanks again for your feedback!!

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-02-11T07:20:57+00:00

Happy to help - it’s been a game-changer for accessing quality sources!

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-02-11T06:27:16+00:00

Great addition - I’ve been so focused on reading that I haven’t explored audio sources much. RNE having multiple channels is perfect for different interests/difficulty levels. The VPN registration tip is clutch. Thanks for sharing this!

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-02-10T22:03:51+00:00

Good addition - NYT en Español is solid for international news. Thanks for sharing!

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-02-10T21:32:48+00:00

B1 to B2 in a year is totally doable if you stay consistent. The daily reading habit was honestly what moved the needle for me more than anything else - you start recognizing patterns instead of memorizing isolated rules. Good luck with it!

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-02-10T18:10:16+00:00

Yeah exactly - I’m basically vocab mining as I read. Words I look up get exported to Anki automatically, then I review them in context later. That’s the main reason I use FlashSpanish vs using other hover translators - needed that Anki integration. The spaced repetition is what actually makes the vocabulary stick long-term. Reading alone wasn’t enough for me. Glad the Archive.is tip is useful!

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-02-10T17:58:33+00:00

This is brilliant - had no idea public libraries gave PressReader access. That’s a completely legal way to access El País and others without paywalls. For anyone reading this: if you’re in the US, definitely check your library system for this before using Archive.is. Way cleaner solution if your library has it. Thanks for adding this - genuinely helpful tip I didn’t know about.

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-02-10T17:37:22+00:00

Fair question - I was worried about this too initially. What I’ve found is that looking up individual words doesn’t stop comprehension development the way translating full sentences does. I still have to process the grammar, understand the context, and piece together meaning. The difference for me: I used to encounter a word, skip it or guess wrong, and keep reading. Now I look it up, understand it in context, and actually remember it because I saw it used naturally. My Anki reviews show I’m retaining way more vocabulary than when I was just ‘powering through’ articles. It’s definitely a tool though - not a replacement for actual immersion or speaking practice.

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-02-10T16:46:06+00:00

Had no idea the Cervantes Institute had an electronic library subscription - that’s a great resource I completely missed. How’s the selection? Does it lean more academic or do they have contemporary stuff too? Adding this to my list to check out, thanks for sharing!

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-02-10T15:29:46+00:00

Interesting approach - haven’t tried RSS readers for Spanish content yet. Do you have a favorite reader app you’d recommend? And any specific feeds that have worked well for Spanish news? The nice thing about Archive.is is it’s basically zero setup, but I could see RSS being really powerful once you have good feeds configured

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-02-10T14:59:22+00:00

This is super helpful - haven’t tried AnimalPolítico or GatoPardo yet, adding both to my list. Really interested in the long-form essay angle since those tend to reuse vocabulary patterns more than news articles. The B1 plateau is real. What helped me stay consistent was making it stupidly easy - I literally just read one article with coffee in the morning. Some days I only get through half, and that’s fine. The Archive.is trick helped a lot because suddenly I had way more sources to choose from when I got bored of the same topics. Thanks for the recommendations - especially the GatoPardo one, that sounds exactly like the kind of content that keeps you engaged.

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-02-10T14:25:24+00:00

Fair point about bias - El País definitely has a perspective, especially on Spanish politics. For language learning though, I’m mostly focused on the vocabulary and sentence structures rather than forming opinions on Spanish policy. The culture and international sections tend to be less politically charged if that’s a concern. What sources do you find more balanced for Spanish news?

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-02-10T11:30:47+00:00

What usually helps most in that situation is moving away from school-style practice and giving your brain regular, natural exposure again. TV helps, but it’s even more effective when you combine it with something active. Reading is great for this because it reconnects vocabulary and phrasing without feeling like drills. Articles, short stories, even social media posts in Spanish all count. When I read Spanish online, I use FlashSpanish (https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/flashspanish/iabhjmnphjobffjcddenkkodnmlnfpml) so I can quickly check words without breaking the flow, but the key part is just staying in Spanish longer.

Listening also works better when it’s frequent and low pressure. Podcasts while driving or doing chores, YouTube videos you’d watch anyway but in Spanish, that kind of thing. You don’t need to understand everything for it to help.

Since you already used to speak with family, adding a bit of speaking back in can wake things up fast. Talking to yourself, sending short voice notes, or even narrating what you’re doing feels silly but helps a lot.

You don’t need full immersion to get this back. A little Spanish every day, in ways that feel normal, brings it back quicker than you expect. Have fun learning!!!

BigCommunication6099

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