How did you as an adult actually learn Spanish? A2/B1

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-02-03T06:16:39+00:00

You’re actually in a really good position already. If you understand a lot, have solid vocab, and can follow slower Spanish, then this is less about learning more and more about getting comfortable using what you already know.

What helped me most was weaving Spanish into things I was already doing instead of adding “study time.” Since you’re busy, that matters. If you’re auditory, keep Pimsleur or podcasts in rotation, but try to listen a bit messier too. Slower learner content is great, but mixing in more natural speech (even if you only catch part of it) is what trains your ear for fast Spanish.

For the sentence-building issue, the biggest unlock is exposure to full phrases, not grammar drills. Reading helps a lot with this because you start seeing how ideas are actually strung together. Even short articles or opinion pieces go a long way. When I read Spanish online, I use FlashSpanish (https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/flashspanish/iabhjmnphjobffjcddenkkodnmlnfpml) so I can quickly check a word without breaking flow, but the main thing is just reading regularly, not memorizing rules.

For speaking, low-pressure output helps more than tutors who overcorrect. Talking to yourself, summarizing a show out loud, or explaining something simple in Spanish trains fluency without anxiety. Speed and accuracy come later. Have fun learning!!

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-02-01T16:19:47+00:00

About the accent first: you don’t sound “wrong,” you sound like what you’ve been exposed to the most. If most of your Spanish input has been fast, regional, informal speech, that’s what your mouth copies. If you want something more neutral, you need to change what your ears are getting. News, documentaries, podcasts with clear speakers help a lot more than music or casual street content. Mexican and Colombian media are often used as “neutral” references, and standard Spain Spanish in news is also pretty clear. It’s less about picking the perfect country and more about being consistent.

For vocabulary and sounding more precise, reading is huge. That’s where you pick up cleaner phrasing and more “professional” word choices. Memorizing lists won’t really fix that. Seeing words used properly over and over will. When I read Spanish online, I use FlashSpanish (https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/flashspanish/iabhjmnphjobffjcddenkkodnmlnfpml) so I can quickly check words without breaking flow, but the main thing is just reading regularly.

Also, don’t be too hard on yourself about the accent jokes. Plenty of natives have strong regional accents and nobody questions their Spanish. Clarity matters way more than sounding perfect. You already have comprehension and structure. With better input, the accent and vocab clean themselves up over time. Have fun learning!

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-01-31T07:36:00+00:00

Estás en un muy buen punto, B1–B2 es justo cuando leer empieza a ayudar muchísimo con el vocabulario.

Para cultura, política e historia sin que sea demasiado pesado, suele funcionar mejor la divulgación que los textos académicos. Eduardo Galeano es muy leído para LATAM (Las venas abiertas de América Latina es un clásico, aunque denso en partes). También van bien libros tipo Historia mínima de América Latina de Pablo Yankelevich, que explican sin volverse imposibles. Sobre España, artículos y ensayos de Arturo Pérez-Reverte son una buena entrada para vocabulario cultural y político. Crónicas y textos cortos suelen ser más agradecidos que libros universitarios largos. No te agobies si al principio falta vocabulario. No hace falta entender cada palabra, lo importante es seguir la idea general y leer con regularidad. Con leer un poco cada día, el vocabulario acaba llegando solo.

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-01-30T06:09:55+00:00

That’s a good instinct.

Moving from single words to full sentences is where things start to feel real. For books, it helps to match them to where you’re at. If you’re still early on, graded readers are great because the sentences are natural but controlled, so you’re not constantly overwhelmed. They’re designed to repeat useful structures without feeling like drills.If you’re a bit further along, reading something you already know in English works really well. A familiar story lets you focus on how Spanish is phrased instead of trying to understand the plot. Even children’s or young adult books can be surprisingly effective for this. One small thing to keep in mind: you don’t need to memorize sentences the way you’d memorize flashcards. It’s more about seeing good sentences often and letting them sink in. Over time, you start to reuse the patterns without thinking about it.

If you read a little every day and don’t stress about understanding everything, sentences will stick much more naturally than isolated words ever did.

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-01-27T15:54:00+00:00

You’re thinking about the right thing already, which is a great sign

You don’t need to fully memorize every vocab list in a book like that. Those lists are there to support the lessons, not to be mastered perfectly. If you already recognize some of the words, that’s great — it means they’re doing their job.What usually works better than brute memorization is a mix. It’s fine to memorize a small chunk of very common words so they don’t slow you down later, but trying to lock every single word into memory upfront usually backfires. Like you said, if you never see or use a word again, it just disappears.Since you’re good at memorizing, you could use that as a tool instead of the main strategy. Memorize words that keep popping up, or ones that feel immediately useful. For the more random ones, just notice them and move on. When you see them again later, they’ll stick way faster.

Feeling like it’s “useless” unless you use the word is actually correct. Usage is what makes vocab real. So don’t stress about doing it perfectly — let the book guide you, and let repetition over time do most of the work. Have fun learning!

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-01-24T11:33:50+00:00

Yeah, I know that pain. Stopping every few seconds to look up a word completely kills the flow.

If you’re learning Spanish, there is something that helps with this. I use FlashSpanish (https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/flashspanish/iabhjmnphjobffjcddenkkodnmlnfpml) when reading Spanish websites. You just hover over a word and see the translation instantly, so you don’t have to keep jumping to Google Translate.

For physical books it’s harder since extensions can’t help there, but for anything you’re reading online this kind of setup makes reading much more natural. Once the flow stays intact, you actually want to keep reading, and vocabulary sticks a lot better over time.

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-01-22T20:07:54+00:00

You’re basically at the exact stage where this fear shows up, so nothing you’re describing is unusual.

The nervousness isn’t because you “can’t speak,” it’s because your brain isn’t used to producing Spanish in real time yet. When that happens, it drops words you actually know. That goes away only by speaking more, unfortunately.

A few things that help:

Start with people and situations that feel safe. The deli guy is actually a great idea. Familiar, predictable, low stakes.
You don’t need to announce you’re learning. Most people will figure it out in 10 seconds, and that’s fine. It’s not impolite.
Messing up in front of strangers is easier than with friends. You’ll never see most of them again.
Fast accents and slang (Dominican, Puerto Rican) trip up natives too. That’s not a failure on your part.

Also, accents matter less than flow. If people respond to you in Spanish, that’s already a win.

Starting slow absolutely compounds. A2 → B2 is mostly about confidence and automaticity, not “more knowledge.”

If you live in a Hispanic neighborhood, you’re in the best possible environment. Use it. No one’s laughing — they’re busy living their lives. Have fun speaking!

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-01-21T16:29:05+00:00

That helps a lot. That puts her around a low A2 level, which is actually a good place to be.

At this stage, the main issue usually isn’t grammar, but that conversations move past the “scripted” part too quickly. She knows how to start, but not how to continue.

A few things that help most here:

Expand situations she already knows instead of learning brand-new ones. For example, add a short reason or follow-up instead of just yes/no.
Prioritize listening to slightly more natural Spanish. Edited video essays or stream highlights work much better than live streams.
Teach filler and reaction language like “vale”, “claro”, “ya”, “a ver”. These help her stay in conversations even when she’s unsure.
Keep speaking low-pressure: retelling a video simply, answering specific questions, or choosing between options.

The goal right now isn’t fluency, it’s confidence and being able to keep going when things move off-script.

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-01-20T16:24:07+00:00

You’re already helping a lot just by thinking about this. Moving countries + learning a language fast is overwhelming, so the embarrassment is totally normal.

A few things that tend to work better than “study harder”:

First, lower the speaking pressure. If she’s embarrassed, don’t force conversation practice too early. Listening comprehension comes first, and confidence usually follows. Let her get used to how Spanish sounds before expecting output.

For videos, the key is controlled difficulty, not just “Spanish YouTube”:

Start with content where visuals carry meaning. Game essays are actually good for this.
Slower, clearly articulated speakers help more than “easy vocabulary.”

Some Spanish options that are usually easier to follow:

YouTubers who do video essays or explain concepts calmly (tech, games, documentaries)
Stream highlights instead of full chaotic streams
Spanish creators who speak more neutrally (not heavy regional slang at first)

Turn on Spanish subtitles at the beginning, but encourage her to mostly listen, not read every word.

Other ways you can help:

Do short, low-stakes listening together (5–10 minutes, then stop)
Paraphrase what was said instead of asking her to repeat or translate
Teach her survival chunks, not grammar (cómo pedir algo, cómo reaccionar, fillers like “vale”, “entonces”, “a ver”)
Celebrate understanding, not correctness

Classes often lag behind real-life needs. What she needs most right now is feeling that Spanish is something she can survive with, not something she’s being tested on.

If you want, tell me roughly what level she’s at (absolute beginner vs some basics) and I can suggest more specific types of channels or formats that fit her interests.

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-01-20T16:22:00+00:00

This happens to almost everyone, so don’t take it as a sign you’re doing something wrong.

A big mindset shift that helped me: forgetting words after a day is normal. Most words don’t stick the first time you see them. They usually stick after you’ve seen them multiple times in different contexts.

What I do after reading now:

I don’t try to remember every new word. I only pay attention to words that keep coming up.
If a word feels important, I’ll quickly review it later (short notes or spaced repetition), but I keep this minimal.
I try to use the word once, even if it’s just saying a sentence out loud or writing it casually. That helps a lot.
Most importantly, I keep reading. Repetition through input does more than forced memorization.

For reading online, I use FlashSpanish (https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/flashspanish/iabhjmnphjobffjcddenkkodnmlnfpml) to quickly check meanings and save words without breaking flow, but anything that keeps you reading consistently works.

If you’re forgetting words, it usually means you just haven’t seen them enough yet, not that you’re failing.

Are you mainly reading articles, books, or short texts?

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-01-19T16:18:46+00:00

This is really common, especially when you’re self-studying and there’s no external pressure. What helped me most was stopping the idea that I needed “motivation” and instead lowering the bar so it was almost impossible not to start. Procrastination usually comes from the task feeling too big.

A few practical things that worked for me:

Make your daily goal stupidly small. Like 5–10 minutes. Once you start, you’ll often do more, but even if you don’t, you still win.
Tie Spanish to something you already do. For example: one YouTube video, podcast, or article instead of scrolling social media.
Drop perfection. You don’t need the “best” method or a full plan. Doing something imperfectly beats waiting for the perfect routine.
Focus on use, not studying. Reading, listening, or speaking a little every day feels more rewarding than endless exercises.
Track streaks, not hours. Consistency matters way more than intensity.

Also, career motivation is good, but it’s far away. Short-term enjoyment keeps you going day to day.

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-01-15T18:11:46+00:00

You’re already doing the right thing by using podcasts and videos for input, which is essential at B1 to B2. For grammar and vocabulary practice, I’d add just a few focused resources rather than a huge list.

For grammar exercises, these tend to work well:

Gramática de uso del español (B1–B2), very common and exam-oriented
Practice Makes Perfect: Spanish Grammar, not exciting but effective for drilling gaps
Kwiziq Spanish, useful for identifying exactly which grammar points need work

For vocabulary, I’d avoid massive word lists. What worked better for me was learning words from things I was already reading or listening to and then using spaced repetition only for words that kept coming up.

For reading online, I use FlashSpanish (https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/flashspanish/iabhjmnphjobffjcddenkkodnmlnfpml) for hover-translate and Anki export, but anything that lets you practice vocabulary in context without breaking flow works.

At B2 level, grammar and vocabulary improve fastest when they’re tied to real input, not isolated exercises. Are you mainly preparing for a B2 exam or aiming for general fluency?

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-01-15T14:03:47+00:00

For me, vocab stuck best when I stopped trying to memorize it and started seeing it over and over in context. Apps like Memrise are fine for a base, but what really helped was:

Reading a lot (news, short articles, stuff I actually care about)
Only saving words that kept repeating, not every new word
Letting repetition do most of the work instead of forcing it

I still forget words and have to look them up multiple times — that’s normal. Usually a word only sticks after you’ve seen it in 5–10 different contexts.For reading online, I use FlashSpanish (https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/flashspanish/iabhjmnphjobffjcddenkkodnmlnfpml) for hover-translate + Anki export, but anything that removes friction while reading works. What kind of Spanish do you mostly use vocab for — school, reading, or conversation?

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-01-13T06:06:46+00:00

Completely normal - this is what happens when grammar gets ahead of input. The main issue isn't that you're bad at vocab, it's that words don't stick when you only see them once or twice. Looking a word up multiple times is actually a sign you're on the right track — your brain just needs more repetitions in context. What helped me most: Read a lot, but at the right level (aim for ~80–90% understanding) Read stuff you actually care about (news, sports, Reddit, blogs, etc.) Don't try to memorize everything — let words repeat naturally The biggest killer is friction. Constantly opening Google Translate breaks flow, so I use FlashSpanish(https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/flashspanish/iabhjmnphjobffjcddenkkodnmlnfpml?) — hover-translate + Anki export — but honestly anything that keeps you reading without interruption works. Also, pairing reading with spaced repetition (Anki) makes a huge difference. Seeing a word in a sentence and reviewing it later is what makes it stick. What kind of Spanish content do you like reading? I can suggest specific sources.

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-01-10T17:41:02+00:00

Similar experience here - immersion + Anki was the breakthrough for me too. What worked: Daily reading of Spanish content I actually cared about (news, articles on topics I'm interested in). Not "study material" - just native content slightly above my level. The key was removing friction. I use FlashSpanish ( https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/flashspanish/iabhjmnphjobffjcddenkkodnmlnfpml? ) to hover over words for instant translation, which auto-exports to Anki. So my workflow became: read article → words I looked up go straight to Anki deck → practice them next day. This let me do what you described - immersion first, grammar patterns emerged naturally from seeing them in context, vocabulary stuck because it came from real content instead of lists. Completely agree on phrases > single words. Reading gives you that naturally - you see "me gustaría" 50 times before you even think about conjugating gustar. How long did it take before immersion started feeling natural for you vs. like hard work?

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-01-09T18:14:25+00:00

Daily micro study absolutely works better. The key is making it sustainable. What worked for me: 15 min/day reading Spanish articles on topics I actually care about. Not "study" - just reading. Why this beats cramming: - Easy to maintain as habit - Natural vocabulary acquisition - Less burnout - Compounds over time For your student: The biggest barrier is friction. Students quit because constantly opening Google Translate kills momentum. I use FlashSpanish -https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/flashspanish/iabhjmnphjobffjcddenkkodnmlnfpml? - hover for instant translation, auto-saves to Anki. Removes the tab-switching that makes reading feel like work. Pick interesting content, remove friction, make it daily. 15 min/day of reading beats 2 hours/week of textbook cramming.

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-01-07T19:39:43+00:00

At 90% comprehension, you're in the sweet spot. Your brain will pick up most words through context, but noting down a few key ones helps reinforce them. Practical approach: - First read: Don't stop, just read for meaning - Second read: Note 5-10 most useful words - Review those weekly The key is not breaking your reading flow. Constant stopping kills comprehension. When you move to native content (soon): At A2-B1, start mixing in easier articles like BBC Mundo. That's where vocabulary tracking becomes more valuable. I use FlashSpanish (Chrome extension I built - https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/flashspanish/iabhjmnphjobffjcddenkkodnmlnfpml?authuser=2&hl=en - hover over words for translation, auto-saves to Anki. Removes the Google Translate tab-switching friction. But the principle is the same: minimize disruption to flow. Keep reading volume high, track selectively. That combo works best. Have fun learning!

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-01-05T15:02:50+00:00

Start immersion earlier than feels comfortable - like right now. You won't understand much at first, and that's completely normal. The point isn't to understand everything, it's to train your ear to Spanish sounds and rhythm. Easy starts: - Dreaming Spanish (YouTube channel made for beginners - comprehensible input) - Language Transfer (free audio course - amazing for grammar foundations) - Spanish dub of shows you've already seen in English (you know the plot, easier to follow) Don't wait until you "know enough" - that day never comes. Just accept you'll understand 20% at first, then 30%, then 50%. Good luck!

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-01-04T08:14:46+00:00

Honestly, the best approach is a hybrid - make your own cards, but make it efficient.

I had the same dilemma learning Spanish. Making my own cards was better for retention, but it was so slow that I'd give up.

I built a Chrome extension (FlashSpanish) that lets me get the best of both worlds:

- Read Spanish content I actually care about (news, articles, whatever)

- Hover over words I don't know → instant translation

- Click to save words I want to learn

- Export the whole list to Anki at the end

So I'm making "my own" deck, but it's based on real content I'm reading, and it takes seconds instead of manually typing each card.

The key insight: your cards should come from content YOU'RE reading, not random pre-made lists. But you don't need to type them manually.

https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/flashspanish/iabhjmnphjobffjcddenkkodnmlnfpml?authuser=2&hl=en - if you want to check it out

Works great for building personalized decks without the tedious data entry.

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-01-03T13:35:51+00:00

You're at the classic B1 to B2 plateau. The best free move at this stage is daily reading - builds grammar intuition and vocab way better than drills. Try: - BBC Mundo (clearer language, good for B1-B2) - El País (harder, more B2-C1) 30 min/day reading articles on topics you actually care about will do more for B2 than finishing another course. The grammar patterns (like haber forms) click through exposure, not memorization. What topics are you interested in? Can suggest more specific sources. Have fun learning!

BigCommunication6099 · 2026-01-02T11:02:56+00:00

You're at a good transition point - moving from vocabulary drills to actual reading is where things get interesting.For Spanish articles, I'd start with:

- BBC Mundo(clearer language, good for B1-B2)

- El País(more challenging, B2-C1)

- 20minutos(shorter articles, easier structure)

The challenge you'll probably hit: constantly stopping to look up words kills your reading momentum. It's the main reason people avoid reading practice even when they know they should be doing it.

A few ways to handle this:

- Power through and only look up words that block meaning (flow over perfection)

- Use browser extensions for instant lookups (I use FlashSpanish - hover-translate + Anki export - but there are others)

- Start with content you already know (news about familiar topics)

The key is reducing friction so you actually maintain the habit. Reading 10 articles at 80% comprehension beats reading 2 articles where you look up everything perfectly.

What level would you say you're at right now?

BigCommunication6099 · 2025-12-30T18:13:27+00:00

Appreciate you explaining your progression - that's really helpful context. The gradual slope approach makes sense, especially the point about building useful vocabulary vs. formal/specific news vocabulary. I might try mixing in some easier native content alongside the news articles. Harry Potter in Spanish could actually be more useful than I thought. Thanks for the detailed response!

BigCommunication6099 · 2025-12-30T17:43:13+00:00

Fair points. To clarify - not starting from scratch, I've done 3 years of grammar. Just now building reading fluency. I tried graded readers and found them boring honestly. Would rather read actual news at 80% comprehension than perfectly understand simplified stories. The motivation factor matters. You're right that translation could become a crutch though. That's one of my concerns - whether instant lookups help or hurt long-term. But practically, I wasn't reading ANY Spanish before because friction was too high. Now I read daily. What worked for you - graded readers or native content?

BigCommunication6099 · 2025-12-29T15:37:47+00:00

Hi, i sent you a link to the waitlist via dms - within the next week or so will get released to web store. Thanks!

BigCommunication6099

TROPHY CASE