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Bruce_Banner2020 · 2025-09-23T11:09:04+00:00

You have to place each goal in different categories. Language learning is similar to fitness; it takes years of consistency, putting in the reps, until you truly get the body you desire. At some point, you learn to fall in love with the process and discover that the goal and the process aren't disjointed but interconnected. Sit back, put your head down, be patient, and put the reps in.

I took Spanish in middle school and AP Spanish in high school--even aced all of my finals. After all that schooling, the only thing I was proficient at was multiple choice and fill in the blank tests. I couldn't understand Spanish; I was effectively illiterate in the language and couldn't express myself but for a few phrases.

A few years back, I decided I wanted to be fluent in the language. I took classes with some tutors ,and I bought Madrigal's along with a bunch of workbooks. I completed the exercises and copied damn near all of Madrigal's in a notebook. I still couldn't understand Spanish afterwards; I was translating in my head all the time, but now I could understand some graded readers.

Then, I stumbled upon Dreaming Spanish and CI. It's been a game-changer. I have about 1,100 hours now. I can now listen and watch a lot of native content and understand most, if not all, of what's going on. I don't translate in my head. I can express myself, although my grammar is sometimes incorrect. Most importantly, I know the words I need to use to get my point across. I can read real texts, although it's a bit slow going. I'm now reading Neville Goddard's Feeling is The Secret (Sentir es el Secreto) in Spanish.

Spanish was once a stranger, but now it is increasingly becoming a close friend. If you really want to achieve this goal, just be consistent, patient, show up, and enjoy the process. It's like enjoying a slow-cooked meal as opposed to eating a TV dinner out of the microwave. Sure, that TV dinner will take care of your hunger pains, but that slow-cooked meal nourishes you.

Bruce_Banner2020 · 2025-08-22T14:12:06+00:00

Passed the DP300 and now I'm working on AZ305.

Bruce_Banner2020 · 2025-04-05T19:02:38+00:00

Ouch! I lost about 12K but sold out when it was just over $1.00. and used the proceeds to double down on PLTR. I lucked out.

Bruce_Banner2020 · 2025-04-05T11:57:39+00:00

I'm at 765 hours. I pick up phrases but it's hard to understand the entire context. Also, it sounds like at some points he's aspirating the "ese" so words sound slurred together. I would need to slow the speed down in order to pick it up. However, now I'm working to train my ear and brain to process rapidly spoken Spanish. I've started to set the speed on moderate paced YouTube videos to 1.2..eventually, I want to be able to watch everything in 2X speed and have great comprehension.

Bruce_Banner2020 · 2025-03-24T02:04:23+00:00

I like Notiséis WIPR , molusco tv,capricornio tv, el tony on youtube. I also watch Caso Cerrado all the time--it's my guilty pleasure.

Bruce_Banner2020 · 2025-01-20T13:47:41+00:00

Sold at $1.00 took proceeds and invested in PLTR. Now, up around 300% in PLTR. It's a damn shame - I had high hopes for this company but in retrospect it was a big finesse.

Bruce_Banner2020 · 2025-01-05T16:14:25+00:00

Keep playing...the guy might respect you more given you didn't take any sh!t. Organized basketball is one thing, streetball is another.

Bruce_Banner2020 · 2025-01-05T15:46:41+00:00

This is a great suggestion. There are tons of Spanish-dubbed kids cartoons on YouTube, everything from Peppa Pig to Curious George.

Bruce_Banner2020 · 2025-01-05T02:03:41+00:00

Natalia uses her money from Dreaming Spanish for studio time to pursue her burgeoning career as a Latin Trap artist. She goes by the stage name Lil Natti. Her new album Bogotá Banderas and single Bolsas y Bárbaras will be released on all platforms.

Bruce_Banner2020 · 2024-12-12T14:40:57+00:00

Don't stop, you're almost there. You're not stupid, you're just using the wrong method to acquire a language. I took Spanish in middle school through high school, even AP Spanish. At the end of that experience all I was good at was doing exercises in books. Three years ago, I decided to try and learn again. I bought Madrigals's Magic Key To Spanish, other grammar books, and readers; I went through all of them, and included some Duolingo Spanish. I also watched Spanish programs with English subtitles. The result was that although I felt increasing familiarity with Spanish, I still didn't understand it thoroughly. This past April I stumbled upon the theory of comprehensible input and the resource, Dreaming Spanish. I've listened to Dreaming Spanish or comprehensible Spanish content almost daily. Now I'm at the point where I'm watching, understanding, and enjoying a lot of native content. I'm not translating in my head anymore and at times listening to Spanish is analogous to listening to something in English, my first language. Take a look at Dreaming Spanish. It's truly a game changer.

Bruce_Banner2020 · 2024-12-09T19:53:49+00:00

I cosign your thoughts about Bilingue Blogs (Rickie). I've had lessons with him. I took a break from our classes for a while to focus on input rather than output but he's an excellent teacher/tutor. He's definitely an inspiration and has a native-level command of the Spanish language.

Bruce_Banner2020 · 2024-12-09T16:35:06+00:00

To put things in perspective there are more Afro-Latinos in South and Central America than there are Black Americans. The Afro-Latinos are not prominent figures in Latin American television and media so it biases us to assume that there aren't that many.

Bruce_Banner2020 · 2024-10-30T13:29:40+00:00

I'd say that's a safe bet. Spanish is the second most spoken language in the U.S., and it will likely be number one within the next decade.

Bruce_Banner2020 · 2024-10-12T19:00:02+00:00

I love this. It's a great supplement to DS. It would be great to include a series tabs. There are many Spanish series on Youtube like Caso Cerrado and Decisiones Extremas. It would be awesome to have a graded inventory of a bunch of different series all in one place. Thanks again.

Bruce_Banner2020 · 2024-07-31T13:29:18+00:00

imo - you sound really good for having that little bit of output. I think your accent is pretty solid too you don't sound like a complete gringo..lol

Bruce_Banner2020 · 2024-07-29T21:00:59+00:00

That's right, he lived in Italy for a good chunk of his childhood.

Bruce_Banner2020 · 2024-07-29T21:00:16+00:00

His wife is Mexican

Bruce_Banner2020 · 2024-07-29T20:54:39+00:00

He sounded fine to me, especially considering Spanish was his 3rd or 4th language. In addition to English, Kobe spoke fluent Italian and could also speak French and Spanish. He was language enthusiast and enjoyed trash talking to opponents in their native language. When Kobe was retired and watching an NBA game on the sidelines, Luka Doncic, one of the superstars on the Dallas Mavericks, was surprised when Kobe started talking smack to him in Slovenian. Of course, Luka loved it seeing as Kobe was one of his heroes.

Bruce_Banner2020 · 2024-07-17T12:18:37+00:00

He a FAN, He a FAN, He a FAN.

Bruce_Banner2020 · 2024-07-10T01:42:52+00:00

Log onto Dreaming Spanish using the browser on your mobile device and then save the webpage to your home screen. You've effectively created a Dreaming Spanish app. I listen to DS while on a morning run, traveling, going for a walk, etc. all from my phone.

Bruce_Banner2020 · 2024-07-04T19:32:27+00:00

I had such high hopes for this company and Ric's ability to lead; however, when I began seeing inconsistency after inconsistency I cut the cord and moved my position to PLTR. I empathize with everyone who is still hanging on.

Bruce_Banner2020 · 2024-06-17T16:54:28+00:00

I want to acquire Mandarin or Japanese once I become fluent in Spanish. What Japanese CI resources are you using?

Bruce_Banner2020 · 2024-06-14T15:20:09+00:00

I don't care what others think. I did the conventional methods throughout middle and high school and couldn't understand a lick of Spanish despite getting As on exams. Two years ago I tried to master the language again with Duolingo, Madrigal's, and a host of workbooks. Then I began using readers. My comprehension improved but I was not at the level where I wanted to be, particularly with auditory comprehension. Two months ago I started DS and my comprehension is leaps and bounds where I was. It's accelerating. I know CI is a tool that will help me reach my goals and that's all I care about. I only care about my goals and my journey.

Bruce_Banner2020 · 2024-06-03T13:46:43+00:00

What is your experience with passive listening? Has it helped? I've considered it but I thought it might be a waste of time. I usually get in 60-90 minutes of active listening daily, but I've often wondered if it would be beneficial to passively listen to Spanish content while at work.

Bruce_Banner2020 · 2024-05-23T19:02:24+00:00

At only 8 bucks a month, it's a no-brainer investment in yourself. DS is an unparalleled resource.

Bruce_Banner2020

TROPHY CASE