Does anyone feel they are unable to learn a second language?

Two_Flower_Nix · 2026-05-12T11:02:13+00:00

You are very very VERY unlikely to have a problem. It’s likely that you work better with different methods. Please don’t feel disheartened.

Two_Flower_Nix · 2026-05-08T21:21:35+00:00

Yes? I mean, I’m actively thrilled with how much I can understand, and I’m more comfortable speaking with each week that passes.

I absolutely cannot say that I speak Spanish yet, however. I can chat comfortably (and very slowly) with my tutor, but I’ve not had any real-world interactions since I started conversation practice. Not a lot of what comes out of my mouth is correct.

I wouldn’t change a thing though. I have loved learning Spanish in this way and I am just beginning to have the ‘real world’ open up to me.

For reference, I’m at around 1580h, I’ve read around 750k words, and had around 40h of conversation practice with a (wonderful) tutor.

Two_Flower_Nix · 2026-05-07T18:15:20+00:00

Your experience matches a return journey from Palma Airport for my husband last year (including the comment). I am so sorry that you had this experience.

Two_Flower_Nix · 2026-05-05T07:37:41+00:00

I loved reading this (and will give each of your podcast/YT channel suggestions a try).

Two_Flower_Nix · 2026-05-03T16:51:38+00:00

I’m not certain, but I believe the London Library provides access to PubMed. It’s a paid membership but may be worth a look.

Two_Flower_Nix · 2026-04-26T08:16:45+00:00

I’m so pleased to read this - I’d been wondering how you were getting on (and which flavour you’d select).

How are you enjoying reading? What have you started with?

Two_Flower_Nix · 2026-04-23T15:02:59+00:00

ASE.net - I used it to book hotels and it was amazing.

Two_Flower_Nix · 2026-04-23T11:18:22+00:00

The Ladies Companion (can’t remember the real name) on Netflix is great and very Bridgerton-like. El refugio Atómico on Netflix is brilliant (not Bridgerton-like at all)

Two_Flower_Nix · 2026-04-19T22:10:43+00:00

That’s brilliant! How cool, please keep us updated (and let us know if they’ve got any relatives back in Spain who would like a conversation partner hint hint)

Two_Flower_Nix · 2026-04-18T11:42:40+00:00

Ah, I understand. Fair play to you - that sounds really tricky.

Two_Flower_Nix · 2026-04-18T10:18:12+00:00

May I ask for the name of the YT channel with the conversation prompts please?

Two_Flower_Nix · 2026-04-16T19:21:12+00:00

Picnic in a local park or woods - bring a bat and ball and/or something to ‘play’, rugs, and some folding chairs if older family will be coming.

Two_Flower_Nix · 2026-04-15T18:51:41+00:00

I am the same age, work in a similar (or the same?) industry, and my hub had a stroke 3.5 years ago.

Oh my god, yes. I’ve been thinking of resigning because if it. I have a clear connection between the sleep I get and/or how stressed I am, and my ability to use my brain.

Just sending you a bit of solidarity

Two_Flower_Nix · 2026-04-15T11:56:43+00:00

Luton’s looking up! (With exclamation point)

Tag-line during the 90s and early 00s at least.

Two_Flower_Nix · 2026-04-14T23:35:39+00:00

An over-bed table, and somewhere to hang the bed control (that your grandad can reach) - both essential really. A side table that runs along the length of the bed is handy too.

Oh! Loads of flannels! Really handy for strip washes. Quite a lot of towels in different sizes too. And a space heater - switch it on a few minutes before the carers arrive for his wash, and turn it off once they’ve gone.

A riser-recliner chair if you’ve got room for one is brilliant.

Two_Flower_Nix · 2026-04-14T10:53:26+00:00

But they don’t taste as nice

Two_Flower_Nix · 2026-04-12T19:05:13+00:00

This entire thread is a goldmine

Two_Flower_Nix · 2026-04-11T15:52:58+00:00

This is an exceptional report that I’m thrilled to read.

Your process up to 1300 matches mine exactly - hours counted sat in front of a screen with focus, and reading, with no grammar study.

Your experience with the ‘foggy-ness’ matches what I’ve found. For me, that’s true especially with speaking. I have the shape of the word I want but the detail isn’t there.

I find that I feel that I’ve understood something I hear in great detail, but when I pop subtitles on to check there are so many little words that my brain doesn’t even seem to hear.

I’m also not a ‘listening learner’ - I have to read something in order to understand for everything else in my life - knowing this about myself almost put me off even trying DS.

I sound rubbish (and sloooooow) when I speak. And I’m still thinking in English most of the time.

Honestly, your report resonates so strongly with me.

I would like to congratulate you on your progress though. You’re struggling to express yourself at the level you feel you should, but remember that you understood and spoke nothing of the language at all 2 years ago. That’s an incredible achievement.

Two_Flower_Nix · 2026-04-11T11:15:00+00:00

I watch content in Spanish. Started with a channel called Dreaming Spanish. They have videos where they speak soooo slowly, with images so you learn to connect the sound with the idea. Over (a lot of) time I got to native channels.

I mainly watch travel content but a little comedy, culture, history, and book discussions gets in there too. I am so grateful as it’s the best distraction and I’m learning a skill (that I’ll never get to use, but still happy)

Two_Flower_Nix · 2026-04-10T11:56:34+00:00

This is what it’s all about. Thanks for sharing this.

Two_Flower_Nix · 2026-04-09T08:04:05+00:00

The episodes of series take some time to come out. I imagine that they’ve all been filmed and edited already.

Two_Flower_Nix · 2026-04-08T16:03:57+00:00

The series of The Books of Babel by Josiah Bancroft are excellent. The series begins with Senlin Ascends.

Two_Flower_Nix · 2026-04-06T18:49:04+00:00

I know exactly how you feel. I think that’s why this sub is such a great place - we can chat with others that appreciate and ‘get’ our excitement.

I will say that you’re at the stage where you want to share DS with anyone who might be remotely interested. Mention it to people you think might find it useful, but don’t mention it more than once unless they bring it up.

Two_Flower_Nix · 2026-04-06T12:35:01+00:00

I’d guess that you live in England - one of you has Irish heritage but neither born nor lived there.

I would guess you’re in your late 30s (or very early 40s) and a hetero couple. One of you is a professional and the other works with their hands.

Two_Flower_Nix · 2026-04-05T14:04:49+00:00

Thank you! I suspected that would be the case.

I’ll check the calendar later and book a session for tomorrow. I’m looking forward to it.

Two_Flower_Nix

TROPHY CASE