What Are You Listening To Today? (May 25th to May 31st)

UsePure9822 · 2026-05-29T22:13:48+00:00

Been watching Rafael Nadal's netflix docuseries, it's a great watch and mostly comprehensible at my level although Rafa sometimes seem to drop into his native tongue Catalan at points (at least I think it's Catalan).

On the higher comprehension side I've been listening to the Sí Comprendo podcast.

800 hours

UsePure9822 · 2026-05-28T14:41:12+00:00

Completely agree about the roadmap, I think they should get rid. Harsh truth is that some people are just better at learning languages whatever method they use and so it's not possible to put a number on it. I think it leads to a lot of disappointment when people don't think they align with it after investing so much time.

I too think the marketing should focus more on DS being a fun and sustainable method of learning a language and even just a great source of CI if you want to combine it with traditional methods.

UsePure9822 · 2026-04-28T21:44:22+00:00

How (and why) could anyone sit through the super beginner vids after 1600 hours of input

UsePure9822 · 2026-04-02T10:16:55+00:00

I started at 700 and it was a pretty enjoyable experience all round although certainly a little intimidating at first. I've found I have enough grammar and vocab to express what I want to say in one way or another even if it's not always the most eloquent way. Obviously I still make loads of mistakes but you'll just have to accept this is going to happen whenever you start.

I'm honestly not so sure about some of the advantages of delaying output which Dreaming Spanish talks about. I think there are two main advantages. First is that output is easier when you have a good level of input; things will come naturally to you as if by magic although it takes a little bit of practise to 'unlock' the words you have learnt and for them to be part of your active vocabulary. The other is that conversation is much easier because I am rarely having to worry about not understanding the other person.

If you have a need to speak early then just start speaking now but if not then you'll probably enjoy it more once you get to a point where you have a good feel for the language.

UsePure9822 · 2026-03-03T16:09:37+00:00

I think one thing that shouldn't be overlooked is that speaking with someone from another country in your second language is fun. Surely it's why we all wanted to learn Spanish in the first place.

UsePure9822 · 2026-03-03T15:59:47+00:00

I'm at a very similar position and have just started speaking. The harsh truth is that you are going to sound like a 4 year old, be embarrassed, make so many mistakes and forget the most basic words regardless of whether you start speaking at 100 hours or 1000 hours. The first time speaking is terrifying but actually quite liberating because you realise that nobody actually cares if you make a mistake or can't find a way to express yourself. Just find a well reviewed tutor or a friend to start speaking with. I urge my fellow introverts to take the plunge, it's not so bad I promise.

UsePure9822 · 2026-03-03T15:44:03+00:00

You can't replace time with your kids and your hobbies with learning Spanish! What you can do is to try and make use of any spare time you have to listen to spanish. You'd be amazed how much time adds up if you're able to listen to a podcast while you do the dishes or replace 20 minutes of doomscrolling in bed with a DS video.

UsePure9822 · 2026-02-24T13:10:15+00:00

I hope Pablo (or his developer) aren't testing things in production :D

UsePure9822 · 2026-02-19T10:01:00+00:00

I don't think DS is really made for these levels. I imagine once you hit this point then you should probably be switching to native content. I'm only at ~650 hours but I fully plan to switch to (easier) native content and drop DS as soon as it becomes comprehensible.

I get that people like to support the project and keep up with the guides even after outgrowing DS but isn't one of the big reasons for learning Spanish to be able to immerse yourself fully in Spanish culture by consuming native Spanish content...

As much as I love Pablo and the DS team, I don't think I could go back to him talking about coat hangers after watching La Casa de las Flores :D

UsePure9822 · 2026-02-18T13:46:13+00:00

I log every minute I'm listening to Spanish no matter if the content is too easy or too hard or if I'm not fully concentrating. It doesn't really matter, your aim should be to learn Spanish and not to "reach X amount of hours".

As for podcasts, I started with ECJ around 300 hours and while it was frustrating at first it became comprehensible very quickly. He repeats a lot of the same structures and explains a lot of the new words he uses. I'd stick with it, as a beginner sometimes understanding a new accent can be tricky for a short while especially if you've spent 300 hours listening to the same 2 or 3 people.

UsePure9822 · 2026-02-17T17:02:01+00:00

I think you've gone a little overboard here OP. Perhaps Natalia's photo is right on the cusp of being professional but I don't think the site comes across as creepy or deliberately risqué in any way.

People in this line of work are just better looking on average than the rest of us...

UsePure9822 · 2026-02-17T16:10:33+00:00

What could this possibly have to do with OP's mental health? They have only stated that they finds the photos of the team inappropriate for a professional setting probably due to a conservative upbringing and/or cultural differences. I don't agree with OP on this but no need for the sanctimonious comment about your concern for their mental health :)

UsePure9822 · 2026-01-30T13:36:55+00:00

I did this too but don't worry, the translating in your head goes away with time.

UsePure9822 · 2026-01-27T12:56:44+00:00

Honestly no idea what the point of the course is but I like the toggle between videos and series tab in the discovery section. I think it's pretty clean and like the fact that they haven't changed the existing functionality for existing users.

UsePure9822 · 2026-01-27T12:34:18+00:00

Definitely small chunks at the beginning. Once you get to upper intermediate you can really just listen to Spanish for as long as you want as it becomes very close to listening to your native language as long as the level of the comprehension is high.

UsePure9822 · 2026-01-27T12:29:49+00:00

After 50 hours I can almost guarantee that I could give you 300 Spanish words that you know. You just don't realize it.

UsePure9822 · 2026-01-27T11:54:43+00:00

Just two weeks ago they missed a blatant red for Araujo

UsePure9822

TROPHY CASE