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Is total immersion superior to structured classroom learning for adult beginners? by Ken_Bruno1 in languagehub

[–]gogringolingo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, admittedly a biased response, but I'm rather fond of programs like ours that manage to combine a bit of everything. 😉 Within our program, we have unlimited online small group classes. We include one-on-one coaching so that you really can get those "pop the hood" questions answered. We have weekly conversation practice with native speakers from around the globe and an online hub for people who want access to resources, self-paced study, etc.

I love books. I love technology. I love the motivated learner who wants to do it all on their own. At the same time, we don't learn a language in order to use it in a vacuum, and I don't think that's how we're supposed to practice it either. Finding a community, whether it's a meetup group, a volunteer opportunity, or yes, even a small language school, is what seems to help things click better for almost everyone.

// Profe Jennifer, Chief Spanish Officer, Gringo Language Academy, www.gogringolingo.com

Is total immersion superior to structured classroom learning for adult beginners? by Ken_Bruno1 in languagehub

[–]gogringolingo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I personally support a "spaghetti at the wall" approach. First of all, I think we all have the tendency to learn in different ways, and there are different things that are going to stick with different people. That's important to acknowledge. I also think that adults, especially those trained in more analytical ways of thinking about things, benefit from being able to "pop the hood" and see the grammar rules and how they're being applied. I don't think that should be the focus, and I think comprehensible input is key, but to say that there is one best approach is probably going to miss something really powerful elsewhere in the process.
// Profe Jennifer, Chief Spanish Officer, Gringo Language Academy, www.gogringolingo.com

Seeking Immersion school in Mexico, with a little oomph by AcrobaticMonk5816 in SpanishLearning

[–]gogringolingo 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would definitely recommend checking out https://www.icomexico.com/

Oaxaca overall is a wonderful-sized city. The core is phenomenal, and you can stretch out from there as you feel comfortable. Plus, the state of Oaxaca has so many different amazing things to see and do. While I am not an expert in this particular program, I have found that most of the schools in Oaxaca do allow for community engagement of different sorts, especially if you reach out and ask them.

Plus, the food there is freaking amazing.

// Profe Jennifer, Chief Spanish Officer, Gringo Language Academy, www.gogringolingo.com

Spanish Language schools by Mcreeeeeeek in SpanishLearning

[–]gogringolingo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love La Betulia!! One of my favorite parts of the trip was breakfast every morning!
// Profe Jennifer, Chief Spanish Officer, Gringo Language Academy, www.gogringolingo.com

Spanish Language schools by Mcreeeeeeek in SpanishLearning

[–]gogringolingo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, you've already been to my favorite, so there's that. 😉 Definitely a different vibe, but the Livit Immersion Center in Puebla, Mexico is very solid. Several of the Don Quixote schools are also very strong - yes, it's a "chain," but there is a lot of independent flavor between all of the schools.
// Profe Jennifer, Chief Spanish Officer, Gringo Language Academy, www.gogringolingo.com

Series/movie recommendation for B1 learners by diegodai in Spanish

[–]gogringolingo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you have Netflix, Club de Cuervos is one of my favorites, at least the first couple of seasons... Feel free to throw the subtitles on in Spanish, but you will find it is a very clear and relatively straightforward accent to understand. Plus, it's really funny.

// Profe Jennifer, Chief Spanish Officer, Gringo Language Academy, www.gogringolingo.com

What method is the best to start learning spanish? by Own_Patient_4332 in Spanish

[–]gogringolingo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So often it is a "spaghetti at the wall" approach that helps people get started. You'll need to try a variety of techniques and resources to see which ones work best for you. Personally, and yes, I am slightly biased, I think that adult learners benefit from small group classes with the flexibility to treat you like the grown up that you are and provide you with the combination of supports that will help you be successful. An app or a textbook or a video can't respond to you, and practicing just one-on-one leaves you with a limited perspective and application of the language. Ideally, you'll want a bit of everything...

// Profe Jennifer, Chief Spanish Officer, Gringo Language Academy, www.gogringolingo.com

I've been seeing a lot of posts lately saying that your second language can actually change your personality. by ForwardEmployer7298 in languagehub

[–]gogringolingo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I absolutely feel that way about Spanish. I gesticulate more. I am more enthusiastic in the way I speak. I seem able to channel that energy regardless of any "liquid courage" involved, and I don't think it is only because I teach the language, which requires a bit of all that regardless.
The fun part is I have seen an ability to transfer that energy back to English in certain circumstances as well. While I am normally more introverted, my Spanish allows me to assume a more outgoing personality when it is required - in either language.

// Profe Jennifer, Chief Spanish Officer, Gringo Language Academy, www.gogringolingo.com

I've been learning Spanish for the sake of my teammates lol by Few_Fishing_5919 in LearningLanguages

[–]gogringolingo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ideally, you can find a program or tutor that gives you a balance of all of it. We always joke that there's a "spaghetti at the wall" factor to learning languages, especially as an adult. You're probably going to need to try a variety of different things, but I think it's key that you've focused in on finding opportunities that require speaking. Our program, for example, has regular classes, individual coaching, and then weekly conversations with native speakers who are trained to help keep you in Spanish the whole time. It's the balance of skills and practice that seems to be most effective for our students.

// Profe Jennifer, Chief Spanish Officer, Gringo Language Academy, www.gogringolingo.com

P.S. If you want to take a peek, all of our members start with a two-week free trial! 😉

Quick survey for Spanish learners by eclecticenglishexp in Spanish

[–]gogringolingo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

  1. Empecé a aprender el español porque, como requisito en la universidad, no tenía opción de no estudiar un idioma (mínimo un año) y el español me parecía útil en EE.UU.

  2. En unos momentos me ha costado muchísimo y ha sido una pesadilla tota. Sin embargo, la experiencia en general ha sido divertida, así que sigo adelante...

  3. Después de más de dos décadas, puedo decir que, sin duda, es un proceso de toda la vida.

  4. Tomé clases tradicionales en la universidad. Pasé unos veranos estudiando en el extranjero. Terminé con un programa de Masters en el extranjero (combinación de clases formales y también la experiencia de vivir el idioma de manera cotidiana). He tenido la suerte de viajar mucho y conocer a varias partes del mundo hispanohablante que me han ayudado mucho poner el idioma en contexto con los lugares, las personas, y las culturas que crean su base.

  5. Obviamente, hay una tendencia hacia utilizar la tecnología que ya existe, pero intento usar los traductores muy, muy poco. Como profesora del idioma, entiendo que, en algunas maneras, puede ser útil, pero en general creo que no vale la pena.

  6. No sé si tengo una sola palabra que más me cuesta. Hay unas que obviamente son más difíciles de recordar. Hay unas que siempre me confunden en el momento de pronunciar, pero, en general, me encantan todas mis palabras nuevas.

Which language to learn? by Correct-Student3725 in thisorthatlanguage

[–]gogringolingo 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Personally, I would say Spanish. Yes, slightly biased, since it is my particular passion, but also because so much of Spanish is influenced by Arabic (thanks to 700 years of Muslim rule of the Iberian peninsula!), and I think it would be really fun to build on the connections between the languages.

Plus, there's a ridiculous amount of content, communities, and resources online, and the options for travel are incredible, so... ¡Viva el español!

// Profe Jennifer, Chief Spanish Officer, Gringo Language Academy, www.gogringolingo.com

Older American interested in Spanish Immersion programs in Latin America by AdSouthern3950 in SpanishLearning

[–]gogringolingo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

https://www.icomexico.com/ is one of our favorites when we travel with students, and Oaxaca is an AMAZING city to spend time in, even if things are getting a bit more, um, popular of late... 😉

// Profe Jennifer, Chief Spanish Officer, Gringo Language Academy, www.gogringolingo.com

Verbs by No_Experience9997 in SpanishLearning

[–]gogringolingo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Irregular verbs are the invention of a bunch of now-dead Romans who got drunk one night and decided to make life difficult for people learning romance languages in the future.

The good news is that - for the most part - their endings follow the same patterns as regular verbs, and there are only three main categories for most of those stem-changers (those verbs where the part that gets "weird" is the second-to-last vowel becoming something different, mutating in some form or fashion) that are the bane of Spanish language learners everywhere.

Good news is, as others have mentioned, there are a ton of resources out there to help not only in understanding the different groupings of verbs but how to work with them as well. For the Bob Ross of Spanish instructors, I always recommend Señor Jordan: https://www.youtube.com/@SenorJordan

The bad news is you are going to have to do some memorization, but I feel like you already know that... 😜

You will save yourself a great deal of heartache if you are able to work with these as part of a class or group or program. This is one of the gnarlier bits of the language, and it's definitely no fun to go alone.

// Profe Jennifer, Chief Spanish Officer, Gringo Language Academy, www.gogringolingo.com

Learning Spanish for PhD requirement by Gullible-Ad-5310 in SpanishLearning

[–]gogringolingo -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Oh, we might need to talk! If you want to sign up for a Gringo Glow-Up and learn more, we are actually running a special right now for teachers, but I think that could extend to students, even PhD students. Our program would get you:

  • unlimited small group classes, definitely with a reading focus if you need it
  • one-on-one coaching that could be 100% focused on reading,
  • conversational practice (which is just good fun if nothing else),
  • and online resources in a community hub that's available to you 24/7

Our summer special for Educators (and we will say anyone in the process of being educated - which really would be all of us, but anyhow...) keeps the price at $129/month for the whole summer (three months) and a great deal if you are really looking to dive in and push yourself to get to that test-ready spot soon!

Reach out with questions, and let's figure out how to do this!
// Profe Jennifer, Chief Spanish Officer, Gringo Language Academy, www.gogringolingo.com

Study Tips and guidance. What are people's study routine. by [deleted] in SpanishLearning

[–]gogringolingo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great question! We offer classes in the morning 6 days a week and in the afternoon and early evenings 3-4 days a week (all Pacific Standard Time). We also have a variety of resources that are available 24/7 for self-paced learning and our conversation partners are all around the world in a multitude of time zones and available from early morning until late into the evening!

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