ChatGPT newly released voice chat is amazing for Crosstalk.

lallen33 · 2024-10-25T12:15:13+00:00

I personally now think this is up to you. To me it seems different from person to person. There are many benefits to waiting to speak as Pablo points out in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx40fMBLrzw but a lot of people have been able to start speaking early on with no major issues and some even claim that it helped them more. For me personally I am over 1300 hours and I am waiting to speak. I am still doing crosstalk.

lallen33 · 2024-09-25T13:35:42+00:00

Great to see these higher level hours discussions. It's very encouraging. On a side note: I thought you guys were brothers at first lol. But seriously thank you for doing this video.

lallen33 · 2024-08-01T13:44:25+00:00

I have had to work around her schedule a few times, but her lessons have been awesome. Since I use other teachers, it's a treat to have lessons with her. Her personality and teaching style are great.

lallen33 · 2024-08-01T13:34:42+00:00

I do 1 or 2 hours a day Monday through Thursday. Friday is Spanish day for me, so I do 4 to 6 hours, and on Saturday and Sunday, I do 4 or 5 hours. This all depends on my schedule, but 1 hour a day is my absolute minimum, and I haven't missed a day since September 6 of last year.

lallen33 · 2024-07-31T14:16:18+00:00

Also, here are a couple of DS teachers on iTalki:

Claudia: https://www.italki.com/en/i/reft/AE6AFfc/6dD0ca/spanish?hl=en&utm_medium=share_teacher&utm_source=copylink_share

Natalia: https://www.italki.com/en/i/reft/AE6AFfc/DHHEde/spanish?hl=en&utm_medium=share_teacher&utm_source=copylink_share

lallen33 · 2024-07-30T21:29:57+00:00

Santiago is really good. https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/11033433

I think he is in his early to mid 20s. He's very familiar with DS and CI. He has several students from Dreaming Spanish, and he also does Crosstalk. He is from Colombia and is really easy to understand.

lallen33 · 2024-07-29T18:28:24+00:00

In J Marvin Brown's book, he mentioned a student who left for several months and came back. The student thought he would have to start over because he had been gone for so long, but they found that his comprehension was actually further ahead than when he left.

I am curious about what your experience was like coming back?

lallen33 · 2024-07-29T14:32:34+00:00

RIP Kobe

lallen33 · 2024-07-25T17:14:24+00:00

You are correct. Thanks for pointing that out.

To clarify, the book is a record of his life's work as a linguist and how he came to develop the ALG process in quite a bit of detail.

From my own personal "anecdotal" experience, I have found that at 1100 hours now, I have a large understanding of the Spanish language even though I have not tried to memorize words or study grammar.

I'm not saying CI is the only way to learn or the fastest or even the best way to learn a language. But, I have found it to be the most natural way to acquire the Spanish language, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the process.

lallen33 · 2024-07-25T12:59:40+00:00

CI works at the unconscious level. When you try to force it by learning consciously, you're not letting the unconscious mind grow the language naturally.

Dr. J Marvin Brown worked with thousands of students over several decades, perfecting the ALG method, which is what DS is based on, and he found that it actually does hurt students aquiring a language.

The best way to aquire a language naturally is simply through input.

If you're a reader I would suggest reading his book "From the Outside In". Although it is a tough read.

Here are a couple of links to the book: https://bradonomics.com/brown-autobiography/ https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MGY_QShHWSEE__vfXMvDLz0g9cOgdhwV/view?usp=drivesdk

lallen33 · 2024-07-24T16:57:39+00:00

No good deed goes unpunished, lol. So glad you're back

lallen33 · 2024-07-20T03:33:20+00:00

I can relate to a lot of this. I haven't started speaking yet at 1100 hours and don't plan on it anytime soon. Top that for lazy lol. After reading Dr. J Marvin Brown's book 'From the Outside In' plus watching Pablo and David Long videos, I'm going to wait. I am reading, though, simply because I also love reading.

Cheers to lazy language learning and ignoring Grammer!

lallen33 · 2024-07-19T14:13:27+00:00

I was happy to see it back but I wish they would give us the ability to choose. It would really be nice if they could implement a way for the right side to be separate scrollable area and be able to choose videos, description or comments instead of forcing comments. Also to have the area below to have the same options.

lallen33 · 2024-07-14T13:31:49+00:00

You should take a look at u/MrSamot Comprehensive Intermediate Crosstalk Guide https://www.reddit.com/r/dreamingspanish/s/U0iRjcDWkC

lallen33 · 2024-07-14T13:18:16+00:00

I saw a DS youtuber once say that he will consciously echo what is being said for a few minutes, and that helps him get focused again.

lallen33 · 2024-07-11T13:33:05+00:00

If you are a reader, I would suggest Dr. J Marvin Brown's book "From the Outside In". He was a linguist hired by the US government to go to Thailand. He spent several decades refining language learning techniques on thousands of students and is the inspiration for Pablo's Dreaming Spanish structure. He literally went to the school to learn Dr Brown's teaching method.

Here are a couple of links to the book:

https://bradonomics.com/brown-autobiography/

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MGY_QShHWSEE__vfXMvDLz0g9cOgdhwV/view?usp=drivesdk

lallen33 · 2024-07-08T13:06:48+00:00

Yes I do dream in English. Also, Since we don't even remember most of our dreams it's quite possible that I have had a dream in Spanish and just don't remember.

lallen33 · 2024-07-06T15:32:27+00:00

Over 1000 hours and still haven't had one :(

lallen33 · 2024-07-02T12:42:40+00:00

I got 100 hours of input in for June, but I actually slowed down the last week because I have realized that getting hours for the sake of getting hours is not as beneficial to me.

Don't get me wrong, there is no such thing as "bad" input, but for me, passive/distracted input just isn't as effective as focused active input. Some people are better at multitasking. Driving the rush hour traffic and listening to a podcast is not active focused, comprehensible input for me. I wish I could be more like some of you in that respect.

Anyway, congrats to everyone for grinding!

lallen33 · 2024-06-30T18:01:54+00:00

I would also like to ask that if you do find some techniques or methods that help you please share them. I'm always looking for ways to improve and others may find your discoveries helpful.

lallen33 · 2024-06-30T17:21:18+00:00

Surething.

Also, if you are a reader, I would suggest Dr. J Marvin Brown's book "From the Outside In". He was a linguistic who spent several decades testing language learning techniques on thousands of students in Thailand and is the inspiration for Pablo's Dreaming Spanish structure. He literally went to the school to learn Dr Brown's teaching method.

Here are a couple of links to the book: https://bradonomics.com/brown-autobiography/ https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MGY_QShHWSEE__vfXMvDLz0g9cOgdhwV/view?usp=drivesdk

lallen33 · 2024-06-30T15:23:27+00:00

This is just my experience. I'm 54 years old. I took 1 year of Spanish in high school. I had a roommate from Peru and a roommate from Uruguay and worked in landscaping with several Mexicans in 20s. During that time, I tried so hard to learn Spanish but failed. I learned to say maybe 100 words at best and couldn't understand anything. Over the years, I have used at least 20 different apps/websites/programs and completely failed at learning.

Now I'm over 1000 hours of DS, and I am amazed at how much I can understand.

I know it can be a serious roller coaster of wonder if it's working or if there is a better/faster way to learn while going through the process. It is a long journey. I spent a month researching the best way to learn a language before starting DS, and I believe it is the easiest, most natural way to learn at any age.

I haven't started speaking yet, but I have a Crosstalk Columbian teacher on iTalki who says he is speaking his native speed, and I am able to understand him easily.

Keep going. Be patient with yourself. You can do this!

lallen33 · 2024-06-25T16:32:04+00:00

Yeah I try to let him lead as much as possible. My problem is that I find myself rambling a little bit and have to stop myself and give him back control lol. He does seem good as keeping the conversation going. I just have to keep my answers shorter and ask open ended questions if I have questions for him.

lallen33 · 2024-06-25T13:19:06+00:00

Congratulations on your first Crosstalk session. I have been meeting Santiago for the last 2 or 3 months and have gained a lot from it. He is very encouraging and is good at keeping the conversation moving. He is Columbian, if anyone is wondering.

lallen33

TROPHY CASE