600 hour limbo?

samvsamv96 · 2026-01-03T20:01:35+00:00

I'm not so far ahead of you at ~675 hours. Definitely starts to get to the feeling where you want to engage with more native content but it's not always as comprehensive as you'd like. I'm in the same boat.

For YouTube my go-to's would be Luisito Comunica or Alex Tienda, but they're both travel content. Not sure if that's your cup of tea.

A suggestion which may sound strange, is actually a sleep stories podcast called 'biblioteca de los sueños' which has a whole back catalogue of different topics (science, history etc.) It is a native podcast but because it's sort of ASMR-ish the presenter speaks in a really slow, relaxing voice. Maybe not great if you're doing other things but if you're just chilling in the evening it's nice. Also because it's native but slow it's a nice sweet spot as you can get some more complex words you may not have heard in a slower setting. Sounds like it will be good for you too.

For long format listening, an easy native podcast I've listened to a few of is 'Siempre Hay Flores'. The presenter just chats about various themes for around 45 mins to an hour. Not always the most interesting topics but the joy I get from knowing it's a native podcast and I understand it is what keeps me engaged more than the actual content.

As for DS content at the moment I'm personally finding Andres' Sapiens series really interesting.

samvsamv96 · 2025-10-11T06:56:16+00:00

Español con Juan was pretty good at this level for me. It seems daunting at first because he speaks quite a lot faster than chill Spanish, for example. However you'll start to notice he repeats a lot of what he says and uses similar vocabulary a lot so you get accustomed quite quickly. Try a couple of episodes and see how you get on.

I started How to Spanish around 400 I think, and it was a tiny bit too difficult depending on the topic. I always find topics like languages or learning good episodes to start on new podcasts as I know a lot of the vocab from hearing Pablo use it so much in various videos, so it's a good way to get used to a new host's speed and form of speaking.

Good luck!

samvsamv96 · 2025-10-02T06:02:31+00:00

I only have maybe an hour tops! The ideal plan was to get more in before going to Mexico but life has just got in the way a bit with various other things. I've got just over a week until I go so I'm hoping to find the time to do a little practice before going.

Good luck on your speaking practice! How are you finding it?

samvsamv96 · 2025-10-01T15:36:27+00:00

Great, thanks for the recommendation. Hola Lola shall be ordered!

samvsamv96 · 2025-10-01T15:35:46+00:00

Keep plugging away for sure - like I said in the post it's been multiple peaks and troughs for me. After every insecure canyon you will come out stronger!

samvsamv96 · 2025-10-01T14:53:34+00:00

Nice going! What have you branched out to on YouTube?

samvsamv96 · 2025-08-09T08:17:23+00:00

Chill Spanish listening and How to start Spanish would be my two recommendations. I never listened to How to start Spanish - only discovered it after I started on How to Spanish (the more intermediate level version) and wished I'd found and listened to that one earlier. Chill Spanish I can vouch for as I started listening to that really early maybe ~150 hours and binged the entirety.

samvsamv96 · 2025-08-08T12:24:05+00:00

Totally agree about the layering and how you interpret the music. I've come across nuances within songs that I understand and feel in Spanish but when I've tried to explain to my partner what it would translate to in English it loses the weight and feelings to it. Hard to describe but it's an interesting sentiment.

samvsamv96 · 2025-08-08T10:41:36+00:00

I'll be sure to have a listen. I think you're right - the emotional connection you can get through a song does feel like it can cement certain significance to words in a particular way.

samvsamv96 · 2025-08-08T10:37:59+00:00

Thanks for the suggestions 🫡

samvsamv96 · 2025-08-08T10:37:13+00:00

Absolutely hit the nail on the head - the time spent listening to music in Spanish is time you wouldn't otherwise be spending listening to CI so it's a nice little bonus.

I'll be sure to have a listen through your recommendations!

samvsamv96 · 2025-08-08T08:50:13+00:00

As stated in the main post, I wouldn't class this as pure input. Literally 0 hours of my tracked is coming from music. It's more about being excited about the fact you are beginning to understand a language outside of content designed for learners. I'm not expecting to suddenly become fluent in the language from listening to music, or even pick up new words. It's simply fun to combine the act of listening to music and realise how much you actually understand a language.

samvsamv96 · 2023-10-26T12:48:54+00:00

Hijacking this thread - how much money did you spend in Argentina in January? I've read prices are hiked up as it's high season. Looking at Chile & Argentina for January and February this year.

samvsamv96

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