Spanish Conversational Fluency in 5 Months! | My language mission and my log | Forum
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06:13
June 29, 2011
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I'm ready to get back on the language learning horse and learn some Spanish! I booked my ticket to Xela, Guatemala. I'll be doing some volunteer work with an NGO and living with a Guatemalan family.
- One Month Before I Depart (March):
- Post a video once a week completely in Spanish (at least 1 minute long)
- Learn 300 Spanish words (with Anki)
- Everyday practice with Pimsleur Spanish
- Practice Reading Comprehension with LWT
- Post a video bi-weekly completely in Spanish
- Learn 300 new words each month (with Anki)
- Speak daily with Natives
- Be able to Speak for 1-5 minutes with a Native
- Only speak English on Sundays (as much as possible)
- Write in my journal in Spanish
- Pass the B1 D.E.L.E. Spanish Exam
- Be able to have a 10-20 minute conversation in Spanish about basic everyday topics
How Am I Going to Do It?
- Reread Benny's Language Hacking Guide
- Do what I did in Germany
- Speak! :)
Learning: 
13:22
February 2, 2012
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Good luck, I'll enjoy following your progress. Also quite envious of you going to Guatemala!
How are you finding Pimsleur Spanish? Is it Latin American Spanish? I once tried a Portuguese Pimsleur course and it was distinctly OK, nothing more.
(Irish & German are a bit rusty)
Learning: 
(upper beginner) 
(currently on hiatus).
I will learn: 
My website
17:51
June 29, 2011
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Thanks
I honestly (hate) pimsleur… haha. I think it's so slow and boring. But a friend of mine who went to Peru swears by it. He went there with his girlfriend who "knew" more Spanish than him. He said he practiced with pimsleur for a month or so everyday. When he got to Peru he said he could understand more than his girlfriend.
Like Benny I'm not into programs like Pimsleur or Rosetta Stone, so when I get to Guatemala I'm going to be speaking as much as I can to the natives. I'll only be working with Pimsleur the month before I leave.
21:48
moderator
June 25, 2011
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Funnily enough, Pimsleur was the item that struck me most when I read your plan. "Slow and boring" is the exact description of what my experience with Pimsleur was. Well, it seems like there is no need to comment any further on it.
Have you tried the following free mp3 phrasebooks yet?
Focusing on:
Abandoned: 
21:53
November 17, 2011
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Good luck! Sounds exciting.
By the way, I am also learning Spanish and I found Michel Thomas's beginner and advanced courses to both be excellent. They were also free because they were at my local library.
22:22
February 2, 2012
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I'm lucky that my university lets me take a Spanish class, but I also listen to a lot of podcasts. The Radio Lingua ones are very good. They usually give you Spanish and Latin American pronunciation too. Depending on your level, you could use Coffee Break Spanish (goes from very basic to intermediate) or Show Time Spanish (intermediate). There's also News Time Spanish, which I started using today, which is basically the news, read slowly and clearly (similar to Deutsche Welle's one, if you're familar with German).
(Irish & German are a bit rusty)
Learning: (upper beginner) (currently on hiatus).
I will learn:
My website
03:26
June 29, 2011
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Wow, thanks for all the useful suggestions about Spanish podcasts and programs! I'll definitely check them out.
Ya I may ditch Pimsleur… since there seems to be so many better options out there.
13:30
July 15, 2011
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I'd personally reccommend Michel Thomas Spanish instead of Pimsleur :) I found I learnt a lot more, in a smaller about of time, and it was a lot moer interesting than Pimsleur could ever be xD By the end, you won't have any problem with Spanish verbs (I've done 3 years of academic Spanish courses after completing Michel Thomas, and they still havn't ''taught'' me to the standard that Michel Thomas got me to with verbs after 8-12 hours) and most common words you'll need :)
For listening, I'd also try Notes in Spanish (google it)
Best of Luck
Shaun :)
Learning (conversational):
Learning (beginner):
06:13
June 29, 2011
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ShaunMcBride said:
I'd personally reccommend Michel Thomas Spanish instead of Pimsleur :) I found I learnt a lot more, in a smaller about of time, and it was a lot moer interesting than Pimsleur could ever be xD By the end, you won't have any problem with Spanish verbs (I've done 3 years of academic Spanish courses after completing Michel Thomas, and they still havn't ''taught'' me to the standard that Michel Thomas got me to with verbs after 8-12 hours) and most common words you'll need :)
For listening, I'd also try Notes in Spanish (google it)
Best of Luck
Shaun :)
Thanks for the recommendation I'm definitely going to check out Michel Thomas!
03:21
June 29, 2011
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Update: New Language Plan: NO STUDYING!
I've done some reflecting, watching some videos of pro language learners (like Benny) and I realized something… Studying SUCKS! In Germany I worked my ass off studying everyday for that German test… but this time I want to just relax and have fun learning Spanish! :D
Forget my last post
I'm not going to be so detailed/analytical about learning Spanish when I'm in Guatemala. I'm going to go to a bar and talk with people. I'm going to start a convo on the streets with a passerby. But I'm NOT going to open up a grammar book, an exercise book or anything like that until I can already have a convo with someone.
I just don't think learning languages has to be so difficult. You don't need intense language courses, expensive computer programs or thick grammar books! You just need human-to-human communication!
What I am going to do is:
In March:
- Make a video once a week (en español)*
- Learn 300 new words with Anki
- Practice speaking with a native Spanish speaker I work with
- Watch some movies (en español)
April to August (in Guatemala):
- Post a video every 2 weeks or so. Little summary of what's going on (en español)*
- Learn 300 words/month
- Speak with at least 1 native a day
- Watch some movies (en español)
I'm not going to worry about taking a test or studying grammar. I'm going to just go with the flow, relax and HAVE FUN!
What do you "Fi3M"er's think about a "relaxed/go-with-the-flow" style of learning a language vs. "Hardcore/study grammar/push yourself to the limits" Style of learning a language?
* – 3 or 4 months ago I memorized about a 1 minute personal introduction in Spanish. I didn't practice it at all since I first made it, but now whenever I want to I can just recite it word for word, just as well as I did 4 months ago! It's amazing how powerful memorizing a script like that is. I know when I'm in Guatemala I'll be introducing myself to many people and this little 1 minute script will be soooo helpful!
03:38
July 9, 2011
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Mjsielerjr said:
What do you "Fi3M"er's think about a "relaxed/go-with-the-flow" style of learning a language vs. "Hardcore/study grammar/push yourself to the limits" Style of learning a language?
When I joined this site, I only spoke Spanish as a second language. Last summer I decided to jump in to Italian, and then in the fall, while still in my infancy with Italian, I took on French. Just last week, I went out and bought Living Language Portuguese. I would like to say I now speak them all with ease, but that would be a terrible lie. While I was never a hardcore grammar addict, I tried to teach myself as much as I could in each language, only to find I was burning myself out. While I am not giving up on my dream of speaking all four of those languages, my plan for the next few months is to stick to Spanish in that "go with the flow" kind of style you talk about. I think both methods of studying have their advantages, but as soon as you become bored or overwhelmed, you're going to stop learning. I needed a break, and I think your idea is a good one. I have been striking up conversations with Spanish speaking co-workers of mine, reading Harry Potter in Spanish, and watching cartoons in Spanish. I am trying to make it as much fun as I can while still "studying." To be honest, i have added more Spanish to my Anki deck this week than I had in the last few months. And when the mood strikes me, I'll go back to Italian….and French….and Portuguese. I think you'll have great fun with your Spanish and still learn a lot, and when you have questions, you can always go back to those grammar books if absolutely necessary. Good luck.
Learning: Spanish
Italian
French
Wants to add: Portuguese
German Mandarin
If you´re bored and want to follow my progress, check out: http://jaimito424.wordpress.com/
11:33
February 3, 2012
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I think you need a bit of both, obviously, but if you're trying to speak plenty, you're hopefully going to realise that/when you need more grammar. If you're at the point where you can string an intelligible sentence together then go for it, chat away. I suspect that as you become more comfortable certain forms will become second nature and/or friends will correct your major mistakes. My only qualm would be becoming too hardcore the other way, "Oh, I don't understand why they always say X this way, but I said I wasn't going to open a grammar book!" Hopefully that's not you, though.
Mjsielerjr said:
What do you "Fi3M"er's think about a "relaxed/go-with-the-flow" style of learning a language vs. "Hardcore/study grammar/push yourself to the limits" Style of learning a language?
09:38
June 29, 2011
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kaet said:
I think you need a bit of both, obviously, but if you're trying to speak plenty, you're hopefully going to realise that/when you need more grammar. If you're at the point where you can string an intelligible sentence together then go for it, chat away. I suspect that as you become more comfortable certain forms will become second nature and/or friends will correct your major mistakes. My only qualm would be becoming too hardcore the other way, "Oh, I don't understand why they always say X this way, but I said I wasn't going to open a grammar book!" Hopefully that's not you, though.
I totally agree with you! Speaking and learning grammar are both important! Only focusing on one end of the spectrum isn't the best approach… a healthy medium seems to be the best. I was getting too detailed about grammar and studying… I really just want to have fun and enjoy the experience without worry about taking a test at the end of my stay in Guatemala (like I did in Germany).
I like Benny's approach to language learning. Speaking from day one and then when he gets comfortable speaking and having conversations… then he looks at the grammar.
I think you'll have great fun with your Spanish and still learn a lot, and when you have questions, you can always go back to those grammar books if absolutely necessary. Good luck.
Thanks Jwood :)
02:57
June 29, 2011
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Update: I found a language exchange partner in Xela! Thanks to CouchSurfing!
I posted on the Xela (Quetzaltenango) CouchSurfing Group for a Language Exchange. A guy contacted me the other day! Apparently, he's a Spanish teacher and he'll help me with Spanish and show me around the city. In return I'll help him out with English!
I’m hoping to find a few more language exchange partners.
In other news:
- I’m only 13 days away from leaving for Xela!
- My room is completely messy. I have stuff piled in a corner that I plan on taking with me.
- I’ll post some pictures, on the blog, of what I plan on packing into one backpack, for 4-5 months.
23:14
Experienced Language Hacker
August 9, 2011
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Good Luck!! I have actually been to Antigua & Lake Aitilan but not Xela but I hear it is beautiful and the people of Guatemala are very nice. Have Fun!!!
-Native English (Toronto)
-French
Mission/Learning-
-Spanish
01:05
June 29, 2011
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Thanks! Do you have any tips for getting around Guatemala?
18:17
June 29, 2011
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New Blog Post: "Poquito a Poquito"
I arrived in Xela, Guatemala yesterday and have been having a great time. Speaking Spanish is easier than I thought I would.
You can read the rest of the post at my blog.
22:30
moderator
July 16, 2011
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When I first left for South America I brought a verb dictionary which greatly and quickly improved my level of Spanish. As soon as I figured out the subjunctive tenses I was good to go.
As you can see a whopping majority of Latin Americans are very friendly and outgoing making it very difficult not to practice 
Learning to fluency (C2):
Learning to conversational level (B1/2):
When I achieve my language goals above there will definitely be more that follow!
17:42
March 22, 2012
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I'm enjoying following your blog and your experiences, sounds like you're having a good time so far! I always have Spanish on my 'want to learn more' list, but have never really got round to it. I have some materials, but improving my other languages always seems to take priority. Maybe one day I'll get round to it.
14:52
June 29, 2011
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New Blog Post: 2 Weeks In Guatemala – Video!
It's been 2 weeks since I've arrived in Guatemala and I've actually been able to have short, basic conversations in Spanish! I'm very excited, especially because 2 weeks ago I could barely put a sentence together!
In the last week and a half I've been working on:
- Present Tense
- Past Tense
- Vocabulary
- Conversations
Video: 2 Weeks in Guatemala!
I'm not allowed to embed the video in this post, but if you're interested click the link to see me speak Spanish after 2 weeks of being in Guatemala.
Problems: Using German Word Order
It's been a blessing and a curse finding Germans in Guatemala. It's been good because I've been able to practice and keep my German fresh; but when I switch over to Spanish I keep using German word order!!
I remember Benny talking about how he keeps his languages separated by getting into character when he speaks a certain language. I've been trying to do this, but it's tough. I think it will get easier, the more time I spend with Guatemalans.
Summary:
My Spanish isn't perfect, but I'm very happy with where I'm at after only 2 weeks in Gautemala. I can't wait to see where I'm at in a month!
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