Focus on Principles (not Methods) to Improve Your Spanish Study Routine

[@realfastspanish]

Have you thought about principles when trying to figure out the best way to learn a language? Please let me know if this is a new idea or something you have considered before.

[@johnharper2677]

Do you teach all this in your courses?

[@inderbirbal6255]

Nooo you can't tease a rock climbing story without sharing 😁

[@thomasbermingham9984]

I have been searching for better ways to improve my studies and your explanation here is very sound. You are certainly one of the best tutors on KZbin thank you 👌👌

[@CalebJHoman]

I agree! I took 4 years of Spanish in high school and I don't think principle 1 was being followed at all. Haha. I now am working construction along with multiple Mexicans and some South Americans and my Spanish is improving a million times faster because I am motivated and want to learn. También, Estoy aprendiendo mucho de tus KZbin.

[@realfastspanish]

Muy bien, gracias Caleb! 👍

[@john-vw1ry]

Hi

[@deborahpacheco2799]

I really appreciate your programs. You break things down so it's easy to understand. You don't talk too fast, and your lessons aren't crammed with college classroom grammar phrases. You're lessons are fantastic!

[@slobobba]

Two days ago I concluded a 4 week immersion program in Oaxaca (city). My starting level might be called advanced beginner. I signed up for a second 4 week program at a different school, commencing tomorrow. I came across your KZbin channel 2-3 weeks ago while seeking some clarification about a grammar topic. I haven’t checked out the podcast but due to some of the comments will do so muy pronto. The background above is to set the context for the following remark- Wow, I needed this information a lot! It clarifies my intuition about not continuing with the immersion program and trying a school with a different methodology. Principle 1) your video affirms my sense that there are a few actions I can take to improve my readiness and ability to learn. Principle 2) Practice. How can I explore some different methodologies for practicing? I engage often in conversation with people on the street. Often I find myself mentally correcting myself afterwards; that helps. I’m also drilling with digital flash cards (ConjuGato👍🏼) to noticeable benefit. The immersion class is beneficial but cuts both ways as I can’t learn what I can’t understand. Thanks to many of the commenters for your helpful experiences and thoughts. Question- prior to this month I had never studied Spanish though have spent, over the past 35 years, an aggregate of maybe 3!years in Latin America. I’ve communicated successfully through a limited vocabulary of words and phrases, but with very little structure. Now I’m finally learning and imposing some structure to how I speak, I’m also having to avoid and undo my previous [lazy] ways of communicating. Any suggestions or advice for how to make this transition?

[@VineshVaswani]

You have described the method and principle very clearly. I appreciate you analytical approach. Do such talks often.it wakes up a confused mind and helps to find a direction. Thank you, Guruji.

[@realfastspanish]

Thanks for the feedback Vinesh! 😊

[@theresatomasello1843]

Hola Andrew, por favor danos más de este contenido. Nos sirve mucho. El la llave de todo sin duda.

[@kaypackard9487]

I really appreciate how you distilled the learning into two basic principles #1 Readiness and #2 Great practice makes great. Without that perspective/acknowledgement, one could flounder with less effective tactics or methods, as you identified. It seems like you really enjoy the motivating aspects of being a teacher and it is important for learners to understand how psychology, mind and motivation play into the results of learning (even though were in the gap 🙂). So yes, please keep these types of messages coming! Thank you very much for the colossal amount of thought, time and care you put into making these incredibly helpful videos. I leave for Mexico (Guadalajara/Guanajuato) in two weeks and many of your lessons will be put to practice. I'm ready!

[@realfastspanish]

Thanks for the kind words Kay! 🙏

[@aruiz188]

I come from a large Latino family where some of our great grandparents who came from Mexico to the US intentionally tried to erase the Spanish language from our family as a way of protecting us so we would fit in & not be judged in the US by having broken English. It's unfortunately common. As generations went on, speaking in Spanish is almost eliminated from our family on my mom's side. It's sad. I always grew up with the culture of singing, dancing, cooking, and practicing traditions MINUS the language. I took probably 6 years of Spanish classes which didn't help me get to the point of fluency which I want for career purposes & simply feeling connected to other Spanish speakers. It's embarrassing I'm still no where near where I want to be. Hearing Spanish on repetition via podcasts, music or shows/ movies NEVER helped me. I'm a visual & hands on learner - spending time with family who's primary language is Spanish who directly talk to me and show me what they're talking about helps slightly. I feel as though in order to fully become fluent I need to do exactly what you said and learn to study it in a way that makes me absorb the info. I'm 37 and I'm not close to being where I'd like to be with my understanding of forming sentences. I have a large vocab and great comprehension on pronunciation but I have a long way to go.

[@catskillsonline]

“If you learn only methods, you'll be tied to your methods. But if you learn principles, you can devise your own methods.” -Ralph W Emerson

[@realfastspanish]

Yes, absolutely! 👍

[@lb420]

Yes, please, I feel I need more videos like this; Thank you! The explanation of principals and methods in learning a language is very helpful! Going to organize myself! Be ready! This video gives me encouragement to do look differently at my method to learn Spanish!

[@norikosato7823]

A few years ago I learned from a music teaching/learning channel a "proverb" many music teaches are saying. That was: Practice makes permanent. This means, if you make the same mistake again and again every time you practice, you will not be able to correct that mistake. Instead, repeating the same mistake again and again will make that mistake permanent. I think it is applicable to the language learning as well.

[@ikemyung8623]

I really appreciated this video! I have a new music student and we need to discuss "how to practice." This reminded me that my 15-year old student will benefit most if I help them identify the principles behind great practice so that they can figure out which methods work best for them, rather than just impose some methods on them...which we all know would probably just bring up a lot of resistance. I would vote for you to do more of this type of video. I will quickly add that I really enjoy your approach in general and find the "Palabra X VS Palabra Y" videos really helpful. In the early 90s, I was immersed in Spanish in Mexico and learned very quickly. A few years later I taught Spanish at a community college. While this helped me figure a lot of things out, as a non-native, there are still things that sometimes seem mysterious and confusing. Thus I find your detailed explanations and examples really helpful! ¡Muchísimas gracias!

[@realfastspanish]

Thanks for the feedback Ike!! 🙏

[@throughthegrace7893]

I love your channel. You just explained a lot of my struggles with learning Spanish. I have been primarily using Pimsluer and I listen and repeat on my way home from work. Often times I'm too tired and stressed to listen after work so I am trying difderent methods right now. Thanks for all of the hard work here.

[@sammychernikoff6406]

Great videos my friend. A good example of cooking principles is the awesome “cookbook” Salt Fat Acid Heat

[@michds9771]

I like these videos because you make sense and open up my eyes to things I never would have known

[@jamesfreese4700]

Good video with helpful info!!!gracias

[@carolm9996]

I had never thought about principle versus methodology before but this made a lot of sense to me. Thank you for sharing

[@realfastspanish]

I'm glad it was helpful Carol! 😊

[@claytondemge2630]

I’m glad I found a good nutrition advice channel, now I gotta find one for Spanish.

[@lucy6375]

Thanks Andrew. I've listened to a lot of your videos on language learning methods and tips and I've found them all fascinating and very helpful. Yes more like this would definitely be watched by me :) .

[@KevinSharp-n6r]

Más por favor. Excelente y muy útil.

[@calmontes651]

I learned the high nutrient / low calorie principle from Dr. Furhman (a famous doctor/author) in 2017; it changed my life. He even created his ANDI index (google it); it helps at the beginning when you don’t know the nutritional value of things, pretty quick you realize there’s a principle there i.e leafy greens, veggies, etc. I was so excited to see your video on this topic! I’ve stayed with the same Korean teacher because she keeps me relax principle 1. For principle 2, working on this!

[@TheRealJoseramirez]

Thank you. I believe that's right. I've been thinking about it for a while. I'd like to suggest something else for your consideration: the difference between "knowing and "understanding". Einstein said that unless you can explain it to a six year old, you don't understand it. I subscribe to that. I always strive to understand why something is as it is. In other words what is the principle behind it. For me, that usually involves grammar. I think that if you grasp the principle, other things often become clearer. I don't always succeed because my language learning isn't advanced enough. But, I store those away for future reference. I recognise that many people operate very successfully without recourse to that. And clearly it applies to a learner of a foreign language not a native speaker unless they have an academic interest.

[@realfastspanish]

Thanks Jose, yes I think about that Einstein quote a lot as well. If I can't explain something simply, it probably means I don't understand it! It's a great quote!! ❤️

[@ebolds4918]

This an important point, that I haven’t seen addressed in other videos on language learning. Thanks

[@pegross8652]

An excellent and helpful video, Andrew. Differentiating between methods and principles is a great way to approach language learning!

[@kenschroeppel3128]

Great video, Andrew! I would love to see more videos like this. I got hooked on your Real Fast Spanish podcast due to the Mindset Monday episodes that dealt with the process of language learning versus the language to be learned itself.

[@realfastspanish]

Thanks for the feedback Ken! 🙏

[@anngiuli]

Thank you Andrew for this great video. I would like to see more videos of this type. Your explanation was crystal clear.

[@KDLNBGH]

This aligns 100% with my experience in architecture school and approaching design. Also with music and learning an instrument. Great video!

[@realfastspanish]

Thanks Kyle, yes these ideas should be applicable in many fields. Thanks for sharing 🙏

[@Lives2Think]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:26 🎧 Start by studying the sounds of the language, focusing on vowels and emphasis, as they are crucial for effective communication. 01:21 👥 Seek guidance and help from teachers, mentors, or peers to identify strengths and weaknesses in your language learning journey. 02:41 😌 Stay relaxed while learning to avoid anxiety hindering the language acquisition process; prioritize principles over methods. 03:37 🗣️ Overcome the fear of speaking early in your language learning journey, even before feeling fully prepared. 04:48 📚 Consistency is key; prioritize consistent, long-term learning strategies over intense but sporadic efforts for better retention. Made with HARPA AI

[@theresatomasello1843]

Tiene todo sentido. Gracias! Me gustaría mas sobre principios y métodos relacionados al aprendizaje de español. 😊

[@mr.anderson736]

I am so so happy to have found your videos. Watching your videos is part of my "perfect" practice routine 😉. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

[@liadrakoudi]

I loved it and I think that it concerns both teachers and students and of course every language in the world!!!😁Thank you! Muchas Gracias @Real Fast Spanish

[@VivasPuertorriquenos]

Practice doesn’t make perfect. Practice progressively makes participating in any activity greatly perfected.

[@LawrenceNixon-u8b]

i enjoy your videos. great advice. muchas gracias.

[@gregheaton2855]

Your thoughts are are very interesting and sound logical. I would like to hear more on specific applications of the concept. Thank you

[@christiesimmons3234]

Thanks Andrew. You've done an excellent job of explaining the difference between method and principle and what you've said makes great sense. However, the principle of perfect practice, and not just practice is super important. That's a nut that's yet to be cracked and I would love more on that. How is it possible to begin to know if the practice that I'm doing is perfect practice?! What can I practically, realistically do to evaluate my practice and perfect it? That's what I would love to know more about! Thanks!

[@realfastspanish]

Thanks Christie, the last part of this video is dedicated to this question. It can take a little bit of self-awareness to determine if your primary skills (sounds, vocabulary and grammar) are improving or not. If they aren't, you may just be practicing and not doing great practice. If your vocabulary and grammar and knowledge of sounds are improving, then you are probably doing great practice. All that said, I will do more videos on this question.

[@christiesimmons3234]

@@realfastspanish Yes. Thanks Andrew, I'd love it if you had more advice on how to approach evaluating those primary skills! I want to be sure my practice is effective and I have tried to set SMART goals... but it's hard to determine if my primary skills are improving. I can acquire new vocabulary (although for less-frequently used vocabulary I fear I lose words as quickly as I gain others) and I suppose other skills are improving. But supposing is just supposing. Thanks!

[@lukaspisel9558]

Would love to see some climbing + Spanish content lol. Keep up the good work, thanks for the interesting and thought provoking discussion. I too am definitely guilty of "going through the motions" with a method and not ensuring that my practice time is spent as engaged, attentive, and purposeful as I can be. This video made me think about how I can better practice and ensure that my time is spent as meaningfully as possible.

[@realfastspanish]

I have been thinking about it Lukas, searching for a good way to combine my two passions that would help students. I'll think of something eventually 😅

[@agogooo9776]

This's a great educative video. Thank you for sharing this valuable information 🙏

[@realfastspanish]

Glad it was helpful! 😊

[@NipomoBeach]

Thank you for this interesting video. I will have to think a little more on the principles concept so I can better understand it. That will be my next focus in language learning.

[@realfastspanish]

Thanks Nipomo 🙏

[@kinihunter6118]

Great video. Very interesting and helpful. Thank you. I hope you do more like it.

[@realfastspanish]

Thanks for the feedback Kini!

[@jhonyermo]

Omaiga si. More like this, mas como esto. Porfa!

[@washbrook87]

Excellent life video. Not just for learning language 👇👏

[@realfastspanish]

Yes, definitely, these ideas can apply to anything! Thanks Chris! 😊

[@lornahiggins2926]

I found this video really useful. Thanks Andrew!

[@realfastspanish]

I'm glad to hear that! Thanks for letting me know Lorna! 😊

[@katedwyer721]

Me gusta su videos.

[@GeorgeCook]

I really appreciate the depth and usefulness of your presentations, AND I can only take so much of the rapid-fire, no-break editing style of most of the videos of yours that I have viewed. If you could seem a little more relaxed and thoughtful, then I could relax and let more of what you are saying sink in. If you could just slow . . down . . a bit . . Thanks 🙂 George Reply

[@HoustonCanuck]

Really love your stuff. I am a beginner spanish learner, one of your website members and working my way through 20 day "Vocab 1-200 word" self study course, as well as working through 3-4 language apps daily (total of about 2-3 hrs a day). After the last 45 days or so I can recall quite a bit when I have the questions in front of me, but when my Spanish speaking wife asks me a question, I blank out in trying to respond with the right words and sentence structure. My recall is not great when I have to think without prompts for the answer. My Question is : How can I start transitioning from a theory/study knowledge to a working ability. Do you have a video already created explaining the best way to do this?

[@realfastspanish]

This is a common problem Greg! And I have already done videos on this but I can of course do more 👍

[@justineannsalvador7687]

Thank you so much for this! ❤️

[@realfastspanish]

Thanks for the comment Justine! 😊

[@proteach9224]

Wow!!!! . Awesome.

[@cb7963]

Excellent... more!

[@julietmae1]

Excellent analysis and explanation on how to learn Spanish better. Sounds like you are a good baker too ?!

[@carlipicco]

Given the fact that i’m Italian and due to the similitarities between Italian and Spanish i always thought that learning spanish would be really easy but oh boy I was wrong, I can grasp basically anything written, I may need a few more minutes vs reading in Italian but it’s really easy, but whenever I need to speak/write I’m so lost, idk why whenever I try to think in Spanish my brain automatically sets to English making every thing more difficult due to the fact that I first think something in English, then I try to think that in Italian due to the similarity i Spanish and then in Spanish, going directly from English to Spanish giving the fact that they are both not my native language would be impossible. It’s actually rather sad being able to comprehends Spanish with such ease but not being able to say basically anything

[@macalloway1]

So simply put it's the difference between a strategy and a tactic

[@16hacker]

Intentar or probar?

[@VivasPuertorriquenos]

What is the principle of Spanish verb conjugation?

[@brianm3160]

This is great!

[@realfastspanish]

Thanks Brian! 😊

[@kbkbg3663]

I would like more clarification of principles .. a deeper dive..

[@amirar2371]

please can you tell me where to start learn spanish like i got overwhelmed on youtube what should i do i need a step by step guide or something similar please help

[@realfastspanish]

Yes, there is a lot of information out there. You should start with our Spanish for Beginners video, it should help you get started.

[@amirar2371]

@@realfastspanish ok thanks alot

[@danremenyi1179]

Very good but I think there are more principles than the 2 you mentioned.

[@realfastspanish]

Okay, sounds good! 😊 What am I missing?

[@ronaldmorris8390]

skip to 6:05

[@RobertBee-fs8hv]

The lesson starts at the 6 minute mark principals 1. Get Ready Feet flat on floor , good nights rest . A full pack of cigarette at your work station etc. 2. PRACTICE @ 8 minute mark How to make a 3 minute video into a 9-minute video😮

[@mezac88]

If anyone wanna practice their Spanish, feel free to text me. I’d like to gain experience at teaching Spanish (I’m nota a teacher but experiences will help me a lot)

[@claytondemge2630]

Your metaphor falls apart when you start to learn more about how the human body functions and what foods actually have high nutrients. We don’t use calories at all, and spinach is weak for nutrients. Liver is a much better choice, or any organ meat really.

[@raycoon4908]

This video could have been 3 min. Long and covered the main points. It was extra long- winded and the videos in between were unnecessary. I realize they are suppose to be humorous and break the monotony, but they defeat the purpose for intelligent people. I much prefer the written notes for this site rather than the videos.

[@raycoon4908]

Principle 1- less is more

[@realfastspanish]

Thanks for the feedback Ray. If you prefer the written notes, then by all means please stick to the written materials. Your comment about intelligent people caught my attention because research has demonstrated that intelligent people are actually more vulnerable to cognitive biases such as overweighting the importance of method-based thinking. This could mean that it's even harder to think from a first principles perspective.

[@imafilipino1287]

too much ado about language best way to learn how to say it is to live where itv is spoken then start speaking and thinking in that language youre done thank me later

[@cjbowring]

The content of your videos is excellent, really excellent. But please, please stop recording a separate take for each sentence. Yes, literally, every sentence. It's really quite annoyintg to watch and I cannot for minute understand why you record in this jerky fashion.

[@realfastspanish]

Thanks Christopher, I'm glad you like the content. In terms of the editing process, if you watched the original footage, you would see why most KZbinrs edit this way. We cut out breathing noises and pauses that don't need to be there in the final edit.

[@kenschroeppel3128]

@@realfastspanish I agree with Christopher. This "separate take for each sentence" issue is one of the most frustrating aspects of watching educational KZbin videos. It is difficult to listen to and is an unnatural human communication process. Pauses are super critical in verbal communication. They allow me, the listener, to process the information just received, to catch my mental breath if you will. Cutting out all of the pauses and the "ahs" and "ums" denies me the opportunity to receive those needed breaks in the flow of information coming at me. It also creates a jerky visual experience in the video image itself. Contrast this to your outstanding Real Fast Spanish podcast where you do not edit out all of the breaks. Listening to the podcast is a joy because it is like having a conversation with you, as if you were with me in the same room and we were chatting. There is a beautiful relaxed flow to your podcast specifically because you are not editing out all of the pauses. I'm not sure who told "most KZbinrs" to edit out all of the pauses and to trim each video segment so tightly to the start/end of the audio, but it is annoying and unnecessary. This video was 10:56 long. It would have been so much better if it had been a 11:26 long with 30 seconds of natural pauses sprinkled throughout. Still-the content was wonderful and I benefited from watching the video, but I would encourage you to channel the pod-caster in you when you make your videos. Buck the trend, Andrew! 🙂