How I Learned Spanish with Destinos (the fun and easy way!)

[@mistercritter]

Yep I've been watching it since I first heard you mention it in one of your older videos (up to Capitulo 9 at the moment), and have found it challenging, but interesting and helpful. The first couple of episodes before Raquel gets to Spain were a little repetitive, but the story really kicks in after that. I'm still amazed there are over 50 episodes! Thanks for the reccomendation!

[@EricaRayLanguage]

So glad you're enjoying it! You are so right. The first episodes are repetitive and then it just takes off suddenly after that. Lol. It's like training wheels off!

[@jenniferjohnson2320]

I started watching Destinos a couple of months of ago. I found this series to be a interesting and helpful aid on learning journey. The learning method I'm using is to watch each video at least 3 times. The first time I watch it without subtitles to force myself to focus on what is being said and to fill in the blanks with the acting or scene. Then I watch it again using Spanish subtitles. Lastly, using English subtitles. Sometimes, I watch it for a forth time without subtitles. It seems like a lot, however, I am amazed by how my ear is becoming more in tune to hear each spoken word.

[@EricaRayLanguage]

That's fantastic! Not excessive at all. It's a great way to train the ear. Where are you finding English subtitles? I actually hadn't come across those. :)

[@jenniferjohnson2320]

@@EricaRayLanguage The easiest way to view the English subtitles is to view it using Chrome. I also use Microsoft Edge. Start the video. Turn on Subtitles. Then click settings. From there you can choose auto translate or select the language of your choice. Hope this helps.

[@EricaRayLanguage]

@@jenniferjohnson2320 Thank you so much for that information!

[@kimasbubbke8394]

@@EricaRayLanguage did the op ever tell you where he found the english subtitles for the show? I cant see his comment for some reason

[@EricaRayLanguage]

It looks like the comment was deleted and unfortunately, I don't remember her response. Perhaps she had automatically-generated translations with the device she was using?

[@lilykor7675]

A suggestion to my fellow learners: if Erica talks too fast for you (my Spanish is between beginners and intermediate), go to settings and change the "playback speed". It helps me a lot: I can now follow the speech while still have time to glance at subtitles. So glad I found this channel! And Erica speaks Spanish like she was born in Madrid lol. Amazing!

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Thanks for sharing the tip and for the compliment! 🤗

[@nicoleyoshihara4011]

It took 3 years to watch in high school. I started rewatching I wonder if there are any other shows/programs like this and also at higher levels?

[@michaelewing4515]

Before there was Duolingo, There was Destinos: An Introduction to Spanish. It was a 50/50 mix of a telecourse and a 30 minute soap opera. I watched the first one today.

[@anna7276]

Erica, I could listen to your voice all day long! Your Speed and pronunciation is perfect for beginners like myself! I will definitely go check out Destinos now - shoulder pads and lengthy face to face glares are right up my alley! 🤣

[@anna7276]

Ps. Just subscribed! You are great! Cheers from Australia! X

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Aww thank you!! Haha! You're going to love Destinos then!

[@seadawg93]

I’m excited to watch this. I recently went back to college and am taking Spanish 1a. Originally it was just because it was required, but I’m like; I want to learn it! And just a few days ago, I remembered “Destinos” from freshman high school Spanish I’m the early 90s!

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Awesome! Best wishes with your Spanish! 😃

[@mandac.5844]

Oh my goodness, this was what I watched in my HS Spanish 3-4 classes, I used to get so annoyed because she would say “bueno” every episode haha. I’ll be rewatching these

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Haha! Yes, it deserves a revisit! 😁👍

[@sylvianorman6313]

I had seen one of your videos that suggested Destinos and couldn't remember who recommended it. Thank you, it has been a tremendous help!!!

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Yay! You're very welcome!

[@NaturallyLatrice]

Watched Destinos in High School Spanish and recently started watching it again. It really is helpful.

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Glad you're giving it another go!

[@Lambmum1921]

You’re a true inspiration!! Let’s learn this Spanish 😄

[@EricaRayLanguage]

🥰

[@theteachingbroker77]

Hola, yo soy de Kentucky tambien. Me gusta tu channel muchisimo! Estoy aprediendo todo dia, muchos gracias!

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Otra Kentuckiana! Mucho gusto!! 😁

[@JohannaEarthlyRamos]

If you would have told me 3 months ago that I’d get excited over the words “this video has been recorded in Spanish for your listening practice.”, I would have given you major side eye 😒. BUT, that’s just what happened! You’re a rockstar in my house Erica and Destinos is lit 🔥🔥👏🏾👏🏾.

[@EricaRayLanguage]

WOOHOO!! 🔥 I can't take the credit. You've given it your all and your results show for it! But I appreciate your lovely comment! 😀

[@iscream2232]

Appreciate the video! I had Spanish many years ago in high school but have started picking it up again. I'm a pretty slow learner, am a recently recovering addict and have Attention Deficit Disorder so it can be muy dificil but I enjoy learning it. I've been back at it with language learning apps and was able to practice some basics down in Cancun last year. Im going again next year so I want to study hard to become a bit more fluent. I've been listening to 70s salsa a lot and am grabbing Destinos now. I was unaware of it before watching your video and yo soy muy emocionado.

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Congratulations on your progress in all aspects of your life, in spite of the struggles. You can do this! I hope you enjoy Destinos and your entire Spanish journey! 😊

[@GameFreak4Ever]

¡Gracias por recomendar este programa y también por hacer el video en español!

[@EricaRayLanguage]

De nada! Espero que te ayude. 🙂

[@lex6819]

I love your channel! I will recommend it to my coworkers who want to learn Spanish

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Thanks so much! 🤗

[@X-RPBishop]

Destinos is absolutely genius!!!

[@EricaRayLanguage]

😁

[@happyheidirenee6301]

Amo amo amo el español. Aprendí en mi niñez por pura curiosidad y encanto, encontré tan fascinante el idioma y me enamoré de las culturas Hispanas/Latinas!

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Qué linda experiencia! 😊

[@nursejenna09]

I watched Destinos in high school. I have very fond memories of if!

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Very cool! :)

[@GreenGiant2007]

I’ve just started watching Destinos and I’m engrossed! I do love a dramatic telenovela.

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Awesome! 😎

[@nikkidupouxstjean3221]

I sooooo thank you for putting all the episode. There are other people on other pages begging for the rest of it. You are a saint. I just started watching it I'm only on episode 2 and I'm hook. What's the secret in that letter???? Lol thank you so much. Now I really want to learn Spanish. Gracias mi. Amiga.

[@EricaRayLanguage]

So glad that you're enjoying Destinos! Woohoo! 😁

[@ladydede88]

I’m going to start this today. Thanks for the recommendation

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Enjoy!

[@kanakbaraliya7546]

Hola, muchas Gracias! I am an Indian and learning Spanish since un semana. Mucho gusto, senorita. With your guidance I entered in to 'Destino' y sorprendido. How can I be greatful to you while just started learning to walk. But still I try, para ti buen dia para buen Vida.

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Enjoy the amazing journey! :)

[@lamorena6379]

Gracias por la sugerencia. Voy a probarlo.👍🏽

[@EricaRayLanguage]

De nada! Ojalá lo disfrutes!

[@JuanCarlos49086]

La felicito, usted habla muy bien el español! Al principio pensé que era de algún país hispano y había emigrado s Estados Unidos antes de mudarse a México. Después me di cuenta que no. Su familia es anglo-parlante y es de Kentucky. By the way, tiene mucha razón en lo que aconseja en este video.

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Muchas gracias y qué bueno que le haya gustado el video. 😊

[@amberd6696]

Thank you for all your tips! I am loving Destinos so far. I am so happy I found your channel ❤

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Yay!! Thank you. It's my pleasure! ☺️

[@happyheidirenee6301]

I loved Destinos in high school! Haha

[@sidstovell2177]

Destinos: 'Que lío en las calles', un frase todavía en mi mente después de décadas. Y durante 24 años en una ciudad en lo que haya lío en las calles todos los días, nunca he oído la palabra 'lio'. Vivo en el estado norte de ti. Quizá tienen el mismo problema en la ciudad tuyo. Gracias, Erica.

[@brandonsmith1198]

There’s actually helps a lot

[@joellimones3497]

Qué hermoso video. Qué bonito te expresas. ❤️

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Gracias mi amor! ❤️

[@LimitlessCat]

Hola Erica! Muchas gracias por esto! I have been looking for a good video series to complement vocab building. I searched and searched KZbin for a resource like your page and then you just popped up on my home page without searching. Thanks!

[@EricaRayLanguage]

I'm so glad we found each other! 😀

[@juliocesarzermenolotina3708]

Haces bien Érica. Te deseo lo mejor.

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Muchas gracias!

[@jonathanzepeda6048]

Hello Erica! I’m having troubles on which program to start with in order to begin my studies. I am Mexican. My mom was born in Mexico but moved to America and never taught me how to speak Spanish. I just recently came back from Mexico and for my first time in my life I really want to learn. I have so much family over there. It is hard for me to understand things when people speak fast. When I read Spanish I can almost comprehend everything without help. I can also get a cross my point but it is very broken & my tenses are sooo bad. I know 100s of verbs, and different things but it’s hard for me to put it together. I think I’m going to try this out and see where it takes me!

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Congratulations on your desire to learn Spanish and connect with your roots! That's awesome! :) Yes, why don't you give Destinos a try first. Since it's free, you can't go wrong. If you find that it's not your style, I do have other resource suggestions on my website: ericaraylanguage.com/spanishresources/ And if you discover that your issue is more with confusion over where to start and how to put your routine together and you're wanting support around that topic, then my free masterclass would be a good place for you to start. You can register here: ericaraylanguage.com/masterclass I hope one or all of those suggestions help! :)

[@jonathanzepeda6048]

@@EricaRayLanguage Awsome! Would you suggest the study book that goes along with it?

[@EricaRayLanguage]

I did use the textbook and workbook when I was starting out, but you may or may not need them. Perhaps start by watching a couple of episodes first and see how you do with them. If you find that you would like written exercises to go along with the program then go for it! :)

[@lex6819]

I speak Spanish as my second language. I work in a public library in a Spanish speaking neighborhood. When we hire part time staff who aren't native speakers, I have noticed that those who have 2 years of college level Spanish 101 - 202 become pretty fluent pretty quickly. I have an MA in Spanish and I even struggle to understand speakers from certain parts of Latin America. If your family is from one of the coastal areas of Mexico they might be harder to understand than people in central Mexico. So don't be too hard on yourself. When I was a TA in grad school I taught first year Spanish and we used Destinos. It's a wonderful program. You can then supplement with watching programs on Telemudo for more listening comprehension. I have recommended Destinos to my coworkers who want to learn Spanish and need a comprehensive program. You can only get so far with Duolingo.

[@lex6819]

Also, in Mexico there are hundreds of native American languages spoken there. Are you sure your family is speaking Spanish? Are you able to pick out any Spanish words? A former coworker of mine was born in Oaxaca and grew up speaking Zapotec. Spanish was only his 2nd language. Ditto for Guatemala. I had someone from the school system contact me because they needed a translator for a Guatemalan family that none of their Spanish translators could understand. But I don't speak any of the indigenous languages either so I had to refer them to the anthropology department at the university. There are over a 100 Mayan languages spoken in Guatemala. Latin America is not just Spanish speaking and not everyone from Mexico and Central America speak Spanish.

[@Vashanti.]

Hi where did u get the destinos book? And did you find the complete set

[@DavidMuhammad72]

Necesito empezar a ver esto y la flor es un buen toque.

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Claro que sí, y gracias! 😉

[@wendyc5217]

I have been binge watching this based on your recommendation - I love it!! And can't believe how much I understand, I have got upto a journey to Puerto Rico part 8 which is as far as the link takes you, which is halfway through the course, I came back here to thank you Erica for the recommendation and to see if anyone else can advise where I can view the rest of the course, I'm based in the UK

[@wendyc5217]

OK I found them on KZbin 😁

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Oh yay!! Glad you're loving them and that you were able to find them on YT since the website wasn't showing them all to you ☺️

[@utubedude2842]

Are you rewatching episodes so you understand it fully or just going episode to episode? I’m trying it myself

[@CynsCorner]

Destinso is EXCELLENT! Have you ever seen El Internado?

[@EricaRayLanguage]

I sure haven't! Is it good?

[@CynsCorner]

@@EricaRayLanguage - Yes, SO good! As is Gran Hotel. Both of them used to be on Netflix, but sadly aren't there any more. Not sure how easily they can be found, but if you happen to come across them at some point, you will probably enjoy checking them out.

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Thank you!

[@wickman.r4662]

Thank you for the idea that when l am reading Spanish, that at the same time also speak the words that I’m reading. . . The Destinos textbook Study Guide is helpful. The easy Spanish Phrase Book - Pablo Loaeza PhD is a great help for pronunciation. Also; will try Olly Richards for beginners, short stories. I’ll be careful to correctly get muscle memory for correct sounds speaking vowels and consonants. And, learn the meaning of cognates and conjugation.

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Sounds like a plan!

[@chant2day]

There is a group of us that study Destinos together. Hay un groupo de mujeres que estudiamos Destinos juntas. Una persona hace las preguntas y entonces hacemos las repuestas. Estamos en episodeo 14. Salimos de Espana y ahora estamos en Argentina. Gracias para su ayuda.😛

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Excelente!! 😁

[@dwalker6868]

Thank you

[@jovicrazed]

I wish the Destinos workbooks were still in print or could be purchased as ebooks (PDFs).

[@EricaRayLanguage]

I've been told they can be purchased on betterworldbooks.com and ebay.com. Amazon sometimes has them as well, but often they're pricier there.

[@JewishMarine]

I watched the entire series, but after I learned Spanish, it was really good. Premio Mayor is better though.

[@quentintyler]

Hello, Ive started watching Destinos. Do you know where I can get the study guide? (Workbook) Id prefer a pfd format if possible

[@laradvorak9690]

Hola Erica! Thanks so much for these videos! Subscribed and on day 2 of my Spanish learning journey- I wanted to download your ‘blueprint’ but the link seems to not work anymore. Is there a new location for this? Muchas gracias!

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Hi there! The link is still ericaraylanguage.com/blueprint let me know if it's still giving you trouble!

[@robertg8303]

Ok after this series then what a good series ? Thank you

[@oasisfullfilled7617]

Esclava Blanca

[@Meisjezondernaam]

Thank you so much! And btw you are so beautiful 🥰

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Aww thank you! 🤗

[@ramonamouton2826]

Hi! Erica I don't know if you will receive this text but l really want to do better with Learning Spanish and l just started watching you, l have been studying off and on for a long time but then l stop. So cam you tell me some way's that will help me learn.

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Hi! I would start with this free study guide and audit your routine to see if you're missing anything and start to brainstorm how you might fill in those gaps. :) ericaraylanguage.com/studyplan. I also have a free training about putting together a study plan: ericaraylanguage.com/90days I hope that helps!

[@learnENGLISHwithdebi]

Wow! GREAT video!!! We loved it from start to finish!

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Yay!! Thank you! 😁😁

[@1Soulger]

@@EricaRayLanguage Thank you Erica, I'm beginning my journey into learning the Spanish language

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Yay!! Exciting!

[@CoachE1919]

Can you give me some advice on how to go about learning how to speak Spanish? I have some comprehension but can't speak it at all. How long do you think it would take for me to be able to speak Spanish?

[@EricaRayLanguage]

I have lots of videos on those topics. :) Here are a couple you can start with. Speak Spanish without people - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJ-ci6uLh9tkqas, 5 ways to learn Spanish faster - kzbin.info/www/bejne/boOnhq2hrdp7adE, How long did it take me to learn Spanish - kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHekqoKGhruFnMU

[@CoachE1919]

@@EricaRayLanguage I'llbstart by watching those videos and go from there. Thanks for the advice.

[@luvrebma5054]

Cabella es muy bonita!

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Muchas gracias! Sí, ya ando con mi cabello natural! 😀

[@mikecanonica94]

Hi Erica, I enjoyed the video and subscribed to your channel; however, the link to the Spanish Fluency Blueprint is not working.

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Hi there. I'm sorry you're having trouble. Ericaraylanguage.com/blueprint Please let me know if it works for you now.

[@mikecanonica94]

@@EricaRayLanguage Thanks for the quick response. That link worked! I will review the information later tonight. I am a LingQ user, so Destinos, Duolingo Podcasts, FSI and the LingQ Mini Stories are natural sources of input.

[@EricaRayLanguage]

@@mikecanonica94 So glad the link worked and I love that you're already using wonderful sources of comprehensible input!

[@RDR_-mf4yy]

Bonito 🤩

[@thetraceyfarrar9791]

Muchas gracias por otra gran video! ¿Donde compraste los libros de textos de Destinos?

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Gracias! Me los mandaron por correo de parte de mi preparatoria (yo estudiaba en casa). Pero ahora se pueden encontrar en Amazon y creo que Ebay también

[@thetraceyfarrar9791]

@@EricaRayLanguage Ok, gracias! Me encanta Destinos! He estado mirandolo de nuevo para examinar mi progreso.

[@EricaRayLanguage]

@@thetraceyfarrar9791 excelente! 😁

[@kyeshaanderson5369]

Hey! Did you also do the workbooks? And where did you find them?

[@EricaRayLanguage]

I did use the books. Nowadays I think they are harder to find but sometimes I see them available on Amazon. And I would imagine eBay as well, although I have not checked there.

[@kyeshaanderson5369]

@@EricaRayLanguage thank you! I'll look there

[@bookstoread7436]

How do I use it? The video in the website won't start.

[@EricaRayLanguage]

They seemed to have made them only play in the U.S. on the learners and KET websites. But you can also watch on YT here: kzbin.info/aero/PLWILG6WW1sl-xk1BX4pSbPLdGve9mefit

[@Nicole-k7r]

Muy Bien y tambien me gusta su camisita Rosa.

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Gracias!

[@chant2day]

Hi Erica, there I a group of us using destinos in our Spanish journey. We had been watching stories like Monarca on Netflix but some were complaining it was too violent. So one lady remembered Destinos from years ago. I bought the textbook & workbooks inexpensively (I find that was very lucky,). We are on episode 9 .One writes he questions & we get together once a week & discuss it. I know a lot of Spanish but this story & your suggestions have helped me a lot thanks

[@EricaRayLanguage]

How wonderful to hear this!! Thank you so much for sharing! 🤗

[@grazynawolska8160]

Hey Erica, ever heard of "French in Action", it's like Destinos but in French 🇨🇵

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Yes!! I discovered it just a few months ago and wished that I had found it earlier. ☺️☺️

[@irvanhamal3368]

I can’t download this

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Do you mean you're unable to watch Destinos or are you referring to something else?

[@simplyti7851]

Did you watch the show with Spanish subtitles? Or no and will it still be effective without workbooks?

[@EricaRayLanguage]

I know I watched without subtitles, but I have no recollection of if I included the Spanish subtitles at any point, or if that was even an option. It was a long time ago. :) And yes it will definitely be effective without the workbooks. Lots of people benefit from the program without the workbooks.

[@servantrose]

I wonder, are you speaking slowly to help us. ? I'm a year into this and whenever I do speak in spanish, I speak just like you are now and I wonder if I'll ever get faster :( yea I found Destinos about 2 months ago and I love it and understand many things but not all.

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Yes, I do try to speak slowly and clearly for you guys in these videos.

[@SYNASTRYASTROLOGY]

So, in English, how DID you lean spanish watching el Destino? :)

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Switch on the English subtitles :)

[@BrendaBoykin-qz5dj]

🌟🔥🌹🔥🌟

[@rayp4986]

Why would you record “how i learned spanish” for English listeners in Spanish???

[@EricaRayLanguage]

Why, for listening practice of course! :) There's no other way to learn Spanish than by listening to it and learning the vocab. There are subtitles in English (and Spanish) if you need assistance, as mentioned at the beginning of the video. Many of my subscribers continually request more videos in Spanish, so I'll be making more!

[@RTWest-kn5fr]

ESPAÑOL... En el episodio cinco... por ejemplo... y si tienes tiempo y dinero... lo mejor sería que nos encontráramos frente a The Italian Coffee Shop, aquí en el Parque Zócalo, en el centro... es decir. .. Colonia Centro Histórico, Puebla, México... Recomiendo La Moka Grande con crema y chispas. No es crítico... pero se sentirá mejor al usar tanto su nuevo español como su inglés antiguo conmigo, Robertin (pronunciado Ro-bear-teen) un diminutivo de Robert... y alguien que rápidamente aprendió a hablar español mexicano. No más... Bobby. ENGLISH... In episode five... for example... and if you have the time and money... it would be best for us to meet in front of The Italian Coffee Shop, here in Parque Zócalo, downtown... es decir... Colonia Centro Histórico, Puebla, México... I recommend La Moka Grande with cream and sparkles. Not critical... but, you will feel better about using both your new Spanish and old English with me, Robertin (pronounced Ro-bear-teen) a diminutive for Robert... and, someone who rapidly learned to speak Méxican Spanish. No more... Bobby. Saludos a todos... RT sends... envia... Colonia Centro Histórico, Puebla, México... And... no spoiler alert... but I know how Destinos ends... but, I will say that it didn't involve ETs and a trip off planet. You can do this guys. I did.