Maya's Extreme Spanish Challenge

Maya embarks on a one-week extreme Spanish challenge to determine how much her Spanish has improved.
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[@angelltayy]

I’m African American, and although I wasn’t born into este cultura, me encanta el idioma y las culturas diferentes MUCHO. Felicidades, Maya! Yo quiero practicar contigo :)

[@canadianqueen76]

Same...

[@DukeSaragono]

si me to, im learning from duolingo and youtube! i can read it more than anything thou but ill get there soon one day

[@angelltayy]

Duke Saragano I’m sure you’ll ace it sooner than you think! I’ve been learning for about 5 years now, All I need to work on now is mastering my speaking with others, like Maya lol.

[@DukeSaragono]

@@angelltayy 5 years wow, how you been learning? there's a app called "HelloTalk" where they have native speakers trying to learn English and will teach you Spanish free of charge, check it out if you haven't already

[@itsrebecca359]

I’m black American also I’ve always loved the Latino cultura ever since I was a kid and I love the language! I’m so close to being fluent! To help I watch Spanish shows and movies, listen to podcasts, and use duolingo . Rooting for y’all !

[@natashabrooks4188]

You look gorg Maya! Don't stop trying to improve your fluency in Spanish. You've come so far 👍

[@jordanr2244]

We get told we aren’t real Mexicans or Puerto Rican’s or any other Hispanic/Latino culture that we aren’t “real” *input culture* that’s why.

[@jordanr2244]

Natasha Brooks blood in, blood out is a prime example, yes he speaks Spanish and is Chicano like us but he has white skin so many Mexicans cast him out, different side on the same coin

[@bastardasinglorias]

wtf is gorg?

[@natureking7122]

@@bastardasinglorias gorgeous

[@deno.marquez]

Nobody: Maya’s hair: *changing curl pattern everyday* Me: I LOVE HER HAIR ❤️

[@spaceboogie9333]

I find myself not listening to her and just staring at her hair lol

[@kkeez6719]

Space Boogie woah buddy

[@allisonpadilla7872]

Bro Ivan is so sweet 😭💕 we need more supportive friends like him

[@angieavila5604]

we all need an Ivan en nuestras vidas!

[@alejandradeleon8862]

Gracias Maya. I’m Puerto Rican and I’m going to start my spanish journey tomorrow. It’s good to see someone like me that is learning. Really motivates me and makes me feel less alone. So Gracias Maya keep going your Spanish is great. 💙🤍💙🤍

[@camilleelasky537]

How is it going?

[@marena-san3390]

The improvement is ASTRONOMICAL ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨💓💓

[@Joanna-vd2vf]

I feel u girl. 100% born here. Got bullied and was ashamed . Stopped speaking spanish at a young age and lost my culture. Now I want it back but I can tell that I have that spanglish accent. Middle school kids are assholes

[@alexialanda27]

Girl so are Mexicans. lol To this day when I travel in Mexico and I speak spanish they judge me and look at me like I'm slow. 😭 I instantly close up and feel uncomfortable speaking Spanish. I think bc I dont look WHITE they assume I'm native Mexican and should know proper Spanish.

[@noedge5009]

Alexia Landa don’t worry I get judged too because I’m a 3rd generation Hispanic/Latino American and my spanish isn’t terrible but I don’t know that many words lol. Also, I feel like everyone forgets that there’s tons of white Latinos.

[@leslysanchez2924]

I was forced to talk English for school so I completely forgot Spanish at a young age but I’ve been improving tho!

[@RealMexFoodShouldntGiveUDrrhea]

My teachers told me to stop speaking Spanish but my parents never let us stop. They encouraged us to be bilingual, but sadly my younger brothers can’t speak it too well.

[@melanieortega3535]

I cannot tell you HOW MUCH I CAN RELATE!!! Like when i was little i was really fluent in spanish, but then i got bullied for it and then i lost it. (I also lost it since my parents wanted me to speak English) then i lost it and now my family make fun of me for "being white" since i don't know that much spanish. And yes you're right. Middle school kids *are* assholes. They kept talking to me in spanish after finding out that i didnt know much of the language. I even started learning but when i try to speak it i have a weird accent and they still make fun of me. I'm just tired of it. So. Fricking. MUCH.

[@Treyshon00]

Ayyyyye pero que aumentón en el nivel de tu español, Maya!!! Ósea, has mejorado mucho! Siendo un afroamericano que aprendió español aquí en EEUU,, también he sentido eso lo que dices de sentir ..pues raro o incómodo hablando con la gente. Lánzate en la platica y no te dudes! Felicidades y sigue adelante, Maya! Aquí estamos, apoyándote! 🤟🏽😬

[@HelloC1ndy]

Spanish is my first language, and at one point it got so bad. Until I had kids. I really want my kids to know Spanish so I switched my tv settings to Spanish. Music in Spanish, libros en español. It worked!! Even my Spanish got better. Now I feel that my English sucks 😂 Also a tip I can give you is to try to keep your whole sentences in Spanish. That’s the challenge I give my kids. 😉

[@elocinaqui24]

Same! I lost a lot of my Spanish when I went to public school here in the USA, plus TV and books in English. My sister is raising her kids bilingually but when she feels English preschool is influencing their language to one side, she’ll switch them to only Spanish TV and it helps. I’m not in the habit of consuming Spanish media anymore, but I might just start rewatching old telenovelas lol. I’d like to raise my kids bilingually too when I have them.

[@nancyortiz7101]

Me too!

[@RT-zn2yd]

Truth about the English! I thought it was just me, but yeah, my English is pretty compromised now lol

[@susanacardona7833]

I am an english and spanish teacher from Colombia and I see this process everyday with my students and me, I am really proud of you, your spanish is improving a lot, congratulations

[@CherryDolce93]

It’s honestly sooo easy to understand you - as somebody who isn’t fluent in Spanish I love listening to you because you speak so clearly and not too fast with a thick accent

[@galearieedison3196]

I feel like Maya and I are on this Spanish journey together. I feel nervous and tense when speaking Spanish and I feel shame because of my accent. It makes me feel better watching Maya go through the same thing and realizing I’m not alone in this.

[@Jose-ly6sg]

It is nice to see others that are going through the same journey. It can be tough if you don't use Spanish because if you don't use it you lose it. I use to feel the same way shamefully and just very self conscious of I'm saying something right or being judged but with confidence it will help.

[@bubblesngirlystuff]

Spanish was my first language but now English is my primary language (this is the language I think in). Being a teacher, I interpret for families and maaaaaan they be knit picking! It suuuuck cuz then I get in my head. But can't learn without correction. You gotta keep on keeping on.

I was bilingual special ed teacher, and honestly, you need to establish boundaries w those parents. Maybe bc we may look young and have an accent, they feel the need to comment on our Spanish. However, this is inappropriate, and as a professional, they need to respect you. They are there for their child and it needs to be left at that.

[@vicgr5159]

Creo que de los más importante para aprender español es hablar con personas que realmente lo hablen bien, sin slangs y con una pronunciación correcta como Iván y la última chica ... Si no, creas malos hábitos que crees que son correctos y después son difíciles de cambiar ... Me imagino que no debe ser fácil pero creo que es el mejor inicio ...

[@elvisherrera12]

Es dificil ya que la gran mayoría de latinos que trabajan en empresas apenas hablan el idioma, al menos a qué sea con alguien profesional

[@jessicac1623]

Jajajaja como Iván?

[@jessicac1623]

Ppff.. Como Iván... Si él habla con un acento super fuerte y bastante vocabulario anglosajón

[@elvisherrera12]

Santino Vergara Castro su ventaja es que creció en Puerto Rico, y es el único que viene de una area predominantemente hispanohablante.

[@natibet7546]

Es cierto! Mi ex es dominicano y yo aprendí un español muy mal y feo con el. Mi español es okay pero podía ser mejor.

[@leannaperez3512]

Same girl, Im cuban & Italian, my dad never really taught me spainsh, my husband who peruvian taught me, pero when I try to tell him stuff its mixed up.. Very spanglish as of now.

[@recoil53]

That's how everybody learns a second language. It's good in that it let's you finish a sentence. It's only bad if it sticks that way.

[@SpicyCinnamonBagel]

Im a 34 yr old Puerto Rican and am just now starting to learn. Definitely not easy.

[@dulce2879]

Keep going maya!!! You’ve come so far, everyone is proud of you!

[@chaunteenicoleclark1357]

This video was so cool. I’m not Latinx but my kids are and I always am looking for ways to incorporate Spanish in their lives since I’m not a native speaker. This video was so beautiful. And it’s such great advice. Keep going Maya. Adelante!

[@MrTee12]

I think one advantage for Maya is that she has been around Spanish Speakers her whole life and she *understands through listening* where as many new learners, like myself, are struggling to *hear native Spanish speakers in their natural talking speed*. I can speak, read, and write better than I can understand. I am constantly re-listening to native Spanish speakers or I am asking *puedes hablar conmigo despacio, por favor*

[@brianasandoval240]

I learned Spanish and English at the same time and then when I went into elementary school, no one around me spoke Spanish so I went 12 years of my life speaking English and feeling nervous to speak in Spanish because I lost touch with it. I could understand it but I wouldn't converse. It wasn't until I was working that I forced myself to learn more than the basic conversational Spanish because customers who spoke Spanish still needed my help and they didnt care if I stumbled on words they just cared that I was trying and it really helped me learn and for the first time in 20 years I had an actual conversation with my grandpa ❤

[@mojojojo5372]

Yes this was me! Then I took it in HS & college but it was all stuff I already knew. I am trying to learn allll the rest of the stuff I don't know & trying to get comfortable speaking it with others, and get past my first sentence & not know anything else to say 😅😅

[@ytalacacho9314]

Maya, Spanish is difficult even for people who were born and raised in Latin America due to times and conjugations. Do not be ashamed, speak what comes to you little by little you will improve, I suggest you watch documentaries of the countries and their customs, movies with subtitles, songs (not so much reggaeton because they speak many rudeness and it is not the end of learning another language) listen to salsa , pop, rock, reggae, merengue, cumbia in spanish, eat in Latin restaurants, that will help you a lot to embrace the culture. Proud of you girl! Regards from Perú.

[@Lemon-rk9hq]

That’s true

[@MizAdaV]

I need a hair tutorial for the curls you’re wearing with the red lipstick!

[@jhonyermo]

MIX it. Spanglish it. It really truly HELPS. Comprehensible input. OH my god yes! So far helping me, and I have been trying to learn for 10 years. SUCH a GREAT VIDEO

[@mariahromero9070]

Estoy leyendo tambien. Necesito practicar. Me das esperanza.

[@ksandoval5963]

So proud of you. I am 45 and never learned even though I wanted to learn for my grandparents. (My parents only spoke Spanish when they didn't want us to know what they are saying or around my grandparents) Now that I have kids, I am determine to learn so they can speak Spanish to their grandparents on their father's side. I do know a lot of words but I am not conversational. Same as you, I need to build up my confidence. After watching your progress, I am sure I can too

[@FlagCutie]

Cada vez que tienes un nuevo video me alegro por tanto que has avanzado! Keep going Maya, you are rocking this thing!

[@Victoria-bd6uj]

Thank you Maya for showing your vulnerability in learning Spanish! We are not alone! I cant wait to watch more of your videos!

[@_blacksunflowers_1384]

I agree on the cartoons. I used to watch Spongebob and The Simpsons a lot in DR to understand the language and emotions behind them more. You got this Maya! 💪🏽

[@teresaguerrero531]

I came to California when I was 14 yrs old the way that I leaned English is by speaking it there’s no other way to improve if you speak the language you will be more fluent. And listening and singing along to music in English so guys listen to music in Spanish where the singer sings slower so you can sing along

[@MiVidaBellisima]

I am Puerto Rican and African American, but my dad wasn’t around to teach me. I’ve been fluent for many years, but I still get very, very nervous speaking in Spanish because I can express myself very well, but it’s not as easy to understand other people. Plus as a proud boricua I’m always nervous my accent isn’t good enough! Overall, people don’t care if your spanish or accent is perfect. Most Latinos just love seeing their beautiful language appreciated and loved ❤️✨ Edit: some tips for people learning: -find Spanish speaking content creators and watch their videos (on KZbin you can slow their speech down to hear better) -listen to a lot of different music with subtitles to see how people express certain phrases - DUOLINGO is a great step for beginners!!! -watch Spanish movies, telenovelas, etc with subtitles to see how phrases are said in Spanish -frequent Latino stores so you have the opportunity to speak with Spanish speakers

[@ashleeoswald7169]

Buen trabajo bonita !! 👌 I learnt Spanish from scratch and it was difficult tbh. But it's been 5 years now and its amazing to be able to communicate in another language. Stick with it! It takes time but it pays off ! Un abrazo desde Australia 🇦🇺

[@anitramcomalie]

We all need somebody like Ivan in our lives! That guy is so kind, nice n chilled. Love the way he is so caring to Maya when she is all nervous, slowing down his tempo of speech, giving her time and no judgement. IVAN , YOU ARE SUCH A SWEETHEART!

[@amonityler9637]

3:15 Omg!!! That blank moment is no joke I swear my spanish is way better when I’m alone because as soon as someone talks to me I’ll be like 🤯 every thing I know is gone now and then I’m like deer in the head lights 😳 I forgot how words work lol help. I feel your pain Maya but you got this

[@lg8405]

Thats how i feel but with everything in life lol

[@MarielaDavina]

I appreciate this video so much. The Pero Like videos in general have been so helpful to me, because I can identify with so much of what you are all sharing. Everyone’s experience is unique, of course, but the struggle of learning and speaking Spanish really resonates with me. We have to encounter so many opinions and assumptions from others. I’m so happy to see Maya focused on her goal, honouring her family through learning Spanish and staying true to herself by letting go of insecurities and accepting that she is not a native speaker, but is an enthusiastic and conscientious student! On a personal note, Maya, you have such a lovely, shining character and you are so naturally beautiful, inside and out. Your curls are phenomenal, chica. Sending you love from Scotland!

[@elyssaseanez4457]

Talking with friends who grew up speaking Spanish and know it well is always intimidating to me. I feel like talking with people learning at the same level as you takes away some of that judgment that comes with messing up and sounding pocha

[@DannieDoll]

bien trabajar maya, estoy aprendiendo español también. Me entiendo todo que tu sientes pero si lo podemos. Practicar todos los días, es divertido, ya sabes. Y me encanta tus rizas, tu eres hermosa !

[@messynessy1485]

Yes Maya! The fact that you took that first step and kept going speaks volumes. You're accent will get better, the conversation will flow quicker. Just don't stop, Awesome job Mija!! Also damn your grandmother is young and Fana had some awesome tips 🥰🥰

[@acsavado5977]

gracias maya for always being honest and transparent even when it causes discomfort. I struggle with the exact same issue(s) and constantly need to remind myself that growth comes from discomfort and the “hardest” skills reap the greatest benefit. keep going and continue to be the great example that you are.

[@jessicac1623]

Hey Maya! You're Spanish has been improving a lot! You should be proud of yourself. Just speak and let yourself get comfortable. You're doing a great job already 😊👌🏽

[@israelcruz05]

That girl was speaking so fast to mya at the end 😭😭😭

[@sunbakedleaves]

I'm half Mexican, but my mom stopped speaking to me in Spanish when I was 5 years old. I started learning Spanish again in high school, and know I'm at about the same level as Maya. It can be a challenge, but it is so worth it. I feel more connected to my culture and I'm so happy I can speak with my grandmother in Spanish. Thanks Maya and everyone in the comments! It feels like we're all going through the same journey❤

[@christiankirby9650]

Her Spanish is Waaay better than mine and I’m going into my 4th year of spanish

[@TiffanyHallmark]

¡Gracias por compartirlo! Yo soy gringa y era aprender español por tres años, más o menos. Practico con otras personas en un grupo del español, todos los sabados. Para mi, cada semana es mucho mejor.

[@TheIslingtongirl]

You are doing an awesome job! I'm learning Spanish and just a few months in so I totally relate to the struggle. No one should ever be embarrassed to learn, but sometimes it's hard. I definitely agree that we get in our own way. Thanks for sharing.

[@gzh619]

Keep up the work Maya!!! My daughter is also learning spanish, she is 7 y/o was diagnosed with autism 4 years ago and she was non-verbal. I get your struggles because people judge me because she doesn't speak spanish, only I know her background. So chin up Maya, lo estas haciendo muy bien!

[@ticketblack9964]

Keep it up! Dont quit, we all have that internal voice. En estos momentos, just take a deep breath, and stay encouraged! We're rooting for you!

[@ticketblack9964]

En espanol Sigue así, no te rindas. Todos tenemos esa voz interior. Respira hondo y mantente optimista. !Te estamos apoyando!!

[@shaney215]

I’m very much like Maya, my heart and soul want to speak without shame but my mind makes me second guess so I give up lol doesn’t mean it makes you less Hispanic/Latino keep going girl

[@MrsNgabire]

First of all, I love Maya!! And when she just slipped into speaking Spanish without thinking about it at the end, I was smiling like "girl you betta!! 🤩" Watching her learn Spanish has been encouraging in my own language learning journey; she's doing so well!!

[@lilpurpleangel94]

I'm not Latinx at all, but spanish is such an important language to learn because it's just as prominent as english where I live. Pero Like videos have really encouraged me to reach out and talk to native speakers. I still freeze and get nervous and scared. But watching Maya and Eli has made me practice every single day.

[@mkmkme]

that's great! I hope you find new ways to connect with your community. good luck in your language journey

[@m.millan2031]

Ánimo Maya!! Estás mejorando muchísimo! Un saludo desde Bilbao (España) 🤗🤗

[@dalyramirez4103]

I feel you girl!!! I grew up in Spanish but after talking and having school in English i lost my Spanish. My parents also wanted to learn English so me and my sister began talking to them in English or more like spanglish. So now i cant read or write Spanish, i can only do mild conversational Spanish but if i have to translate, forget it, Spanish out the door. But where I live it doesn't let me like my own language. But keep it up maya!! You can only get better. You do better than me for sure. ✌🏻✌🏻✌🏻

[@jesusnunez3467]

You’ve grown so much in your Spanish journey. Admirable.

[@DaneReidVoiceOver]

I watch this video with pride for Maya. She took the time and took on the challenge. My mother never learned Spanish from her mother or grandmother and as a black person in America, noone expected me to know it. But I took on the challenge 5 years ago and I am glad I did. Keep learning.

[@Ratyremie]

I Latina and white but I hang out with my Spanish side more and I really wanna learn how to speak Spanish

[@DNoelle22]

This video is literally my life!! If it isn’t present tense I freak out & then tell myself I can’t do it. I’m working on confidence & speaking from my soul. Thank you for sharing, I’ve learned so much about how to better learn languages 💖💖 You’re really great Maya!

[@userrrr1116]

I struggle with knowing what tense to use and I get so nervous because I feel so silly but I’ve learned that people just appreciate you trying to speak in another language. This is so relatable for me lol Great job, Maya ❤️

[@amypage7888]

Your curls are beautiful Maya😭💖

[@leahasebedo7732]

Reading and listening to Spanish is not a problem for me. It's the confidence and the pronunciation that kills me when speaking Spanish! I live in South Texas. I am surrounded by my culture, but my Spanish still sucks! So I am with you Maya! Tenemos el nopal en el frente pero no podemos hablar español. :(

[@mariafalcon130]

Same here. I first talked Spanish ( I’m Puerto Rican ) then somehow I speak English as my first language. It’s a very difficult journey but little by little you’ll get the hang of it. Sigue pa’lante✨💕

[@birodz98]

So proud of you!!! I’m on the same road I don’t have enough confidence at all>< but I know I gotta push through for my family, since most of them only speak Spanish.>

[@isabelchavez248]

Thank you so much for sharing your journey of learning Spanish! You are truly inspiring! ✨

[@ooodnylaooo]

LOVE this Maya! Coming from a similar background where our parents were discouraged from speaking Spanish it is so awesome to see I'm not the only one trying to keep the language alive. I've been with my husband who is non spanish speaking for 10 plus years now so I've subconsciously programmed my brain to speak only English at home now we have a daughter and trying to remember to speak Spanish to her so that she can be fluent has been a huge challenge! Soy pocha y que?! 💪🏽

[@Ryanpreciado0888]

Personally I understand what you’ve gone through it’s been a hard journey for me with my Spanish especially since only half of my family is Mexican. I did however learn the fundamentals at a young age but that was about it. Anyway you keep at it girl and continue doing your family and heritage proud. You are every bit a Latina and more and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽 🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇺🇨🇺🇨🇺🇨🇺🇨🇺🇨🇺🇨🇺🇨🇺🇨🇺🇨🇺🇨🇺🇨🇺🇨🇺🇨🇺🇨🇺🇨🇺🇨🇺🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇵🇦🇵🇦🇵🇦🇵🇦🇵🇦🇵🇦🇵🇦🇵🇦🇵🇦🇵🇦🇵🇦🇵🇪🇵🇪🇵🇪🇵🇪🇵🇪🇵🇪🇵🇪🇵🇪🇵🇪🇵🇪🇵🇪🇵🇪🇵🇪🇵🇪🇵🇪🇵🇪🇵🇪🇺🇾🇺🇾🇺🇾🇺🇾🇺🇾🇺🇾🇺🇾🇺🇾🇺🇾🇺🇾🇺🇾🇺🇾🇺🇾🇺🇾🇺🇾🇺🇾🇺🇾🇺🇾🇻🇪🇻🇪🇻🇪🇻🇪🇻🇪🇻🇪🇻🇪🇻🇪🇻🇪🇻🇪🇻🇪🇻🇪🇻🇪🇻🇪🇻🇪🇻🇪🇻🇪🇻🇪🇻🇪🇻🇪🇻🇪🇻🇪🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇧🇴🇧🇴🇧🇴🇧🇴🇧🇴🇧🇴🇧🇴🇧🇴🇧🇴🇧🇴🇧🇴🇧🇴🇧🇴🇧🇴🇧🇴🇧🇴🇧🇴🇧🇴🇧🇴🇧🇴🇧🇴🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨🇭🇳 🇭🇳🇭🇳🇭🇳🇭🇳🇭🇳🇭🇳🇭🇳🇭🇳🇭🇳🇭🇳🇭🇳🇭🇳🇭🇳🇭🇳🇭🇳🇭🇳🇭🇳🇭🇳🇭🇳🇭🇳🇭🇳🇭🇳🇭🇳🇭🇳🇭🇳🇭🇳🇭🇳 🇵🇾 🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾 🇬🇹 🇬🇹🇬🇹🇬🇹🇬🇹🇬🇹🇬🇹🇬🇹🇬🇹🇬🇹🇬🇹🇬🇹🇬🇹🇬🇹🇬🇹🇬🇹🇬🇹🇬🇹🇬🇹🇬🇹🇬🇹🇬🇹🇬🇹🇬🇹🇬🇹🇬🇹🇬🇹🇬🇹 🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷 🇬🇶🇬🇶🇬🇶🇬🇶🇬🇶🇬🇶🇬🇶🇬🇶🇬🇶🇬🇶🇬🇶🇬🇶🇬🇶🇬🇶🇬🇶🇬🇶🇬🇶🇬🇶🇬🇶🇬🇶🇬🇶🇬🇶

[@3calcetines]

One of the learning tips not mentioned here is talking to yourself only in Spanish when you're alone in the car and at home (about the things you're doing "Estoy peinando mi pelo", what you're feeling, what you want to eat, etc.). This way as an extremely shy person you can perfect your sentences and your accent on your own and repeat yourself as many times as you want with no judgment. Practicing common conversation topics on your own and checking your sentence structure online takes a little work but it's worth and does work! Good luck Maya, thank you for being a pocha hero

[@pilarmatadupont]

I spoke only Spanish until I was around 5 years old - but living in Australia, there just wasn't a Latin community to practice with and my parents were trying to integrate (my mum had to learn English from scratch), so I lost A LOT of it. We'd go back to Argentina every few years, and I even went to school there for a few months, but I didn't get any better and got bullied for it. I had to take classes in my twenties and thirties to even communicate at all, but my accent isn't great - which is constantly pointed out to me by family... the shame is real, people!

[@damenatattack2349]

I love this. Getting yourself out there to practice is scary! I'll share this with my Spanish students next time. Great motivator.

[@Susyyy24]

Omgg your hair at 7:40 😍😍 I need a tutorial of how you style your hair. You always look soo beautiful! You inspire me to delve deeper into my Mexican culture too, I love these videos.

[@yayyaygreen4989]

Maya, you are not alone and you're doing great. My Spanish is rusty but you inspire me to keep trying. Thank you.😊

[@ames851]

Maya. I completely understand where your coming from. I am nicaragüense but raised cuban because of my family who married cubans including my mom 😊 then I married my Chicano ❤️ which their spanish is so different . He has helped me so much because I quickly learned that my spanish was not only spanglish but with slang were he did not know what I was talking about 😂 I still have slot more on my journey. But it's been wonderful because the more we practice the more confident I feel . Keep up the good work maya 😉

[@florindalucero3236]

Spanish issues within Spanish issues - The Spanish I used to speak is Castillian, and when I try to brush off my speaking skills people treat me like I am putting on airs.

[@mishapsmakemagic]

Dude I so feel you. I took Spanish for 4 years including AP in high school and still remember quite a lot, but will not speak to/in front of others. There is just a block. I've been learning Korean and it happens with that too. I just get so shy and nervous and won't speak unless absolutely necessary. I feel like it's a plateau that pretty much all language learners face but we can work on it together.

[@yl1561]

Que bien Maya felicitaciones!!! Sigue sin pena, keep going, you're rocking this, reina! You've come such a long way! ❤️💯

[@kelseamartinezofficial]

Thank you for these videos, I’ve always been embarrassed I didn’t know a lot of well any Spanish. This is giving me the confidence that it’s not to late ❤️

[@madisonlopez02]

You're doing great Maya!! Just keep at it and I'm sure you'll be in a position to talk comfortably without having fear hold you back! Te amo muah

[@alexisgarcia1344]

I enjoy watching your videos because it reminds me of the struggle of our family. My dad was in the military and told me stories of his elementary school teachers, telling him he was dumb. How he wanted us to be American without judgement. Thank you for sharing your language journey with us. Oh, a good book about LatinX identity is called Borderlands: The New Mestiza by Gloria Anzaldaua. Her book gave me life.

[@lavane26]

Maya, tu cabello se ve hermoso en todo el video, pero en especial esas ondas gigantes. Te felicito por trabajar para mejorar tu español, vas muy bien.

[@debauch3rry]

girl I feel you I forget all Spanish when I'm talking to someone

[@MetalChickDave]

You got this Maya! I'm on the same boat with my bad Spanish. I worked at warehouse years ago and there were a lot of older Spanish speaking women. My Spanish got so better with my 2 1/2 years of working there. Its bad again now because i don't practice but i need yo try some if these tips 😁

[@kelviannaepperson3677]

I seriously do the same thing when talking to another person not know what tenses to use and go blank. This is so helpful

[@Francelli22]

Maya, you’re doing great! You are right about getting in your own way. Keep excelling. Also, your curls are on fleek! ☺️

[@jessicagreen3277]

Go Maya go! Thank you so much for continuing to share your experience! You're doing so well! :) I've starting using duo lingo again and have formal lessons upcoming as professional development for work! I'm trying baselang as it's mostly conversation based and 1v1 sessions! So grateful for the options out there. :)

[@nn125hh]

You're so cute Maya. Lo esta haciendo excelente!!! Sigue así!!! To me is exactly the same but with english. It is a non ending learning process, I've full speaking english for almost 5 years now and although I have improved a lot I still make mistakes and keep learning. Is fun and annoying at the same time loloolol. So keep going!!! Lo mejor para ti.

[@MizzEanaj]

Wow, this video really touched my heart. I relate 100%!!! It’s really powerful watching this video and reading comments of people with similar experiences. I’m so inspired!

[@ashleylopez14al]

Yeassss maya you have come so far !!!! Props to you girl!!! We so prouddd of you

[@peppermintcandies889]

The way maya speaks Spanish is the same way I do 😭 I’m tryna learn Spanish but I have trouble with the accent and speaking faster.

[@mallorybarrera7455]

A suggestion would be watch novelas with the Spanish subtitles. You hear the actors speak then you can read the words and how you can follow along . 😉

[@cnrj7825]

How encouraging! Estoy aprendiendo español ahora y I have these same insecurities❤️

[@anaorozco6428]

Spanglish is also a language so we shouldn’t see it as a negative. Also learning any language is difficult and scary because you don’t want to make a mistake. The only way to become fluent is to immerse yourself into that language culture .

[@daxlagoslanguageguy0072]

I like that you are trying really really well with your Spanish I was the same way I used to struggle with my Spanish back in the day.

[@eowin6732]

Maya, don’t worry about what other people say... No te preocupes que dicen los otros. My family moved from Nicaragua when I was 10 yrs old. My Spanish isn’t the best and, more often than not, I speak Spanglish. But I try. ¡No te des por vencida! ❤️

[@calheron]

I grew up speaking spanish but i still get so self conscious about my spanish

[@kjlw99]

I've been enjoying watching your journey from afar Maya! I've cut back on my Dúo, and now @ minimum watch some butterfly-Spanish on you-tube and the word of the day from spanishpod101. I also roped my roommate into Dúo, and we've been trading Spanish phrases daily. We also look up our language gaps on Google-home a lot. I was proud of myself the other day for just thanking a Latina helping me at the grocery store. Usually I'm very reserved about my Spanish, b/c I'm such a white guy and can barely roll my rr's. When she said denada back, I was surprised/happy/proud of myself; because I didn't even realize my 2nd language was showing. I'm not sure if I would have let my thank you slip, if I wouldn't of heard her speaking Spanish with her nearby co-worker. Thank-you for inspiring me!!!

[@katherinenina9033]

muchas felicidades maya tu espanol ha mejorado bastante!!! sigue asi y tu espanol sera perfecto!

[@skysevier1923]

I love watching your journey!!!!!! Your ancestors will be proud!!!!!

[@abigailgonzales5786]

Muy bien Maya!!!! 👏👏👏👏

[@ambgwin]

❤️ ❤️ ❤️ you’re doing great Maya!!! So proud of you. This was very encouraging.

[@smth69]

Girl your hair is always on point!! It.'s so beautifulll

[@SaRiLoKa]

Wow Maya has mejorado un montón!!! Que bien, felicidades!!! Puedes estar muy orgullosa de ti!

[@SunnyDaysRComing]

My father never learned Portuguese for the same reason! I am learning Spanish and I want to learn Portuguese as well. So proud of you Maya!! FYI my favorite cartoon en español es “Morphle” - originalmente es en inglés pero es muy despacio y divertido :) es en Netflix

[@milqueliamartinez2295]

You are doing great Maya!! You’ve improved so much. Keep going!!

[@noidentification25]

The Spanish you spoke and the looks you pulled in this videeeooooo!! Increíble!