Moving To Mexico Will NOT Teach You Spanish

[@SpanishWithNate.]

¡Muchas gracias por ver el video! Enroll in my free Spanish course here >> spanishwithnate.com/

[@milesreynolds5228]

Hi Nate, can you explain this 80/20 concept that you mentioned here? Ive never heard of it before, thanks :)

[@king4bear]

Empecé mis estudios de español en... Marzo de 2021. Logré un nivel de C1 despues de un año y medio, algo asi. Solo queria decir gracias. Al principio era muy dificil para mi, pero verte a ti, este tipo de gringolandia hablando naturalmente como si fueras nativo me dio confianza a seguir aprendiendo. Gracias a este idioma he tenido la abilidad para viajar a como 6 paises diferentes en latinoamerica. Ha cambiado mi vida para siempre. Y de verdad siento como si fuera adoptado por esta cultura. Every Murican that has even the slightest interest in spanish should really go out there and try to learn it. It opens up an entire world to you. And watch your boy Nate here on KZbin. He'll help you out a ton XD Gracias otra vez hermano. Espero que estes disfrutando la vida ahi en Mexico!

[@HSO-ro3bd]

I'm here to see how native English speakers learn Spanish. The process, the strategies, and the challenges they face because I learned English from my childhood, just naturally grasped it and don't remember the process. I'm trying to get to an intermediate level in Russian, then I feel like it could take around 35 years to learn it naturally like Bald and Bankrupt 😂

[@king4bear]

@@HSO-ro3bd Just surround yourself with the language every single day. The more it’s in your life, the faster you’ll learn it.

[@alanbrown4170]

No, you won’t learn the language automatically. But immersion in the culture will help you learn faster if you study. I moved to Mexico to live and work and spent the first few months in full-time language school. We interacted with locals all the time and that was extremely beneficial. The thing is, most folks don’t speak 100% grammatically Spanish and by being in the culture I found out how “they” say things.

[@tjohnson4517]

Good points Nate. I dont know why the myth exists that if you move to another country you'll magically get fluent. You Have tobhave a base to build on before you move

[@SpanishWithNate.]

100%. Gracias por tu comentario!!

[@veronniep]

You won't magically get fluent, but immersion really does help. You still have to put in effort, but you're going to learn a lot faster if you're seeing and hearing the language everywhere. I learned Chinese by living in China and it helped me enormously. It would have been a much slower process if I had simply studied it in a classroom. But seeing the characters I was learning on signs and hearing words I was learning in all of the conversations around me really helped me reinforce everything naturally. When you're not living in the country, you have to intentionally seek out that exposure. When you live there, you're constantly getting input. It's just common sense that the more exposure you get, the more you'll learn.

[@Acteaon]

I think the “myth” holds some truth when u let go of the anxiety/fear and just speak it…errors and all. I say this because I don’t have this fear and never did. I learned far more Portuguese and understood /spoke it better in real time with natives after having stayed in Brazil. Despite having studied it a few years prior. Anxiety is the biggest hurdle to learning I’ve found, not fear of conjugations. I think there’s needs to be immersive element as it presents a different kind of lesson you won’t experience from a book/podcast. But it won’t flow as it should while one harbors fear.

[@aldozilli1293]

As someone who is fluent in French and Spanish this is rubbish, I can confirm that immersion is the quickest and best way. In fact the only way to get to a decent level. When abroad I deliberately avoided other English speakers. Also having a relationship with someone who speaks the language is THE best way. A final really important part to learning a language is also learning the culture. You cannot learn the culture without being in that culture and immersed fully.

[@foreignworks]

Immersion, especially when combined with need--, will make it so you're in a way forced to learn the language. And when that need kicks in your learning becomes that much more involved.

[@innerauthority]

You're so correct, this happened to me in France. Love your insights!

[@dexterevans0187]

I live in Nuevo Leon Mexico and I know so many foreigners that have lived here for years and they still cannot have coherent full conversation with locals. Its about personal effort and practice. Learning a language isnt magical and requires a lot of personal responsibility

[@RodTwitch]

All true! In Mexico I have to force myself to immerse myself in Spanish. I'm reading a spanish book, taking online classes, watching spanish movies at the theater, watching only Mexican TV, and talking to as many locals as possible. This works!

[@TrekkingwithMikeandDeb]

Excelente puntos, Nate. Gracias.

[@andreawisner7358]

I agree. By the time I went to spend significant time in Mexico, I had done the first 3 (2.5) semesters of Spanish twice, been married to a Mexican a bunch of years, and completed a year on Duolingo. Answers for complex situations had just started coming to me automatically on Duolingo and I still got things wrong. I still tried speaking English in Mexico, at least for the first few days. I think I actually spoke Spanish better when my husband wasn't around.

[@reefspanish4701]

Haha yes, I am living in Guatemala with my wife and my Spanish is worse with her, easier when I'm forced to speak.

[@chocofro3]

#5 is my problem right now. October completed a year since I decided to pick up Spanish again (15 years post high school) and the first 8 months I was a lot more productive. It feels like I'm burning out or just falling back into bad habits of procrastinating. I've been planning to visit Mexico for a while now and just how the Chinese environment inspired you I'm hoping that the visit will help me refocus.

[@onebyone4530]

Just learn how to read spanisj almost perfectly so then you can watch any video with spanis subtitles That's how i did it with russian, i learned the cirilic writing and after a year and a half i now finally can read russian fairly fast and watch any english video with russian subtitles and i dont have to worry about even more complex grammar than spanish (native language)

[@justinjohn5114]

2024 will be 6 years of learning Spanish and I'm so proud of my Spanish. Although I might not knoe my level in Spanish but I'm able to understand most of the Spanish language even it's spoken quickly. I visited Spain for the first time like two weeks ago and it was an amazing experience! And as always, good video Nate!

[@SteveSpanish411]

I do think that some people use immersion as a cop-out. They blame their lack of language acquisition on not being able to live in a country that speaks their target language instead of them not putting in the work.

[@Nelson_504]

If you move to Mexico or any other Spanish-speaking country to a gentrified area where only non Spanish-speaking people live, then it won't be of any help if you want to learn the language. Also, many native Spanish speakers who are bilingual, tend to automatically assume you either don't speak a word of Spanish or you feel more comfortable interacting in English. It would take an extra effort from you to force yourself to use Spanish even when you're addressed in English. Taking a course of Spanish (or history, cooking, or whatever) while you're there, would be a good idea. The important thing is to put yourself in situations where you HAVE TO use Spanish only.

[@SpanishWithNate.]

Love that Nelson! Thanks for sharing :)

[@reefspanish4701]

I'm from New Zealand, I recently moved to Guatemala at the age of 22, I had around 1 year of Spanish before I come here, I would say if you are going in alone, and gonna be in a house all day by yourself, its no different, as most of the learning will still come from you and your own personal study. In my case I live with my wife and her family in this moment, she is in anesthesiology residency during the day, I am currently broke and unemployed and so I stay at home with my in laws and I have no choice but to speak. A problem I found with having a latina partner is that most likely they are learning English too and the reality is its probably more important for her to learn English than me Spanish and so we talk 99% of the time between us in English, and I notice at the dinner table or when we are out I just get lazy and she just translates for me. When moving to another country for language learning purposes, everything is more accessible in terms of input and native speakers, but you still have to push yourself to speak and engage with the language.

[@dgaydos]

Gracias Nate por el video. Es la primera vez que te escucho hablar inglés...jeje. Qué bueno que te ganes la vida enseñando español y haciendo videos en español! Saludos desde Ithaca, NY! Has visitado alguna vez el estado de Chiapas? Te encantará!

[@SpencerLowe-kg4rg]

Same applies to any other Spanish speaking country like Argentina, Spain, colombia or Dominican Republic etc.

[@carinavannicolo6130]

This video is super helpful!! My fiancé is Hispanic and from Mexico and I am taking Spanish lessons! I have enjoyed watching your videos over the last few months! I have found the best way I am learning is from listening to the language and hearing it as much as possible. I do get nervous practicing around native speakers because I don't want to mess up and then feel embarrassed. In reason 2 you highlighted that one might speak English just because they are more comfortable, but do you have any tips on how to get over the nervousness of practicing Spanish in front of native speakers?

[@SpanishWithNate.]

Hi! Thanks so much for your comment :) It really is a matter of practice makes perfect. The more you do it, the more confident you’ll become over time. Keep up the great work, un abrazo!!

[@polepino]

One thing for beginners is to totally be at home with the metaphorical idea that you are a "baby/child" learning a language. Just be at home with the fact that you don't know much but you are willing to learn. Another thing, which stems from that, is to be willing to use it every day, even the most basic words and phrases. Use that every day and be willing to talk to Spanish speakers in Spanish. It can be tricky in the US as some people might take it offensively, but if you do find people who are willing to talk to you in Spanish knowing you are learning, it will make a world of difference that you are using it as often as possible as opposed to just learning at home on an app/video/book etc and not using it ouside.

[@trinidadinternational]

I have been a language instructor and learner for many years. In my experience, I have met all kinds of students who reach their goals in many different ways. Immersion works, especially for people who are social and are fortunate to have native speakers in their surroundings. I found that living in China was instrumental to my learning. There is the motivating factor and visuals like signs that trigger you to search for definitions. In small towns, you might find folks who do not speak English and if you end up married to one, that will guarantee that you will learn without picking up a single book. Apps do work for some people since, as I previously mentioned, there is a wide array of learners in this fascinating world. I say, relocate if you can if you feel like it's the way to go. You might feel like you can't learn to swim outside of the pool.

[@SpanishWithNate.]

Love this! Thanks for sharing :)

[@TheCreamCap]

This doesn’t count for me I moved down here cause my parents did and I am forced to speak and not be nervous

[@fernandofigueroa6568]

Es cierto, no existe app magica para aprender un idioma ni tampoco profesor perfecto. Solo se puede aprender con consistencia y disciplina.

[@Cloud9likeaboss]

I learn a lot of spanish simply because i work with quite a few awesome people from PR and DR.

[@ZuluWulf]

He quedido aprender con un maestro pero, he tenido un poco miedo en encontrar uno porque hay muchas aplicaciones y opciones.Por favor, que me recomiende para mi proceso. Ya hablo todos los dias con la gente en mi ciudad pero hablo despacio y con errores.

[@thebigNT]

Even after studying spanish for 2 years on my own every day, I still defaulted to English in most interactions when I visited Spain for 2 weeks.

[@waffleocalypse]

Why you gotta post this after I already flew to Mexico, Nate?

[@SpanishWithNate.]

Hahah well at least now we can hang out!! 😂

[@dannieldeleonn]

The US is an Spanish speaking country. The second place in number of speakers.

[@apolyglotjourney]

I don't agree, all that works if your native language is English. If you go to a country where nobody speaks your native language you are forced to adapt and learn to communicate faster than you would do it at home,because you have no other option - you need to survive, and I'm speaking from personal experience.

[@MakotoOPT]

Hey bro i know you can speak spanish but how long did it take for you to learn how to speak facts?

[@onelove8062]

Mi Español esta muy ghetto ahorita pero con mas practicando voy a aprender hasta fluencía. El hacerme triste como no puedo hablar mejor pero yo estoy experiencando mucho inspiración y motivación suddenly. Fuck man estoy viajando en bici alrededor todas las países latin americanas y necesito proficiencía en la lengua de madre guey Verbos favoritos son poder y tener 😅 fuck. Cada vez yo pregunto una persona alguna esta en el tense presento no más y involvando 'puedo o tiene" y despues mucho tiempo pasando como que siento que minimal esta mi habilidad. Pero, literalmente con poder y tener en el tenso presento puedo botch my fucking way thru everything its sad

[@onelove8062]

Voy a practicar en este comentario y a la mañana antes pedaleando arriba en la cordillera voy a comprar (ver, mi otra manera para formar los tensos, "voy a") un libro en Español para leer out loud a mio mismo. Tengo vocabulario pero mi gramatico esta basura... literalmente tengo proximo a nada pero al mismo tiempo tengo muchas palabras. Que raro....

[@SteveSpanish411]

What city in Spain did you study in?

[@Why_Knott_Me]

Donde esta la musica? 😊

[@metaldude1085]

Hey Nate, where can I find native speakers not looking for english speakers online ( or in the community)? The language exchange partners I find on these websites only wanna speak english.

[@alaynrocha2104]

🎉

[@mehardin]

When you were becoming fluent you spent months in both Spain and Mexico. And before that you had a group of friends who spoke Spanish fluently that you were able to interact with daily at school. Many of us don't have that.

[@beatriooz]

You don’t need to travel to learn, he’s 100% right. Over 99% of the learning happens in your bedroom! I made a video about how I became bilingual from my bedroom, it might help as I share a lot of things I did 😅

[@ericajerome1610]

Geografía española de la ciudad 🌇🌇🌇 1:37

[@Ryannnnnnnnnnnnnnnn]

Not my experience. I find it much easier to study spanish when I’m in a spanish speaking country. The immersion helps. But sure, you have to work at it, obvs.

[@projecteli_]

If you move to Mexico to learn Spanish don’t move to an English speaking part of the town. Get uncomfortable and move around native speakers

[@dgaydos]

Sí. Y además, es importante evitar nostros gringos por todas partes! jejeje

[@19Cobre]

​@@dgaydos San Miguel de Allende is now full of americans hahaha

[@El-Comment-8-or]

All the videos I’ve watched, that claim your way of learning a language is useless, are trying to sell their product instead.

[@JasMcKenzie]

No hablo ingles. De donde eres? EEUU Pero dices que no hablas ingles.... Si. Lo puedo habler, pero no lo hago.

[@lailja21]

So...how come this video isn't in Spanish?😉🤔

[@tjohnson4517]

Yo soy el primero a huevo

[@stevedavenport1202]

So, if you are an adult and have zero knowledge of a foreigner langauge, you will not pick it up through osmosis. You have to put in the time and effort to study the structure of the language and gain a basic working vocabulary. Once this is achieved, you have a foundation to build upon by interacting with native speakers and passively consuming media. I do believe that you can isolate yourself from fellow English speakers in Latin America, if you are so inclined since their numbers are limited. Also, many people in these countries are receptive to having friendships with foreigners who have a less than perfect command of the language. So, yes, you stand to gain from interacting with native speakers and will ultimately have a far better command of the language than just talking to a native tutor a few times per week.

[@PapasTTU]

where's that AI bot that summarizes all the reasons XD

[@Ryan_Boundless]

It's very very hard to get someone on a call with you on tandem and hello talk. I spend more time looking for exchange partners than I do practicing the language. People aren't serious.

[@victoriafischer1945]

In which language? I wouldn’t say that of Chinese speakers wanting to learn English; however, I WILL say that of Spanish speaking Latinos are not very serious at learning English on Tandem, not sure if Latino Portuguese-speakers do this, but…have you noticed that a lot of “party chat groups” for Spanish speaking are NOT about learning? They literally write in the chat room’s topics: flirting, anything goes, “games”, swear words, etc. every time I join these groups, Spanish speaking Latinos don’t even try to speak English, they continue speaking between themselves, moreover, those group chats are full of vulgarity, sexism, and soccer conversations. One group even bans you for being a serious language learner or not engaging in their mean conversations which aren’t related to learning

[@ralphmarquez9548]

American is full native Spanish speakers.