What I Wish I Knew When I Started Learning Spanish | Comprehensible Input Tips

[@jasoncochran7219]

Hey Angela!! I have wanted to learn Spanish for many many years and I have tried so many ways to learn but I always ended up in a “slump” and just stopped studying. Thank you so much for making these videos because I was going back and forth on whether I should do Dreaming Spanish or not until seeing your videos and seeing the journey you had. Seeing your journey helped pushed me to actually start my journey. I would also like to say that I am now at 103 hours on Dreaming Spanish, I don’t plan on stopping and I owe it all to you!!

[@AngelaLearnsSpanish]

Oh wow!!! This makes me SO happy! Thanks so much for your comment. I’m excited for you!! ☺️

[@DavidLearnsSpanish-lu2tb]

Great tips! The mental battle is real! But something that has helped me is having conversations with my Spanish teacher once or twice a month and feeling noticeably more and more comfortable speaking every single time. When I just say something without thinking about it that I picked up through input, I'm like "wow, the method really works!"

[@AngelaLearnsSpanish]

Exactly! Once I get in the flow of speaking I'm like, "okay, I'm really doing it!" haha.

[@joej5081]

Nice video, great tips, I'm currently speaking as much as I can, practicing the basics with myself and my Spanish speaking family. I've been reading too, but not as consistently as I should. I've logged 166 hours on Dreaming Spanish and am trying to tackle learning from multiple angles, focusing on grammar and vocab. I mostly watch KZbin content that interests . Loving the journey!"

[@AngelaLearnsSpanish]

Happy for you! I am also really trying to read more.

[@batoolbaba-ln2nn]

Thank you for this motivating video❤

[@worldsacross]

Felicitaciones!!! 🎉

[@joachimjustinmorgan4851]

I used almost exclusively comprehensible input to learn Greek (modern and Koine), Latin, and Hebrew using extensive reading, and extensive listening with transcripts. Once I started studying Spanish, I initially followed the same method. After about 60 hours though, I started having conversations with ChatGPT and then creating Anki flash cards for phrases that I wanted to memorize and internalize with repetition in Spanish. That's like 25% of my learning and the other 75% is still comprehensible input (I use LingQ now). If I had it to do over, I would have done this with each language, because it promotes your progress a lot faster. If I only had one 30 minute conversation with Chat GPT per week and created 70 flashcards from that conversation, and the entire rest of the week was comprehensible input and a few minutes per day of reviewing those flash cards, I think I would have learned those previous languages to similar levels in 1/2 the time. obviously I don't dislike comprehensible input, but "only," using comprehensible input is like trying to use a hammer to screw in a nail. It is a powerful tool, but there are other tools you have at your finger tips. No reason not to use them.

[@AngelaLearnsSpanish]

I'm so impressed by all the languages you have learned! Very cool. I'm glad you found a way that works best for you! Definitely some great insights here.

[@Tamara-ju3lh]

I'm going to try this! Thanks for the tip.

[@runtosaurus]

This also seems logical to me .. comprehensible input is one tool, there are plenty of others out there.

[@caughtrabbit]

Comprehensible input all the way for me. No doubt your method speeds things up and can help with certain mental battles. But its not for everyone. For me I have no extra mental bandwidth to do any extra stuff, so one clean and easy method thats as simple as listening is a godsend.

[@AmoPerrosMás]

I just love all of your videos and your encouragement for everyone! These are great tips! I was just on a couple day trip with a friend of mine and although I didn't get a chance to watch videos (I did read some Spanish), I got lots of input from her (she's Mexican from Mexico) and all the Spanish speaking people around us and from watching Hola TV in our hotel (we stayed in a hotel in Mexico). The break was good and so was the little boost that at 800+ hours I'm understanding more and more and more!

[@AngelaLearnsSpanish]

love it!! I hope you enjoyed your trip and your break ❤ it's so fun when you can start understanding natives around you!

[@joe1719]

Awesome video! Thanks for sharing, I love the incremental increases to daily input tip 😎

[@AngelaLearnsSpanish]

Thank you! yesss it totally works haha

[@Unclespanglish]

Great vid as always ang. Let’s gooooooooo 🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴

[@AngelaLearnsSpanish]

Thank you! 🤗

[@machellec5721]

Wow! Thank you soooo much for this video!! I'm only at 16 hours right now. Trying to get 2 hours a day, which like you said I actually can get about 5 min or so more than that. On the weekends will be like 8 total hours. I want to move to Mexico within the next two years. Just enjoying this journey. I am 61, and always wanted to learn Spanish! Loving Dreaming Spanish!!! You are so encouraging. Thanks again, Angela!! XO

[@AngelaLearnsSpanish]

Awww, this makes me so happy! You'll LOVE living in Mexico, and you will be so so happy you started your Spanish learning journey! When I was in Mexico at just 50 hours, it was a WORLD of difference from the previous 6 ish years being there and not knowing zip. Wishing you the best of luck! Keep me updated on your journey ❤

[@SueñosEspañoles-q9x]

Thank you so much for this video, it was exactly what I needed. I’m at 318 hours and it doesn’t seem like I’ve made any progress. I too am doing five hours a day, and although I feel somewhat discouraged, I am still very motivated to continue. I am trusting the process thanks to those of you who’ve documented your success on reddit and youtube. (Cheers for cats!🐈‍⬛)

[@AngelaLearnsSpanish]

I'm so glad it helped! I totally get it. Wishing you the best of luck!

[@schaquoriabarbour1271]

Could you do a “day in my life” video on how you hit your 5hrs of comprehensible input goal? 🙈

[@AngelaLearnsSpanish]

This could be fun!! I’ll plan on it… I will say, it’s not anything special or pretty😭 it’s pretty much how you think it would go, LOL! But yes let me plan on doing this soon☺️

[@schaquoriabarbour1271]

@ Yes! That would be perfect tbh lol I feel like I’m overthinking when it comes to hitting my input goal and that I could actually fit in extra mins that would add up throughout the day. I’m just all over the place 🤣

[@SpanishMexico-yd2hh]

Felicitaciones...

[@SpanishWithMikeLee]

You are soo right about the first one, never trust your emotions. It comes and goes, great tip 🎉🎉🎉

[@AngelaLearnsSpanish]

Thanks Mike!!

[@syth-jg8lw]

'The only way you're getting out of it is more input'. This is the truth!! The thing about slumps is that they are a little different for everyone. but the solution is the same. I experienced a mini-slump from 160 to 190 hours, then at 200 hours things just clicked and my comprehension sky rocketed, out of nowhere I could start understanding native youtubers like TULIO Recomienda. Have you decided on a specific accent you'd like to speak with? Or are you just going to roll the dice and whatever happens happens? I personally love Colombian and Venezuelan accents, something about the coastal influence is so nice.

[@AngelaLearnsSpanish]

Yes! I definitely think that the slumps can happen at different times, in different ways. But in the moment they just feel so real!! I don’t know really.. probably leaving towards Mexicana! Or also just seeing what happens☺️ I find it kind of changes depending on who I have been listening to recently😆 I start to speak like them with that accent haha. I also really like the Venezuelan accent as well!!

[@roadrunnadreak7542]

Great video! I needed to hear this

[@AngelaLearnsSpanish]

I'm so glad! Thank you

[@lauriehester357]

I’m at 124 hours and lately still feel like a super beginner. I try to look at it as Well they are introducing new words and phrases. How would I possibly understand them? I will eventually. It is frustrating though.

[@AngelaLearnsSpanish]

Totally get it. Even at the higher levels it can feel like one day you don’t understand as good as the day before, etc. Our brain is constantly trying to adjust as we gradually learn more and more. It’s truly such a mental game!

[@JeremyMcGinnis]

So good!!! 750 hours and I want to tell people that I’m at 325. Always feel like I drift and don’t pay attention. So, don’t feel like I understand much. One hour a day. Yep. Crazy.

[@AngelaLearnsSpanish]

It’ll come. I have those days too for sure. Important thing is you just keep going!🤷🏻‍♀️☺️

[@ObiRoseKenobi]

Got it input input input seriously thanks for this I be panicking but that first tip, verdad muy buena información. Voy a aplicar en otro lugares de mi vida. Gracias amiga por todo has hecho.

[@AngelaLearnsSpanish]

The panic is real! Thanks for your comment, glad I could help☺️

[@strovellistigall7208]

I’m a solid 4 months and counting. Wish I had a Spanish buddy.. 👀👀 hint hint 😅

[@Joseph_Hovsep]

So good

[@AngelaLearnsSpanish]

Thanks!

[@lijahsampson6979]

I disagree with number 4 only because I think speaking helps you memorize, learn pronunciation and gain confidence, especially if you’re just talking to yourself in the shower, or to a close friend. Or to a family member who doesn’t speak Spanish. It helps you start thinking in Spanish, because you start thinking about what you want to say. You might just start memorizing phrases, or create little plays and skits in your head that you play out by talking to yourself. I would say start speaking from day one, but that doesn’t mean you have to step outside your comfort zone. I also have some thoughts on number 10. With family it’s tricky because I used to share my progress with them but they didn’t really see my progress or acknowledge it, even though they were happy for me. They still think I can only say Hola, pretty much. I have stopped telling them about my Spanish learning because of that so as far as they are aware, I’ve probably dropped the hobby and it was a phase. It wasn’t-I’m still learning after several years. But my family isn’t my main support group, despite their good intentions. With my boyfriend I speak Spanish and it’s really funny porque puedo decirle todo tipo de palabras dulces en español y no tiene ni idea. We joke about it and he finds it sweet.

[@AngelaLearnsSpanish]

True, I did start finding myself saying random things in Spanish which is fun. It reassured my that my Spanish brain is working hehe. It's funny that you say it, I think my family also thinks I can only say "Hola" at this moment. Love the boyfriend thing--that is so sweet and fun! 😄

[@MarquelandSheyenneShannon]

Hey! Watching your videos has helped soo much! Im about 19 Hours before i hit intermediate! What are some good podcasts or good shows to watch as intermediate while doing dreaming spanish??

[@AngelaLearnsSpanish]

@@MarquelandSheyenneShannon I’m so glad!! & that’s so exciting🎉 I have a video about podcasts, and I rank each one by level as I mention them. They are also written in the description of the video if you don’t have time to watch it. Hope that helps!☺️

[@efebayndr888]

English is easy to input most of the day for me as a turk for my interest😁😁

[@AngelaLearnsSpanish]

oh my gosh, I bet! Luck you☺️

[@efebayndr888]

@AngelaLearnsSpanish so are you native english speaker?

[@DanielLearningSpanish]

Haha, point 10. I MAY have written a LITTLE bit more than necessary on Facebook about my progress. Quizas.

[@AngelaLearnsSpanish]

@@DanielLearningSpanish HAHAHAH just an extra palabra o dos. No más, estoy seguroooo🥲🤣🤣

[@AngelaLearnsSpanish]

@@DanielLearningSpanish I’m laughing so hard still at your comment because it’s just so relatable LOL

[@DanielLearningSpanish]

@@AngelaLearnsSpanish Thanks. :) But, I regret nothing. It's kind of fun to see how I've moved from "how on earth could this strange new method work at all" to "how could any other method work at all". I've also heard from several people that they've gotten a bit inspired, and started consuming native content, not worrying about not understanding 100% of it.

[@deannaJesusIsLord]

Hi. Sometimes I blurred out words and I have to cover my mouth because I remember I’m not supposed to speak… But how do you stop yourself from thinking… Or are you even able to stop yourself from thinking in Spanish? And is there a difference between thinking in your mind and speaking out loud that’s my main question. I would love advice from anybody here.

[@AngelaLearnsSpanish]

It's totally fine to let yourself think and even say things in Spanish. I think it's a testament of the process working! I meant more like, I wasn't purposely seeking out conversation practice or attempting to push myself to speak. Hope this helps! :)

[@u_ok]

8:14 American moment🤣

[@AngelaLearnsSpanish]

what happened?! haha I had to double check my math hehe

[@u_ok]

@@AngelaLearnsSpanish 30 hours is not a month, it's a bit more than 1 day

[@XiaoYanlei]

WHAT IS THIS METHOD! What content are you consuming? Pllllease tell meeeeee. I’ve been trying to learn Spanish for 4 years and I feel like I’m getting nowhere! 😭😭😭

[@AngelaLearnsSpanish]

I'm so happy for you at this moment!!! It's called "comprehensible input." Check out the Dreaming Spanish website for more information, I also recommend watching my beginner tips video. This is what got me started learning Spanish and I would've never learned without it!

[@XiaoYanlei]

@ I am watching your beginners tips right now! Thank you so much! ♥️🫶🏻

[@Tamara-ju3lh]

Yeah 5 hours is not doable for people who work full-time and are in school or have kids. I do 1-2 hours about 3 days a week and 30 min on 2 days. Weekends depend on my schedule. And I'm way less stressed than when I tried to do 1 hour a day.