Which is more important for developing fluency?

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In this video, you will learn how to think about spending your time more effectively to develop fluency in your target language through the lens of the input-output language learning method debate.

[@realfastspanish]

Where do you fall on this debate? Are you more input-focused or output-focused?

[@KarenMitchellSmith]

I so agree! As a Spanish teacher for 13 years, this was the balanced strategy I used with my students. Since I taught Spanish 1 all those years, along with other classes like English, creative writing, public speaking, etc, I had little time to keep up with my own advanced Spanish skills and lost much of them. I found Real Fast Spanish in 2019 and took 3 of the more advanced classes and loved them because this common sense view aligned with my own learning and teaching style. If you're thinking about taking any classes to further your Spanish Skills, I highly recommend Real Fast Spanish!

[@Ricola34fly]

I’m trying to learn this language I’ve been listening to your videos is help me a lot now what I’m having problem is listening and understanding these different words that they are speaking when they put them together they put them together fast in my ears has to catch up to each word they put together. You are a good teacher. Thank you.

[@lynpayne3667]

I am relieved to hear that the majority of the time should be input! But I take on board that I must make more effort to speak, even though I will make mistakes. Thanks for your vidoes; they are always so clear and encouraging.

[@jordanma6486]

This is the best video that I have seen on the comparison of Input focused vs Output focused learning. Amazing

[@realfastspanish]

Thanks for the kind words Jordon! 😊

[@shamimgough1714]

I totally agree with you. I've learnt Spanish well using this method of input and output. It's a long winded way of doing it but it's worth the effort. So when the Spaniards correct me. They've found out that they are not speaking it correctly 😞 themselves.

[@nickjones6186]

I arrived in Colombia 5 weeks ago as part of an 18 month travel experience of South America. Before arriving here, i had only started learning from November, and purely on Duolingo, without any speaking practice whatsoever beforehand. Since arriving here, I am still very focused on listening practice which takes up 3/4 of my study time. But when I’m out and about in town, because I’m forced to speak it daily atleast to a minimum level, naturally my brain is sponging up the information and slowly starting to retain it. However, by far and away the most difficult challenge for me at the moment is understanding the natives/spanish speakers. Simply put, it is almost impossible because for me it is just a noise for the most part, and I worry whether I will ever improve my listening ability

[@hotSdude]

It will get better, but it will take time. If you think that you would understand people in Colombia after using DuoLingo since November, you are being unrealistic. I started with DuoLingo a few years ago. I think it is wonderful and fun to use My Spanish is much better but I still use Duo daily. I have been to Medellin twice and enrolled in a Spanish school 10 days each time a couple of years ago. I really couldn't understand the people in the street even after being there for a few weeks. Last year, I went to Bogota and i understood people more. It was a combination of my improved Spanish and the better accent in Bogota. Learning a foreign language takes time. If you are persistent and do more listening first, you will find yourself progressing very well. Give it months or at least 2 years.

[@mrrobertbates]

It does get better, but training your brain to decode the speech of native speakers is a huge task. Actual native speakers do not enunciate perfectly and often take verbal shortcuts.

[@joeymendoza2956]

If I compare my Spanish learning experience to anything it would be a computer. My memory (input?) is substantial but my RAM (output?) is not. I have been studying the language regularly but somehow the speed of which I use it is slow. This video helped me figure out why. Thank you!

[@TheRealJoseramirez]

I'd go along with that.

[@realfastspanish]

Thanks for sharing Joey!! I like the computer analogy 😊

[@markpowellmp]

As always when I am trying to figure anything out, I go to extremes to get perspective Here, 100% imput and 0% output and vice versa Obviously it seems to me, neither extreme is best therefore what sort of ratio? The reasons for the emphasis on imput was clinically and logically explained Furthermore it was a relief to hear this ratio explained and endorsed, because it’s what I practice with my own learning…..

[@realfastspanish]

Thanks Mark, I like the way you’ve considered both extremes. This kind of analysis is always worthwhile.

[@markpowellmp]

Personally, and language leaning is individual to any given person, I do agree with your conclusions here Particularly the ability, with the emphasis on imput, to be able to interrogate something new you encounter which might have a better way of being expressed, although something you can already say, but not so well, in a different a way You are blessed with a very analytical brain!!

[@WanderingTuckers]

Thanks, I like your suggested ratio! Already, I spend way more time on input. And even when I'm speaking I still have to practice input... Listening to my Spanish partner!

[@kindredg]

I was definitely an output-oriented learner and can relate to how hard it can be to change bad habits we get into. That said, when I listen to a lot of input through KZbin or whatever, I start to clam up a little while speaking.

[@realfastspanish]

Yes, absolutely, it's about finding the right balance! 😊

[@dcoy8666]

Very well reasoned! Big fan of the woro you do.

[@realfastspanish]

🙏

[@Maggi-in6yr]

The ratio between input and output can also change over time. It probably changes with the level you are at. So it's different at A1 level than at B 2 or C 1 level.

[@Matt-mj3nq]

Random question but do you do online classes?

[@josejaimevidalrosales8660]

❤❤

[@ericschmitt2597]

I always say I'm like a dog. I can understand it, but I can't speak it. I'm big on the you need to put effort into both. But I try and focus on one side for a while and then the other. Immerse myself in one at a time to focus my learning

[@realfastspanish]

Thanks Eric! As long as you are able to achieve some balance between the two, then your skills will continue to improve!

[@whatwelearned]

As someone who teaches for a living, I also found the obsession with comprehensible input to be a litlle daft. FWIW, I agree that there are more important matrices than 'input/output', such as 'engagement' with the content and hopefully, as you said, learning.

[@JehanKateli]

Why does your voice become nasal when you speak Spanish?

[@realfastspanish]

I'm not sure, I don't think it sounds nasal. But, there do have to be some differences between the sounds I produce when speaking English and Spanish and maybe to your ear those changes "sound" nasal.

[@Melungeonpeople]

I think it sounds just right.