I can probably help a bit by sharing my english learning experience as a Mexican. Most schools in the country offer a second language subject from like the 7th grade all the way to 12ve grade (high school senior) and most likely it's Engish, especially in cities near the US border. Well, the thing is school taught you grammar and sentence structure, some listening and speaking practise but I still didn't feel like I could speak or understand the language that well outside of some survival and tourist stuff. Still, like you say, these courses at least give you a foundation that you can build upon yourself by doing this: 1- Build vocabulary: duolingo, quizlet, anki, reading books on digital platforms with an accessible dictionary or translator (Kindle helps a lot). 2- Consuming subtitled media: I can't stress this enough but watching movies/tvshows in English, first with Spanish subtitles and later on with English subtitles, is what I feel propelled me to actually becoming proficient in my listening skills. Language-learning experts call this "comprehensible input" and I feel like the more grammar and vocabulary you know already, the less "lost" you feel while consuming media. 3- Interacting with natives: In my particular case I did it through participating in English speaking forums and group chats, I even played Habbohotel lol. Nowadays you have paid and free tools for language exchange and personalized sessions with paid instructors (HelloTalk, Busuu, iTalki, Lingoda, etc). Even better if you can surround yourself IRL with people who speak the language, patient enough to teach you and correct you. 4- Shadowing: Listening can also help you with Speaking skills if you repeat the sentences you hear as closely as possible in terms of pitch accent, intonation, etc. 5- Obviously writing is a way to not forget the stuff you learn, I used to have a technical blog about computer science where I improved my vocab and grammar every month until I felt comfortable and my muscle memory started to do most of the heavy lifting for me. The funny part is that I didn't notice the progress until one day I just happened to turn the subtitless off and understood every single word. Felt really fullfilling after many years of investing time into learning. You really notice when you learn a language once you realize you're no longer doing intermediate translation inside your brain.
Wonderful video. Love your gift to us about what inspired your learning. Keep up the useful content. Appreciate bilingual content. Muchísimas gracias hermano
I love your idea of eating at the taco stand. As a variation, if you enjoy a cerveza now and again, might I suggest going to the local bar and just buy someone a drink. The conversations will flow, guaranteed, and you will make some new amigos.
That was what I did all last night at one of the clubs and man, you’re not kidding!! Made like 30 legendary friends, some with the most epic mustaches 😅
I learned Spanish as a child as I lived in Guadalajara for 3 years, but forgot most of it when we moved back to Canada. A way that helped me "re-learn" it was watching LOTS of telenovelas! It helped me tons for when I went to work in the DR and Mexico, and obviously became fluent again. And well, I also DID marry a Dominican man, and we were together for 10 years, so that helped too 😂 Btw, what's the name of Banda Los Recoditos' song? The one about rather being miserable in a new car? Lol
awesome video , bro ! the tips on language learning are spot on and tacos look tasty , i will definitely stop by there and the pizza place when in cdmx
hey brother, always talk about food and show what and where you eat, I personally like to see that, as it tells me how good is the quality of life you are in
Love the vids dude, always informative, going to a resort near playa del carmen next year, really looking forward to it, know very basic Spanish but started duo lingo about 3 weeks ago.
Good for you my friend!! Duo is a great tool and your trip to Mexico will only accelerate your efforts to learn the language! Crazy how 15 minutes a day over a few years can be life changing! Keep it up and thanks for watching 🇲🇽❤️🏝️😎
Haha thanks for looking out my friend!! The sidewalks are brutal here but beach volleyball trained my ankles to endure a few would-be sprains 😅. Thanks for watching ❤️🇲🇽
Yes I am very impressed of you spanish, that's basically how I learned English thirty years ago but as much as I would like I don't think I can learn Spanish at my age. Growing up in communist Poland I was required to learn Russian language so my hard drive is full but maybe some day .. love you guys
Thanks for sharing! Really appreciate the kind words as well! I can understand the “hard drive is full” thing completely! Only so much space in there 😅
Ok... puro español escrito, pa' que aprendas más 😝 8:56 No se que canción es esa! Me la puedes cantar por favor? 😂😂😂 25:49 No pusiste el BEEP 😱🤦🏻♀️!!! Aunque ese español no lo usamos todos 🙈 Tampoco PEDO 😂😂😂 Saludos desde Monterrey, Nuevo León!!!
Haha te entiendio Nohemi!! Claro que ud. No dice pedo 😅. But it’s so widely used here, no denying that! Just on my walk home yesterday I heard an older man asking a young kid: “y que pedo contigo?!” 🤣.
I can probably help a bit by sharing my english learning experience as a Mexican. Most schools in the country offer a second language subject from like the 7th grade all the way to 12ve grade (high school senior) and most likely it's Engish, especially in cities near the US border.
Well, the thing is school taught you grammar and sentence structure, some listening and speaking practise but I still didn't feel like I could speak or understand the language that well outside of some survival and tourist stuff. Still, like you say, these courses at least give you a foundation that you can build upon yourself by doing this:
1- Build vocabulary: duolingo, quizlet, anki, reading books on digital platforms with an accessible dictionary or translator (Kindle helps a lot).
2- Consuming subtitled media: I can't stress this enough but watching movies/tvshows in English, first with Spanish subtitles and later on with English subtitles, is what I feel propelled me to actually becoming proficient in my listening skills. Language-learning experts call this "comprehensible input" and I feel like the more grammar and vocabulary you know already, the less "lost" you feel while consuming media.
3- Interacting with natives: In my particular case I did it through participating in English speaking forums and group chats, I even played Habbohotel lol. Nowadays you have paid and free tools for language exchange and personalized sessions with paid instructors (HelloTalk, Busuu, iTalki, Lingoda, etc). Even better if you can surround yourself IRL with people who speak the language, patient enough to teach you and correct you.
4- Shadowing: Listening can also help you with Speaking skills if you repeat the sentences you hear as closely as possible in terms of pitch accent, intonation, etc.
5- Obviously writing is a way to not forget the stuff you learn, I used to have a technical blog about computer science where I improved my vocab and grammar every month until I felt comfortable and my muscle memory started to do most of the heavy lifting for me.
The funny part is that I didn't notice the progress until one day I just happened to turn the subtitless off and understood every single word. Felt really fullfilling after many years of investing time into learning. You really notice when you learn a language once you realize you're no longer doing intermediate translation inside your brain.
AMAZING!! Thanks so much for sharing that insight and experience! The shadowing is a great point and so, so true! Much appreciated. 🇲🇽❤️
Wonderful video. Love your gift to us about what inspired your learning. Keep up the useful content. Appreciate bilingual content. Muchísimas gracias hermano
Thanks my friend!! Abrazos de CDMX!
I love your idea of eating at the taco stand. As a variation, if you enjoy a cerveza now and again, might I suggest going to the local bar and just buy someone a drink. The conversations will flow, guaranteed, and you will make some new amigos.
That was what I did all last night at one of the clubs and man, you’re not kidding!! Made like 30 legendary friends, some with the most epic mustaches 😅
Loved this video! Thanks man.
My pleasure Craig! Thanks for watching and for the feedback 🇲🇽❤️
I learned Spanish as a child as I lived in Guadalajara for 3 years, but forgot most of it when we moved back to Canada. A way that helped me "re-learn" it was watching LOTS of telenovelas! It helped me tons for when I went to work in the DR and Mexico, and obviously became fluent again. And well, I also DID marry a Dominican man, and we were together for 10 years, so that helped too 😂
Btw, what's the name of Banda Los Recoditos' song? The one about rather being miserable in a new car? Lol
Very interesting Jiji! Thanks for sharing that!
The name of the song is ‘Llorando en un Carro Del Año’.
awesome video , bro ! the tips on language learning are spot on and tacos look tasty , i will definitely stop by there and the pizza place when in cdmx
Thanks for the feedback Siggy!! Those tacos are so worth it and it’s a beautiful area to walk and explore. Thanks for watching 🇲🇽❤️
hey brother, always talk about food and show what and where you eat, I personally like to see that, as it tells me how good is the quality of life you are in
Great advice! I’ll do more of that for sure!
Love the vids dude, always informative, going to a resort near playa del carmen next year, really looking forward to it, know very basic Spanish but started duo lingo about 3 weeks ago.
Good for you my friend!! Duo is a great tool and your trip to Mexico will only accelerate your efforts to learn the language! Crazy how 15 minutes a day over a few years can be life changing! Keep it up and thanks for watching 🇲🇽❤️🏝️😎
I kept stressing over the cracks/bumps on the sidewalk and you looking back at the camera. Nice video anyway 😊
Haha thanks for looking out my friend!! The sidewalks are brutal here but beach volleyball trained my ankles to endure a few would-be sprains 😅. Thanks for watching ❤️🇲🇽
@@theropemonster we say “cal osha” whenever we’re out there as a warning to each other instead of “heads up” 🤣
Awesome video!
Thanks my friend!! ❤️🇲🇽
Great video! I hope that someday I will be fluent! Haha! Starting with Duolingo. Getting more serious now. :) Time to get my second language going!
I’m sure you’ll get there Diana! Poco a poco! Thanks for watching ❤️🇲🇽
Thanks for the shout-out 😂
What a great professor (I guess he is Hugo) giving you credit!
Hugo is indeed the BEST professor! I sincerely hope he was watching 😜😅🇲🇽❤️
mis complimentos al conductor de camara , y muy bonita tambiem
Yes I am very impressed of you spanish, that's basically how I learned English thirty years ago but as much as I would like I don't think I can learn Spanish at my age. Growing up in communist Poland I was required to learn Russian language so my hard drive is full but maybe some day .. love you guys
Thanks for sharing! Really appreciate the kind words as well! I can understand the “hard drive is full” thing completely! Only so much space in there 😅
I knew number 7 would be in there, I practiced it myself but unfortunately that was 20 years ago and I don't think my wife wants me to try it again;)
Haha understandable lol you can’t always “choose” number 7, sometimes it just happens 😆❤️🇲🇽
@@theropemonster😅
I love Mexico you and Ana so next tacos on me and maybe little tequila ♥️🍸
@@Pawel33007 you are so incredibly sweet!! Just shared that with Ana and you should’ve seen her smile! A sincere thanks from us both my friend ❤️❤️❤️
@@theropemonster ♥️
Ok... puro español escrito, pa' que aprendas más 😝
8:56 No se que canción es esa! Me la puedes cantar por favor? 😂😂😂
25:49 No pusiste el BEEP 😱🤦🏻♀️!!!
Aunque ese español no lo usamos todos 🙈
Tampoco PEDO 😂😂😂
Saludos desde Monterrey, Nuevo León!!!
Haha te entiendio Nohemi!! Claro que ud. No dice pedo 😅. But it’s so widely used here, no denying that! Just on my walk home yesterday I heard an older man asking a young kid: “y que pedo contigo?!” 🤣.
Santo dios!🙏 🙉🙈😈👹👺
Naaaaa yo soy la que tiene pedos por no relajarme 😂😂😂
I see that coffee shop is LGBT2 friendly. 🤣🤣🤣
Haha yep to the maximum
keep the camera girl
I’ll do my best!! 😜❤️🇲🇽
Disfruta México. Bienvenido
Mil gracias hermano!