NoManches - Spanish: B2-->C1 Log

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NoManches
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Re: Spanish: B2-->C1 Log

Postby NoManches » Sat Dec 10, 2016 4:49 pm

I am copying and pasting what I wrote in the new Spanish groups thread:

So I watched the first episode this morning....and it was amazing (as expected). I watched the entire show without subtitles, but decided to do something I often talk about but never do: I watched the show over again with subtitles....stopping....rewinding...looking up words...etc.

I still have about 12 minutes left (which I will finish later) but here is a list of all unknown words that I came across:

Transcendental
Anular
Bélgica
Faul (foul)
El arbitraje
Nos ponemos a perder
Legítimo
Expulsar
Por decir
Sacar adelante
Criterio
Venderse – te vendiste
vetar

Since I am a native English speaker, some of these words are just very obvious to me (such as expulsar & legítimo). Others might not jump out at me by themselves, but in context they are easy to figure out (vetar, criterio, sacar adelante, por decir, etc.).

While I'm excited that I am familiar with most of the vocabulary in the show, my overall comprehension needs to be improved. The thing that I found helpful was when I watched the show the second time, I would rewind for any part I didn't understand and would try to listen a few times to see if I could make the words out. If I couldn't make out what they were saying, I'd look at the subtitles and replay once or twice while reading along. Then, I'd rewind again and watch without subtitles. Usually by this time I can understand everything they are saying.


I'm currently on the second episode and have decided that I will watch 10 minutes without subtitles, then I will rewind and intensively watch the same 10 minutes, forcing myself to comprehend things at a level of about 95%. Then I will move on until the show is done. When I watch the entire show and then rewind, it is a bit tiring. Watching things in 10 minute chunks is easier to do and I don't get burnt out as easily. Also I'd like to mention hat I am watching without headphones, which makes things a bit harder. Not sure if listening without headphones is something that can/should be trained, but I'll give it a try.

Today I will focus on this show and then go back to the Radio Ambulante podcast I was working on the other day. I'll use the same method with the transcripts I have.

12/11/2016

I just downloaded "La lección de August" for my Kindle. I have the audiobook which I have been listening to while I run (I've found that more difficult materials are great when I can focus, but when I run I need the easier material for some reason). The book is super easy to read except for one thing: It contains a lot of Peninsular Spanish vocabulary and verb conjugations. I suppose it's good practice though and will expose me to all parts of the language. Although I dislike reading translated materials, I LOVE reading super easy material. This book was written for 8-12 year olds and I really enioy how I can knock out 80 pages in one sitting without a problem in the world. I really need to start incorporating this type of extensive reading into my daily schedule.
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Chmury
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Re: Spanish: B2-->C1 Log

Postby Chmury » Tue Dec 13, 2016 5:10 am

Me alegro que decidí pasar por tu bitácora hoy, ya que necesito algo que leer en castellano y gracias a una entrada tuya, acabo de descargar La Lección de August También. Quiero algo fácil y algo que puedo leer sin tener que buscar cada minuto una palabra o frase. Así que esto me parece perfecto. Gracias por anotarlo aquí. Además me alegra oír que se inclina bastante por el castellano ibérico. Es exactamente el castellano en que quiero sumergirme. ¿Sigues disfrutando de leerlo?

Además, si buscas más podcasts que escuchar, te puedo recomendar Nómadas, Radio Ambulante, Travesías, y El Podcast del Búho. El último que acabo de volver a escuchar y su podcast más nuevo sobre Göbekli Tepi me gustó mucho. ¿Cuáles podcasts sueles escuchar tú?

¡Sigues con el buen trabajo NoManches!
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NoManches
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Re: Spanish: B2-->C1 Log

Postby NoManches » Tue Dec 13, 2016 4:17 pm

Chmury wrote:Me alegro que decidí pasar por tu bitácora hoy, ya que necesito algo que leer en castellano y gracias a una entrada tuya, acabo de descargar La Lección de August También. Quiero algo fácil y algo que puedo leer sin tener que buscar cada minuto una palabra o frase. Así que esto me parece perfecto. Gracias por anotarlo aquí. Además me alegra oír que se inclina bastante por el castellano ibérico. Es exactamente el castellano en que quiero sumergirme. ¿Sigues disfrutando de leerlo?

Además, si buscas más podcasts que escuchar, te puedo recomendar Nómadas, Radio Ambulante, Travesías, y El Podcast del Búho. El último que acabo de volver a escuchar y su podcast más nuevo sobre Göbekli Tepi me gustó mucho. ¿Cuáles podcasts sueles escuchar tú?

¡Sigues con el buen trabajo NoManches!


Si, sigo disfrutando de este libro! Como mencioné antes, es muy fácil entender, y me enganchó del principio. Diría que entiendo 97% de las palabras en cada página, y las que me dan problemas generalmente son palabras usadas muy seguida en España (mi Español es 95% Mexicano).

Suelo escuchas los siguientes podcasts:

Radio Ambulante
Por el Placer de Vivir (con César Lozano)
El Explicador
Chilango Podcast
Historia del Mundo según Diana Uribe
the Managers Podcast (nombre es en inglés pero es 100% en español)
Transformando tu Mente
El Tlacuache
Buenos Dias America (Voice of America)
Martha Debayle
Horror a la Media Noche
Gente de Confianza
Testigos de Crimen
Te Invito Un Café


Tal vez lo sepas, pero una de mis fallas es mi comprensión en español, y por eso trato de escuchar una variedad de podcasts. Creo que voy a "checar" (<--en el español de Mexico) los que me sugeriste. Puedes notar que todos de los podcasts que mencioné son de Mexico menos "Transformando tu mente" , "Te invito Un Café" y "Historia del Mundo". Necesito expandir mis horizontes y exponerme a más español de otras partes del mundo.

Buena suerte con tu español. Espero que te ayuden estes podcasts. ¿Ves películas o programas en español? Si quieres ver una película española muy "chingón" te recomiendo "Celda 211"
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Tomás
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Re: Spanish: B2-->C1 Log

Postby Tomás » Tue Dec 13, 2016 7:33 pm

I've been enjoying the El Explicador podcast lately. Thanks for mentioning it a while back. Just today I learned how a new species of cricket has evolved due to automobile noise.
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NoManches
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Re: Spanish: B2-->C1 Log

Postby NoManches » Tue Dec 13, 2016 9:48 pm

Tomás wrote:I've been enjoying the El Explicador podcast lately. Thanks for mentioning it a while back. Just today I learned how a new species of cricket has evolved due to automobile noise.



You're welcome! I love that show, glad you find it interesting.
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Re: Spanish: B2-->C1 Log

Postby NoManches » Tue Feb 14, 2017 5:41 am

Wow! It's been two months since my last log entry. I can't even remember when the last time I logged on to the site was :o

I mentioned previously (months ago) that I might be getting a new job, and if I get it my time for language learning would be at an all time low. Well, I got the job, and I was 100% correct about having no time for language learning. Today was the first time I've had time to relax and watch Netflix in Spanish. I was able to watch one episode of Club de Cuervos. I've been listening to Spanish music on the way to work and that's about it in terms of working on my Spanish. Occasionally I'll practice with a coworker or at a restaurant but I haven't been actively seeking out ways to use the language like I normally do (that will soon change).

I ended up deleting ankus because I simply don't have time for it anymore. It seems crazy that I can't squeeze a few minutes into my day anymore to study vocabulary but it is true. I will try to start reading some news or listening to the news in Spanish during the next few weeks. Tonight was much needed because it reminded me of how much I love Spanish and how scared I am of losing it. I can certainly squeeze some Spanish youtube videos into my schedule and will try to do this in order to retain as much of the language as I can.


I'll try to check in whenever I can but it will be really tough. My training involves a lot of remote work where I have no internet or cell phone. This break from technology can be an amazing thing though.

Good luck to all! I miss interacting with all of you and hope to be back more often than not. Nos vemos!
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Re: Spanish: B2-->C1 Log

Postby NoManches » Mon Mar 13, 2017 5:44 pm

My schedule is still crazy but I'm finding more time to relax and do things not related to my new job.

There are a few Spanish speakers who practice with me on occasion and I think I will make it a habit to practice with them more often to maintain my skills.

I started to re-watch Amores Perros last night and instantly fell in love with the language again. I will spend more time watching youtube videos in Spanish to fill any gaps I have with Spanish content.

I deleted my Anki deck which I think I mentioned before. At the time it was a good decision because I promised to fill Anki time with actual use of the language. Up until not, I have failed to do this. I will start doing it to see if I can regain some of my skills.

I'd say that in the last 2 months I've barely used Spanish. My fluency has definitely decreased but not as much as I thought it would. I have been making grammar mistakes when I talk (that I normally wouldn't make) but I have been catching myself afterwards....so at least I recognize that I'm making mistakes. Surprisingly, my listening hasn't degraded that much which is great because it has been my weakest skill for a long time. Or maybe my listening doesn't seem that bad because other aspects of my fluency are degrading at a much faster rate.

I think filling time with YouTube videos and practicing with native speakers when I can should fix some of my problems.

Until next time!
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Re: Spanish: B2-->C1 Log

Postby NoManches » Mon Mar 27, 2017 10:56 pm

I just downloaded La Última Bala by Raúl Garbantes to read on my Kindle. Im really not sure how I discovered the book, but I think it may have been on my Amazon "suggested list". So far I like the book and can't wait to finish it. The chapters are very short and the writing is at the perfect level (not too easy and not too hard). I plan on squeezing in at least 20 minutes of reading each day to maintain my level, and this book is perfect for doing just that.

I have started to listen to VOA again. It's the perfect way to start my morning, and allows me to get ready for the day, listen to Spanish, and stay on top of current events.

And finally, I just started to catch up on missed episodes of Radio Ambulante. I plan on utilizing the online transcripts to really get the most out of each episode, which is something I hardly used before.

I continue to watch El Señor de Los Cielos and Club de Cuervos when I have time, along with YouTube videos.

Boy do I miss the days when I had hours of free time each day just to study Spanish.
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NoManches
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Re: Spanish: B2-->C1 Log

Postby NoManches » Thu Apr 06, 2017 2:18 am

New promise to myself:

I will NOT watch any Spanish television until I read at least 500 pages.

I always talk about how important reading is and how much it will improve my Spanish but I always slack off when it comes to actually doing it. Maybe taking a break on the telenovelas for a while and focusing on reading will allow me to improve on some of my weaknesses. I'll continue to watch YouTube videos here and there but my focus for the next week or two will be reading.

For listening practice: I just found a new radio show that comes on right when I leave work each day. I understand almost everything they say and look forward to listening to it during my drive home. Some radio shows/podcasts still give me trouble but this show should allow me to make small improvements along the way.

For personal reference: I had read 3,000 pages when I made this new promise. No Spanish television until I get to 3,500 pages read.
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NoManches
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Posts: 654
Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2016 2:21 pm
Location: Estados Unidos (near the Mexican border)
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Language Log: https://forum.language-learners.org/vie ... =15&t=7942
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Re: Spanish: B2-->C1 Log

Postby NoManches » Fri Apr 14, 2017 4:44 pm

Well, I am really bad at keeping promises!

I was doing so well forcing myself to catch up on my reading but after a few days I gave in and started to watch Spanish television again. This isn't really a huge concern since conversational Spanish (speaking, listening, communicating) is my main goal and television will help me with that more than reading will. However, I feel like I don't do enough reading and if I were to read more my overall language skills would improve.

On the bright side: I found a Colombian author that I really like! This is probably the first time I have ever found books that are written so that I understand at least 98% of them. It really is incredible because I can just read and read and very rarely even care to look up an unknown word. Perhaps my reading skills are getting better or maybe this one author (Raul Garbantes) just happens to use the right language and chooses the types of words I can understand without problems. His work is for teens/young adults and he has a bunch of books that all seem to be written at the same level. I plan on reading about 5 of his books so that should really catapult my reading to the next level.

My listening comprehension seems like it has improved quite a bit as well! I have been alternating between 3 TV shows: El Senor de los Cielos, Club de Cuervos, and La Querida del Centauro. In addition, I've been making a huge effort to watch lots of YouTube videos and listen to Spanish radio when I get out of work at night.

I find that when I really make an attempt to listen I do a pretty good job although some things go over my head. If I'm watching a show or listening to something on the radio I understand more and more of it as time goes on since I know the topics they are talking about or what might happen next in the show based off of older episodes.

The problem I have is quick bursts of conversation with people, including my friends. If they come up to me and make a joke or comment I am pretty bad at understanding it on the first try. Once they repeat it I can often make out was said. Once we are conversing I have almost no problem hearing what they are saying to me. I'm sure with time my ability to pick up these quick snippets of language will improve.

My goal for this week is lots of YouTube videos and as much television as I can handle. 20 focused minutes of reading in the morning or at night should be a relaxing way to start/end the day while giving me some time to work on my Spanish.
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