¡No Manches! - Uses "learning Spanish" as a cover so he can watch telenovelas all day and not feel guilty
Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2018 12:51 am
I've decided to abandon my old log and start fresh with this one. Since my hiatus, I've realized that many of the goals I once had have now changed. Before, I really wanted to *speak* Spanish. Although I put an emphasis on listening, my studies involved more output than input. I feel like due to my new geographical situation, the opportunity to speak Spanish has diminished drastically. My desire to absorb Spanish media however, is at an all time high. I have nostalgia when I think about my trips to Mexico, and the time I spent watching and reading tons of Spanish material in order to prepare for those trips.
My desire to go from a B2 to C1 still exists, although there is less pressure to do it. Now, I'm more focused on making Spanish a part of my everyday life as long as it is in an enjoyable manner. I use Spanish as a way of relaxing, it is my way of escaping from the stresses of everyday life. If I happen to go from a B2 to C1 while enjoying Spanish media every day, then so be it!
I really am focused on improving my listening comprehension, so my new approach won't be totally relaxed and unorganized. As a matter of fact, I'll be striving to improve my comprehension every single day, but I'll try to have more fun while doing it.
My methods of study will be:
-Lots of TV
-Lots of FUN reading (no more forcing myself to read things I don't like)
-Lots of podcasts.
I've made watching the news in Spanish a daily habit, so at the very least I know I can do that and maintain my skills. If I only manage to speak Spanish with my dog or the occasional person at work, well, I'm fine with that. I'm perfectly happy with my speaking abilities since very rarely do I have problems expressing myself in Spanish. I can speak in a manner where others understand me, and have been able to do so for some time. Sure, it might take a few extra words to describe something I don't know the word for, but I can get it done. I have a full grasp of all Spanish grammar and a very solid "B2 level" vocabulary. The problem I've always had however, has been understanding the other person (particularly groups of people talking to each other or those who use lots of slang or have thick accents). I'm usually pretty good with 1 on 1 conversations, but could use work on the more difficult stuff. Movies still remain difficult for me and I only have decent comprehension on some TV shows (after watching a few episodes). I'd like to reach a level where I can watch TV shows and understand them as if I were watching in my native language (English).
Thanks to everyone who has given me advice since I've been a member here, and thanks to those who follow my log and take the time to leave comments! I hope I can be helpful to others and give back to the community.
2018 Movie/TV/Reading List
*books/movies may be rounded up or down in page count/length*
2018 Reading List
Los Crímenes Azules
: ~375 pages
Dos crímenes
: ~210 pages
__________________________________________
Pedro Páramo
: ~125 pages
__________________________________________
La Tumba
: ~125 pages
__________________________________________
Nacidos para Correr
: ~350 pages
__________________________________________
La mesa: Historias de nuestra gente
: ~250 pages
__________________________________________
Jorge Ramos
Morir en el Intento: La Peor Tragedia de Immigrantes en la Historia de los Estados Unidos
: ~200 pages
Tierra de Todos
: ~200 pages
__________________________________________
¿Quién mató a Ángela Blanco?: Una novela negra de crimen e intriga
: 85 pages
___________________________________________
Por: Raul Garbantes
La Caída de una Diva
: 197 pages
La Última Bala
: 212 pages
Goya
: 159 pages
Tiroteo
: 230
Fuego Cruzado
: 237
El Ausente
: 225 pages
_________________________________________
Por: Paco Ardit
B2 Language Bundle (4 books in 1)
: 430
C1 Language Bundle (3 books in 1)
: 220
__________________________________________
El ladrón del rayo
: 288 pages
__________________________________________
Escalofríos HorrorLandia #1: La venganza del muneco viviente
: 140 pages
Escalofríos HorrorLandia #2: Espanto Marino
: 144 pages
Escalofríos Horrorlandia #9: Bienvenido al Campamento de las Serpientes
: 160 pages
Escalofríos HorrorLandia #10: ¡Auxilio! ¡Tenemos poderes extraños!
: 140 pages
Escalofríos HorrorLandia #11: Escape de Horrorlandia
: 160 pages
Escalofríos HorrorLandia #12: Las calles del Parque del Pánico
: 160 pages
__________________________________________
Por: Isabelle Allende
La Ciudad de las Bestias
: ~300 pages
El reino del dragon de Oro
: 325 pages
El Bosque de los Pigmeos
: ~300 pages
__________________________________________
2018 TV List
Dueños del Paraíso (40 minutos/episode)
: *
Enemigo íntimo 53 episodes (40 min/episode)
:
El Chema 84 episodes (40 min/episode)
:
La Reina Del Sur (40 min/episode)
:
Dogma- 13 episodes (40 min/episode)
:
El desconocido 5 episodes (~45 min/episode)
:
Por Amar sin Ley (40 minutos/episode)
:
Ingobernable Season 1
:
Ingobernable Season 2
:
________________________________________
2018 Movie List
Amar te duele: 90 minutes
Perdida: 90 minutes
__________________________________________
2018 Documentary List
Hijos de las Estrellas(45 min/episode)
:
__________________________________________
My desire to go from a B2 to C1 still exists, although there is less pressure to do it. Now, I'm more focused on making Spanish a part of my everyday life as long as it is in an enjoyable manner. I use Spanish as a way of relaxing, it is my way of escaping from the stresses of everyday life. If I happen to go from a B2 to C1 while enjoying Spanish media every day, then so be it!
I really am focused on improving my listening comprehension, so my new approach won't be totally relaxed and unorganized. As a matter of fact, I'll be striving to improve my comprehension every single day, but I'll try to have more fun while doing it.
My methods of study will be:
-Lots of TV
-Lots of FUN reading (no more forcing myself to read things I don't like)
-Lots of podcasts.
I've made watching the news in Spanish a daily habit, so at the very least I know I can do that and maintain my skills. If I only manage to speak Spanish with my dog or the occasional person at work, well, I'm fine with that. I'm perfectly happy with my speaking abilities since very rarely do I have problems expressing myself in Spanish. I can speak in a manner where others understand me, and have been able to do so for some time. Sure, it might take a few extra words to describe something I don't know the word for, but I can get it done. I have a full grasp of all Spanish grammar and a very solid "B2 level" vocabulary. The problem I've always had however, has been understanding the other person (particularly groups of people talking to each other or those who use lots of slang or have thick accents). I'm usually pretty good with 1 on 1 conversations, but could use work on the more difficult stuff. Movies still remain difficult for me and I only have decent comprehension on some TV shows (after watching a few episodes). I'd like to reach a level where I can watch TV shows and understand them as if I were watching in my native language (English).
Thanks to everyone who has given me advice since I've been a member here, and thanks to those who follow my log and take the time to leave comments! I hope I can be helpful to others and give back to the community.
2018 Movie/TV/Reading List
*books/movies may be rounded up or down in page count/length*
2018 Reading List
Los Crímenes Azules
: ~375 pages
Dos crímenes
: ~210 pages
__________________________________________
Pedro Páramo
: ~125 pages
__________________________________________
La Tumba
: ~125 pages
__________________________________________
Nacidos para Correr
: ~350 pages
__________________________________________
La mesa: Historias de nuestra gente
: ~250 pages
__________________________________________
Jorge Ramos
Morir en el Intento: La Peor Tragedia de Immigrantes en la Historia de los Estados Unidos
: ~200 pages
Tierra de Todos
: ~200 pages
__________________________________________
¿Quién mató a Ángela Blanco?: Una novela negra de crimen e intriga
: 85 pages
___________________________________________
Por: Raul Garbantes
La Caída de una Diva
: 197 pages
La Última Bala
: 212 pages
Goya
: 159 pages
Tiroteo
: 230
Fuego Cruzado
: 237
El Ausente
: 225 pages
_________________________________________
Por: Paco Ardit
B2 Language Bundle (4 books in 1)
: 430
C1 Language Bundle (3 books in 1)
: 220
__________________________________________
El ladrón del rayo
: 288 pages
__________________________________________
Escalofríos HorrorLandia #1: La venganza del muneco viviente
: 140 pages
Escalofríos HorrorLandia #2: Espanto Marino
: 144 pages
Escalofríos Horrorlandia #9: Bienvenido al Campamento de las Serpientes
: 160 pages
Escalofríos HorrorLandia #10: ¡Auxilio! ¡Tenemos poderes extraños!
: 140 pages
Escalofríos HorrorLandia #11: Escape de Horrorlandia
: 160 pages
Escalofríos HorrorLandia #12: Las calles del Parque del Pánico
: 160 pages
__________________________________________
Por: Isabelle Allende
La Ciudad de las Bestias
: ~300 pages
El reino del dragon de Oro
: 325 pages
El Bosque de los Pigmeos
: ~300 pages
__________________________________________
2018 TV List
Dueños del Paraíso (40 minutos/episode)
: *
Enemigo íntimo 53 episodes (40 min/episode)
:
El Chema 84 episodes (40 min/episode)
:
La Reina Del Sur (40 min/episode)
:
Dogma- 13 episodes (40 min/episode)
:
El desconocido 5 episodes (~45 min/episode)
:
Por Amar sin Ley (40 minutos/episode)
:
Ingobernable Season 1
:
Ingobernable Season 2
:
________________________________________
2018 Movie List
Amar te duele: 90 minutes
Perdida: 90 minutes
__________________________________________
2018 Documentary List
Hijos de las Estrellas(45 min/episode)
:
__________________________________________