To those who speak a second language

for 20 years I was able to survive in spanish (my third language) because I've traveled a lot in Latin countries, usually for a few months each trip. since almost a year I have a spanish speaking girlfriend and I have learned more in the last months than in my whole life before that. spanish in itself, as you already know, is a fairly easy language but the hard part is understanding them when they speak because they speak so damn fast. I think the only way to become fluent is immersion and relationships, then you get into the every day conversation and slowly get used to the speed at which they speak. I understand my girlfriend most of the time ( because she tries to speak slower and pronounce well) but other people are still hard to understand, but I'm getting there.

Lo mejor para llegar a dominar un idioma es vivir una temporada en un lugar donde ese sea el idioma nativo, así te ves obligada a hablarlo , escribirlo y escucharlo todos los días hasta que te sientes pensando y soñando en ese idioma. Ojalá puedas viajar en un futuro y convertir tu sueño en realidad.

I'm the same way with Spanish. I have an easier time reading the written words than understanding spoken words. I think it comes with a lot of practice, hearing it frequently.

at some point your brain wires itself not remember but to understand the words..and it becomes easier. thing is in order to re wire your brain you need to be submerged into that language. music..books..movies the more your mind comes across these things the more it starts to create new neural paths.

Immersion. I'm now living in Guatemala and even though I studied and listened to spanish channels, being here really makes a difference.

Go live in another country? My high school Spanish got a big boost. But now it is shrinking again. Panama. Affordable.

Of course it is possible, but not without time and effort!