El podcast trata en la conversación un método poco convencional para aprender inglés. Se enfatiza la importancia de la motivación y el aprendizaje inmersivo, priorizando la comunicación práctica sobre la gramática formal inicial. Se aboga por un enfoque multimedia y consistente, con la recomendación de incluso pensar en inglés para una inmersión total. Finalmente, se destaca la aceptación de errores como parte fundamental del proceso y la búsqueda de apoyo en comunidades de aprendizaje. El objetivo es mostrar que aprender inglés puede ser un proceso agradable y efectivo si se enfoca en la comunicación y la inmersión gradual, más que en un aprendizaje puramente gramatical desde el principio.

* Si tienes problemas para entender la conversación puedes descargar nuestro Curso de inglés en audio

All right. So, welcome to the deep dive. We're diving into something today that I think a lot of people are really interested in, and that is how to learn English effectively.

Yeah, it's a popular one.

So, you want to learn it without uh without getting overwhelmed. And luckily, we have this very interesting guide.

Oh, I do.

Called: "Cómo aprender inglés sin esfuerzo por tu cuenta"

That's a mouthful.

Now, I know what you're thinking. You're thinking that's Spanish.

It is.

And uh and you're right. I don't speak a word of Spanish, but thankfully we got it all translated and we're going to really kind of dig in here and find the uh the gems within.

Yeah, we're going to be like those guys sifting for gold, you know, looking for those little nuggets that'll really make a difference in your English learning.

So, one of the first things that really jumped out at me when I was reading this was this idea that you should forget grammar.

At least initially. Yeah,

at least initially. They almost made it sound like, you know, check those textbooks out the window,

right?

Is that really the right approach?

Well, it sounds counterintuitive, but think about it. Think about how kids learn. languages. You don't see babies, you know, hunched over grammar books, right?

You don't see them diagramming sentences.

Exactly. They learn through exposure. They're constantly hearing it. They're repeating what they hear and they're just interacting.

Yeah. And they pick it up so fast.

Yeah. And they're not worried about, you know, the past perfect continuous or whatever.

So, how does that work for, you know, us adults?

Yeah, it's a good question. I mean, the guide argues that for adults, especially beginners, starting with all those grammar rules can be really demotivating.

Okay.

And it can actually slow you down. It's kind of like, you know, trying to build a house and you start with the wiring before you even lay the foundation.

Yeah. You got to have that foundation.

Exactly.

So, if grammar is not the foundation, what is

motivation? The guide stresses that understanding your why is key.

Your why.

Yeah. Why are you learning English? What's the driving force? Is it for travel? Is it for your career? Maybe you want to connect with people from different cultures.

Yeah. I can see how having that clear purpose makes it feel feel well less like a chore, right?

Exactly. It becomes more about achieving something you really want rather than just, you know, ugh, I have to study.

But some people might say, "Okay, but I still need some basic grammar, right? Even at the beginning."

What would you say to that?

Well, the guide kind of flips that on its head.

They suggest that you focus on actually communicating first. Get a handle on basic vocabulary, you know, everyday phrases, be able to have simple conversations, and then And grammar becomes a tool to refine those skills.

Okay. So it's not about ignoring grammar.

Not at all.

But just maybe introducing it at a different stage.

Exactly. At the right time.

So for those of us who are just starting out, you know, those true beginners, what are some practical steps that the guide recommends?

Well, first off, consistency is key. The guide suggests setting aside at least 5 hours a week focused study time.

Five hours?

Yeah, that's a good starting point.

Okay, but what does that look like? I mean, am I just reading textbooks for 5 hours? Yeah. No, no. They recommend finding a structured course, but not just dry textbooks. You want something multimedia, you know, audio, visuals, interactive exercises, things that keep you engaged.

Yeah. That's much more fun.

Exactly. Make it enjoyable. And then on top of that, they really stress seeking out opportunities to actually use the language.

So, real life practice.

Exactly. Talk to native speakers if you can. Go to English speaking events. The guide even suggests, you know, chatting with tourists, even just simple interactions.

I like that, but that sounds pretty intimidating, especially for a beginner. Are there other things you can do that aren't quite as scary?

Definitely. I mean, the internet is an amazing resource. There are tons of YouTube videos, you know, songs with lyrics, even simple things like jokes or riddles. Yeah.

They also recommend connecting with online communities for English learners. It's a great way to get support, practice, and feedback without feeling, you know, too much pressure.

I like that. So, it's about finding what works for you. Exactly. Finding your style and making it fun.

Now, what about people who aren't quite beginners? People who maybe know a little bit of English already. What kind of advice does the guide offer for those intermediate or advanced learners?

Well, for them, it's about stepping up the immersion.

Stepping up the immersion.

Yeah. Listening to podcasts, radio, audiobooks, watching movies, even listening to English conversations, you know, with transcripts so you can follow along.

It's a lot of listening.

It is, but it really helps you get comfortable with the natural flow of the language. And of course, reading is just as important.

Oh, of course.

News articles, novels, blogs, whatever you're interested in.

Keep it interesting.

Exactly. And there are also online conversation networks, penole programs. These are great for more interactive practice.

So, it's about finding ways to make English a part of your life. Right.

Exactly. And the guide even suggests, get this, thinking in English.

Thinking in English.

Making your shopping list in English.

That's going all in. It is, but it's about training your brain to operate in the language.

Now, what about the role of a teacher in all of this? Is it essential to have a teacher or can you really learn effectively on your own?

Yeah, that's a big question. And the guide had a very interesting take on this. They actually argue that a teacher isn't strictly necessary right at the very beginning, especially, get this, not a native English speaker.

Really? That's surprising. I would have thought a native speaker would be ideal. especially at the start.

Yeah, it seems counterintuitive, but their reasoning is that in the beginning it's more about building that solid foundation, getting comfortable with the basics.

Okay.

And they suggest that a teacher who understands your native language might actually be more helpful in that initial stage.

Interesting.

Because they can give you clearer explanations, you know, address your doubts in a way that you really understand.

So, it's about finding the right teacher at the right time.

Precisely. And as you progress, a native speaker can be be incredibly valuable for fine-tuning your accent, improving fluency, all of that.

Yeah, I'm starting to see that it's not an either thing. It's about recognizing that different teachers are different strengths, but overall, it seems like this guide is really emphasizing a more gradual approach to learning English.

Yeah, building on a strong foundation and then refining your skills as you go.

And one thing that really stood out to me was that it's not just about studying English, it's about absorbing it, making it a part of your life.

Absolutely. It's about integrating it into your daily routine,

having fun with it, making it part of who you are.

Yeah. And and that's where that idea of finding joy in the process really comes in. Yeah.

You know, it's not all about textbooks and drills, right?

It's about incorporating things you already enjoy

like games, music, movies.

I like that.

You know, into your learning. It's

like sneaking in those veggies when you don't realize it. Exactly.

But how do you actually do that? I mean, how can I make watching a movie more than just, you know, sitting there and watching a movie.

It's about actively engaging with it.

Okay?

So, try to pick up new words, follow the dialogue, even mimic the pronunciation.

Well, instead of just reading the subtitles,

really listen to how those words are being spoken

and try to repeat them.

So, be more present with it.

Exactly.

Be present and intentional.

Now, this guide also suggests something pretty bold.

Oh, yeah.

And that is starting to think in English.

They even suggest making your shopping list in English.

Really?

Yeah. It sounds kind of crazy at first.

Yeah.

But the goal is to train your brain to operate in that target language.

That seems like a big jump though, especially if you're a beginner.

It can be challenging.

Yeah.

But they have some good strategies. One is to surround yourself with English content that you're genuinely interested in.

Okay.

So, let's say you're a big sports fan, right?

Mhm.

You could immerse yourself in sports commentary, articles, documentaries.

Okay.

If you're a history buff, you know, dive into historical texts, podcasts, films.

So, find what you love and then kind of go deep with it.

Exactly. Find your passion and use it as a tool. I like that. That sounds a lot more fun than forcing yourself to study something you're not into.

Way more fun.

And they talk about experimenting with different formats as well.

Absolutely. Podcasts, audio books, news articles,

even social media posts. It can all be valuable.

It's all about finding what works for you.

Exactly. Personalize your learning journey.

I like that.

Make it your own.

Now, motiv ation is something that a lot of people struggle with when they're learning a language

big time.

Does this guide address that at all?

Yeah, they do. They emphasize the importance of setting realistic goals.

Because trying to learn too much too quickly can lead to burnout,

right?

So instead, they recommend setting small achievable goals. Yeah.

And then celebrating those wins along the way.

That's important.

It is.

It's like training for a marathon, right? You don't start by running 26 miles.

You've got to build up to it.

You got to break it down, make it manageable,

and enjoy the process.

Exactly. And remember, learning a language is a lifelong journey. There will be times when you feel frustrated, times when you feel like you're on top of the world.

Yeah.

Embrace those challenges. Stay curious.

Yeah.

And never stop exploring.

So, it sounds like this guide is really about the long game.

It is. It's a marathon, not a sprint.

But sometimes, even with the best intentions, You can feel kind of isolated when you're learning a language.

Oh yeah, absolutely.

Like you're kind of in it alone.

For sure.

What does the guide say about finding support?

Well, they really highlight the value of finding your tribe, you know,

your tribe.

Yeah. Finding your people.

Okay.

So, that could be a language exchange partner. It could be an online forum. It could be a local English conversation group,

right?

But connecting with others who are on that same path as you

can be so motivating.

Yeah. It can make a huge difference just knowing you're not alone.

Exactly.

And you can kind of learn from each other.

Absolutely. And

share tips and resources and all that.

Yeah. And just encourage each other along the way.

Now, I wanted to circle back to something the guide mentioned earlier that I found really intriguing.

Oh, yeah.

They talk about this resource called Coffee with Craig,

right?

Which is basically a bunch of recorded conversations in English.

And they provide transcripts for you to follow along with.

Yeah. I thought that was a really unique suggestion.

Me, too.

Why do you think they included that?

Well, I think it speaks to the power of context.

Oh yeah.

You know, it's one thing to learn vocabulary words from a list, right?

But it's a whole different thing to hear those words used naturally in conversation.

It's like the difference between reading a recipe and actually tasting the dish.

Like

coffee with Craig gives you that flavor. Yeah.

That sense of how English is actually spoken

in real life situations,

in the real world.

Now, I also like how they suggest that you imagine having a coffee with Craig yourself.

Oh, yeah. That's a good one.

Think about what you would talk about.

What topics interest you? What questions would you ask?

So, it's almost like a little challenge.

It is.

Okay. I'm having this imaginary coffee date.

Mhm.

But I'm going to do it in English.

I would.

What would I say?

Exactly.

How would I express myself?

Put yourself in that situation.

Yeah, that's a good one.

Use your imagination.

So, for our listener, consider this your homework assignment.

Okay.

Think about what you would chat about with Craig over coffee.

All right. I'm Dame.

What stories would you share?

What would we talk about?

What burning questions would you ask?

Jot down some conversation starters.

And then use the tips from this guide to bring that conversation to life.

I like it. Yeah. It's a great way to kind of uh you know, test yourself and see how far you've come. But, you know, one thing that a lot of people struggle with is this fear of making mistakes.

Oh, yeah. For sure. It's so common. You know, that feeling of I'm going to sound silly or people are going to judge me. Right. Exactly.

Does the guide offer any advice for overcoming that?

Well, they make a really important point. They say that mistakes are inevitable. They're actually a necessary part of the process.

Oh, interesting.

In fact, they're essential for learning and growth.

So, every mistake is like an opportunity.

Exactly.

But how do you actually shift your mindset, you know, from being afraid of making mistakes to embracing them?

Well, they suggest that you kind of reframe how you view those mistakes. So, instead of seeing them as failures, see them as stepping stones.

Okay. Scuffing stones

to fluency. Yeah. They also recommend finding, you know, a supportive learning environment where you feel comfortable experimenting and making mistakes without judgment.

Yeah. It's like having that safe space to practice and grow.

Exactly.

But what about this idea of fluency itself? What does it really mean to be fluent in the language? Is it about speaking perfectly without any hesitation?

Well, the guide actually challenges that narrow definition of fluency. Oh, okay.

They say that true fluency isn't about eliminating all mistakes.

It's more about being able to communicate.

Exactly. It's about expressing yourself clearly, understanding others, even if you don't have, you know, perfect grammar or a native like accent.

It's about connecting.

Exactly. And remember, fluency is a journey, not a destination. It's something you develop over time.

So, you never really arrive

in a way. Yeah. And the most important thing is to enjoy that journey. Celebrate progress along the way.

That's a good point. So, we've covered a lot of ground in this deep dive. It's been really insightful.

Yeah.

What are some of the key takeaways you'd like our listener to remember as they're embarking on their English learning journey?

Well, I think first and foremost, embrace the unconventional.

Don't be afraid to ditch those traditional methods, you know, like starting with grammar.

Yeah.

Prioritize real life communication. Find what excites you. Make it fun.

Yeah, I like that. Make it personal.

Make it personal. Exactly. And Remember, mistakes are your friends.

Yeah, they're not the enemy.

Not the enemy. They're opportunities to learn and grow. Find a supportive environment where you can experiment without judgment.

That's so important.

And finally, remember that fluency is not about perfection. It's about connection. So, focus on expressing yourself clearly, confidently. Don't let the fear of making mistakes hold you back.

Well, this has been a fantastic deep dive. I feel like we've really unpacked some powerful strategies from this guide and I hope our listener feels empowered and ready to tackle their English learning goals.

Me too. We've given you the map. We've given you the tools. Now it's up to you, dear listener, to chart your course and embark on this exciting journey.

Learning a new language is a gift you give yourself.

It is, and the rewards are immeasurable. So go out there, explore, experiment, and most importantly, have fun.