Dreaming Spanish: My Spanish learning so Far
As we prepare to travel through South America next year, one thing has become super clear: learning Spanish isn’t optional — it’s essential.
We don’t want to just get by. We want to connect. To talk with locals, understand the culture more deeply, and make our year abroad as meaningful as possible. So back in January, I decided to really commit to learning Spanish, and now, at 117 hours of total input in Dreaming Spanish, I wanted to share where I’m at, what’s working (and what’s not), and how it’s all coming together.
From "Kinda Learning" to Actually Committing
Technically, I’ve been dabbling in Spanish for a few years (Mainly before I met Tania). Apps, flashcards, podcasts — you name it, I’ve probably tried it. I even spent a solid month speaking Spanish on Baselang with native Colombians a while back, waking up at 4am every day to practice speaking with locals. So while I only have 54 hours logged on Dreaming Spanish, I estimate I’ve done at least another 63+ hours outside of that (though honestly, it might be way more — I just don’t want to inflate the numbers).
But Dreaming Spanish is where things really started to click. I started slow — just 30 minutes a day — then bumped it up to an hour after the first week. Two weeks in, I was doing 90 minutes to 2 hours a day, mainly in the early mornings between 5–7am, before the kids wake up.
It’s a great time of day for focused, uninterrupted learning… unless I’m too tired and catch myself nodding off with “sleepy eyes” (in which case, cold water to the face is the solution).
I Tried Anki Again… And It Just Didn’t Work
Over the past few weeks, I also tried bringing Anki back into the mix. I used to love it in my 20s flashcard drills were my jam back then. But this time around, it just wasn’t working.
The retention wasn’t great, and I found myself dreading the sessions. After chatting with a few other Dreaming Spanish learners who had the same experience, I decided to go almost all-in on comprehensible input. Since then, I’ve felt way more motivated and excited to keep showing up every day.
Dreaming Spanish: Why It’s Working for Me
One thing I’ve noticed is how your preferences shift as your comprehension improves. When I first started, Andrea was my go-to, her videos felt fun and easy to follow. Now, I find myself drawn to other guides I used to struggle with, and I actually get excited when they drop new videos. That little shift has been so motivating.
I’d say I’m at a high beginner level now. Just last week I watched my first Easy Intermediate video, and while it was challenging, I understood enough to feel like “Hey, I’m getting somewhere.”
Why It Matters (and What’s Next)
In August 2025, my family and I are packing up and heading off on a long-term family travel adventure through Latin America. It’s been a dream of ours since before we had kids, and now we’re finally making it happen. So for me, Spanish isn’t just another skill, it’s part of getting ready to fully live this experience, not just float through it.
I want to be able to chat with the local panadería owner, ask for help when we need it, make friends, and feel at home wherever we are. That’s what keeps me coming back every day, even when I’m tired or life gets busy.
Final Thoughts (For Anyone Learning With Kids)
If you’re a parent trying to learn Spanish while juggling family life, I see you. It’s not always easy, but it is possible, even in small, consistent chunks. I’m finding that early mornings are gold, and the key is not perfection, but consistency.
If you’re on a similar journey (especially with Dreaming Spanish), I’d love to connect, leave a comment or send me a message. Let’s keep cheering each other on.
More updates soon, and maybe some reflections on how the kids are picking things up too. ¡Hasta luego!
