How We’re Learning Spanish with Dreaming Spanish
Why natural listening is the key to fluency and how we’re using it as a family.
What is Dreaming Spanish?
If you’ve ever struggled with traditional language learning methods, you’re not alone. Memorising grammar rules, drilling flashcards, and doing textbook exercises often make language learning feel like a chore.
Dreaming Spanish takes a completely different approach, one that focuses on comprehensible input (hearing Spanish you can understand, even as a beginner). Instead of learning through translation or grammar lessons, you absorb the language naturally, just like a child does when learning their first language.
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)
- What is Dreaming Spanish? A natural way to learn Spanish through listening, no grammar drills, no memorization, just real, engaging content.
- Why We Chose It: It’s fun, works for the whole family, and helps us absorb Spanish effortlessly.
- How We Use It: Watching 10–20 minutes daily, starting with Super Beginner videos, and making it interactive with the kids.
- Why It Works: Focuses on listening first, learning through context, and removing pressure to speak before you’re ready.
- Getting Started: Start with beginner-friendly videos, watch consistently, and trust the process.
Why We Chose Dreaming Spanish for Our Family
As we prepare for long-term travel in South and Central America, learning Spanish has been a major focus. We wanted something that didn’t feel like “studying” but instead fit naturally into our daily routine. That’s why I (Sean the dad) decided to try Dreaming Spanish, a method that immerses us in Spanish through engaging, real-life content.
Here’s why I love it:
✅ No Boring Grammar Lessons – Instead of memorising verb charts, I pick up grammar naturally by hearing real Spanish conversations.
✅ Fun & Engaging Videos – The content is designed for different levels, from absolute beginners to advanced learners.
✅ Works for the Whole Family – Even the kids have enjoyed watching the Consatine episodes, making it an effortless way for all of us to learn together.
How we're Using Dreaming Spanish
1. Listening Every Day
To get the most out of Dreaming Spanish, we’ve made it part of our routine:
- Atticus and I recently watched the “Guess the Disney” series from the Super Beginner category, and we loved it. It was easy to follow, engaging, and made learning feel completely natural.
- The content isn’t overwhelming, just 10–20 minutes minimum per day keeps us improving.
- Check out my current progress below (16/02/25)
2. Matching Videos to Our Level
Dreaming Spanish organises content into four levels:
- Super Beginner – No Spanish required; everything is explained with gestures & visuals.
- Beginner – Slightly more Spanish, but still easy to understand.
- Intermediate – Faster speech, but still simplified.
- Advanced – Close to native-speed conversations.
We’re mostly watching Super Beginner and Beginner videos right now. The best part? We’re actually understanding what’s happening without needing translations.
3. Making it Interactive
Even though Dreaming Spanish is a listening-based method, we’ve found ways to make it more interactive:
- Pausing videos to guess words or repeat phrases
- Acting out scenes or words with the kids
- Using what we hear in real life (e.g., after watching the “guess the disney Character” we decided to play our own game of it most used phrase was “Tu personaje es…?)
Why Dreaming Spanish Works Better Than Traditional Methods
Most traditional learning methods focus on:
❌ Memorising vocabulary lists
❌ Grammar exercises
❌ Speaking right away, even when you don’t have enough input
But natural language learning works differently. Instead of forcing ourselves to translate every word, we focus on:
✔️ Listening first – Understanding before speaking
✔️ Picking up words in context – Just like kids do when learning their first language
✔️ Building confidence – No pressure to speak before we’re ready
How to Get Started with Dreaming Spanish
If you’re looking for a stress-free way to immerse yourself in Spanish, here’s how to begin:
- Start with Super Beginner Videos – Even if you know some Spanish, these build confidence.
- Watch 10–20 minutes per day – Consistency matters more than cramming.
- Resist the urge to translate – Trust the process!
- Make it fun – Pick topics that interest you (Disney, daily life, travel, etc.).
- Use it alongside other tools – We pair it with TalkBox.Mom for more structured practice.
Final Thoughts: Why We Recommend Dreaming Spanish
Learning a new language as a family shouldn’t feel like schoolwork, it should be fun, immersive, and something you actually look forward to. Dreaming Spanish has given us exactly that.
Its so easy to fall into stress and trying to cram it in when theres not enough time, secret is to not put too much pressure on this, have fun.
Instead of memorising endless words, we’re absorbing Spanish naturally, and it’s working. We’re already recognising phrases, responding without overthinking, and best of all, our kids are engaged too!
If you’re a parent who wants to learn Spanish without stress, or if you’re looking for a method that actually works for kids and adults, we highly recommend giving Dreaming Spanish a try.
Check out Dreaming Spanish on YouTube and start your Spanish journey today!
FAQs About Learning Spanish with Dreaming Spanish
Is Dreaming Spanish good for beginners?
Yes! The Super Beginner videos are designed for absolute beginners. The host uses gestures, drawings, and simple explanations to help you understand everything naturally—without needing translations.
How long does it take to see progress?
It depends on how much you listen. If you watch 10–20 minutes per day, you’ll start recognizing words and phrases within a few weeks. After a few months, you’ll understand full sentences without effort.
Do I need to speak Spanish from day one?
No! Dreaming Spanish follows the input-first method, meaning you listen before you speak—just like how children learn their first language. Speaking will come naturally over time.
