Description:
Eyeing a move to either Spain or Portugal in the next year to work remotely. I’m doing Duolingo daily, but I feel like I need something more robust to actually converse and handle daily life/some work interactions. What are your most effective (and maybe less obvious) strategies for learning a language to a decent conversational level while juggling a full-time remote job? Looking for app recommendations, methods, anything! Gracias/Obrigado in advance! 🗣️
12 Answers
Graded readers! These are books written specifically for language learners at different levels. Much more engaging than textbooks sometimes. Also, try the 'shadowing' technique – listen to a native speaker and try to mimic their pronunciation and intonation as closely as possible. Feels weird at first but really helps your accent.
Hey there! 🎉 Super psyched about your adventure! Beyond apps, immersion is key, even from home. Try switching your phone or Netflix to Spanish or Portuguese. Also, 😍 language meetups or tandem partners online can be gold for practice. Don't forget podcasts and local music, they work wonders for tuning your ear! Good luck, you got this! 🚀
Good to be doing Duolingo daily, but you'll need real conversations and targeted practice. Try italki or Preply for weekly 1:1 tutors focused on conversation and business vocabulary, and Tandem or HelloTalk to swap voice messages with natives. Add Anki for SRS flashcards of phrases you actually use and Speechling for pronunciation drills.
Shadow short dialogues from podcasts or YouTube-repeat with the same rhythm and intonation. Carve 30 minutes before or after work for voice notes, journaling, and mock Zoom calls with a tutor. Immerse passively with local news and Netflix with subtitles. Small, consistent habits beat long binges. Gracias/Obrigado.
Love that you’re heading for Spain or Portugal, that vision will fuel you. Try task based learning instead of random lessons, build 8 real scenarios you will face abroad and script them until they feel natural, rent a flat, open a bank account, handle client calls, order at markets. Do short transcription drills with 1 to 2 minute local clips, write what you hear, compare, then record yourself and repeat. Use an error focused feedback loop, get corrections only on recurring mistakes and re-record until smooth. Fold work into practice by drafting one email or agenda in the target language each week. This creates synergy and a paradigm shift. Unlock your potential, you got this.
Forget the apps for a sec. The real game changer? Find a local community or cultural group online and get involved. Attend virtual meetups, cooking classes, or hobby groups in your target language. It’s less about formal learning and more about natural use.
When you’re genuinely interested in something, language flows easier.
+ it forces you into spontaneous conversations without the pressure of “correctness.”
That’s where progress really happens—outside the comfort zone.
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