Spanish Learners Need to Immerse Themselves to Really Learn
Learning Spanish? It's a lot of work. Perhaps you utilize Babbel+, Memrise, Busuu, Rosetta Stone, or Duolingo. Maybe're you're taking classes. Maybe you're a university Spanish major or minor. There are many great ways to learn.
However, if you are in a non-native speaking country, you are probably missing something. Something is holding you back. These methods seem impersonal. Something important is lacking. What is lacking is human interaction. The real-time feedback you get from a human being. Reading facial expressions or sending/receiving non-verbal cues from body language. Being able to immediately ask questions and getting an immediate answer with native pronunciation. You can't get these things from any Spanish learning app or computer program.
The best way to learn Spanish is a combination of a good learning program AND immersion with the language.
However, if you are in a non-native speaking country, you are probably missing something. Something is holding you back. These methods seem impersonal. Something important is lacking. What is lacking is human interaction. The real-time feedback you get from a human being. Reading facial expressions or sending/receiving non-verbal cues from body language. Being able to immediately ask questions and getting an immediate answer with native pronunciation. You can't get these things from any Spanish learning app or computer program.
The best way to learn Spanish is a combination of a good learning program AND immersion with the language.
Problems with "free" language exchange partners
Most Spanish learners understand that it takes a learning program AND real world practice, and to get that real world practice, they might look for a "language exchange partner" who is learning English (with a language exchange website, a local Meetup, etc.). They might decide to speak more Spanish with a Spanish speaking friend. They may figure that they're paying for a teacher/app/course, and they can get the "real world" practice free. The reality is that this approach to practicing Spanish just doesn't work very well. In fact, the problems with practicing Spanish this way is one of the reasons we created Hablamos Today. Below, we compile the 6 main reasons "free" exchanges don't work, whether they be online or in-person.
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1. Helping people learn English is a nice thing to do. If you had unlimited time, maybe you'd volunteer teach all over the world. However, you don't have unlimited time. You want to focus on Spanish, because that is what will help you succeed with work, school, or in your personal life.
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2. Some people see "language exchanges" as flirting opportunities. This is especially problematic with Central/South American men who look for "language partners" on free language exchange websites. It usually doesn't make any difference if you are clear that you have a significant other. Not everyone is like this of course, but with Hablamos Today, you don't have to worry about having to weed out unserious practice partners.
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3. "Free" language exchange partners often don't have the same degree of dedication that you have.. Very often, they don't show up on time for agree-upon language exchanges or they cancel. With these partners, you often spend so much time scheduling that you will eventually say - I should have just paid a few bucks for a reliable partner whose job it is to always show up.
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4. With language exchange partners, the conversation too often goes like this: "Hi, how are you? I'm good, you? I'm good." The conversation runs out of steam, due to a lack of planning as to what a "conversation exchange" is.
Hablamos Today Spanish partners are responsible for planning and managing the conversation, whether it be on a random topic, or focused on a specific area of Spanish you want to work on. Hablamos today is perfect for introverts who want to practice their Spanish but not worry about running out of things to say. |
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5. This is especially problematic when you and a local friend decide to speak more Spanish together to help you. It also applies when you're traveling in touristy areas, and the people keep on talking to you in English.
It is a frustrating reality that the conversation can revert to English any time there is a misunderstanding. The other person might think it's helping the conversation, but in reality, you need to stick with Spanish if you want to learn. With Hablamos Today, you're immersed in Spanish. It's like you teleported to a Nicaraguan city where nobody speaks English. You must adapt to the language. |
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6. The most significant problem with practicing with "language exchange partners" are the fact that they're your friends, not employees. They might like to help you here and there, but what you need is consistent, repetitive, and regular practice. You need to focus on what you need, even if you need to focus on the same topic for an hour straight. With Hablamos Today, you can get the daily, repetitive, and regular practice you need because you are paying for a service.
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With Hablamos Today, you pay a few bucks to avoid all the problems discussed above, which makes us the best language exchange site. We work for you. We're here for you. We always arrive on time, we always have something to talk about, and we only speak Spanish with you. We speak with all levels of Spanish speakers, and tailor the sessions to even the most basic speakers.
With us, you get the positives of having a Spanish conversation partner with none of the negatives. And since you've outsourced your conversation practice partners to Nicaragua, the lowest cost-of-living country in all of Latin America, you will not feel like it is a large investment. However, the return on this investment, which is accelerated Spanish fluency, will be big.
With us, you get the positives of having a Spanish conversation partner with none of the negatives. And since you've outsourced your conversation practice partners to Nicaragua, the lowest cost-of-living country in all of Latin America, you will not feel like it is a large investment. However, the return on this investment, which is accelerated Spanish fluency, will be big.
What are Sessions Like?
We have two types of sessions depending on your goals.
- If you are a Spanish learner who wants to practice a specific aspect of Spanish that that they're learning elsewhere, then the sessions can focus on practicing these difficulty areas. For example, let's say you are working on a Rosetta Stone chapter focused on past tense verbs. You may choose that your conversation session focus on past tense verbs, to put into practice what you're learning with Rosetta Stone.
- If you are a Spanish learner who is looking to improve their Spanish generally, then the sessions focus on different conversation topics. We may also have a Spanish activity planned for you. We tailor the conversation to all levels, so even if your knowledge of Spanish is super basic, we will still be able to have a conversation. Your Nicaraguan conversation partner will choose a conversation topic or activity before each session, and each session will focus on that topic. Of course, you can choose a topic yourself if you prefer. Please click here to see the list of conversation topics. These are guided conversations that put into practice all aspect of your Spanish. During the session, your Spanish fluency partner continuously give feedback on your pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, etc., and will offer other advice on how to have a conversation in Spanish. Language learners need this real-time feedback to ensure they are learning properly.
The above video is a short example of an Hablamos Today student who is at the high intermediate / low advanced level.
We tailor the sessions to any level of Spanish. Even if you're at the beginner level, we will have activities for you to practice. We know that you won't understand everything we say. That is completely expected. However, you will find that you understand a little more every day.
We tailor the sessions to any level of Spanish. Even if you're at the beginner level, we will have activities for you to practice. We know that you won't understand everything we say. That is completely expected. However, you will find that you understand a little more every day.
Virtual Spanish Immersion
Not everyone has the time/money to spend time in Latin America, but Hablamos Today is the next best thing. We designed Hablamos Today to simulate an immersive experience in a Spanish-speaking country.
We recommend daily, 25 minute sessions. If you are taking Spanish class or learning with the app, we recommend scheduling your Hablamos Today sessions immediately after your class, so you can put into practice what you learned.
For best results, commit to your Spanish learning by scheduling at least 5 Hablamos Today sessions a week.
We would note that the Nicaraguan dialect is one of the easiest-to-understand of any Spanish dialect. It is somewhat neutral, so Nicaraguan teachers are perfect for people learning general Spanish. However, our conversation practice partners can help you with any regional variation that you want, if you want to learn certain words from different countries.
We recommend daily, 25 minute sessions. If you are taking Spanish class or learning with the app, we recommend scheduling your Hablamos Today sessions immediately after your class, so you can put into practice what you learned.
For best results, commit to your Spanish learning by scheduling at least 5 Hablamos Today sessions a week.
We would note that the Nicaraguan dialect is one of the easiest-to-understand of any Spanish dialect. It is somewhat neutral, so Nicaraguan teachers are perfect for people learning general Spanish. However, our conversation practice partners can help you with any regional variation that you want, if you want to learn certain words from different countries.
*Customers can choose between Facebook video chat, WhatsApp video chat, or Skype. Whatever is best for you!
Cheryl is ready to help you practice Spanish!
What Are People Saying?
Help us Build a Spanish Conversation Call-Center
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Nicaragua suffered a massive political crisis in 2018 which severely affected the economy. It was already a poor country, but it's now even worse. Most people must survive on only a few dollars a day, and the political/economic situation shows no sign of improving.
We want to build a business where ordinary Nicaraguas who don't have special skills (such as English ability or a formal teaching certificate) can offer a service to Spanish learners in more developed countries. Our goal is to build a callcenter-like program where dozens of locals can be employed helping people with their Spanish conversation. We will only hire Nicaraguans capable of leading intelligent conversations. We will also provide them with a basic understanding of how English-speakers learn Spanish grammar, so they are equipped to help these English-speakers put these skills into practice. The best part is that the prices seem low for customers, but for Nicaraguans, we pay above-market salaries. We are currently a small family business with no employees outside the family. However, once we start hiring, our primary goal is to ensure that the salaries are above-market and that the employees are treated well. We are in a very unique position where our prices can be super low for customers yet we can pay our employees well. This can only happen outsourcing this work to Nicaragua. |
Book your free trial session
To book your free session, please click the "Book Free Trial" tab at the top of this page and follow the simple sign-up instructions. If you want, you can also watch this video, which walks you through the process.
There is of course no credit card needed to sign up for a free session. We consider requiring credit cards for "free" trials to be an immoral business practice. Our Spanish practice sessions are completely free. We're highly confident learners will see the value of spending a few bucks to get regular practice sessions with natives. However, there is no obligation to buy a Hablamos Today plan if you decide it's not for you.
There is of course no credit card needed to sign up for a free session. We consider requiring credit cards for "free" trials to be an immoral business practice. Our Spanish practice sessions are completely free. We're highly confident learners will see the value of spending a few bucks to get regular practice sessions with natives. However, there is no obligation to buy a Hablamos Today plan if you decide it's not for you.
