Newbie Intro and update/questions. - 16 hours in.
TL;DR - BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) Questions - Newbie here (16 hrs in) asking:
I can kinda understand cuentame podcast if i slow it to 80%. I get about 90-95% of the words if I reallllllly focus intensely. Any recommendations on this? what worked for you? (slow it down more, re-listen to past ones, don't try to understand it to much, etc) would love input from those that are further down the road.
Any other podcasts at about this level that worked for you? I think Chill Spanish a bit too much right now.
Background
56 year old male, took spanish in high school but only really remembered one word I wrote on my shoe to pass a spelling test: limpiaparabrisas -- windshield wipers. I've yet to encounter a situation in life where knowing this word in spanish has aided me, but I remain hopeful.
Years ago I listened to Michel Thomas spanish series and was intrigued at how much more he could teach me somewhat passively. I got to where I could work out sentences but not really understand anyone speaking at normal speed. Alas, not being able to use it, my interest waned and the skill atrophied.
Now, I'm realizing I would like to get to where I'm somewhat conversant in Spanish. I live in Texas and my wife and I like to travel a bit.
Current State
Two weeks in, could barely muster 15 minutes a day at first, but quickly got to an hour, then 1.5-2 hrs a day watching DS videos. I'm at about level 20 on the videos and have learned to relax and just follow the story without stressing on each word. It helps. This community, the youtube reviews of people doing this, etc have been so helpful in keeping me motivated and helping me relax and press forward.
I think some of my background might be helping me a little bit. I'm able to go back and watch earlier videos and understand each word now. I just started to listen to cuentame podcast intro and second episode and I could mostly understand it, slowed down to 80%. I have to REALLY focus, however. the goal is to get to where i can listen to podcasts while driving, doing morning walks, chores, etc, to ramp up the content time.
This seems perhaps early for this podcast. most seem to be really listening around hour 50...perhaps the slight amount in my background is paying off. Not sure. Perhaps many others started listening at this point....I don't know.
Anyways, thanks for reading, questions up top.