Forgive me if this is a simple question that “everyone here knows”. I have only just started to use LingQ regularly, although it seems that I joined it, and didn’t use it, several years ago.
I am in the frustrating process of trying to move from Intermediate to Advanced level in latino-español.
I learned my other (but largely forgotten) second language in 5 years, mostly from stories delivered with audio plus written words and from speaking to native speakers on a regular basis - everyday for the 8 months I lived in the country. That method worked.
Unfortunately, trying to self-learn Mexican Spanish in the USA, plus a couple of short trips to language schools in Mexico, has been far more difficult. I believe that this is largely due to the emphasis that American and Mexican-based material on just about every method BUT using comprehensible verbal input delivered in a neutral and local accent together with written captions.
I am now in my 20th year of trying to learn Mexican Spanish. I am still unable to read comfortably beyond Intermediate level, although I can manage Advanced material in my areas of professional competence. I cannot write fast and need to spend a lot of time re-reading and polishing material that I commit to writing. Understanding everyday spoken language at normal speed is still very difficult, although that has improved over the last month since I found a (rather cumbersome) way to stop and start television and YouTube programs that are delivered in neutral Latino-american Spanish and that have Closed Captions in Spanish. I am a looooong way from being able to hold a fluent conversation with a native speaker, even in simple topics.
I have recently returned to Italki and engaged my third Mexican conversation tutor. (The other two were also good, but I wanted to broaden my experience). I have discovered that this method helps more than intercambio language exchanges where I simply jam up and feel so frustrated and uncomfortable that I rarely return for more.
I have discovered that I advance fastest when I have access to stories that combine both text and sound.
I NEED to find ways in LingQ of adding a natural sounding Latino Spanish soundtrack in a relatively neutral Latino American accent (like Mexican or Colombian) to stories and news articles written in Latino Spanish.
Suggestions, please.