Hi everyone, I'm looking for Spanish speakers that would like to meet up in a group or 1-1 setting to practice our Spanish. Ideally, it would be great to have some sort of frequency - meeting up once every other week or even weekly if you're up for it. Unfortunately the gatherings on Meetup.com are mostly sponsored by language schools that try to sell you classes or aren't very frequent. I'm interested in meeting in DC proper and welcome all levels.

Little about me: I'm an advanced speaker who's more or less conversationally fluent. Mid-30s male who loves Spanish culture, food, and wine and I've lived in DC for over 15 years. ¡Nos vemos pronto!

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

Wheresmycardigan t1_je09ewk wrote on March 28, 2023 at 2:16 PM

#2,417,086

Have you checked out District Language Exchange?

They have events 2x month.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/districtlanguageexchange/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT

webren OP t1_je0a52o wrote on March 28, 2023 at 2:21 PM

#2,417,231

Replying to Wheresmycardigan (#2,417,086)

Thanks for the recommendation! Looks like the group welcomes all languages, so fingers crossed I encounter people who speak Spanish. Will sign up and check it out.

t3hdebater t1_je0jk0m wrote on March 28, 2023 at 3:23 PM

#2,418,799

The Petworth library has a weekly conversation group on Thursdays.

BenBradleesLaptop t1_je0lcm8 wrote on March 28, 2023 at 3:35 PM

#2,419,095

Replying to t3hdebater (#2,418,799)

I'm curious about this. Have you been? I've been learning spanish on duolingo for 5 months. 15 mins every day, but I can't yet really speak to Spanish speakers I regularly encounter. I know I need to practice in person, but should I wait until I'm more proficient?

webren OP t1_je0sbcn wrote on March 28, 2023 at 4:19 PM

#2,420,280

Replying to t3hdebater (#2,418,799)

Awesome, thanks for the suggestion!

pizzaslutsky t1_je0ttkn wrote on March 28, 2023 at 4:28 PM

#2,420,546

I host a Spanish language happy hour in DC. Just DMed you!

webren OP t1_je0ubpa wrote on March 28, 2023 at 4:31 PM

#2,420,651

Replying to BenBradleesLaptop (#2,419,095)

I've been studying consistently for about 5 years and I found that Stephen Krashen's theory on Comprehensible Input is spot on. In a nutshell, his theory suggests that language acquisition through regular input (watching videos and reading) is more important than trying to speak early on. I would recommend watching 15 minutes a day of Dreaming Spanish YouTube videos over Duolingo. They have videos sorted by level and you'll want to start with the level where you understand at least 80% of what's being said. If you can't understand 80%, you go down a level until you comprehend mostly everything (hence comprehensible input). Over time, you'll naturally be able to advance in level and your brain will be able to put together and understand more complex phrases from language acquisition.

You may find trying to converse this early in your Spanish journey may leave you frustrated and may frustrate the listener depending on how patient they are. If I could go back in time, I would've done nothing but consume input for 2 years and then start speaking. Because I decided to force myself to speak early on, I created some bad habits because I was directly translating in my mind from English. I had to unlearn these habits when I was more advanced which was frustrating, and I wouldn't have had that issue if I focused on acquiring the language vs learning it.

walkallover1991 t1_je0vebt wrote on March 28, 2023 at 4:38 PM

#2,420,849

Replying to webren (#2,420,651)

100% agree with everything you said regarding Stephen Krashen's theory.

I'm at a similar level to you in Spanish (I've twice tested into C2/Advanced for Reading + Writing and C1/Advanced for Speaking) but still found myself gasping for words when trying to have a conversation with someone. I could easily read a novel or write a college-level essay but would struggle to speak to my Spanish-speaking neighbor about the weather.

I started retraining myself using the Comprehensible Input method a couple of weeks ago and it has really changed my thinking...

webren OP t1_je0wh22 wrote on March 28, 2023 at 4:45 PM

#2,421,025

Replying to pizzaslutsky (#2,420,546)

Great, thank you!

webren OP t1_je0wrlq wrote on March 28, 2023 at 4:47 PM

#2,421,100

Replying to walkallover1991 (#2,420,849)

It's amazing how well it works! It's difficult sometimes to note the progress but eventually you'll see it and then it clicks.

m__001 t1_je1cc1f wrote on March 28, 2023 at 6:24 PM

#2,423,759

Replying to pizzaslutsky (#2,420,546)

would love info on this too!!

m__001 t1_je1cpvm wrote on March 28, 2023 at 6:27 PM

#2,423,815

Replying to t3hdebater (#2,418,799)

is there somewhere online to find more info- day and time? and if it’s at other libraries as well?

BenBradleesLaptop t1_je1d6ix wrote on March 28, 2023 at 6:30 PM

#2,423,890

Replying to webren (#2,420,651)

Very cool. Thank you for the info. I will check out Dreaming Spanish.

[deleted] t1_je1f2qc wrote on March 28, 2023 at 6:41 PM

#2,424,232

[removed]

[deleted] t1_je1f7q6 wrote on March 28, 2023 at 6:42 PM

#2,424,253

Replying to BenBradleesLaptop (#2,419,095)

[removed]

[deleted] t1_je1fgdj wrote on March 28, 2023 at 6:44 PM

#2,424,311

Replying to walkallover1991 (#2,420,849)

[removed]

LongLiveDaResistance t1_je1gjpf wrote on March 28, 2023 at 6:50 PM

#2,424,505

Replying to webren (#2,420,651)

Hmm, reaching proficiency (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) in a language typically takes about 5 years, so it may not have been the theory itself that worked but rather the time and consistency you put into learning.

t3hdebater t1_je1jyrr wrote on March 28, 2023 at 7:12 PM

#2,425,141

Replying to m__001 (#2,423,815)

The petworth library event page? It's at 7pm on Thursdays. I don't know if you have to register - you can always call to check with a librarian.

Not sure if other libraries do it - you'd have to search the DCPL website event page. If anyone is interested in organizing a second location, I bet a library would be willing to host. They are big on community events.

Tarmek12 t1_je1likj wrote on March 28, 2023 at 7:21 PM

#2,425,421

I’m a native Spanish speaker. I love it but I don’t get enough practice though and would be open to helping out. Btw do you also read much in spanish?

mandypanda1852 t1_je1xk2a wrote on March 28, 2023 at 8:35 PM

#2,427,351

Replying to m__001 (#2,423,759)

I’d love to know!

webren OP t1_je22nv0 wrote on March 28, 2023 at 9:07 PM

#2,428,239

Replying to Tarmek12 (#2,425,421)

Let me know if you're interested in meeting up to practice. I try to read a few chapters of a book each week. Just recently finished Trevor Noah's autobiography. I'm quite slow at reading because of needing to look up new words or vocabulary, depending on the content.