Hi!

I have studied Spanish for some time now and I really like the LingQ method of reading and listening as much as possible.

What I would like to ask is, do you think it is worthwhile listening content that is obviously too advanced for your level? I mean, I am watching the show "Los Serranos" without subtitles, and honestly I do not understand much of it :P Maybe like 10-20% of it.

So do you think it's a good thing to do that, or should I only focus on easier stuff at this point?

Thanks in advance.

It depends on learners themselves. For example, if you really like to listen to this content, do it.
If I really want to listen to my favorite content but find it difficult, I will analyze which problems prevent me from following them ; basic grammar, basic knowledge of topic, speed, accent, tone, etc. (This time, I read, at the same time as listening, this text. As soon as I find some problem, I stop playing the audio file, think for a while, mark up the words, the phrases that cause problem.)

I find that with an audiobook it is worthwhile. Whenever I start an audiobook that is way above my level I have found that it becomes normal before I reach the end. But, with a TV show, you do not have a script so you might have some difficulty expanding your vocabulary. If you enjoy it then do it, but I wouldn't put all my chip into just that.

Watching TV shows with low comprehension is better at least than listening to radio with low comprehension for a couple of reasons.

1. You are probably concentrating more, because you have the visuals to help you understand the story and keep you entertained.

2. The dialogue is scripted (hence unnaturally clear and ordered) and yet also uses lots of day-to-day language. This combination is very helpful.

Of course, you need to make sure you understand that this is not a very fast way to learn in and of itself. If you have limited time on your hands and want to learn fast, then watching TV is not the best way to go. If you like watching a bit of TV everyday anyway like me, then you may as well do it in the foreign language you are learning. It helps keep you connected to the project, and reminds you of your goal. It can also be a positive boost as you get a sense of how much more you understand each month.

Agreed, Danchan. I listened to the Spanish news for 1hour a day for a number of years and found it very useful, especially once I understood the names of the football teams and a bit about Spanish politics. Listening to the news in English was a good idea at first because I knew of the main world news items. I can now manage movies in Spanish and informational podcasts. Fast radio programs with lots of back and forth banter are not the way to go.

I recall Steve Kaufmann talking about his early experience in Mandarin when he would listen to standup comedy routines and not understand much of it, but he said it helped his brain become used to the rhythm of the new language.

I would say it is very good for that purpose, just to become accustomed to the sounds. Don't expect much more or be discouraged by not really understanding much. It's preparation for brain. Of course for study you'll need more comfortable content to work with.

Thanks guys. LFJ that's exactly how I feel as well. I have watched couple of episodes now and... I think it'll help me to notice the words and phrases I already know and understand them. There are times when I understand whole sentences and that's always a good feeling.

Also, I pick up stuff that are often repeated. Like sayings and some grammatical things.
I enjoy it and that's the main thing I guess.

I know it's not a fast way to learn a language, but I think it's a good addition to my LingQ studies :)

When I listened to these tapes of comic dialogues I understood about 50% of these dialogues and felt that if I kept listening I would understand more and more. I could understand quite a bit of normal spoken Mandarin. I do not think that listening to content that I simply do not understand would help me much.

I don't understand what Steve means here, please someone could help! He is for or against listening to content you don't understand?? Thank you

I am not for or against either .Personally I do not like listening to content where I do not have a chance of understanding it.

It's not an either/or question but I find it easier to get something out of a podcast (or text) if I understand "something" (preferably "a lot").

If I don't understand "anything" (or thereabouts), the content is too advanced for my level but it can still give me an idea of how the language sounds. (which any learner however should have beforehand, but that's another question).

Only you can decide if it's good or bad to listen to content I don't understand, at what levels you find it useful/useless, and exactly WHAT it is you find beneficial (or not).

Thank you Steve, but still I got a bit confused with your answer because in one of yours most important videos on YouTube you mentioned that the biggest mistake when learning a foreign language is keep studying the beginner book for too long time. I know we are talking about listening, but I heard you say several times that as soon as possible I can move on to real content I will do that(like reading books, articles etc with few understanding)Is it different with reading?? You also say that staying too long with the same easy dialogues(listening) that are not real content can be boring. I honestly don't know what could be the most efficient way for me to learn at the level I'm with my Finnish. Many people say listen first to easy content. Then other says the opposite. I feel sometimes bored with the easy, artificial dialogues(but sometimes I feel thay is very important)Sometimes listening to advanced content can motivate me but also demotivate.

Thank you Steve, but still I got a bit confused with your answer because in one of yours most important videos on YouTube you mentioned that the biggest mistake when learning a foreign language is keep studying the beginner book for too long time. I know we are talking about listening, but I heard you say several times that as soon as possible I can move on to real content I will do that(like reading books, articles etc with few understanding)Is it different with reading?? You also say that staying too long with the same easy dialogues(listening) that are not real content can be boring. I honestly don't know what could be the most efficient way for me to learn at the level I'm with my Finnish. Many people say listen first to easy content. Then other says the opposite. I feel sometimes bored with the easy, artificial dialogues(but sometimes I feel thay is very important)Sometimes listening to advanced content can motivate me but also demotivate.

Thank you Steve, but still I got a bit confused with your answer because in one of yours most important videos on YouTube you mentioned that the biggest mistake when learning a foreign language is keep studying the beginner book for too long time. I know we are talking about listening, but I heard you say several times that as soon as possible I can move on to real content I will do that(like reading books, articles etc with few understanding)Is it different with reading?? You also say that staying too long with the same easy dialogues(listening) that are not real content can be boring. I honestly don't know what could be the most efficient way for me to learn at the level I'm with my Finnish. Many people say listen first to easy content. Then other says the opposite. I feel sometimes bored with the easy, artificial dialogues(but sometimes I feel thay is very important)Sometimes listening to advanced content can motivate me but also demotivate.

I can't speak for Steve, but I would certainly recommend you listen to stuff that isn't too hard, the idea being that the input is comprehensible. If you're lucky enough to have a transcript or text for the audio, you are able to make otherwise difficult content more comprehensible. Without the text, too much very difficult audio-only content can get very frustrating.

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Great suggestions. Thank you I always learn a lot here.