How Many Spanish Words Do You Need? Vocabulary Targets for A1, A2 and B1
How many Spanish words do you actually need at each level? The research on vocabulary coverage, what A1/A2/B1 looks like in practice, and how to build vocabulary that sticks.
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Tips and guides for learning Spanish and French through reading.
How to Learn French for Beginners: A Realistic 90-Day Plan
A practical 90-day French learning plan for complete beginners — honest expectations, a week-by-week roadmap, the pronunciation challenges addressed early, and the mistakes to avoid.
How to Learn Spanish for Beginners: A Realistic 90-Day Plan
A practical 90-day Spanish learning plan for complete beginners. Honest expectations, a week-by-week roadmap, tool recommendations, and the mistakes to avoid.
Duolingo vs Babbel vs Rosetta Stone: An Honest Comparison (2026)
An honest comparison of Duolingo, Babbel and Rosetta Stone for Spanish and French learners — what each does well, where each falls short, and when to move on.
Comprehensible Input: Krashen's Theory Explained (And What It Means for Learning Spanish or French)
Krashen's comprehensible input theory is the most influential framework in second language acquisition research. Here is what the five hypotheses actually say, what is contested, and how to apply it.
The Intermediate Plateau: Why Language Learning Stalls at A2 (And How to Break Through)
The intermediate plateau is the single biggest reason adult language learners quit. Here is why it happens, what is actually going on at that stage, and what the research says breaks through it.
Extensive Reading for Language Learning: What the Research Actually Says
Extensive reading produces better vocabulary acquisition and reading fluency than drilling, apps, or graded texts — and the research evidence is substantial. Here is what it is, how it works, and how to apply it.
How Long Does It Take to Learn French? The Honest Answer
The honest answer to how long it takes to learn French — with real hour estimates by level, calendar timelines, and why French takes most English speakers longer than the official figures suggest.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Spanish? The Honest Answer
The honest answer to how long it takes to learn Spanish — with real hour estimates by CEFR level, calendar timelines at different daily study amounts, and what actually determines your speed.
The Problem With Graded Readers (And Why Adults Hate Them)
Graded readers promised a path to language fluency. For most adults, they delivered boredom and abandonment. Here's why — and what the research-backed alternative looks like.
Why You're Bored of Duolingo (And What to Do Instead)
Millions of people try Duolingo, keep a streak going for a few weeks, then quietly stop. This isn't a willpower problem. It's a design problem — and the fix is simpler than you think.
A1, A2, B1, B2: What the CEFR Levels Actually Mean (Plain English Guide)
A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2 — everyone uses CEFR levels, almost nobody explains them. Here's what each one actually means, what you can do at each stage, and how long each takes.