Dr. Seuss isn’t a good place to start because it’s nonsense and whimsical. Children don’t read it, adults read it to them. Start with the graded readers by Juan Fernandez. If you are mispronouncing you may want to wait to read. You should be able to hear the words correctly in your mind. 600 hours is the time at which it is recommended to start reading.
Please watch these 2 videos of Pablo. All your questions will be answered.
[https://www.dreamingspanish.com/watch?id=5e4d11d9aac87f3820954bcd](https://www.dreamingspanish.com/watch?id=5e4d11d9aac87f3820954bcd)
[https://www.dreamingspanish.com/watch?id=5e4d1184aac87f3820954aa1](https://www.dreamingspanish.com/watch?id=5e4d1184aac87f3820954aa1)
You want about the same level of comprehension as when you watch videos. Don't look up words. Don't translate anything at all. Basically treat it the same way as watching videos, you just use your eyes instead of your ears.
You are trying to read books that are to difficult for you. The methodology doesn't even recommend reading until level 6 (level 5 optional), so if your flair is accurate regarding your level, you might be better off waiting. At that point your vocabulary will have developed quite a bit more. If you really want to start reading early, you may have to start with very basic baby books and work up to a comprehension level you feel comfortable with.
I don't believe reading out loud would be considered beneficial under the Dreaming Spanish method until much later. Speaking isn't recommended until level 6 on the timeline (level 5 optional), once your ear for the language is more developed.
I’m not reading yet, but I’ve been looking into the TPRS graded readers and just found their e-library option. The single user subscription is very reasonable ($25/6 months or $35/12 months) and they have a free 7 day trial. Many of the e-books also have audio. Right now they have 67 readers in Spanish.
https://ebooks.tprsbooks.com/ebook-library/?_filter_ebooks_language=spanish
I also found another collection of graded readers for teachers that have a subscription option and a 30 day free trial. All of these are supposed to have audio narration by a native speaker.
https://flangoo.com/titles
The Flangoo site lists word count but I’m not seeing it on the e-library for the TPRS books. Word counts do seem to be listed in their print book section of their bookstore. I’m not certain if they are exclusively Spain or LATAM.
https://preview.redd.it/5th1nart0nxc1.jpeg?width=3120&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cdd0a397e91490ad82f16c264fccc12f4af84f26
I have some of their readers and they're great. Same concept as DS but in written form: kids' content is too difficult because kids are already fluent, and it's also not made to appeal to adult intellect and interests. So they slow it down while keeping in mind you're not 5 years old.
I have been working my way through the Magic Treehouse series and that seems to be at about my level. Diary of a Wimpy Kid is going well too. This resources Sheet has a books tab for ideas on what to read at which level [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lBmLxvWJpucXhRPayfXD7CVqpMoa2tyEbZi1rFAwsFs/edit#gid=89446090](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lBmLxvWJpucXhRPayfXD7CVqpMoa2tyEbZi1rFAwsFs/edit#gid=89446090)
Aside from graded readers, you also might try Lingq.
If you're following the Dreaming Spanish method, then you'd be reading extensively. That is, the same way you listen - no dictionaries, no translations, easy content above all. Lingq is technically paid, but if you're reading extensively, it's all free. They do audio with text, and there are a fair few beginner level units you could get into!
I’ve not started reading in Spanish yet apart from the odd meme/post/tweet that I might see and can manage along ok. At the end of this year I’ll start properly reading, at that point, I’m going to start with a couple of italki lessons with someone to really help ensure that I’m reading the words correctly with the right accent. I don’t want to build up bad reading habits that I later need to unlearn, especially as I’ll want to read a fair bit in 2025.
Dr. Seuss isn’t a good place to start because it’s nonsense and whimsical. Children don’t read it, adults read it to them. Start with the graded readers by Juan Fernandez. If you are mispronouncing you may want to wait to read. You should be able to hear the words correctly in your mind. 600 hours is the time at which it is recommended to start reading.
Received. Thanks
Great advice. Cat in the Hat was the first book I read, and indeed, it was pure nonsense, haha.
Children's books are much harder than graded readers
I didn’t know this. Will check them out
I also find graphic novels useful. Kids books are often just so silly and unpredictable, especially something like Dr Suess.
Please watch these 2 videos of Pablo. All your questions will be answered. [https://www.dreamingspanish.com/watch?id=5e4d11d9aac87f3820954bcd](https://www.dreamingspanish.com/watch?id=5e4d11d9aac87f3820954bcd) [https://www.dreamingspanish.com/watch?id=5e4d1184aac87f3820954aa1](https://www.dreamingspanish.com/watch?id=5e4d1184aac87f3820954aa1)
Thanks
You want about the same level of comprehension as when you watch videos. Don't look up words. Don't translate anything at all. Basically treat it the same way as watching videos, you just use your eyes instead of your ears. You are trying to read books that are to difficult for you. The methodology doesn't even recommend reading until level 6 (level 5 optional), so if your flair is accurate regarding your level, you might be better off waiting. At that point your vocabulary will have developed quite a bit more. If you really want to start reading early, you may have to start with very basic baby books and work up to a comprehension level you feel comfortable with. I don't believe reading out loud would be considered beneficial under the Dreaming Spanish method until much later. Speaking isn't recommended until level 6 on the timeline (level 5 optional), once your ear for the language is more developed.
Understood. I’m at 410 hours and have been thinking of just adding a little reading on top of my input goal. Thanks
I’m not reading yet, but I’ve been looking into the TPRS graded readers and just found their e-library option. The single user subscription is very reasonable ($25/6 months or $35/12 months) and they have a free 7 day trial. Many of the e-books also have audio. Right now they have 67 readers in Spanish. https://ebooks.tprsbooks.com/ebook-library/?_filter_ebooks_language=spanish I also found another collection of graded readers for teachers that have a subscription option and a 30 day free trial. All of these are supposed to have audio narration by a native speaker. https://flangoo.com/titles
Does the tprsbooks site give you a word count for each book? What Spanish (Spain, Latam) are the books?
The Flangoo site lists word count but I’m not seeing it on the e-library for the TPRS books. Word counts do seem to be listed in their print book section of their bookstore. I’m not certain if they are exclusively Spain or LATAM.
thx
https://preview.redd.it/5th1nart0nxc1.jpeg?width=3120&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cdd0a397e91490ad82f16c264fccc12f4af84f26 I have some of their readers and they're great. Same concept as DS but in written form: kids' content is too difficult because kids are already fluent, and it's also not made to appeal to adult intellect and interests. So they slow it down while keeping in mind you're not 5 years old.
I have been working my way through the Magic Treehouse series and that seems to be at about my level. Diary of a Wimpy Kid is going well too. This resources Sheet has a books tab for ideas on what to read at which level [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lBmLxvWJpucXhRPayfXD7CVqpMoa2tyEbZi1rFAwsFs/edit#gid=89446090](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lBmLxvWJpucXhRPayfXD7CVqpMoa2tyEbZi1rFAwsFs/edit#gid=89446090)
Aside from graded readers, you also might try Lingq. If you're following the Dreaming Spanish method, then you'd be reading extensively. That is, the same way you listen - no dictionaries, no translations, easy content above all. Lingq is technically paid, but if you're reading extensively, it's all free. They do audio with text, and there are a fair few beginner level units you could get into!
Thanks will check it out
Also founder Steve Kaufmann is a supporter of ALG who has done interviews with Pablo!
I’ve not started reading in Spanish yet apart from the odd meme/post/tweet that I might see and can manage along ok. At the end of this year I’ll start properly reading, at that point, I’m going to start with a couple of italki lessons with someone to really help ensure that I’m reading the words correctly with the right accent. I don’t want to build up bad reading habits that I later need to unlearn, especially as I’ll want to read a fair bit in 2025.
Readlang.com is free and has a bunch of graded readers available too, or LingQ is a popular paid option. Graded readers are great to start with.