If you've hit the intermediate plateau, you've probably wondered whether the problem is you or the tools you're using. A recent randomized controlled trial from Harvard University's physics department suggests it's probably the tools. Researchers compared two groups of students
You've been working on your Spanish for months, maybe years. You can read news articles without reaching for the dictionary every sentence. You understand most of what you hear in podcasts or shows. Your grammar is solid, at least on paper. But when it comes time to actually
If you're preparing for the DELE, SIELE, DELF, or TEF, you've probably already taken at least one practice test. Maybe you've bought an official prep book, worked through sample questions, and timed yourself under exam conditions. And if you're like most test-takers,
We're about two weeks away from putting Dioma in the hands of real learners for the first time. Not a polished demo. Not a feature showcase. The actual product: structured curriculum for intermediate Spanish, French, and Hebrew, used by people who've already spent years learning and
If you've spent the last year consuming Spanish podcasts, French YouTube videos, or Hebrew news articles—and you're wondering why your speaking still feels clunky—you're not experiencing a personal failure. You're experiencing the limits of input-only learning. Comprehensible input is foundational
The DELE exam center is in a city three hours away. You've booked a hotel the night before, but you're not sure if you should cram that evening or rest. Your practice test scores have been inconsistent—72 last week, 58 three days ago. You'
You've done everything right. You've maintained your streak, completed every lesson, and worked through the entire course tree. You can introduce yourself, order coffee, talk about your hobbies, and navigate basic conversations. You've hit A2, maybe even B1 according to the app's
If you're serious about learning Spanish or Hebrew, your phone and computer should be working with you, not against you. Most intermediate learners don't realize how much friction they're carrying. You're switching between apps to look up a word. You're
I started learning Hebrew and Spanish from scratch at 28. I'm now in my late thirties, having hit a solid B2 in both (though rusty in Spanish...). Because when I talk to adults who believe they've "missed their window" for language learning, I understand
You can order dinner without panic. You follow most of what your coworkers say in Spanish. You read the news in French, slowly, but you read it. You've watched entire TV series with the subtitles off, catching maybe 80% of the dialogue. By any reasonable measure, you'
Most language platforms treat your level like a flattering sticker. Take a quick quiz, get assigned "B2," and off you go, regardless of whether that label actually reflects what you can do. It feels good for about ten minutes. Then every exercise becomes a battle, or worse, a
You've probably heard the advice before: listen to podcasts in your target language during your commute. Fill the dead time. Immerse yourself. Every minute counts. It sounds like an easy win. And for many learners, commute listening becomes the backbone of their daily practice: 30 to 60 minutes
You’ve already done the hard part: you survived the beginner stage. You can hold a basic conversation, follow the gist of a podcast, maybe even read news articles in Spanish, French, or Hebrew. And yet… your language proficiency level feels strangely fixed. You’re not a beginner, but you’
Artificial intelligence is transforming the way we access information, practice language skills, and interact with content. But for intermediate and advanced learners, AI can be both a powerful partner and a subtle obstacle. Not because models are “bad at languages,” (accuracy varies by language and level), but because AI delivers
If you're an intermediate or advanced Hebrew learner, you probably already know this: input matters. A lot. At this stage, grammar drills and vocabulary lists can only take you so far. To truly internalize structure, enrich your vocabulary, and develop an intuitive sense of the language, you need
If you're an intermediate learner in Spanish, French, or Hebrew, you probably know this feeling: you "study" for an hour or two, watching YouTube, scrolling language Instagram, maybe a podcast in the background, then end the day wondering: "Did that actually move me forward? Or
Every language learner hits the wall. Maybe you’re halfway through a B1 course. Maybe you just bombed a speaking exercise. Maybe your “quick review session” turned into scrolling social media. We’ve all been there. Because even when the goal is clear: fluency, a test, a trip, motivation doesn’
You know more than you say. If you’re an introverted language learner, you’ve likely lived this: You understand the conversation, know the vocabulary, and can follow along. But when it’s your turn to speak, hesitation sets in. The sentence forms in your head… and then crumbles. It’
If you're an intermediate or advanced Spanish learner, you probably already know this: input matters. A lot. At this stage, grammar drills and vocabulary lists can only take you so far. To truly internalize structure, enrich your vocabulary, and develop an intuitive sense of the language, you need
If you've ever plateaued at intermediate, downloaded every app, and still felt unsure in real conversations, you’re not alone. Most language platforms offer you a taste of progress, just enough to feel like you're learning, without the structure to take you further. At Dioma, we
Disclaimer: This article is an independent review and reflection. It is not sponsored, commissioned, or affiliated with Paul Nation or any of his publishers or institutions. All opinions expressed are the author’s own, based on personal study and application of Nation’s publicly available work. If you’ve ever
You can hold a conversation. You understand most of what you hear. You can write a decent email, navigate a trip to France, and even enjoy a French podcast. But deep down, you know there’s more. More nuance, more confidence, more ease. You’re not a beginner anymore, but
If you're preparing for the DELF or TEF, or even just considering it, this post is for you. And if you're not planning to take a test? It might still be one of the most effective ways to accelerate your French. The truth is, even if
If you’re preparing for the DELE or SIELE, or even just considering it, this post is for you. And if you're not planning to take a test? It might still be one of the best tools to accelerate your Spanish. The truth is, even if you'