In this episode of the Spanish Hacks podcast, the host welcomes Milen, a Canadian polyglot from Montreal, who shares her journey to Spanish fluency. Milen, whose parents are Armenian and taught her Arabic, grew up speaking French and English, and also learned Armenian in school. Spanish became her fifth language, a testament to her passion for languages. She initially encountered Spanish in basic high school classes but felt frustrated by the slow pace, prompting her to pursue self-study. She found joy in the language and decided to learn it independently, especially during a period of uncertainty about her future career path. Milen explains that Spanish was relatively easier for her to learn compared to Armenian, which has its own alphabet and no linguistic ties to the other languages she speaks. She found many similarities between Spanish and French, though pronunciation was an initial hurdle. French speakers tend to emphasize words differently, which she had to consciously correct over time. To improve her pronunciation and overall fluency, Milen utilized language exchange platforms like Conversation Exchange and HelloTalk, where she could practice with native speakers and receive direct feedback. She also immersed herself in Spanish-language telenovelas, starting with "Betty la Fea" and other Venezuelan series, often watching them on YouTube without subtitles to force herself to focus and understand the context. When she encountered unfamiliar words, she relied heavily on WordReference.com for definitions and translations. Currently, Milen maintains her Spanish proficiency through regular conversations with a Mexican friend and by participating in a WhatsApp group in Montreal that organizes in-person meetups for Spanish practice. She recalls her early conversations being a mix of understanding well but often responding in English or French due to ease, sometimes using a translator. It took her about six months to a year to feel truly comfortable speaking Spanish in one-on-one settings, though group conversations, especially on complex topics like politics or sociology, still present a challenge. She admits that the subjunctive mood was a significant point of frustration, as its usage differs considerably from French. To tackle grammar, she diligently worked through three grammar books ("Pensar y Aprender") and received patient help from a Mexican friend who is an English teacher. Milen emphasizes that both conversation and grammar/vocabulary are equally important for fluency. She advises aspiring language learners to adopt a multifaceted approach, combining grammar exercises with speaking, writing, reading, and listening to native content. She cautions against relying solely on apps like Duolingo if they don't suit one's learning style, as she personally found it repetitive and unhelpful for real-life communication. Finally, she recommends reading articles from magazines like "Muy Interesante" to expand vocabulary and understand sentence structures, highlighting that the goal is effective communication, not perfection. She encourages learners not to fear making mistakes, as native speakers appreciate the effort to communicate, regardless of minor errors.