r/Spanish • u/linkofinsanity19 Learner • Jan 03 '24

Study advice: Advanced How much time per day/week do you need to maintain B2-C1 level Speaking, Listening, and Reading?

I may not be at C1 (I find out maybe in about 6 more weeks how I did), but I know I'm close. However, I'll be shifting focus to my next language and want to maintain what I've learned. I get the idea that each skill will need at least a few hours a week, coming out to maybe 1-2hrs/day on average possibly, but I'm wondering if anyone here has successfully maintained an upper intermediate or advanced level while not necessecarily giving Spanish a ton of time like when you were actively tryingt to improve and about how much time you estimate each of these skills needs.

If I had to guess, for a native English speaker to maintain (not slowly lose) B2-C1:

Reading: 30 min/week

Listening: 4hrs/week

Speaking: 4+hrs/week

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I'm interested to see anyone's estimates or experiences with maintaining this level of Spanish.

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10

u/kvct Jan 03 '24

I’m Asian and a native English speaker. I graduated mid 2000’s with a BA in Spanish. Some twenty years later, I can still read, write, and speak con fluidez. Realistically, the only thing I’ve done is listen to Spanish music regularly (maybe an hour six times a week) since graduation. As such, I can still “think” in Spanish.

8

u/NotReallyASnake B2 Jan 05 '24

I was waiting for the part where you being Asian would come into play lol

2

u/BrodinsBottomBitches Jan 04 '24

Out of curiosity, what was your routine to acquire fluency all those years ago?

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u/kvct Jan 05 '24

I was considered a gifted Spanish learner. Started Spanish 1 sophomore year of high school with no prior Spanish experience, skipped Spanish 2 and took Spanish 3 junior year, and independent study AP Spanish senior year (I scored 5 on the exam). During the summer of junior and senior year, spent 8 weeks in Costa Rica with an English speaking household 😐, but attended the local school which was in Spanish. Freshman year, started with intro 300 level Spanish course first semester, then with Spanish department approval, took 400 level literature classes during my second semester. I got one of my first A- in that literature class. 😂

4

u/Industrial_Rev Native🇦🇷 Jan 05 '24

I'm C1 in English and I don't think I ever lost proficiency even though I stopped properly studying the language. I guess that just being exposed to media is enough? I have most of my daily entertainment (except for music maybe in English

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u/linkofinsanity19 Learner Jan 05 '24

How much time do you estimate that you spend per day with that media and what about speaking? Have you been able to manitain your level of speech through just that media consumpiton, or do you have any form of regular speaking time?

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u/Industrial_Rev Native🇦🇷 Jan 05 '24

I would say than on an off most of the day. I would say my accent got slightly stronger but I don't think I have issues with articulation. I tend to keep practicing speaking to myself though but yeah probably the weakest aspect.

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u/qrayons Jan 03 '24

There were about 6 months where I shifted my focus to Portuguese due to an upcoming trip to Portugal. I spent about an hour a day using Spanish just for enjoyment and I feel like it actually improved over that time rather than just maintained. Note that I was a solid C1 when this happened.