Bex's Spanish log 2018. Chapter 2: Improbable ambitions
Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2017 1:14 pm
About me
I live in Spain and I would like to be able to talk with my neighbours, dentist, doctor supermarket attendant….etc, etc. I love the Spanish way of life, the weather, the food, beaches, mountains, fiestas, people and I would like to be able to integrate more with this colourful, sociable, wonderful way of life.
My journey so far
Year 1 2015: Lazing around in the sun
I learnt the basics slowly (how to order a beer) and lived in a very “ex-pat” area, apart from the postman, pretty much everyone spoke English. I was still adjusting to a new way of life, enjoying the sunshine and being lazy.
Year 2 2016: Frustration
I tried teaching myself at home, started many courses and finished none. I got frustrated with my lack of speaking practice so I tried Spanish classes which were awful, I think I only spoke twice in six months. I remember my Spanish teacher saying to me “your grammar and writing are good, I can’t understand why you don’t speak?”. I left the class shortly after, I realised I had taught myself more at home and my speech was not improving. I also moved out of the ex-pat zone, and started to really need to be able to speak Spanish. I started my original log to encourage me to finish my courses, give me some confidence and encourage me to speak.
Year 3 2017: Finding my way
I went back to teaching myself and had an almighty struggle with myself to continue with my studies. But I did it, I finished Assimil, Glossika 1, Michel Thomas and Duolingo, thanks to much support on here along the way. Then I got lost again, I didn't know what to do after the courses and I still wasn't speaking. Towards the end of the year I really had to push myself to start using everything I had learnt, so I set myself some challenges and focused on output for the last 3 months. Writing and taking iTalki lessons have been my main focus, as well as one specific grammar focus which is past tense usage, which I have been improving with Anki.
Year 4 2018: this log in it's entirety.
My original log can be viewed here: https://forum.language-learners.org/vie ... =15&t=3949
So that’s it really… I have learnt a lot about myself and learning a language since I started my first log in September 2016 but I still have no idea what I'm doing.
I have found along the way that focusing on one thing at a time is really the only way for me, otherwise I end up trying to learn everything. I am a terrible procrastinator but I am also determined and I can do things which sometimes I think I can’t.
This year I have a long list of things I wish to improve/learn and a long list of ways I would like to achieve this. Next job is to cobble a plan together for the new year.
I live in Spain and I would like to be able to talk with my neighbours, dentist, doctor supermarket attendant….etc, etc. I love the Spanish way of life, the weather, the food, beaches, mountains, fiestas, people and I would like to be able to integrate more with this colourful, sociable, wonderful way of life.
My journey so far
Year 1 2015: Lazing around in the sun
I learnt the basics slowly (how to order a beer) and lived in a very “ex-pat” area, apart from the postman, pretty much everyone spoke English. I was still adjusting to a new way of life, enjoying the sunshine and being lazy.
Year 2 2016: Frustration
I tried teaching myself at home, started many courses and finished none. I got frustrated with my lack of speaking practice so I tried Spanish classes which were awful, I think I only spoke twice in six months. I remember my Spanish teacher saying to me “your grammar and writing are good, I can’t understand why you don’t speak?”. I left the class shortly after, I realised I had taught myself more at home and my speech was not improving. I also moved out of the ex-pat zone, and started to really need to be able to speak Spanish. I started my original log to encourage me to finish my courses, give me some confidence and encourage me to speak.
Year 3 2017: Finding my way
I went back to teaching myself and had an almighty struggle with myself to continue with my studies. But I did it, I finished Assimil, Glossika 1, Michel Thomas and Duolingo, thanks to much support on here along the way. Then I got lost again, I didn't know what to do after the courses and I still wasn't speaking. Towards the end of the year I really had to push myself to start using everything I had learnt, so I set myself some challenges and focused on output for the last 3 months. Writing and taking iTalki lessons have been my main focus, as well as one specific grammar focus which is past tense usage, which I have been improving with Anki.
Year 4 2018: this log in it's entirety.
My original log can be viewed here: https://forum.language-learners.org/vie ... =15&t=3949
So that’s it really… I have learnt a lot about myself and learning a language since I started my first log in September 2016 but I still have no idea what I'm doing.
I have found along the way that focusing on one thing at a time is really the only way for me, otherwise I end up trying to learn everything. I am a terrible procrastinator but I am also determined and I can do things which sometimes I think I can’t.
This year I have a long list of things I wish to improve/learn and a long list of ways I would like to achieve this. Next job is to cobble a plan together for the new year.