Bex Spanish log 2019: a definitive guide on the slowest way to learn Spanish ever!

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Bex
Blue Belt
Posts: 562
Joined: Thu Sep 15, 2016 7:10 am
Languages: English (N), Spanish (A2)
Language Log: https://forum.language-learners.org/vie ... 77#p157977
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Re: Bex Spanish log 2019: a definitive guide on the slowest way to learn Spanish ever!

Postby Bex » Sat Dec 21, 2019 7:57 am

StringerBell wrote:My second question: was doing the SC worth it?
Yes I think it was worth it. I definitely am starting to see a massive improvement in my reading speed and noticing common construction's that I have picked up from seeing/hearing them so much.

But looking back I have 3 things I would change/improve:

1) My reading level was way too low when I started (A2) which meant the reading seemed like a major wall to climb (understatement), if I'd started at a higher level I think the challenge would have been much more manageable, enjoyable and effective but do wonder if I hadn't started at the level I was at, if I would ever have started at all.

2) I don't think it's enough reading, if I'd started where I am now then maybe it would be. I feel like the last month or two have been the most useful in terms of learning from reading. Stopping now actually feels bad, because I'm just starting to see some real improvements.

3) I felt like the listening target was way too low, I didn't even try very hard and I managed the listening part easily. I should have done more listening, it would've complimented and reinforced the reading I was doing, it may even have made the reading part easier in the beginning.

Having to push myself so hard to carry on reading things I really wasn't enjoying at all and half way through the challenge, even three quarters of the way through, thinking I'm never goning be able to finish this, was extremely difficult to deal with. However after reading various transcripts, news stories, books and magazines and even 5 Harry Potter books...my sense of achievement is far greater than I would have expected when I started but for some (stupid) reason I didn't expect it to be so difficult.

Without the support I received here along the way I would never have managed it.

Now my question is: What do I do now?
12 x
Kwiziq
A0: 100 / 100
A1: 100 / 100
A2: 100 / 100
B1: 91 / 100
B2: 53 / 100

Cenwalh
Green Belt
Posts: 267
Joined: Thu Mar 28, 2019 9:14 am
Location: UK
Languages: English (N), Spanish (C1), Catalan (B2).
Language Log: https://forum.language-learners.org/vie ... 15&t=12467
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Re: Bex Spanish log 2019: a definitive guide on the slowest way to learn Spanish ever!

Postby Cenwalh » Sat Dec 21, 2019 10:38 am

Bex wrote:What do I do now?

Carry on!
1 x
Double SC films: 200 / 200 (updated 2022-07-28)
Double SC books: 34 / 200 (updated 2022-07-28)

StringerBell
Brown Belt
Posts: 1035
Joined: Mon Jul 23, 2018 3:30 am
Languages: English (n)
Italian
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Re: Bex Spanish log 2019: a definitive guide on the slowest way to learn Spanish ever!

Postby StringerBell » Sat Dec 21, 2019 7:47 pm

Bex wrote:I don't think it's enough reading, if I'd started where I am now then maybe it would be. I feel like the last month or two have been the most useful in terms of learning from reading. Stopping now actually feels bad, because I'm just starting to see some real improvements.

Now my question is: What do I do now?


Are you considering doing another SC?
0 x
Season 4 Lucifer Italian transcripts I created: https://learnanylanguage.fandom.com/wik ... ranscripts

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reineke
Black Belt - 3rd Dan
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Re: Bex Spanish log 2019: a definitive guide on the slowest way to learn Spanish ever!

Postby reineke » Sat Dec 21, 2019 8:34 pm

Bex wrote: I definitely am starting to see a massive improvement in my reading speed and noticing common construction's that I have picked up from seeing/hearing them so much.

But looking back I have 3 things I would change/improve:

1) My reading level was way too low when I started (A2) which meant the reading seemed like a major wall to climb (understatement)...

2) I don't think it's enough reading, if I'd started where I am now then maybe it would be. I feel like the last month or two have been the most useful in terms of learning from reading. Stopping now actually feels bad, because I'm just starting to see some real improvements.

3) I felt like the listening target was way too low, I didn't even try very hard and I managed the listening part easily. I should have done more listening, it would've complimented and reinforced the reading I was doing, it may even have made the reading part easier in the beginning.

Having to push myself so hard to carry on reading things I really wasn't enjoying at all and half way through the challenge, even three quarters of the way through, thinking I'm never goning be able to finish this, was extremely difficult to deal with. However after reading various transcripts, news stories, books and magazines and even 5 Harry Potter books...my sense of achievement is far greater than I would have expected when I started but for some (stupid) reason I didn't expect it to be so difficult.

Without the support I received here along the way I would never have managed it.

Now my question is: What do I do now?


Less work and more play? Explore enjoyable reading materials and dump anything you don't like. Listen more. Congratulations, btw.
3 x

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Bex
Blue Belt
Posts: 562
Joined: Thu Sep 15, 2016 7:10 am
Languages: English (N), Spanish (A2)
Language Log: https://forum.language-learners.org/vie ... 77#p157977
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Re: Bex Spanish log 2019: a definitive guide on the slowest way to learn Spanish ever!

Postby Bex » Sun Dec 22, 2019 2:41 pm

reineke wrote:Less work and more play? Explore enjoyable reading materials and dump anything you don't like. Listen more. Congratulations, btw.
Thanks reineke :D

You're right, that was a hard slog, more fun is definitely required.

I've decided I'm going to take it easy for the first 3 months of 2020... I'd like to listen a lot & read a little. I've always fancied being able to read the news in Spanish so maybe I'll tackle a few news articles each week.

I am also a bit of a sad muppet and enjoy grammar/workbooks so I may try dusting off a few of the many that litter my bookshelves and work through those just for fun :geek:

And as for listening a lot, I'd like to make listening my main priority for 2020.

This is just me thinking aloud about the things I might like to do in 2020, so no doubt I'll change my mind in a few weeks, if not hours :lol:

StringerBell wrote:Are you considering doing another SC?
I have decided that I'm not sure, possibly, but I will decide in April 2020.
2 x
Kwiziq
A0: 100 / 100
A1: 100 / 100
A2: 100 / 100
B1: 91 / 100
B2: 53 / 100

User avatar
Bex
Blue Belt
Posts: 562
Joined: Thu Sep 15, 2016 7:10 am
Languages: English (N), Spanish (A2)
Language Log: https://forum.language-learners.org/vie ... 77#p157977
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Re: Bex Spanish log 2019: a definitive guide on the slowest way to learn Spanish ever!

Postby Bex » Thu Dec 26, 2019 2:27 pm

Harry Potter book 5 finished :D

A long, long book over 900 pages. I think I'll give Harry Potter a rest for now.
4 x
Kwiziq
A0: 100 / 100
A1: 100 / 100
A2: 100 / 100
B1: 91 / 100
B2: 53 / 100

User avatar
Bex
Blue Belt
Posts: 562
Joined: Thu Sep 15, 2016 7:10 am
Languages: English (N), Spanish (A2)
Language Log: https://forum.language-learners.org/vie ... 77#p157977
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Re: Bex Spanish log 2019: a definitive guide on the slowest way to learn Spanish ever!

Postby Bex » Tue Dec 31, 2019 11:27 am

(2018 &) 2019 summary:
Screenshot_20191231-121038_Sheets.jpg


It seems I've settled into a fairly consistent routine over the last couple of years. I would guess that I average at 1 to 1.5 hours everyday.

SRS: In 2018 I used Clozemaster A LOT to learn/reinforce vocabulary; I am going to try to get back into the habit for 2020.

Studying: I think adding the studying time has helped consolidate some of my knowledge this year. In 2018 I tried input only but I think I need both.

Listening: Very consistent, never a problem to find the time. I can now pick up the gist of radio and most TV if regarding everyday conversations within a minute or 2 of switching on. Still lots of unknown vocabulary so I would like to add more listening and improve this even further.

Reading: Definitely improvement after completing the SC. Still a very time consuming activity for me and it always feels like it's at the expense of other activities. Still not really enjoying much, but then I don't really read in my native language either.

Writing: Hardly anything upto now, I'm hoping to increase this in 2020 but I doubt I will.

Speaking: Although I had less italki lessons this year, I don't think my ability has reduced. I'm still rubbish. Interestingly with all the reading/listening I've been doing I have a much better idea of what I should be saying. Things just sound right and wrong - I am definitely more comfortable speaking now, even if my actual ability hasn't improved.
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5 x
Kwiziq
A0: 100 / 100
A1: 100 / 100
A2: 100 / 100
B1: 91 / 100
B2: 53 / 100

User avatar
Bex
Blue Belt
Posts: 562
Joined: Thu Sep 15, 2016 7:10 am
Languages: English (N), Spanish (A2)
Language Log: https://forum.language-learners.org/vie ... 77#p157977
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Re: Bex Spanish log 2019: a definitive guide on the slowest way to learn Spanish ever!

Postby Bex » Tue Dec 31, 2019 12:46 pm

Did I accomplish my 2019 goals?
Bex (back in Jan 2019) wrote:At the moment I have no plans other than to complete the Super Challenge...
Yes it appears I did :D
4 x
Kwiziq
A0: 100 / 100
A1: 100 / 100
A2: 100 / 100
B1: 91 / 100
B2: 53 / 100

User avatar
Bex
Blue Belt
Posts: 562
Joined: Thu Sep 15, 2016 7:10 am
Languages: English (N), Spanish (A2)
Language Log: https://forum.language-learners.org/vie ... 77#p157977
x 1538

Re: Bex Spanish log 2019: a definitive guide on the slowest way to learn Spanish ever!

Postby Bex » Sun Jan 12, 2020 8:09 pm

0 x
Kwiziq
A0: 100 / 100
A1: 100 / 100
A2: 100 / 100
B1: 91 / 100
B2: 53 / 100


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