I am not sure how did this random text deserve to be seriously discussed, as if it was an article by a researcher, or a document by a very successful learner. This is neither. I haven't read all of it, because it is honestly not worth it imho. I have no doubts there will be some good bits, but mixed together with weird stuff, and the whole thing should not be taken for a serious guide by an authority.
Before I address some of the mentioned issues: I have noticed this person repeatedly on reddit, we've disagreed on some things, especially when they were spreading something I considered myths and nonsense, or when it was a valid opinion presented as if it was a universal truth. They don't tolerate well disagreement and consider themselves an authority just because they are a medschool student with a not that bad level in Spanish (but as far as I've read, they don't seem to have reached a too high level either). They even sent me some very patronising chat messages, trying to give me advice on how to not provoke people or not make them dislike me or something, it was rather weird.
Not trying to brag, but it is rather funny that this person tries to treat ME like a dumb newbie that attacks their authority
A quick look in their post history showed some interesting patterns, that made me take them even less seriously.
Now to some of the points:
-the false dichotomies are very typical of this person. It's not pure SRSers vs. pure readers. And this is not the only example by far.
-there are tons of assumptions like "a limited number of cards". Well, I'd agree with some of the points, if we were talking about decks of 50 words. I highly doubt they've ever tried decks of several thousand words. (plus the argument "you don't see all the types of context" is stupid, as it is based on the already mentioned false dichotomy).
-"because when we speak our mother tongues, that’s how things work" and a few more notes about that. If they really are a medschool student, they have surely been told "children are not small adults" many times already. So, it is weird they cannot see that there are huge differences between a baby and child learning their L1, and an adult L2 learner. And all this is in a rather weird context, full of assumptions (contrary to their claims, I've learnt stuff just from SRS at times. It's better to learn from other sources, or srs+other sources, but it is possible to just learn a word from a simple srs card too and use it correctly. Many words are not really that mysterious)
-this might be the first medschool student to ever be so fiercely against the SRS.
Usually, people either don't know it, or they don't like it while recognizing some of the benefits, or they use it. But this is the first time I see a medschool student claim SRS to be so evil
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No need to copy tons of your posts, I totally agree almost everything said in the thread.
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sirgregory wrote:He also says to avoid most of the common apps and programs.
MOST language learning apps/programs by major companies - Major ones include apps like Duolingo, Babbel, Rosetta Stone, Pimsleur, Michel Thomas Method….
When you calculate the number of words you would learn by completing the courses on these apps/programs, it is usually equivalent to reaching a CEFR A2 level…. For the time (and sometimes money) invested, it’s a rip off. You could probably do that in about 2-7 days’ time of easy study that’s really not very time-intensive or difficult. And you want to spend months and possibly pay money for something you could do on your own in a few days?
A2 in 2 days of "easy study"?
Avoiding various such programs might actually be one of the few good grains in the whole narcissic project, but only to some extent. Again, I would trust Iguanamon here, that the recommendation to avoid these should definitely not be absolute. After all, we have a few successful learners in the community, who found even ways to incorporate the Rosetta Stone in a rare language routine in a way that made sense (and that's an achievement!).
And secondly, they are a medschool student (by their own claims), and not too clear about whether they want to target a public with a similar approach to studying, or normal learners. They are talking about the vocabulary for A2, not taking into account stuff like grammar, pronunciation training, comprehension exercises etc. Back in medschool, I once learnt over 2000 terms for my Medical English exam over a weekend. It was not pleasant, it was definitely not a new language. But it was still vocab I had mostly not known or been able to use before, and have been using since.
So, I agree that learning A2 vocabulary is possible in two days, if it is not in a totally distant language, if you use a flashcard or similar program (or a low tech alternative that will however be not that different), and if you take the "easy study" term with a grain of salt. (It will be easy study, but only if you compare it to some of the hellish exams in medschool).
Overall, you see that this person may have some interesting opinions and experiences, but that's all it is.
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Axon wrote:If you knew Afrikaans, German, and English, you might have a fighting chance at scraping a pass on an A2 test in Dutch with two days to focus on core differences. Outside of that, though ... this person may not know A2 that well.
Definitely true. Especially the second part. It is a bit weird, that the person writing a guide probably hasn't reached C2 in any language yet, and often shows lack of understanding of rather important stuff in the discussions. Given how much they avoid a lot of resources, that are actually based on teaching this level, they may simply not have a clue.
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