The Problem Solving Challenge

Ongoing language-learning challenges, and team challenge logs (but not individual logs)
gsbod
Blue Belt
Posts: 839
Joined: Sat Jul 18, 2015 3:22 pm
Location: UK
Languages: English (native)
German (advanced)
French (intermediate)
Japanese (intermediate)
Spanish (learning)
Language Log: viewtopic.php?t=1152
x 2900

The Problem Solving Challenge

Postby gsbod » Sun Feb 05, 2017 1:06 pm

Inspired by the recent Short term challenges thread, I decided to create this thread for short term problem solving challenges.

The idea is simple:
1. Decide on a problem that you would like to fix
2. Come up with some ideas on how to fix it
3. Set a date for fixing the problem
4. Report back after this date on how you get on

Any ability or type of problem is welcome, however a few things to consider:
The challenge is supposed to be short term. Exactly how long is up to you, because the nature of the problem and time available to work on it is an individual matter, however as a guideline I would suggest you consider problems that could be solved within 3-4 weeks
For really big problems, consider some of the other challenges on this forum, like the Super Challenge for listening and reading or the Output Challenge for speaking and writing
If you are a complete beginner, it is probably not worth specialising yet. The 6 Week Challenge may be a better option

To join the challenge, post below using the following format - and remember to report back when the challenge is over!

LANGUAGE:
CURRENT LEVEL:
PROBLEM:
PROPOSED SOLUTION:
CHALLENGE START DATE:
CHALLENGE END DATE:
COMMENTS:
6 x

gsbod
Blue Belt
Posts: 839
Joined: Sat Jul 18, 2015 3:22 pm
Location: UK
Languages: English (native)
German (advanced)
French (intermediate)
Japanese (intermediate)
Spanish (learning)
Language Log: viewtopic.php?t=1152
x 2900

Re: The Problem Solving Challenge

Postby gsbod » Sun Feb 05, 2017 1:12 pm

I will start with my own challenge here:

LANGUAGE: German
CURRENT LEVEL: B1
PROBLEM: The passive. I know when it is used and why. I can tell you how to form it. But my English brain can't accept that German uses werden in the passive, making it very hard to produce it correctly and it also can slow down my reading, particularly if the writer has thrown in a modal verb or two for good measure
PROPOSED SOLUTION: Finally put all the grammar books on my bookshelf to good use and drill my way through the sections on the passive
CHALLENGE START DATE: 5th February 2017
CHALLENGE END DATE: 24th February 2017
COMMENTS: I have given myself just under 3 weeks, which I think should be plenty of time to work through this problem. It also fits in neatly with some holiday plans I have
0 x

User avatar
CarlyD
Blue Belt
Posts: 608
Joined: Sat Jul 18, 2015 5:44 pm
Location: California, USA
Languages: English (N), Spanish--A2, German--now studying, A2
x 1325

Re: The Problem Solving Challenge

Postby CarlyD » Tue Feb 14, 2017 11:20 pm

I'm in for a short 2-week mini challenge, that I hopefully won't have to renew.

LANGUAGE: Spanish

CURRENT LEVEL: about A2

PROBLEM: Preterits--especially irregulars and the whole preterit vs. imperfect thing.

PROPOSED SOLUTION:
1. Use both flashcards and Memrise to drill on irregular preterits.
2. Read Perfecting the Past to understand the difference and what to use when.
3. Do all the exercises in my workbooks.

CHALLENGE START DATE: February 14, 2017

CHALLENGE END DATE: February 28, 2017, with the possibility of renewing for another week.

COMMENTS:
3 x
2024 15,000 pages Reading Challenge--pages: 1180 / 15000

gsbod
Blue Belt
Posts: 839
Joined: Sat Jul 18, 2015 3:22 pm
Location: UK
Languages: English (native)
German (advanced)
French (intermediate)
Japanese (intermediate)
Spanish (learning)
Language Log: viewtopic.php?t=1152
x 2900

Re: The Problem Solving Challenge

Postby gsbod » Tue Feb 21, 2017 7:56 pm

CHALLENGE UPDATE

I am having to bring my first short term challenge to an early close. I was hoping to be able to continue until Friday, but now I have commitments every night this week after tonight.

I haven't spent quite as much time on the passive as I perhaps need to, however I have managed to work through exercises in 4 different grammar books and am half way through the fifth. I have managed to sneak a couple of passive sentences into conversation and a writing exercise with noticeably less effort than was previously required and I am certainly getting used to the idea that you need to use werden in German and not sein. I will need to do a bit more reinforcement for this over the coming months, but for now I think I can call my problem solving challenge a success.
5 x

Vedun
Orange Belt
Posts: 215
Joined: Tue Jun 21, 2016 1:36 pm
Languages: Bulgarian, English
German, Italian
Russian, Finnish
Language Log: viewtopic.php?f=15&t=3009
x 149

Re: The Problem Solving Challenge

Postby Vedun » Mon Feb 27, 2017 9:18 pm

This seems like a good idea to brainstorm brickwalls, just have to think of one.
2 x

User avatar
Xenops
Brown Belt
Posts: 1444
Joined: Mon Nov 30, 2015 10:33 pm
Location: Boston
Languages: English (N), Danish (A2), Japanese (rusty), Nansha (constructing)
On break: Japanese (approx. N4), Norwegian (A2)
Language Log: https://forum.language-learners.org/vie ... 15&t=16797
x 3559
Contact:

Re: The Problem Solving Challenge

Postby Xenops » Tue Feb 28, 2017 5:05 am

LANGUAGE: French and Korean
CURRENT LEVEL: A0-A1 and A0, respectively
PROBLEM: run out of time during the day to make Anki cards. :?
PROPOSED SOLUTION: Cut Internet browsing time, and use it to make cards
CHALLENGE START DATE: February 27th
CHALLENGE END DATE: March 27
COMMENTS: Let's commence! Commençons!
4 x
Check out my comic at: https://atannan.com/

User avatar
CarlyD
Blue Belt
Posts: 608
Joined: Sat Jul 18, 2015 5:44 pm
Location: California, USA
Languages: English (N), Spanish--A2, German--now studying, A2
x 1325

Re: The Problem Solving Challenge

Postby CarlyD » Thu Mar 02, 2017 12:47 am

Challenge Update

I did make a LOT of progress with preterits and the imperfect tenses. I'm going to continue working on the exercises in my various workbooks and I'm drilling on the Memrise course Preterit Irregulars, which is really helping.

After the 6 Week Challenge is over, I'm going to see where I'm at and do another challenge.
2 x
2024 15,000 pages Reading Challenge--pages: 1180 / 15000

User avatar
Xenops
Brown Belt
Posts: 1444
Joined: Mon Nov 30, 2015 10:33 pm
Location: Boston
Languages: English (N), Danish (A2), Japanese (rusty), Nansha (constructing)
On break: Japanese (approx. N4), Norwegian (A2)
Language Log: https://forum.language-learners.org/vie ... 15&t=16797
x 3559
Contact:

Re: The Problem Solving Challenge

Postby Xenops » Sat Mar 25, 2017 3:42 am

Challenge update:

I dropped Korean for the mean time, but I am getting much bette at making Anki cards for French. ;)
3 x
Check out my comic at: https://atannan.com/


Return to “Language Challenges”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests