Aww I love the call out! ANd so glad I had a "valeria" buddy! I found out a friend of mine is also learning Spanish so we are setting up a biweekly Spanish date where we try and converse en Espanol, and I'm so excited. Plus I told her about your newsletter and she's a subscriber! Thanks for you sharing your journey and for all the great tips - I'm trying that net zero as I have a tendency to go hard then stop, but the net zero is making me spend even 10 minutes doing exercises on Spanish Dictionary. Thanks, and Happy New Year, Oleg!
Spanish: "It feels funny to be able to talk for long periods of time on complex subjects yet still be making basic mistakes". Totally. And frustrating ++. I can't seem to find the happy balance between being willing to ignore errors as long as I'm understood vs getting feedback which then takes away any chance of fluency as I start listening and trying to ensure I'm correct. I don't want to make the simple mistakes forever by sheer habit.
Going meta: Yes. Surely, somewhere is the magical strategy that will prevent my errors and hestitations. Don't want to miss it!
No Zero Days: I haven't called it this, but I do make time every day for languages. With something I know well, like spanish, I'll listen to a podcast or lecture, write Something, and read a novel or article for minimum times every day. With a brand new language (arabic for me), I put in at least 15 minutes on whatever tool I'm currently working my way through.
Thanks for sharing your paths -- may you have a fabulous 2024 of language learning!
You're such an inspiration, Oleg. I've always loved learning languages - English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Cambodian and Laotian - but it's been a while since I've actually engaged in some studying (or revising). I miss my uni days... and living abroad! Looking forward to following your journey here on Substack and I hope 2024 will bring you everything you wish for.
Adapted content like the short podcast episodes you described are the best! It feels like immersion without being overwhelming, and helps you feel more comfortable until you can walk native content! 😊
Aww I love the call out! ANd so glad I had a "valeria" buddy! I found out a friend of mine is also learning Spanish so we are setting up a biweekly Spanish date where we try and converse en Espanol, and I'm so excited. Plus I told her about your newsletter and she's a subscriber! Thanks for you sharing your journey and for all the great tips - I'm trying that net zero as I have a tendency to go hard then stop, but the net zero is making me spend even 10 minutes doing exercises on Spanish Dictionary. Thanks, and Happy New Year, Oleg!
LOL! There is so much here I can identify with!:
Spanish: "It feels funny to be able to talk for long periods of time on complex subjects yet still be making basic mistakes". Totally. And frustrating ++. I can't seem to find the happy balance between being willing to ignore errors as long as I'm understood vs getting feedback which then takes away any chance of fluency as I start listening and trying to ensure I'm correct. I don't want to make the simple mistakes forever by sheer habit.
Going meta: Yes. Surely, somewhere is the magical strategy that will prevent my errors and hestitations. Don't want to miss it!
No Zero Days: I haven't called it this, but I do make time every day for languages. With something I know well, like spanish, I'll listen to a podcast or lecture, write Something, and read a novel or article for minimum times every day. With a brand new language (arabic for me), I put in at least 15 minutes on whatever tool I'm currently working my way through.
Thanks for sharing your paths -- may you have a fabulous 2024 of language learning!
You're such an inspiration, Oleg. I've always loved learning languages - English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Cambodian and Laotian - but it's been a while since I've actually engaged in some studying (or revising). I miss my uni days... and living abroad! Looking forward to following your journey here on Substack and I hope 2024 will bring you everything you wish for.
I had no idea of your language journey Sinu! How did you develop an interest in Cambodian and Laotian?
Adapted content like the short podcast episodes you described are the best! It feels like immersion without being overwhelming, and helps you feel more comfortable until you can walk native content! 😊
To another great year of studying!
Chapeau, vraiment
...thank you for all the inspiration, and wishing you a Happy and healthy New year
Wishing you a great year too!