Success?
“What we put our attention to is what we become aware of”. A nice quote with lots of truth. Focussing on a section specific of the language (the past week it was singular, simple verb conjugations) worked very well. Actively, I was able to recall from memory all simple, singular, indicative verb conjugations with a 90% accuracy for 10 common verbs! Not bad I'd say.
It was not a week of hard study but rather a week of slow enjoyable – paced learning. I also set out to memorise 30 adjectives to describe personality as well as 30 nouns connected with food. Not a problem. All in all a very successful week.
More passive re-enforcement
Previously I mentioned the notions of passive study and active study. While I feel the active study is going very well (there is always room for improvement) the passive study I am able to do is not enough. I need to re-enforce current knowledge by watching, reading and listening more. I need a TV. I am reading comics and re-enforcing a lot but I need to step it up with more exposure. This will definitely speed things up.
Also, I have decided that, for the moment, it is a good idea to once a week review all the material that I have memorised/ come across. Just an extra step to keep things fresh.
Another 30 words?!?
In keeping with a method which is working, I will choose this week to memorise 30 adjecttives describing positive and negative attributes of a situation/ gathering/ meeting. As well as 30 more nouns connected everyday objects (I think it will be a mix of cloths, household things and cooking appliances)
Reference Bank Theory
In keeping in line with the previously mentioned idea of the brain functioning in a way that it is constantly comparing and contrasting information, I have re-examined the idea of the “word spurt” (see 2nd post). The reason of this explosion of lexis is not necessarily given but lends to the notion that with enough exposure and repetition of a word, the child acquires it. With enough of the common words and structures, the child begins to predict words/ linguistic features of the language.
With this said, it makes sense that one needs enough words/ linguistic items in the memory before on can experience this explosion. Creating a reference bank (many words, linguistic features) seems to be an effective one to be able to achieve this explosion. Hence the additional 60 words per week to help grow the lexicon.
More verbs ?!?!
Yes, I would like to continue with a maximum of 10 new verbs, staying with the indicative form. I will try this week to prioritise the singular forms, but in an attempt to add another level, I will add the plurals as well. The plurals will be an added bonus which, if it proves to be a busy week or too much material, can be dropped. Lets see how it goes.
Until next week
Hi Justin
ReplyDeleteI am really enjoying your posts, half because they're interesting and half because I envy what you are doing.
Can you post a video of your current Spanish level, perhaps you could tell a story of some sort, then when you are complete with your acquisition you could retell the story in your new found language.
Anyway, just a suggestion!
Keep up the good work, and don't stop with the blog posts!
Hey Steven
ReplyDeleteGlad your enjoying the posts, I'll keep 'em coming.
In response to the video, I have given it much thought and I think I will do the following: post a video where I say what happened the previous day (showing past verbs) describe things here (showing present verbs) and then talk about want I plan for the following week (future verbs) as I learn more I will add things (hopes, past conditionals,etc.) but as the process will be repeated, each week you will be able to see the improvement as you can contrast it with the previous week.
How does that sound?
Cool man, thanks for the suggestion
J