Ciao a tutti!
So sadly I've made my least improvement this week, but I've also made my biggest mental decision.
This week I only studied with the Harry Potter audio books and Livemocha, and I'm am actually quite embarrassed to admit I haven't achieved very much.
What worked:
Livemocha, Unit 2, Lessons 3-5: With Livemocha, I reviewed several lessons, finished lesson 3, and completed the first parts of 4 and 5. I've began to speed through the lessons which makes them more enjoyable. (for example, I listen and learn to pronounce the words from the review section, then just listen to the review section. After, I blast through the last 3 parts, and sometimes skipping the speaking or writing section to come back to it. What ever helps motivate me is whats best)
Do it or Don't: My new mind set, which I'll mention in my new post, is extremely helpful. I now completely block out the 'maybe' or 'kind of' when learning or studying. Now, I will either do my studying now, or I won't. I will do my exercising, or I won't. The 'maybe' just creates stress and procrastination. So, you'll see how I'll do in week 5. =]
Task List: To remind me to study, I now have a simple task list. Because I check my Gmail all the time, I've used the integrated "tasks" menu that is always showing on the right. Here I just check of whether I've studied or not today. Plus, I like the little check marks: Motivation!
Audio Books: I want to emphasize the importance of listening to audio. This week I listened to the first chapter of Harry Potter several times. Most of the time I followed along in an Italian version of the book. This has helped my pronounce Italian more fluently, I'm picking up words I don't even know the meaning of, and I'm getting into the "flow" of this new language. It's important, so find a book and listen!
What didn't work:
Well, because I didn't study or try anything new this week, there wasn't anything that 'didn't work'. On the other hand, I do need to improve my goals and plans and ways to achieve them.
I mentioned last week the secret to learning a language is Goals and Plans (more so than the actually study material, teachers, and methods). I'm working on it!
What I would have done differently:
With the 4 weeks that I've been through, there's a lot I would have done differently to be more effective:
Week 1: Preparation (I would spend a week becoming used to the new language. This week would be laid-back. I would spend a lot of time listening to audio and practicing the most common sounds)
Week 2: Pronunciation (I would focus more time on studying. I would begin using Livemocha with 1 lesson a day, continue listening to audio books while reading, and continue practicing pronunciation. I constantly listen to exactly how something is pronounced, trying to best match it. I don't ever expect to sound like a native, but matching pronunciation is important.)
Week 3: Study (I would now focus more time on studying the language with Livemocha, audio books, and other material such as LearnItalianPod)
Week 4: Communication (I would now begin trying to communicate with the language, not only with friends or family, but also with only text chats or maybe even voice or video chats. I would continue to use Livemocha and the other material.)
So that's it!
Week 4 = more learning/motivation methods + tiny bit of grammar + ~50 words <- Yes, I need to get moving!
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