Despite typical setbacks, distractions, and some time wasted, today was a 'good day'.
I've long realised that I need to spend more time language building (talking and writing) and a smaller proportion of my time on language consumption (reading, listening and watching).
Today I figured out (and successfully tested) several techniques to break through what was blocking my speaking and sentence building.
Explanations of those breakthroughs will have to wait for another day. Because I'm writing this hours after I should have gone to bed.
Review
Actually, things went much better than the checklists might suggest.
I managed well over 6 hours of solid study and 3 hours of Spanish 'immersion'.
Diversions from the routine had 3 sources:
- A considerable time figuring out how, and how not, to conduct several key tasks
- 90 minutes talking, and not talking, to my sister via Jitsi
- A deliberate late start to recover much-needed sleep
The late start problem will recur again tomorrow.
Routine Checklist
Legend
- Ticks — right activity on time
- Crosses — not done to schedule
- Hyphens — not applicable to currrent routine configuration
| Task | M | T | W | T | F | S | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0730 - Wake | - | - | ✓ | ✕ | |||
| 0745 - Exercise | - | - | ✓ | ✕ | |||
| 0815 - Break (-fast) | - | - | ✓ | ✕ | |||
| 0830 - Set-up | - | - | ✓ | ✕ | |||
| 0845 - Session 1 | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| 1015 - Break | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| 1030 - Session 2 | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| 1200 - Dinner | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| 1245 - Session 3 | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| 1415 - Break | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| 1430 - Session 4 | - | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | |||
| 1600 — Break | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | |||
| 1630 - Exercise | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | |||
| 1745 - Break | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| 1800 - Tea | - | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | |||
| 1845 - Maintenance | - | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | |||
| 1945 - Break | - | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | |||
| 2000 - Relax | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| 2200 - Review, | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| 2230 - Bed | - | - | - | ✕ |
Learning Tasks Checklist
| Task | M | T | W | T | F | S | S | Talk - Press (5) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Talk - Fiction (5) | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Talk - Non-fiction (5) | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Listen & Talk phrases (10) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Listen & Talk sentences (20) | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Listen & Talk aural Qs (30) | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | |||
| Listen & Sing - a song (10) | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | |||
| Comprehension — test | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | |||
| Grammar — test | - | - | - | ✓ | |||
| Conjugate — Cue verbs | - | - | - | ✓ | |||
| Listen - News (5) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Write - Sum. radio news (10) | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | |||
| Write - Trns. radio news (15) | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | |||
| Listen - Fiction (5) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Listen - Non-fiction (5) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Read - Press (10) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Read - Fiction (10) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | |||
| Read - Non-fiction (10) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Write - Stop positions | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Listen - review aurals | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | Write - List today's 'issues' | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Physical - exercise (40) | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | |||
| Watch - subbed drama (30) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Watch - subbed Film (30) | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | |||
| Watch - no-sub docu (10) | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | |||
| Research - lang. acquisition | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | |||
| Review - this checklist (15) | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ |
Para vs. Por
| Para example | Rationale |
|---|---|
| El tren es para Marid | Destination |
| El tren llega para las dos | Time limit/target |
| Trabaja para ganar | Purpose before infinitive |
| Escucho para aprender | Express a reason |
| Hace calor para enero | Compare with a standard |
| Para mi es una tontería | Personal standard |
| Por example | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Estudié por dos horas | Duration of time |
| Nos quedamos por la noche | Periods of time |
| Viajamos por tren | Means/method of transport |
| Pedalearemos por el bosque | Movement through |
| Ella habla por el gobierno | Exchange/substitution |
| Gracias por la ayuda | Thanks/emotions |
| Lo hizo por el dinero | Motivation |