Learning the Spanish Language — Project Day 4

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:

  1. A considerable time figuring out how, and how not, to conduct several key tasks
  2. 90 minutes talking, and not talking, to my sister via Jitsi
  3. 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

Contact Davie Fisher

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+44 (0)113 234 4611

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davef@davefisher.co.uk

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Flat 3 15 South Parade Leeds LS1 5PQ United Kingdom