Why set language learning goals?
For the past couple of years, I haven’t needed to learn a specific language for a specific purpose, and my studies have been quite fragmented as a result.
Here’s a sample of what I’ve been learning:
- Dutch – 5 minutes per day with Duolingo.
- Polish – 5 minutes per day with Duolingo, plus a weeklong Polish language course in 2018.
- Japanese – kanji using Wanikani, a few times a week.
- Persian – using PersianPod 101 and Chai and Conversation, a few times a month.
- Samoan – one weekend for language jam.
- Hindi – using Duolingo and a free Michel Thomas course.
- Norwegian – using Duolingo since summer 2019.
- LangBelta – using Memrise since November 2019.
- BSL – using italki in 2018, then an in-person course leading to Signature Level 1, from Jan-June 2019.
It’s been a scattergun approach, and I haven’t spent enough time or put enough effort into any of the languages to make progress past A2.
For 2020, I wanted to focus my learning so I can see some measurable progress, and strengthen existing languages rather than taking on more and plateauing at a basic level.
2020 Target Languages
This year, I’ll concentrate on two languages:
Russian – I plan to register for the TRKI A2 level in July 2020.
BSL – I plan to take an online course leading to Signature Level 2 in July 2020.
Both of these are measurable targets – I’ll be tested at the end of my studies so will be able to say whether I’ve passed or failed at my goals.
So, What’s the Plan?
Russian
- Complete 3 Duolingo sessions per week (this will allow me to complete the full Russian tree by the end of May).
- Review all vocabulary in the “Lexical Minimum” 1st certification textbook.
- Add “Lexical Minimum” vocabulary to Anki for further review.
- Create a grammar “cheat sheet” to get a handle on declensions, conjugations and prepositions.
- Practise conversation with a Russian friend before the exam.
- Practise writing short texts in Russian.
- Go through a practice exam at the end of each month until the exam (assuming I can find enough different exams available online).
- Have test preparations on italki before the exam (I’ve already identified a teacher who offers this).
BSL
- Register for an online class (I’ve already identified a provider and am waiting for them to confirm the start date).
- Spend time after each class adding vocabulary to Anki (assuming I can find relevant videos of the vocabulary online).
- Continue working through online BSL course which covers vocabulary up to Level 2.
- Look for receptive practice videos on YouTube.
- Look for other BSL learners on Instagram and see if they have other learning suggestions or want to practise together.
- Consider extra lessons on italki before the exam.
“Tick-Over” Targets
I’m finding it really difficult to say that I’ll stop all other language study during the year, so I’m allowing myself the following activities to maintain my learning level:
- Norwegian – continue with one or two lessons on Duolingo per day
- Dutch – continue with one or two lessons on Duolingo per day
- Japanese – continue with Wanikani reviews, and lessons in new kanji as and when I have time.
- Hindi – one short online lesson per week if desired.
The key with these activities is that I can only do them if I’ve completed my main target learning for the day.
My main language challenge is resisting new languages, particularly when I’m travelling. I already know I’ll be going for short visits to Finland and Romania this year. I’ll probably end up learning the absolute minimum of “getting around” vocabulary, but will avoid learning more than that.