French:
I actually feel more comfortable now that I’m listening to RFI daily. I didn’t think it would make that much of a difference, but it does!
Daily routine- listen to “Le Journal en Francais Facile” sur RFI, read articles/posts on the internet
Weekly routine- watch/listen to “Le13hr du weekend” sur TF1
I started a new routine this year, and I’ve been able to keep it up pretty well. I’m still trying to read 1 French book and watch 1 French film a month, and so far I’ve managed this every other month.
I occasionally record myself reading articles, but its not the same as a conversation with another person.
To add: I still haven’t tried italki, and I really need to give it a chance and utilize it as a speaking practice resource.
Spanish:
My listening has gotten better from watching/listening to Easy Spanish daily. I still need to push myself to put more effort in when I do speak Spanish- it’s all there in my head, I just need that push!
Daily routine- watch/listen to an episode of Easy Spanish on youtube, read articles/posts on the internet
Weekly routine- it depends what I feel like working on. Sometimes I watch a show on Netflix, or I’ll read a short story, part of a book, or some poetry. Sometimes I’ll write short paragraphs about my day, or use a writing prompt.
To add: some kind of organized speaking practice (probably on italki) as well as some other kind of practice resource (like new poetry, a podcast, different youtube videos).
Italian:
I was doing 1 activity weekly for my practice, and just taking everything in as it came along. But I recently decided to increase my practice for the next three months. Here’s my new routine.
Weekly routine- 1 session for each of the 4 categories for language practice (reading, listening, writing, speaking). I’m using Olly Richards “Short Stories in Italian” for reading & listening, I have an Italian fables book, I’ll watch movies on Netflix or videos on youtube, writing prompts, and I listen to the podcast Con Parole Nostre (which also has transcripts).
To add: Keep up what I’m doing and stick with it.
Chinese:
Daily routine- practice using the Drops language app, practice writing characters with my lil’ character a day calendar sheets
Weekly routine- I have a couple of textbooks I’m working through, I have character lists that I’m practicing (300 most common, etc), I read free articles on The Chairman’s Bao website, watch youtube videos, watch movies on Netflix, etc.
To add: I’m happy with where I am, and I’m just going to stick with my current routine.
Polish:
Weekly routine- I have a textbook with audio cd that I’m working in, and I occasionally watch youtube videos or check in on a couple of websites about Polish learning.
To add: This is one of my lower priority languages, and I’m just gradually learning it as I go.
Icelandic:
Weekly routine- I have a textbook with audio cd that I’m working in, and I occasionally watch youtube videos or check in on a couple of websites about Icelandic learning.
To add: This is one of my lower priority languages, and I’m just gradually learning it as I go.
ASL:
Weekly routine- review signs in a textbook that I have, and do a free lesson on ASL University online.
To add: This is one of my lower priority languages, and I’m just gradually learning it as I go. I don’t always get to my ASL practice once a week, but I still enjoy it when I do get around to it.
General thoughts:
I also started using a habit tracker this year. I remade an old blank journal into a tracker/calendar to keep track of my language learning and create more of a disciplined practice for myself. It has been a big help, and I’m going to keep using it for the rest of the year and see what I think at the end! As of now, I can definitely see myself keeping it up in the future.
I’m happy with a lot of my progress. It’s hard to see your own progress sometimes, and it can also be hard to notice small amounts of progress when you’re learning gradually (as I am with some of my lower priority languages). But I try to notice the little things that I know that I’ve learned, see that as progress, and use that positive energy to keep going!
Language Love Affair 