Have found my pace of learning dramatically speeding up

Hi: I was wondering if others have experienced this. I am not sure why that is happening. In the past 24 hours I have covered lessson 5.1 though 5.5. The thing is, in the past rather than covering 4 lessons in one day, I might cover 1 lesson in 4 days, and then forget it all. I am wondering it there is some mental blocks that you eventually get by if you persist. I have really struggled with Spanish, now it is coming fast and furious. Or is it just that the lessons get easier? That the initial part is hard, and then after that it is more a matter of just going through the motions of gaining more vocabulary. Or a combination of both. I am not sure. Either way, I like it better to not have to suffer though it like I used to to progress.

Hi fkalich. Good to hear that things are getting easier for you. I think that most would agree that regardless of how easy or difficult different parts are to learn, persistance is always key. For me, I want to become fluent and I realize to do this, I simply cannot stop practicing with a variety of different tools. I read in another post that you also use L.S.L.C. How's that going for you? I did Rosetta Stone vol 1 and 2 at home before discovering L.S.L.C. I also had a couple years many moons ago in high school so some stuff I was familiar with. But the L.S.L.C. really impresses me with the method of teaching. I've completed the entire course several times now and continue to use it every day anticipating volume 2 in August. That's the key I believe, to not stop using it. A perfect example is this: when I went through the course the first time, there were lessons that were very tough to comprehend. I wouldn't advance on until I was confident. I remember doing lesson 29 at least 10 or more times all the way through before I did lesson 30. But now when I throw in lesson 29, it's really no trouble at all. Yeah, I darn near memorized it, but it also makes sense after doing it so many times. I read childrens books in spanish (la casa del arbol series is great) and watch spanish tv. To top it off, I get to speak to native Mexicans every day at work. Two of my amigos don't know any English at all, and one knows very little so I have no choice but to communicate in spanish with them. Another guy, Marco, has very good English so he is a huge resource for me. But even with the others, I never stop asking them for the best or most common way to say something. And to please correct me when I get it wrong. They love it and never hesitate to help. As for me reciprocating, I purchased a great beginners guide to learning English for them to share (2 live together) and they are using it along with audio lessons that another friend helped them with. Now they are asking me the questions "como se dice este in ingles" etc. I've bought several books and study and speak spanish every day. I've made great progress in a little less than a year. But that said, there are still many times that I get frustrated, or a bit burned out when I'm overdoing it. I don't think there's a certain point where you get over one great big hurdle, and then it just gets or stays easy. I think it's just a combination of consistency, discipline and effort that eventually get you over a hurdle and lead you to yet another one.

At the EOM, after covering all the Rocket Spanish audio, I am going to return to LSLC and complete that in the month of August. I do like LSLC a lot. Probably will start all over, although a lot of the the early ones will be just "oh, I know that, move on". I will complete those in August. I do like LSLC a lot. I am not worrying about the written now, or the details of grammer too much, I think that it is best to get into that more later. In this respect I don't agree that one should cover the beginner's book right off, at least not more me. It is best in the long run to get a bit comfortable with a language in the same way a child does (or at least used to before parents started thinking you have to try to accelerate learning). Letting them be kids until they were 5 or 6 was more effective I think. Focusing on teaching them to read at age 3 is counterproductive. Rather than initially, primarily associating sounds (language) with sensery perceptions, they are trained the associate them with written symbols that Big Bird is holding up. Kids are not more intelligent than they used to be at 18 on average, maybe there are reasons for that that escape a lot of educators. But then again, if little Sally next door learns to read earlier than your Tommy, well can't have that.

Last three lessons in one day. I am going to stick with my theory on learning, i.e. it is counterproductive to fill you head with grammer and written language before you have a basis in strict converstation. My theory is that you build a foundation when you learn a language, and you will always have to live with that foundation. And the foundation should always be the same as it was when I was a kid, strickly learning how to speak. I had the goal of finishing the Rocket Lessons by the end of this month, but finished early. So I am going to perfect them in the next 5 days. And In August will listen to all the LSLC. I have listened to about maybe half of them. So I can review those and finish the course. Then I figure I will return to the Rocket Spanish books and read those, learn the written at that point. And start listening to the Spanish Channel. I am not trying to brag here, just pointing out how I struggled with this language, how eventually I started having success, and how that occurred, for what it is worth. I pretty much go with my theory that you just have to set good goals, short term goals, and stick to them. Not worry so much about finding the perfect path to success, just find a good path and stick to it. You just spin your wheels trying to find a perfect path to success.

Hola Fkalich~ I'm enjoying reading your experience with this. I just began the rocketspanish audio last month..but seemed to come to this standstill and have been very stressed as I can't seem to progress past a certain point. My husband and I are moving to Merida (he's already there) soon, so it's absolutely necessary that we both eventually become fluent. It helped even the one week I was down there, as I was forced to use some of the very little I had learned...and it also helps when you are really needing to understand what someone is trying to say! That's why your comments interested me, because I found what worked best down there was to remind myself that language wise (spanish), I am as a toddler, and therefore I will learn in the same manner...by observation, body language, even as people use hand motions, etc. all of this helps me to absorb and actually retain the language better because it is tied to distinct experiences and sensations.....it's pretty fascinating really, but I think you are spot on about this. And I'm so glad you made a breakthrough! It means maybe there is hope for me too!

[quo]*Quote:* I just began the rocketspanish audio last month..but seemed to come to this standstill and have been very stressed as I can't seem to progress past a certain point.[/quo] Nothing to worry about. Just move to the next lesson, and the next. It is not necessary that you master one lesson perfectly before you start the next one. It will come in time. I promise. If studying goes bad for a few days, then don't study. Put your mp3s on a tape, cd, usb music stick or whatever, and simply listen to them while you travel or do your house work ( or whatever). Then, after a few days, study again. good luck