Best Rocket learning strategies

Hi all 

In my previous Rocket Italian course, I worked through pretty thoroughly at a moderate pace, but with minimal revision.

With Rocket Spanish, I am working through it more slowly, with much more revision.  This is partly because I am finding it a bit confusing now that I have Italian words popping into my head when translating.

I'm sticking with my usual strategy of also using a few other resources, partly for variety and mainly as no one resource can do it all.

What learning strategy do you use that you find most effecting with Rocket Spanish, given your experiences?  I look forward to picking up some tips!

Chris

¡Hola Chris!

This is a really great question!

The Language and Culture lessons, in particular, are packed with a lot of heavy grammatical content, so they can take a long time to get through. I would recommend trying not to overload your brain with grammatical content, as this can be quite hard to process. Instead, you could try using short activities to turn this explicit grammatical knowledge into more implicit (automatic) knowledge. For example, try writing ten sentences that use the grammatical rule you have learned the day after you have completed the lesson on it. 

When you are looking for complementary resources to use with Rocket Spanish, I recommend focusing on activities or resources that focus on the production of the language (speaking or writing) instead of memorisation. For example, you could write a paragraph using all the vocabulary words from a specific lesson or something similar. 

Due to the similarities between Spanish and Italian, it can be confusing at first, but the good news is this is mostly temporary. Once you develop your Spanish skills further, you will have an easier job separating them out. In the meantime, I would suggest trying to leverage your Italian skills to develop your Spanish skills. For example, you could look for a tool that allows you to translate from Italian to Spanish instead of English to Spanish. 

I hope these suggestions are helpful and seed other ideas! 

¡Saludos!

Indy

Thanks, Indy.  That's very useful.

Gracias

Chris

Hi Chris

I agree. I keep on using and mixing up Spanish and Italian. And then I throw my Portuguese into the mix too. At least German stands on its own. I say that but then I bring Dutch and Afrikaans into the mix there. Just find it fascinating how it all cobbles together. 

When do you go to Spain and where are you going? We have watched some of Portillo's Spain videos on YouTube, looks lovely. I would like to visit the Alhambra. My daughter did and said it was lovely. She did say that the pastirs and bakeries were better in Portugal. 

Hasta Pronto

Maxie

Hi Maxie

Great to hear from you.  My mixing of Italian into Spanish is happening less now (65 days in), but still happens.  It's inevitable, I guess.

We're very familiar with Andalucía from visits to my wife's sister and her Spanish family and Portillo's programme was very well done.  If you can view it, I also recommend Monty Don's Spanish Gardens.  We plan to visit the Valencia area as featured in his programme, as we have never visited the east coast of Spain.  It'll be towards the end of summer, when it gets cooler, as July-August is quite humid.

The Alhambra is on our wish list, as is Sevilla, Zaragoza, Toledo, etc.

My personal experience is that Portuguese pastries are better than Spanish.

We're actually having warm, sunny weather!!  How about your weather?

Hasta pronto

Chris

Hi Chris.

Sounds like a fun trip. We have not planned a holiday yet. Typical Dias last minute trips. We will still probably go to Europe. Will Also use Icelandic Air. They offer a stay in Reykjavik  as no extra cost for the stop over for flight. Also breaks up the trip. 

I have watched most of Monty Don's gardens. Am a big fan. 

As for weather it toggles between being miserable and sunny. That is west coast weather for you and we also live in a rain forest. That said a great time to avoid weeding. The bane of my life. 

Take care

Maxie

Hi Chris

Been thinking of you and your trip to Spain. 

As always we have not planned a trip. Philip's whole family will be in Portugal in Sept/Oct. Philip has told them he is not going. Now he is feeling bad, as they are all sad about that. So now he feels bad and may change his mind. For his sake and theirs I hope he does, as his sister is going all the way from Australia. As I haven't been to Portugal it will be a lovely trip to see the sights, speak Portuguese and enjy the food.

Hope your language learning is going well. 

I have moved away from Rocket grammar. Just find too many concepts introduced at once, so use it to speak. Did a grammar video with a German teacher. Was such an overwhelming lesson on Rocket. He explained it in simple terms and all I could feel was relief that it wasn't that complicated or difficult whereas with Rocket my mind was just reeling. I did subscribe to Busuu. No speaking, but have got a better grip on grammar there too. So now I have a better understanding when I go to Rocket.

Keep well

Maxie

Hi Maxie

Ditto - I was planning to get back in touch.

Our son and family changed their minds about going this year, so my wife and I are planning a trip to Madrid in April, before it gets hot.  We're looking forward to it.

I've had three assessments of my Spanish level, which have all come out at B1.  It's amazing how much came back to me from previous Spanish learning, especially now that my Italian crossover is now minimal.  I'm working through level 1 Rocket nevertheless, to get a thorough review.

I'm still using Memrise and Clozemaster too, but am now also including immersion reading - B1 level short stories in Spanish.  It's a very effective addition to my comprehension of grammar, vocab and is enjoyable.

It would be a great opportunity for Philip to gather with family, and give you a wonderful chance to visit Portugal in the context of family and not just tourism!

Speak soon.

Chris

Wow Chris.

 Great going. Must be very gratifying. We have considered flying into Frankfurt, taking a train to Madrid and then hiring a car and driving to Libon. Most of his family are around Lisbon. Siblings cousins an aunt,so quite a clan. Will keep you posted. :) 

Use memrise too mostly due to the writing.

Maxie

I'll be very interested to hear more, Maxie.  It would be a blast if we had all been able to meet up in Madrid!

Yeah - I was very pleased about the level assessments.  I'm certainly enjoying Spanish, with its' global cultural aspects.

Speak soon.

Chris

CHris, how did you go about testing? I have been interested in seeing where I really am (I am guessing a solid A2, but maybe creep into B1) but since I am not in school wasn't sure how to get figure out my actual level. Thanks!

Hi Scott. Over the years, I've got to know a number of language tutors, who were happy to assess my level.  I have referred people to them all over that time, so it proved handy.  

Ah, that is a sweet deal (that of course you paid back). 

Lately I have been considering using a tutor. If you are willing/able to share, please contact me with my temporary email: temprd23-spamsaver @ yahoo.com . Thanks!!

I came back here to say I was using a trial version of Hotel Borbollón (fun thus far) and after 7 lessons I knew it would adjust the difficulty to my skill level, but today was lesson #7 and it told me I was A2. So I guess I was on target! 

One is now retired; the other two only take UK/+1 BST students, being at the end of their careers.  Italki is a good source and you can specify your criteria pretty finely there.

Ah, got it. Thanks!!!

No problem. If you get stuck, I can check with them again.  I have used iTalki myself for other languages, and was impressed by the range of price, availability and choice of styles of personality.  

Hi Chris

Wondered how you are doing. Did you get to go to Spain? We have not been away. Philip is just too busy. 

We have been watching Michael Portillo programs. Just watched one on the Pyrenees. A walk along the French Spanish border. Looks stunning, a region I would like to explore.

Keep well. Winter has arrived early on the island, I think the weather has decided to skip autumn

Keep well

Maxie

Hi Maxie

Great to hear from you!  Likewise, I've been wondering how you were doing.  It would be good if the forum had a PM facility, member-to-member.  Anyway, the trips to Spain were driven by the apparently imminent company move of my son and family to Spain.  The company then said it would likely be France, so the Spanish trips are off.  No problem - most of the time, Spain is too hot for me.  

I've switched language learning to French, irrespective of whether the company move takes place.  The last time I studied French was pre-web based tools, and I'm thoroughly enjoying re-learning it.  I also love the culture and scenery.  

How's your German going?  Here, we went from a late summer hot spell straight into early winter, it seems.  Bonkers, as we say here.  Portillo's programmes are always good to watch.  He has also done one recently on Andalucia, as he lives there now.  

Keep in touch!

Chris

Hi again Chris

We have watched most of his programs including his railway journeys. His clothes always amuse me, as they are very colourful. He is also very eloquent. 

So French it is now. Well it all meshes together in the long run. Using Busuu for Dutch Spanish Italian and German. Memrise for Swedish. Not easy to find Swedish lessons. German is still my first language. Must be my Afrikaans roots. Am also doing Portuguese from Europe in Memrise, as I don't read or write it. So have regular aha moments.

Been a very busy summer, kids going backwards and forwards, plus they all did lots of overnight hiking. So I have been looking after the dogs, as well as doing lots of meal prep for them. This last weekend was the last hike and I have to confess am quite releived. We dehydrate vegetbles and fruit and I do it, and it is tedious, but so much better than what you purchase in hiking shops.

Know a couple that are walkingin England at the moment, hope the weather isn't too miserable. My one sister in law is living in Wales at the moment. Her husband has a cotract for 5 years. She doesn't like the cold, so does regular trips back to Portugal.

That is all in a nutshell. Enjoy the French

Maxie