🖋️ 2023 Language learning review

Answering my friend Shea's prompts

Dear reader,

I have been sentenced to the flu, which is exhausting. At least, I probably won’t be sick for the end of the year holiday.

I was so happy to find

Shea

wrote some fun prompt to review our language learning for the past year. I couldn’t resist answering my favourites. Hopefully, this inspired you to join and reflect with us!

What language skills have I improved upon the most?

I improved the most in listening. Last year, I would have got frustrated if I tried listening to a podcast in Korean for too long. Now it almost feels relaxing.

To achieve these results, well, I've been listening a lot. I also tested myself on unknown words, and targeted my weaknesses with active recall. I didn’t see progress overnight, but it seems to have worked well after one year.

What challenges have I encountered in my language learning journey?

I struggled to speak in fear of offending anyone. Honorifics are tricky in Korean, and there are a thousand ways to say something rude by mistake.

I recently started using AI to practise spoken conversations, which has been working well. I don’t have any close Korean friends I can feel comfortable enough to speak casually, so this is an amazing first step to make speaking more approachable.

How have I engaged with authentic language materials?

I only use native content, or content targeted towards learner but exclusively in Korean. I think this prompt isn't as relevant when you're more advanced in your studying - all we do is watch TV and listen to podcasts!

How have I tracked my progress throughout the year?

I've been using manual time tracking with Toggl for years. It helps me get a clearer picture of what I've been focusing on, or whether I've been struggling to find time to study.

As a chart lover, Toggl is so satisfying.

I also take the Sejong Institute Korean Test every 3 months or so. This one is amazing at reminding me that I am, indeed, making progress.

I journal every week and month about what worked and didn't work for me. It also helps me realise what I might be in the mood for, and what I should avoid.

What are my language learning goals for the next year?

I'm going to keep consuming content and finding out where I am lacking. I think conversations with AI can have a significant impact on my speaking confidence.

I don't plan on setting measurable targets, I'll just keep learning intuitively.

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Shea added plenty of questions to guide you in her original post, go and give her some love.

Language Learning Review: Yearly Reflection Questions

What is the one thing you’re going to remember about this year? Share it with us before diving into your journal!

Everyone stay healthy, hopefully you’ll have some time off soon.

Best,

Lou

✍️ Dear language learner

Learn your target language with useful sentences! Here are a few to translate to test yourself. If they’re relevant to you, you can add them to your notes or spaced-repetition system.

🌱 Beginner

I only listen to [Korean] content in the evening.

🌿 Intermediate

I made significant progress this past year.

🌳 Advanced

Active practice makes a huge difference in how much you remember.

Thank you for reading “I heard from Lou”. It can be hard to find people who share your passion for learning. If you have friends who might like this letter, let them know.