I can’t believe it! Christmas is almost here! Where has this year gone? It feels like only yesterday I was watching my wife walk down the aisle and I was trying not to cry… couple goals! Now… woosh!… and 6 months have gone. Time really does fly when you’re having fun!
That can mean only one thing. It is the final Clear the list of 2019… unbelievable! For any Clear the List newbies, allow me to explain. Each month Lindsay Williams and Shannon Kennedy host this language goal setting community. Where we come together to help one another stick to our goals and learn something new each month.
So, let’s get into it…
A Big Announcement!
I have something really important and exciting to share with you all… From today, I have officially taken over The Language Diary Challenge on Instagram and Facebook!
Katie from Joy of Languages has been running this challenge from a long time and has kindly asked me to take the torch moving forward. I have been part of this challenge for a number of years and so I am very proud and excited to take this challenge on and making it my own!
For anyone who hasn’t heard of it before, it’s a challenge to share your progress in the language you are learning.. There are no restrictions…any language, any subject, video, text, bullet journals… you name it! My only request is that you are friendly and supportive of course!
To take part on Facebook you can simply join the group and get stuck in.
On Instagram make sure you post your studies on your profile and simply tag @discover_fluency (that’s me) and @languagediarychallenge (the brand new challenge page), and make sure to use the hashtag #languagediarychallenge.
The Language Diary Challenge page on Instagram will be a place where I share all your great work to help inspire and motivate others in their language studies and hopefully help you find other amazing language learning friends.
I am super excited about this and can’t wait to share this new adventure with you all! So, get involved this December, be inspired by other language learners and write a nice comment to make someone’s day, plus you’ll be giving yourself the gift of knowledge for Christmas. (The best gift of all, right?)
Now back to my language learning…
November Summary
November was another busy but successful month. What feels like the 4th in a row. Somehow it feels easier to some things in when I am so jam packed because there is less room for procrastination. The pressure helps me to focus a little more than when I have a lot of free time. The constant debate of “the best” thing to do, instead of just doing anything.
I have also managed to achieve a much better mix of different activities than usual. Rather than only binging my favourite Chinese web novel (in Italian of course), I was able to mix it up. An episode of anime here and a TED talk there. Helped me feel like I was getting a much more rounded exposure than the last couple of month. So, that goal was a success.
When I had a little more time, I worked on some content from Euronews. The combination of short videos and accompanying articles worked well for me. Giving me the chance to practice my listening and reading comprehension separately. It has given me the idea for a new “method”, or process, that I have been developing to get every last ounce of knowledge from each video. It’s still in the early stages but it is looking super promising… watch this space!
As you may have read, I got a lot of practice at The Language Show Live, as well as double up a couple of my Italian lessons. This means my speaking practice in November went through the roof. Whether it is the increase practice or the culmination of my hard work, I am feeling a lot more comfortable in Italian. Speaking seems to be a little smoother with slightly less searching for words. Listening comprehension also feels better, with only a couple of words in most videos that I don’t understand.
All in all, I have to say that I am a happy camper! I feel like I am absolutely smashing my goals at the moment. Especially considering I had a full dream in Italian the other day. I know, amazing right?! I was a contestant on Italian Master chef and being told how I had committed a crime against pasta for using Parmesan on seafood pasta and calling mozzarella “Cheese”… oh the outrage!
The month on the blog
Coming swiftly back to reality, I have also been busy on the blog. Here are the highlights in case you missed it.
How to get the most out of your language lessons – My strategies for making your language lessons as productive as possible. No more wasted time, or money, for you! The goal for every language learner!
Christmas Gift Guide – Buying gifts for a language lover can be tricky… just ask my wife! So, we decided to put together a little guide to help any of the other long suffering partners and friends out there. A whole horde of inspiration for any lucky recipient!
My Language Show Live Takeaways – It was so amazing that I had to write about it! Telling you all the advice I would give any language conference newbies and to myself for the next one.
The Language WAG’s Diary of the Language Show Live – My lovely wife has even decided to get in on the action this month. After I dragged her along to the show, she thought it would be interesting to give an outsiders perspective on the show. A completely different angle from a non-language learner.
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December Goals
December only means one thing… food! I mean family (of course…). Whatever Christmas means to you, I am sure you are going to be just as busy with all the family gatherings. That’s why I have decided to take a simpler approach with my goals this month. I won’t be taking my foot off the break, but removing the pressure so I can enjoy the festive season and study when I can.
The basic plan is to do something everyday in Italian, but not beat myself up if I don’t. We have a short holiday next week and then 10 whole days off for Christmas. So, I also want to take some down time to see how things went and make plans for the year ahead.
When I do have some free time, and I’m not gorging on leftovers, I am going to continue my serious study. Breaking down videos and articles with the new “mystery” method that I am working on. Something to learn new phrases, activate them and improve the complexity of my expressions. Sounds good, right?
And that’s all folks! A short and sweet one this month. So, what are your goals for December? Let me know in the comments below.
And if I don’t speak to you before… Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Until next time!
P.S. Ho Ho Ho!!
