This month, I’m starting something new for 2019!…

Your Free Language Planner

Last month, I didn’t post the link to the planner in the blog post because I wanted to share about the free NewYearNewLang Challenge and didn’t want to overwhelm you. And…well, a LOT of people emailed me asking where the planner was!

If it’s not in the Clear The List post at any point, it can always be found in the Little Language Library, which you get access to when you join my email list.

But, of course, typically it can be found in Clear The List posts as well! So if you prefer to get it this way (or you’ve never used it at all and are ready to seriously up your language learning this month with a little organisation) click below to get it in your inbox right now.

And remember, to take things one step further, there’s always the option of The Solo Language Learner Planner.

What happened in January?

On YouTube

Speaking 12 Languages with No Prep! – Technically I released this at the end of December but I wanted to share it here this month because it’s proved pretty popular. To answer the most common question about this video, yes it was kinda scary sharing a video in which (as one comment put it) I “suck”. Do I regret it? Heck no. It’s so important to show the process. Language learning isn’t a simple thing that happens overnight. I want to show the middle bits too.

3 Minute Review: Drops – This month, I reviewed language app Drops. Accidentally good timing as they launched their #90DaysWithDropsChallenge and won the Google Play App of the Year Award!

Language Stories

Discovering Hmong – We LOVED filming this episode high up in the hills around Sapa, Vietnam with Chua. She was a joy to be around. We also learnt a little more from Laos and even further afield as you’ll find out when you listen + watch this episode.

Teach Languages Online

The Science Stuff feat Ashley – We did things a little differently for this episode and focused on ways to make sure you treat yourself right in 2019. Because the better you’re feeling, the better your lessons will be.

The Creative Stuff – This month, the Creative Stuff focus was The Dice Game. Want to know how you can use this activity in your online lessons? Take a listen.

The Hidden Stuff – The Hidden Stuff this month focuses on your process for getting started with new students. A must for all new online language teachers.

Language Learning Review for January

January was a great month for language learning for me.

After experimenting with my 20/20/20 morning routine (20 minutes Guarani, 20 minutes Korean and 20 minutes other), I decided to keep at it this month and it’s great.

I’m really enjoying how it gives me a chance to just touch base with the languages I’ve studied previously without taking over completely from the languages I want to keep improving more actively (Guarani and Korean).

I also had a little extra time this month devoted to Portuguese, which was a lot of fun!! I’ve been working with Lusa Language School and had 10 online lessons. I learnt that my accent was a complete hodge-podge of European and Brazilian Portuguese, and I now feel a lot more confident with my spoken Portuguese.

I’ll be sharing more in February about my experience with Lusa, so watch this space!

Sometimes, it’s a lot of fun to just focus and give a little boost to a language every now and then.

Language Learning Goals for February

Guarani

Keep going really! I’m quite happy with the mix of stuff I have for Guarani. I sit down each morning and let myself enjoy whatever I feel like learning with that day.

I’m in no rush to learn Guarani and I really just enjoy the language so there’s no need for any “stricter” rules or goals right now.

Korean

With Korean on the other hand, I need more structure in place otherwise I don’t really learn much!

Vocabulary – I’ve always struggled with Korean vocabulary, so need to make more of a conscious effort to learn it. This month, I’m going to make a habit of Drops for Korean and see how that supports what I’m doing with other resources.

Grammar – I finished the Talk To Me In Korean Grammar 1 online course in January. At the moment, my focus is reviewing each lesson with my notes.

Reading – I’m not really at a level where I can read much beyond a curated sentence or two in course content at this stage. I’ve been considering the TTMIK Best Seller Bundle for Beginners, which includes their Easy Korean Reading for Beginners. What do you think? Have you tried this? Would you recommend it?

Listening – I listen each workday to an episode from the SBS Korean podcast feed. I also end most of my 20 minute study sessions with a quick song on YouTube. I know it’s not regular spoken speech but I find it helpful to follow the letters and words and see if I can keep up!

Writing – As I review each of my TTMIK Grammar 1 notes, I type out my attempts for each lesson and submit the text to Lingora (our sponsor for Language Stories!). It helps a lot, as typing and handwriting in a language like Korean with a different script are 2 different skills.

Speaking – I’m going to book one italki lesson in February.

Indigenous Languages of Asia: Ainu

As I mentioned in last month’s Clear The List post, to recognise 2019 as the International Year of Indigenous Language, I’m going to be learning a little of some indigenous languages around the world.

For February and March, my geographical focus is Asia, and I’ve decided to focus on Ainu, a language from the north of Japan.

At this stage I don’t know much about the language, but I’ll be documenting my time with it and will of course keep you posted as I learn more!

If you’re curious, here’s the Wikipedia entry for the language and here’s the Tribalingual course too, which I’m considering taking.

Others

I started using Streaks app in January after looking for a new way to track my progress with the other languages. It works well and I’m for sure keeping this going in February!

I use a mixture of things in my sessions. As I tend to end up with 2 sessions a month for each language, I try and use the first session for each language for input and the second session for output.

Here’s what I’m using for each language:

French – Nothing specific! Writing prompts, news, Easy French etc.

Spanish – Nothing specific! Writing prompts, news, Easy French etc.

German – Online German Club for listening

Italian – Online Italian Club for listening

Portuguese – Practise Portuguese for listening and my notes from my lessons with Lusa in January

Japanese – an older version of this Teach Yourself Japanese book, Terrace House!

Chinese – I’ve been enjoying using YoYo Chinese lately!

Indonesian – reviewing Teach Yourself Complete Indonesian, which I used to study the language a few years ago.

Dutch – Learndutch.org for listening

Esperanto – I’ve been going through some lessons on Lernu.net

Your Free Language Planner

Missed it up top? Grab a copy of your free My Month in Languages Planner by clicking the image below.

And remember, if you want the bigger and better planner I have for learners, you can upgrade to The Solo Language Learner Planner any time right here. Enjoy!

Join the Instagram Language Challenge in February!

This month I want you to join me as I start to explore indigenous languages across the world for 2019.

To make this super easy for you, this month’s Instagram Language Challenge is this:

Each week, you have a new challenge to help you discover more about indigenous languages and cultures. When you’ve done the challenge for the week, share what you’ve learnt on Instagram with #IGLC in the caption to join in. See you on Instagram!

Join Clear The List + Share Your Goals!

1. Share your goal post whether it includes your aspirations for the month or year. Submissions unrelated to the theme or links to your homepage will be deleted.

2. Link back to this post. You can use our button code below if you wish.

3. Follow the hosts: Lindsay from Lindsay Does Languages and Shannon from Eurolinguiste.

4. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE: Please visit the site of the person who linked up immediately before you and leave them an encouraging comment! By hosting this linkup, we’re hoping to create a positive community where we can all share our goals. If you do not do this, you will be removed from the linkup.

5. Share on social media using #ClearTheList.

Inlinkz Link Party

How did your language learning go this month? What are your language goals for next month? Share in the comments below!