Is practising/learning everyday the best thing to do?
I find, personally, that I'm more likely to retain information if try learn something for a couple of days then on the third day just relax and let my brain take in, process and order the newly arrive information in the subconscious/background.
I was wondering what other people do as a learning habit. Do you have a routine that you feel helps with the learning process? I'm curious.
(I should point out that this is just my personal feeling that isn't backup up with any science or even logic really. It's just an inkling. If anyone is aware of any scientific evidence please can you share a link, I've done a few Googles but nothing seems to be the source of information; Just one site quoting another.)
18 Comments
I'm bad about giving up on endeavors and for me to maintain a habit I have to do it daily.
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I find I learn more effectively if I do at least one lesson every day - which may be the reason I am the only one of the five of us who started French at the same time who is still doing it. I find a commitment to a regular routine works best for me. When I started I made a decision that I would do at least one lesson (it may be new or revision) a day and I've pretty much stuck to that. Usually I try to do an extra revision lesson as well as but that doesn't always happen. I do translations much less often these days because I am frustrated by so many obviously incorrect translations being given as best. Talking as a teacher I'd say daily seems to be the most effective way to learn languages but we're all different so what suits me may not work for you.
For me, totally. If I am really determined to do something regularly, I'd do it every day so that even if I feel tired or lazy I would be reluctant to break a streak. With French, I had about 3.5 months of full coin stacks every day, for German it is 2.5 months with the exception of 4 days when a friend of mine came to stay at our place. I'm absolutely sure I'll finish that course.
As for retaining, I alternate between learning new things, revision and translation.
Anyway, it's personal, I am such a "streak freak" :D
Most of the stuff I have seen suggests that two short sessions a day are better than a single session. For me, if I get to where I need a 'day off' it is usually because I have tried to add too much new information, too fast. If on the day you 'take off' you are pondering, thinking, and re-hashing the new language, it is not really a 'day off,' IMO. Of course, when we learned our first language, as children, it was pretty much a full-time job for a few years, and we rarely took a day off. ;)
Yes! I study almost everyday and I now have a 6 day streak! Once you get really good, Duolingo sends you emails to get you to complete challenges and they give you extra points! I am on a routine and it helps me learn well! It may work for you, but if it doesn't, it's ok. Everybody gets used to a different routine. Your welcome!
Maybe on your day off, you could practice your language in a new way--such as a U-tube video or looking at a book. It helps me to use more than one medium to learn anything, not just a language.
I have learned 6 languages by studying 20-30 minutes maximum daily (yes, every single day) for a period of 6 months. Studying more than that is very difficult to maintain in the long term (and learning a language is a long term project :) And anything less than that (studying less than 7 days a week or less than 20 minutes a day) isn't consistent enough, and therefore the information does not properly sink in and 'stick'. Good luck!
6 languages in 6 months? O_o And what is your level with those languages? Did you study each language for just a month or did you add new languages while practising the old ones too? What are those languages and what is your native language?
I'm very curious :-)
Hi! Actually I meant 6 months per language :) and I achieved this over the past 15 years or so, meaning i didn't consecutively learn one language after another, and I took long breaks in between :)
I was raised speaking French and English, and the languages I learned are Spanish, Italian, Portuguese (all similar to French due to Latin roots, so this made it easier), Hebrew and Arabic (modern standard), and Modern Greek. I basically did this by using old home-study courses (books + audio) that teach up to quite an advanced level (2000 words +, verb conjugation in all tenses), and divided up the material and workload so that in 30 minutes per day X 6 months, I could finish the course. It's not easy because sticking to anything daily for 6 months is a challenge, but it's worth it! My level now in each language varies because over time I use some more than others, but it is pretty high in most of the languages.
When learning a new language, I try to practice the other ones at least in a 'passive mode', by listening to music, reading in the language etc.. while I continue to actively practice the language I am currently learning.
Having experimented with a dozens and dozens of courses and various study schedules, I really believe that 30 minutes per day is the rule of thumb and will keep you motivated over a long run, allow the info to sink in, and help you make great progress in the shortest amount of time. Good luck!
- 1989
Yep, one lesson per day (German now), and mastering it - it's how I do it. Cheers!
While "study fatigue" can cause issues like this, I find that languages are an exception for me.
I mean, if I go Paris, I'm not going to NOT speak French every 3rd day just to let my brain relax. Languages are designed for daily use, so to me it only makes sense to study with daily practice.
My two year old learns English everyday just by hanging around his parents. I think he's picking up some Filipino. I'm trying to do the same thing with Spanish. Yes, I actively practice and passively practice everyday.
Duolingers do not let fellow Duolingers skip a languange learning day! Streaks are are earned by not skipping a day.
OMG! That will help A LOT!!!!!! thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
