~*December Language Challenge*~
~Increase your vocabulary and writing ability in another language for free~
This is a writing and vocab heavy challenge for those who might be traveling for the holidays or perhaps simply cannot dedicate too much time to language learning, but might try anyway. If you’ve always wanted to get started, but you don’t know how, utilize your time off to start a hobby that will help you for the rest of your life!
Week One- Travel Vocab
~by the end of the week; complete one chapter in workbook, write a page about anything combining grammar and vocab
Day One; Pick five vocab words, write two sentences for each word
Day Two; Pick five vocab words, write two sentences for each word
Day Three; Pick five vocab words, write two sentences for each word, write a short diary entry containing some or all of these words
Day Four; Read a chapter in target language, write down the new words
Day Five; Pick five vocab words, write two sentences for each word, spend a half hour on Conjuguemos.
Day Six; Record your self reading a poem, watch an episode or movie in target language
Day Seven; half hour on Conjuguemos, first week reflection
Week Two- Furniture and Home Items
~by the end of the week; complete one chapter in workbook, write a page about anything combining grammar and vocab
Day Eight; spend a half hour on LingQ, write a short letter to your past self, read a chapter in your target language
Day Nine; Pick five vocab words, write two sentences for each word, randomly pick three vocab words and write a poem in your target language
Day Ten; read a news article in target language, write a short paragraph about it
Day Eleven; Pick five vocab words, write two sentences for each word, Conjuguemos, read a chapter
Day Twelve; spend a half hour on LingQ, draw a map of house/apartment/living space, label furniture and house hold items in target language
Day Thirteen; review numbers and days of the week, Pick five vocab words, write two sentences for each word,
Day Fourteen; test yourself over all vocabulary until you reach 100%, read a chapter, two week reflection
Week Three- expressing views, art
~by the end of the week; complete one chapter in workbook, write a page about anything combining grammar and vocab
Day Fifteen; Pick five vocab words, write two sentences for each word,
Day Sixteen; write a short diary entry in target language, Conjuguemos,
Day Seventeen; Pick five vocab words, write two sentences for each word, write a one page paper describing a piece of art or literature
Day Eighteen; watch a movie in target language, spend a half hour on LingQ,
Day Nineteen; drill a learned grammar rule.
Day Twenty; learn a poem and it’s translation, write a one page paper explaining a grammar rule that was confusing to you
Day Twenty One; Pick five vocab words, write two sentences for each word, write a week three reflection
Week Four- Sickness and Body Parts
~By the end of the week; complete one chapter in workbook, write a page about anything combining grammar and vocab
Day Twenty Two; spend a half hour on Conjuguemos, read a chapter, spend a half hour on LingQ,
Day Twenty Three; Pick five vocab words, write two sentences for each word, watch a movie or TV show in your target language
Day Twenty Four; write a short diary entry using newer vocabulary
Day Twenty Five; Pick five vocab words, write two sentences for each word, spend a half hour on LingQ,
Day Twenty Six; spend a half hour on Conjuguemos, read a chapter
Day Twenty Seven; Pick five vocab words, write two sentences for each word, read a news article in target language and write a short summary.
Day Twenty Eight; write a short reflection, LingQ, test yourself over all vocabulary
Week Five- Descriptive Language
Day Twenty Nine; complete chapter in workbook, Pick three vocab words, write two sentences for each word
Day Thirty; complete chapter in workbook, Pick three vocab words, write two sentences for each word
Day Thirty One; complete chapter in workbook, Pick three vocab words, write two sentences for each word, write a overall reflection
Let me know if you want me to create another Language learning challenge!
Tips;
~When writing, if you aren’t sure about a word or grammar rule you want to use, do not look it up until after you’ve finished writing. First, write what you think it is, and then correct yourself with another color. It’s important to differentiate what is a wrong first guess with what is actually correct. Plus, later on. you can see how far you’ve come. If you can, get a native speaker or a teacher to look over your writing. A lot of commonly used language is colloquial, and not obvious to a learner. Ask for better ways to say common phrases.
i.e. In German “there is” doesn’t really exist. They say “Es Gibt” which literally translates to “It gives”.
~ For the weekly reflection you can answer questions like; do you feel yourself improving, how has this challenge impacted the way you think about this language or language learning, how inclined are you to finish this challenge or perhaps participate in another one? It doesn’t matter how long it is, it’s mostly a tool to track your progress.
~When drilling a grammar rule, there are millions of free resources. Youtube can be your best friend if you don’t understand a grammar rule, but I also suggest finding supplemental exercises. Most libraries have grammar books available for major languages, otherwise the internet is a great resource.
~When watching television, find a show or movie which is (preferably originally) dubbed and subbed in your target language. If you don’t know a word or phrase, write it down, and it can become a vocab word for the next list. Also, believe it or not, it is easier to replicate pronunciation, when you can actually watch someone talk so I suggest saving animated television for later if possible. Try your best to not watch with Enlgish/native language dub or sub, because then you will just focus on what you know and not what you want to know.
~Conjuguemos is an excellent tool for language learning. If you decide to use this, I suggest keeping track of your “grades” which you can request despite not being in an actual class that might require it. It also offers some grammar practice as well as printable worksheets. The only downside is that the options of languages is very limited. If you cannot find your target language on this website, I hope that there is a similar one out there for you.
General Notes
~For me, it isn’t enough to just see a vocabulary word a few times, I have to put it to use. I usually do this by putting it in a sentence, or labeling it in a picture. Obviously, if this isn’t your favorite method you can switch it up to benefit you better.
~Duolingo is another tool that is absolutely excellent. It is vocabulary heavy, however I feel as though it could be better with the grammar. I personally, get very burnt out on Duolingo, but there are SO many effective activities you can access for free through this site.
~No one can one-hundred percent remember every vocabulary word learned, without practice. Do not be discouraged if you cannot get even a word you learned last week. It takes time, and brain power. If this is the case, it just tells you what you need to work on.
Happy Holidays !
