Update on 500 Hours of Language Immersion
A language learner shares their experience of reaching 500 hours of immersion studying Mandarin Chinese using the Refold/Input Method. They discuss the effectiveness of immersion and offer advice for beginners.
00:00:00 A language learner shares their experience of reaching 500 hours of immersion studying Mandarin Chinese using the Refold/Input Method. They discuss the effectiveness of immersion and offer advice for beginners.
The speaker has reached 500 hours of immersion in learning Mandarin Chinese using the Refold/Input Method.
They believe that the method has worked and that it is a worthwhile endeavor.
The speaker shares their background in language learning, including watching Chinese content subbed in English and completing Pimsleur's Mandarin Chinese Unit 1.
00:03:16 The speaker discusses their experience with immersion learning, specifically focusing on Chinese characters. They highlight the value of previous language learning attempts and prioritize oral-based skills. They spent 500 hours actively immersing themselves in Mandarin Chinese content.
📚 Prior experience in language learning has helped in acquiring the meta skill of language learning.
🎧 Focused on oral-based goals and utilized audio-only learning for Chinese language acquisition.
⏳ Spent 500 hours in active immersion, watching familiar and new content dubbed in Mandarin Chinese.
00:06:31 An update on 500 hours of language immersion, focusing on active listening and comprehension. No podcast or reading, just TV shows. Also made Anki cards and did some passive immersion.
🕒 It took me 8 months to accumulate 500 hours of immersion, mainly through watching TV shows.
🎧 During the immersion, I focused on listening attentively, with occasional dictionary lookups and transcribing practice.
📚 In addition to the immersion, I created 1300 Anki cards and engaged in some passive immersion.
💡 Improvement came through various stages, acknowledging the challenges and avoiding overestimating my abilities.
00:09:47 A progress update on 500 hours of language immersion. Initially unable to understand, but quickly improved to comprehend short phrases and interactions. Can now follow the plotline of easier episodes. Not fluent, but engaged and ready for more.
🔑 Through immersion and practice, the speaker experienced a significant improvement in their ability to hear and parse a foreign language.
👂 Initially unable to understand any words, the speaker gradually progressed to recognizing short phrases and eventually being able to comprehend entire dialogues.
🌍 While not fully fluent, the speaker can now follow the general plotline of the series and maintain interest in continuing to watch.
00:13:02 Spending hundreds of hours on active input in the early stages of language learning is essential. 500 hours is a significant milestone, but there is still a long way to go. Advice: track your time.
💡 Active input in the early stages of language learning is essential.
🚀 500 hours of immersion is a significant milestone, but there is still a long way to go in language learning.
📝 Track your time to better understand the amount of time invested in language learning.
00:16:17 Track your language learning time and set goals. Keep a journal to track progress. Stay focused and pay attention during immersion.
⏰ Tracking your time is vital for effective language learning.
🎯 Set goals and milestones to stay motivated during the learning process.
📝 Keeping a language learning journal helps track progress and reflect on past experiences.
🧠 Stay focused and actively engage in the immersion to maximize learning outcomes.
00:19:33 In this video, the speaker discusses the process of language learning through input. They emphasize the importance of active listening and trusting the process, stating that progress can be seen before reaching 500 hours. They also recommend a Japanese anime series as a beginner-friendly option.
💡 Trust the language learning process and the progress will add up, even before reaching 500 hours.
🌟 Ranma One Half is recommended as a great series to watch for beginners, with straightforward and entertaining episodes.
🗣️ Comprehension in language learning is tied to the length of dialogue, with shorter dialogue being more easily understood.
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