italki and the “25 hrs in 2 months” challenge

Discussion in 'Language Learning Logs & Super Challenges' started by Big_Dog, May 15, 2014.

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  1. Peregrinus

    Peregrinus Active Member

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    Thanks for the reply. Couple more questions then :). Do you feel the tutor(s) do a good job in actually responding freely so that you could not in fact predict their responses and prepare via a language island strategy, i.e. the convo can go in unpredictable directions? Also, did you already think in Russian well prior to these sessions?
    Peregrinus, Jul 13, 2014
    #21
  2. Big_Dog

    Big_Dog Administrator Staff Member

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    Some teachers are really good and "get it" right away. They are usually the less experienced ones, but not always. I admit to not having systematically learned islands; they just naturally get created by repeating the topics over and over. I think systematic creation is a good idea, but I have to be honest and say I haven't followed through. Our conversations are often very random, and twist in all sorts of unexpected directions, which can be a very good thing.

    I had about 150 hours of conversation before I started this 200hr challenge. My level was a low B1. I don't how well I can "think" in a language; I find that exercise to be a waste of time for me. When we converse at normal speeds, there is no time to translate, so I just start talking right away instead of creating a bunch of "thinking" exercises. Somewhat related from the Benny thread:
    Last edited: Jul 13, 2014
    Big_Dog, Jul 13, 2014
    #22
  3. Big_Dog

    Big_Dog Administrator Staff Member

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    The italki World Cup Challenge is over
    I just received my prize for completing the challenge. $60 - $20 of which was return of the entrance fee. It was easy for me to finish; I did it in less than a month. I must have completed about 60 hours, rather than the mere 25 hours required, in the 2 months alloted. I didn't make the "top 3" learners though.
    I wonder if Stelle was able to finish…

    Regarding my personal "200 hr challenge", I'm about 125 hrs into it. Should finish before the end of October, unless a miracle happens and I settle my business problems before that and go traveling.
    Last edited: Aug 8, 2014
    Big_Dog, Aug 8, 2014
    #23
  4. Stelle

    Stelle Active Member VIP member

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    Yes, I finished! I slid right in at the last minute, completing the last 45 minutes on July 31st to make *exactly* 25 hours.

    My breakdown was 11.75 hours of Spanish and 13.25 hours of Tagalog.
    Stelle, Aug 8, 2014
    #24
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  5. Big_Dog

    Big_Dog Administrator Staff Member

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    congrats!
    Big_Dog, Aug 8, 2014
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