FromSpain Diglot Newbie Spain Joined 3901 days ago 20 posts - 22 votes Speaks: Spanish*, English Studies: French, Russian
| Message 1 of 6 22 August 2014 at 3:10pm | IP Logged |
How many times do you listen to each Assimil lesson? Are you able to memorize one lesson
per day? As far as I'm concerned, I think that's impossible. That's at least what I've
experienced with the Russian language!
Edited by FromSpain on 22 August 2014 at 3:13pm
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fanatic Octoglot Senior Member Australia speedmathematics.com Joined 7149 days ago 1152 posts - 1818 votes Speaks: English*, German, French, Afrikaans, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Dutch Studies: Swedish, Norwegian, Polish, Modern Hebrew, Malay, Mandarin, Esperanto
| Message 2 of 6 22 August 2014 at 4:14pm | IP Logged |
I learnt German with Assimil and have Assimil programs for about a dozen languages. I had absolutely no knowledge of German when I began but was able to hold simple conversations with German friends within a couple of weeks. I learnt Spanish with Assimil but used the Assimil method more accurately. That is, I did one lesson per day but played the audio a number of times on my mp3 player through the day.
At no time did I memorise the lesson. The idea was that I played and read the lesson until I could understand what I was reading and hearing. That was all I had to do. No memorisation. I never spent more than around ten minutes at a time doing a new lesson but I did play old lessons through as I walked or shopped. This is the first, passive wave. After around fifty lessons you go back to lesson one and do the second, active wave, keeping fifty lessons behind as you go. With the active wave you translate from English, or your language, to the language you are learning.
One of my books has been published in Spanish and I was able to read the translation without difficulty.
I see you are learning Russian. I think the new Assimil Russian course is easier than the older courses. Just work your way through the course using the method I describe and you won't have to worry about what you remember. Don't worry too much about the grammar. Russian grammar is difficult. When you get to the second wave you can concentrate more on the grammar.
If you try to use the course the traditional way you are likely not to succeed; you are more likely to give up.
I wish you success with your studies.
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FromSpain Diglot Newbie Spain Joined 3901 days ago 20 posts - 22 votes Speaks: Spanish*, English Studies: French, Russian
| Message 3 of 6 22 August 2014 at 8:16pm | IP Logged |
Your answer has been very helpful. You have given me motivation. Thank you very much!
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Speakeasy Senior Member Canada Joined 4055 days ago 507 posts - 1098 votes Studies: German
| Message 4 of 6 22 August 2014 at 10:30pm | IP Logged |
Hello FromSpain,
First, EnglishEagle asked a very similar question recently. When have I finished an Assimil lesson? which you can find in the section "Language Programs, Books & Tapes". I found EMK's ADVICE particularly instructive.
Second, if you are just beginning your study of Russian, it is possible that Assimil is simply not the right method for you AT THIS TIME. Before everyone jumps all over me for this comment, please allow me to say that, generally speaking, I am a strong supporter of the Assimil teaching method. However, for some people, Assimil Russian is difficult simply because, for them, Russian is very difficult to learn. Thus, a slower paced, very BASIC approach might help you "prepare yourself" for the rigours of Assimil. To this end, I suggest that you consider the following course, that was recently developed by the UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles):
The Book:
Beginner's Russian With Interactive Online Workbook
The UCLA website (select "Student's Corner")
UCLA Beginner's Russian website
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FromSpain Diglot Newbie Spain Joined 3901 days ago 20 posts - 22 votes Speaks: Spanish*, English Studies: French, Russian
| Message 5 of 6 23 August 2014 at 2:09am | IP Logged |
That's pretty useful. Thank you very much!
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Enrico Diglot Senior Member Russian Federation Joined 3748 days ago 162 posts - 207 votes Speaks: Russian*, English Studies: Italian, Spanish, French
| Message 6 of 6 27 August 2014 at 7:06pm | IP Logged |
I listen to entire lesson about 1-2 times reading at the same time, then read 1-2 times looking to the translation,
then I read 1-2 times without looking to translation, then read notes, then listen 1-2 times without the book, then I
make exercises.
I usually do from 1 to 2 lessons a day and when I want I can make a fast review about 7-10 previous lessons in the
book. When I reread previous lessons I usually understand everything, maybe look up 1 word per lesson so it seems
that it works well. Also I have all lessons in my phone so I also listen from time to time about 7-10 previous lessons
while driving or walking.
Edited by Enrico on 27 August 2014 at 9:03pm
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