So the experiment continues.
I noticed significantly more progress in some than others. In decreasing order: Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Arabic.
Duolingo is better than ChineseSkill (sorry!), and more well-rounded than using a textbook-like site + flashcards (Memrise). Especially if short on time.
Having watched about 10 Kdramas (and 200 Korean dubbed One Piece episodes) definitely helps a lot. When I learn words, I often feel I already know them.
And of course having to learn a new alphabet with Arabic is slow. In addition, I found no good, brief method of study. So I ditched Arabic for Danish on March 21 ^^ ;;
While Duolingo is good, I find very many days get eaten up “strengthening skills” rather than progressing. I guess this is good, but progress becomes slow. I can’t say I don’t need the practice/review though. I guess this is to be expected on 10min/day.
Instead of spending too much time on review and making sure I’ve got the Chinese characters visually memorized (though recognition is no problem :p), I’ve decided to learn the English & Chinese names of the radicals as a part of the daily ritual. It seems like it’ll be helpful.
Lastly, I feel that I ought to devote more time to creative practice. Otherwise I will fall for the classic error of learning only relative to my methods of study and practice, and be unable to rend up words on the spot…
Hmm…