This has been a definite week of playing catch up. We've had a ton of admin type stuff to do, some of which I will still be working on today. We've had some decisions to make about language study and the summer and what it will all look like. And I'm still working on getting some things loaded on my computer so I am set up to work and play.
In the world of learning language there are several types of 'learning strategies' so to speak. One that has been getting huge buzz in our circles is called Total Physical Response (TPR). We've know several people who've used this method and have had high success. If you are doing it in it's true form you start out with what is called the sprint which is 4-6 weeks of intense daily study, starting out completely with listening and working up to speaking. Even though we have 2 years (Stan a little more) of language learning already there are a lot of holes in the curriculums we are using. Most are geared towards College Campus life and miss a whole realm of common and useful vocabulary. So even though some parts will be a huge reveiw we are going to do it. I won't actually be able to do the sprint because it would be impossible for me to spend 5 or more hours a day just on language. I'm going to do it at a slow and steady route, hopefully 3 lessons a week for as long as it takes but Stan is going to do 5 weeks of studying 5 times a week. He has a week long training in June, will come back do his 5 week sprint, have a couple of weeks off in which he will have to study some specialized language and then have a week long tintensive class on that mid-August.
Needless to say, after we make it though all that we will need a vacation. We've already started talking about places to go. At this point I'm not even thinking about cost. I just know we will have to go somewhere, especially since the regular semester will start the beginning of Spetember. So all this to say, this next 4 weeks has got to be used to get my behind in gear. I have a few ideas of things that will help me stay organized, like taking a weekend to cook several meals in bulk and have the freezer stocked. I've never done that before but I'm thinking it would be a great way to take make my weeks go smoothly.
Am I the only one that makes a plan to have time to plan?
My friend has recommended a book to me, Shopping for Time. And actually she isn't the only one who's said how great it was. I borrowed it last night and I can't wait to jump in. Time always gets away from me and has not been my friend...I'm looking to change that. For right now I have a list of things to accomplish before Stan and I get a night out tomorrow...and by night out I mean ALL night. Some dear family friends are keeping the boys over night so we can party all night sleep late in the morning. Although I fully expect that I won't sleep much past 7 I am looking forward to having a leisurly date night and not be worried about getting home too late.
OK, all these thoguhts jump around just a little too much and I better go make the secondary lists to supplement the primary list before I forget half of what I need to do today.
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