Glue Stage || Learning Hmong in 30 days series
Week 3 is the "Glue" stage because this is when you should be starting to piece things together and understanding how to connect words (e.g., but, and, even though, etc.). Learn transformers that tie the language together to create more complex meaning.
Sentence structuring
You should now have a good basis of the language and should be able to comprehend basic structure of sentences to progress further. Use the language you've acquired and put it into action. Look at example sentences on websites or in textbook, and then replace words in the sentences with other words you know. This helps you learn how to use words and form sentences in the correct structure.
Mix words to make sentences like back in elementary school with your weekly spelling word cards. If you think about it, just - 10 verbs x 10 noun x 10 adjectives = 1000 sentence combinations! Practicing sentence structure will also help improve your journal entries and daily use of the language.
Read even more
Once you're able to connect the dots, get a novel. Read a page, and if you don't understand it, don't move on until you fully understand each sentence. Don't skip the things that you don't know. Highlight the words you don't know, write down the meaning, write the translation above it or in a notebook, and say it out loud. Maybe even record yourself saying the words. Continue to do this while also re-reading the pages you have already done and understood. As you continue, you'll see that you're able to understand more of the story and it'll get more interesting!
Challenge yourself
Turn language learning into a friendly competition. You could try to participate in a learning language challenge online, like a 7-day posting challenge on Instagram. Be cautious but open to learning language challenges. If you have high anxiety, be wary of this. Only start are challenge if it's fun for you and you're capable of it.
For a quick version of week 3 in a "worksheet" style Excel spreadsheet, see this Google Sheets that you can feel free to copy over to your own account: Learning a Language in 30 days.
P.S. I initially wrote all of this a month before trying this challenge. Week 2 was not so progressive. My excuse was that it was Valentines...(but I shouldn't have excuses!). I have still only read the first page of a children's book, only completed 1 Goldlist, I think I finally have the first 100 flashcards done, I've only journaled a couple times, I have yet to start a program. Hmm, it's been a rough start. I'll be more progressive this week! Though I do feel like some things are clicking because I have been consistently listening to music and some what going through Anki cards daily. Crossing my fingers that I'm able to fit this in more for week 3!
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