I was asked to describe a typical day learning languages on LingQ. Here goes.
The first thing I do is to download my sound files to iTunes, from where I can download them to my MP3 player. The source of the sound files depends on the language. It depends on how far along I am in the language and the wealth of content in our library for that language. The source of the sound files will be either the library or online material, podcasts or radio stations etc…
The next that I do is to select the texts that correspond to these audio files. I either choose them in the library or import them from my online sources. I then go through these texts quickly, LingQing all blue words. I will usually spend about 30 minutes doing this. This corresponds to at least an hour of listening for later. I will then start listening to this material while preparing breakfast for my wife and me. I will listen again while cleaning up.
If I am in a period where I am focusing on a language, I will probably have an online discussion lined up with a LingQ tutor, perhaps 30 minutes starting around 10 o’clock.
I will have reviewed most of my incoming email by that time, and now start actioning any emails as required. I also try to answer comments on our forum, create blog post, create YouTube videos etc… as part of my effort to generate more interest generally in our community.
If I have lunch at home I will listen to my language material over lunch. If I have lunch out, but on my own, I will probably read on my iPad, or leaf through a grammar book while eating lunch.
I usually go to my office in the afternoon. I listen to my language on the way to the office in the car, about 15 minutes. I listen again on my way home, around 5 o’clock.
I usually have a short workout or go for a run after coming home. This is another opportunity to listen to my language. If I have time before dinner I will read at LingQ on my computer, because it is easier to save phrases on the computer rather than on the iPad.
My wife prepares our usual gourmet dinner, after which I clean up the kitchen, listening to my language.
After dinner I try to read in the language, either a book or on my iPad. I usually have prepared a number of lessons for the iPad. This means that I’ve gone through and created LingQs for all my unknown words. Unfortunately I normally don’t get to read them all. I might also leaf through a grammar book before going to bed.
The above describes a heavy language learning day. There are days when I play golf, have business meetings, meet with friends over dinner, read other things, watch television, spend time with my family and grandchildren etc. and therefore have less time to spend on my language learning.
I would be interested in hearing about that typical day in the life of other LingQ users.