Sportyrod’s Comments (group member since Nov 12, 2021)

Sportyrod’s comments from the Language Learners and Polyglots group.

Hey Dave,
I’m glad you’re enjoying the book and the challenge so far :)
Rod

Alsace :) (geography nerd here). Sounds like you’re off to a great start. Sci-fi is a cool category. I looked up this book to see if there is an English version as I am yet to read Luxembourg in my other challenge, but it’s not yet.

I downloaded the free part of the Memrise app but couldn’t find the link. I haven’t written down any new vocabulary. I think I will do that for my Indonesian books as I need to improve that language a lot more.

If you guys want to set chapter time targets let me know, as it is fun to read at the same time.

Hi Anna,

Yes you have to be in the right mood for certain books/learning. I have some really easy leisure reads going between the language ones.

Rod

Well done (pagescollective). Sounds fun/rewarding.

I just finished story four. The vocabulary is getting harder but I was able to guess their meanings fairly well. Are the Short Stories in…readers rereading the chapter after seeing the vocabulary at the end? I must admit I’ve been less studious than previously.

I just finished story three. A bit of cliff hanger there I think. I agree, the stories are getting slightly more difficult. The repetition of new vocabulary is pushing me to learn more words than just making sense of the ones I already know. PS I came runners up in the tennis tournament 🎾🥈.

Sci-fi sounds good Paul! Looking forward to it. I have three weeks off after the tennis so I will have some time to get into the short stories again.

Well done Berengaria! Seems like you picked a good option. I’m a bit behind in my reading as I’m in a tennis tournament at the moment.

Go Dave! I’m reading an A2 level too. I hope you enjoy it.

Hey Kalliope,

I know what you mean. I didn’t understand the mechanics of English until I was in a Swedish language school. I like your goal. One a month sounds great.

Rod

Yes. I am partway through story three. I’m also focusing on the same things as Paul. I agree the repetition is good and the gradually increasing level of difficulty. I had a refer to the dictionary (just once) in story three.

Welcome to the club!!

Oops. No more spoilers since we are reading the same story in a different language. But brace yourself Berengaria. The next story continues with the sexist roles.

The A2 vibe continued. The main body is understandable in the first read and enriched in the second read with the understanding of the new vocabulary.

Thanks for the encouragement :)

I have just read the first of eight short stories in Swedish. My book is “Short Stories in Swedish” by Olly Richards. The level is A2-B1. I see that Berengaria is reading the Icelandic version.

Some questions and answers for/to myself:

1. Am I crazy for reading a Swedish book or can I actually do this?

2. Am I going to spend more time reading the dictionary than the book?

3. What is A2-B1 level actually like?

So based on the first short story, my answers are:

1. Yes and yes. The author’s advice was to read the chapter (there were four) first. Then read vocabulary words. Then re-read it for consolidation. This worked fairly well for me. I would normally have stopped at any unknown word but this method got me thinking and guessing so I could continue. I only misunderstood one part (in a small way) but fully got it on the second read. Not all new words are sticking yet, but they may come up again and we will see.

2. I have not used the dictionary once. There is a small vocabulary list at the end of each chapter. The book is self-sufficient re new words. So far.

3. A2 to B1 level. This is my first foreign language book so far so I have no comparison. I suspect the first story is the easiest. If the measure is my understanding at the second read, I am at least A2 but would guess I’m higher. For this to be so, means that I began with a reasonable vocabulary eg pronouns, basic verbs and adjectives. The level of the story was…siblings left London to go to Sweden. They fly there, meet a friend, get lost, get on wrong bus, catch a lorry back, meet someone on the bus who turns out to be his friend’s long-lost dad, he introduces the dad to the friend. There were parts about where to go, who to meet, when and where, some basic feelings. I know from this chapter that I can probably read better than I can speak the language as my grammar is awful. When I get lazy I used to just use the English sentence structure and let the Swedes figure it out. I need to work on that.
Rod

Hi Everyone,

I’m about to start my first foreign language book ever. It’s A2-B1 levels in Swedish/svenska. Wish me luck!

Rod

Keep up the good work Peter. I don’t think I know any Italian words that can’t be eaten.

Welcome new members:) I’m impressed with the range and lists I’m seeing. I don’t know many people who are into languages so I may get a bit chatty when I start the challenge. By complete coincidence I bought a book that is half in Spanish. I have no prior knowledge of Spanish so I am peeking through it so I can pick up a few words (not counting it in my challenge).

Hello, hej, halo,

Thanks for organising this group. I’m looking forward to this challenge. I haven’t chosen my books yet. I am likely to begin with kids level books and go from there.

Sportyrod (Rod)

Thanks for the challenge. I would not have considered this if not for you. I am going to try out some easy books first. I am setting a low goal but I am secretly/not-so-secretly hoping to blow it out of the water.

Jag kan läser lite i svenska. Jag önskar att läser flera bokar i en andra språk.

Saya bisa membaca bukubuku di Bahasa Indonesia. Saya kira sini sulit.

Rod