#306 How to Improve by Tracking Your English Studies
The Level Up English Podcast
Deep Dive
What is the main topic of the podcast episode?
The main topic is tracking language learning progress over a year, including the benefits, methods, and insights gained from tracking study time and resources.
What is the '1% improvement' concept mentioned in the episode?
The '1% improvement' concept, inspired by the book 'Atomic Habits,' suggests making small, incremental changes in daily habits that compound over time to create significant long-term progress.
How long has Michael been tracking his language studies?
Michael has been tracking his language studies since August 29, 2023, covering over a year of data, including the entirety of 2024.
What tools does Michael use to track his language learning?
Michael uses Google Sheets to track his study time, resources, and skills. He records daily study minutes, categorizes activities (e.g., listening, speaking, reading), and uses graphs to visualize progress.
What are the key benefits of tracking language learning progress?
Tracking progress helps visualize improvement, boosts motivation, provides perspective on challenges, encourages consistency, and allows for habit automation. It also helps identify patterns, such as motivation fluctuations and study efficiency.
What does Michael's data reveal about his study habits in 2024?
Michael's data shows he prioritized Chinese slightly over Japanese, spent most time on Anki flashcards (200 hours total), and had varied study patterns. He identified areas for improvement, such as increasing speaking and reading practice.
What is Michael's goal for 2025 regarding language learning?
Michael aims to increase the time spent on speaking and reading in both Chinese and Japanese, improve study efficiency, and step up his language learning efforts compared to 2024.
What is the significance of tracking study time versus study quality?
Tracking study time alone doesn't account for the quality of study. For example, focused 10-minute sessions can be more effective than distracted 20-minute sessions. Michael acknowledges this limitation but uses time tracking as a rough guide for progress.
What is Michael's current study streak, and how does it motivate him?
Michael has a 1,600-day study streak, meaning he has studied languages every day without a break. This streak motivates him to maintain consistency and avoid gaps in his tracking data.
What tips does Michael offer for tracking progress effectively?
Michael suggests keeping tracking specific, focusing on skill improvement rather than just time, reviewing progress regularly, gamifying the process, and using apps or tools to make tracking fun and efficient.
- Tracking language learning progress for over a year provided valuable insights.
- The process involved daily recording of study time and resources used.
- The speaker shares their experience and suggests ways this can help other learners.