Helo, I wonder if anybody could please help? I’m only just starting my Welsh learning journey - Level 1 Challenge 4. However, I’m totally loving it. I’m amazing myself at what I can say and how I can rearrange the sentences already. I struggle to remember all the content though. Is it advisable to write out the new vocabulary phonetically as a memory aid? Thanks in advance for any tips and advice.
Cheers,
Pete
Probably not. Everyone struggles, it’s part of thr process. But the things you find difficult today will be easy in a month’s time. When you’ve done the next challenge just run through number 1 again and be amazed at how far you’ve come. I don’t mean do them all again, just number 1. SSIW is really good, really effective, and you’re loving it. That’s not the same as it being easy. The struggles, the mistakes, the headaches, they’re all part of the process. The process doesn’t include having to write anything down.
Pob lwc
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Hi Margaret,
Huge thanks for your reply and advice. I’ll put the pen down! Yes loving it is not the same as it being easy. I love the whole positive process which results in such a sense of achievement- I can probably say as much Welsh in two weeks as I can in French and that’s been ongoing for years.
Diolch!
Pete
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So you alteady know that it’s working! Just keep at it! And take every chance that comes your way to speak Cymraeg with real people. That’ll give you a real buzz.
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Well done on getting started! In some ways that’s the hardest part. If you’re amazed at how much you can say now, give it a few more weeks and you’ll really be stunned!
I seem to recall that Aran recommends actively resisting the urge to write anything down, because your written notes become a crutch. That makes sense, I think. Trust your brain to be able to handle it, and trust the course to shove the information in there.
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We’ve been doing some SSi Spanish with the kids and, of course, that comes with the words on screen. I’ve noticed that my son, despite hearing opportwniddadd (if I’m allowed to use Welsh spelling to show the pronunciation) is saying ‘yoo’ instead of just ‘oo’ because he recognises the spelling (opportiwniddad). Welsh spelling is mostly a lot more phonetic than English (just with a different system), but it’s a snare and a delusion anyway, because it inevitably tempts you to turn your ears off!
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Absolutely! I was listening intently to a Podcast the other day, really interested in the subject when a written note caught my eye and that was it! My eyes took over the information gathering process and I totally lost the next couple of minutes of the Podcast. We’re so used to getting information that way that it easily overrides what your ears are telling you, but that’s what you need to be able to understand people in conversations and participate. Ditch the pen 
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Huge thanks for all your time, support, encouragement and advice! I will indeed ditch the pen!
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We are all different, but what I found helpful was to read the vocabulary list at the same time as my first listen to a challenge.
That way I cottoned on earlier how particular letters or combinations of letters sounded which helped me throughout.
You then associate a sound with an actual word and vice versa from the start.
Hope that helps.
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Very helpful indeed thanks! Great tip! I think I was going past my learning saturation point of about 10-15 mins, running out of steam and reaching for a pen! Had a much better session today! This is truly a remarkable course and a fantastically supportive forum. Greatly appreciated!
Diolch!