The Part 1 post I sent out 1 week ago has been one of my most popular yet…and I’ve received several follow up questions to it.
This email will have 4 questions and answers related to learning a language and the software/apps I use.
Q: I noticed sometimes you start with the English word and then associate that with the foreign word and sometime start with the foreign word and link to the English. Does it matter or does it confuse?
A: You’ll have to know the word from English -> foreign AND foreign -> English, so it doesn’t really matter which way you associate the words together. What you have to be aware of is seeing the connection both ways.
So I practice seeing the link both forwards and backwards when I’m studying my flashcards.
Q: You don’t use Location (or memory palaces) to memorize languages?
A: I don’t use locations in a memory palace to memorize these words.
But I do sometimes associate these images/stories that I make to random locations that pertain to the stories I make. It helps personalize it.
So, if I memorize the word for “jacket” I might imagine seeing my jacket hanging in my closet to create the story.
Q: I have started using Duolingo and created my first page of words on Google sheet and downloaded Anki. I am now stuck.
How do I insert my spreadsheet into Anki?
Do I need to do anything to stop it Anki from duplicating flashcards from previous words on my spreadsheet?
A: (This is basically a tutorial on setting up the system I use to learn Vietnamese.)
The screenshots in my last email are from the Anki software on my Mac. I use it both on my phone and computer.
So, I download the Google sheet onto my mac, then import it into the Anki app on my Mac. I tried doing it on mobile and it doesn’t work (as you’ve found out). Give it a try it on a computer.
First, I export my google sheet (each day) as a .tsv
Then I open Anki and go to File -> Import.
I select the file that I just exported from google sheets, then this is what my screen looks like:
– I make sure my Deck is correct: Vietnamese
– Fields separated by Tab
– Update existing notes…(this will update only the new data you add or change. This answers your question about not duplicating cards. This option makes sure you don’t duplicate.)
Now, I’ve already created the way I want my cards to look like. That’s why Field 1, 2, and 3 in that picture are labeled.
You will probably want to create the layout of your flashcard (how you want it to look) unless the default works for you.
I’m not an expert at Anki. But I managed to figure out how to customize my flashcards to my preference.
I did it by clicking “Add”.
This is what it looks like:
First, you want to click on “Fields” and add the Fields you want (for example: Spanish words, Sounds Like, English Word).
Then, you want to click on “Cards” and create the layout.
This is the Anki tutorial for how to do that: https://apps.ankiweb.net/docs/manual.html#customizing-fields
There are also videos on youtube that you can search for that will show you how to do this.
Q: Can u tell me if I need to install the Spanish keyboard on to my phone so I can use Spanish lettering?
A: I would definitely install a Spanish keyboard (or whatever language you are learning). I installed the Vietnamese keyboard and I’m glad I did. It really helps me learn.
I can easily switch between the 2 languages by swiping left or right on my phone’s spacebar.
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