@thecurioushermit
I started teaching myself how to read Chinese in 2023.
Reached a level of comprehension within six months where I could read news articles and novels in the language.
I'm currently on my second semester of Spanish, which is a gen ed requirement for my degree.
I decided when starting these Spanish courses to just stick to what was being taught in the classes, nothing extra beyond the study materials provided.
I cannot read articles beyond the very basics and can barely understand any spoken English.
If I'd followed my own method for learning a language?
I'd be far more advanced than I am now, but being advanced actually gets penalized in formal courses.
I'm half-tempted to get a master's in foreign language instruction just so I can start creating language learning content that actually works.