How is your language learning going this week?

Started reading simple news articles, but I've realized I need to practice actually outputting too
- That's an incredible feat, you should be proud!
  I'm working ln the outputting as well. I struggle with speaking since I often can't keep up with the conversation but like you said: practice :)

Found offline japanese dictionary that works how I expect it to (lꝏk up words|get their example sentences) , UX alright but needs (work in some areas|reduced motion setting)
Otherwise, try to do daily stuff with Kanji dojo but miss some days . Really hard getting the ball rolling …
- Cool, what dictionay are you using?
  I'd forgotten about Kanji Dojo since I've been doing other things. Seems like a high quality app.
  
  DaKanji !

First week of daily intensive course is over and boy am I overwhelmed, but even more determined. The teacher is awesome and patient so it's actually a lot of fun.
Home chores do get ignored though.. Going to a 3 hour course after work is bit much.. But thankfully it's not for long.
- Daily and 3 hours? Wow, that is intensive! Is it just a couple weeks long?
  Glad you're having fun though.
  
  4 weeks! It's the most intensive course I've ever taken for a single subject.
  Thanks! I hope I'm still having fun after this week lol. Wouldn't be so bad if I wasn't working full time but I really wanted to do this to get forward with my grammar :)

In the past couple weeks, I've switched Slay the Spire to my target language. Now even my most compulsively procrastinating time gives a little practice.
It's not the greatest for intensive study (no audio, after all), but it's a great way to ease in.
I already know most of it just from pictures and having played a lot, so it's fun even if I'm not being a great learner
Quite a few cards, items, or events show up just seldom enough that I do still need to read them
There are tons of words I don't know, many of them at the top of the card showing a picture of the thing
Lots of repetition, so my brain gets the redundant exposure it needs
And besides that specific instance, I'm getting more confident overall. To the point where I feel like I won't be totally missing out on games if I try to play them in Japanese.
- That sounds impressive! Give playing in japanese a try maybe? I've noticed I really enjoy being sometimes thrown into the deep end and not understanding everything. It motivates me to learn even more if I don't understand but I want to :)
  
  I was thinking the other day how it reminds me of the same feeling I had playing some games as a kid.
  There was that timeframe where I could read (in English), but it was very much conscious effort - so I'd be lazy and ignore text when possible, and there'd be lots I had no hope of deciphering.
  It leads to this sense of mystery and wonder, where you have no idea what's going on but you appreciate when you do find a clue in the words. Bit by bit you start to understand.

Since the birth of my son, about seven weeks ago, I have had difficulties on finding the time and energy. I haven't entirely stopped listening podcasts on my languages but meeting people to speak with and especially reading has suffered.
It's not a crisis really but this time doesn't lend it self for language studies as good as the time before fatherhood.
- Congratulations! I've heard that time flies with kids and that you should relish small moments with them as much as possible, so don't worry about language - but don't let it go either! That's you-time hobby when you need it :)
- Couldn't have a much better excuse than that. Go easy on yourself, you're right to focus your energy on giving him a strong start!
  Although while you're taking care of him, you do have a captive audience for a bit of speaking practice, lol. I'm sure he won't mind if you make mistakes.

Nearing the end of French Duolingo section 2 and wondering if I should start trying to use some other resources.
- Highly recommend picking up a grammar book too! It will give you confidence when you can revise what you've learned and understand it better!
  
  Is there anything you could recommend? I do find myself parroting at times and googling it afterwards, definitely think I'd benefit from a deeper understanding.

Tried doing some language exchange on the ENG-JP VR Chat world earlier this week, and was faced with the stark reality that I need to drill grammar and basic conversational sentences more first. Day 453 of daily Anki vocab study.
- Impressive streak though! Live conversations have tendency to smack us down, but don't give up.
  VR-chat for practicing sounds exciting - have never tried since I don't own VR set but that would be an awesome way to use them for other than gaming purposes.
  
  You can also do it even if you only play on a PC, it doesn't require a headset, but it's a great way to feel like you're actually talking to another human being.

Picked up German on Duolingo again. I should finish Unit 1 today or tomorrow.
- Viel Glück! That's what I'm working on as well :)

I've slacked off so much, I feel guilty :( I hope this week I'll get off my ass and continue learning, though
- Hey! No slacking fxomt!
  Honestly it always sounds so overwhelming when you list the languages you are learning. You deserve time off ;)
  
  Thank you :D