What's Next? Intermediate Course!

Where can I find the MB HSK Anki decks that Keith mentions?

8 weeks and 4 days in now; I spent many off-track hours this last week with other things.

However, I cleared my HSK 3 goal!

Mind you, it was a full-length archived exam rather than an official, yet that's enough in my book.

I feel I should mention too that I 'scraped by' on the listening section using as much test-taking tactic as actual comprehension; so be it. It seems deliberately built in to the exam that the vocabulary far exceeds the 'official requirement', which an astounding number of characters were totally unfamiliar, even despite having reviewed both the MB HSK 1-3 Anki deck supplement as well as another full list of HSK 3 vocab. At some point - to check against the possibility of my imagining things - no doubt I'll run an actual cross-reference from among several of the archived HSK tests relative to the official lists.

I suppose it goes to show the importance of how much gauging from context one must do not only with respect to vocabulary but also with respect to what would make sense in a a given grammar structure even when one doesn't quite know the words.

Listening to the archived podcasts is turning up all sorts of gold nuggets, both directly with regard to the language itself as well as with regard to attitude and motivation generally.

I'm very grateful for the emphasis - in many places - which MB has placed upon rather than aggressively pursuing the learning of nuances or grammar bits, just being sort of 'lightly aware' of these things so as to have chance to notice by the by while practicing the erstwhile content.

On that note, I began reviewing a formal list of HSK grammar points by the number and yet - so far - the vast majority has already been commented upon by MB in some way in the various post-level emails, bonus links, or in-phase lessons.

In keeping myself to the tune of transitioning from basic literacy to basic fluency by - at the earliest - 4 months, I've mapped out goals for the next 7 weeks. First and foremost is to initiate myself to all of the intermediate vocabulary and unlock those Anki cards ASAP with an HSK 4 attempt end-of July.

Pushing new goals reminds me of a Ted talk in which the program director of Tesla Motors comments upon how - typically - there is a period of challenge and then a period of consolidation as one smoothens out how to maintain accomplishment. Meanwhile, the CEO is looking for the right moment to push the next challenge onto the Director before things get totally comfortable.

I still haven't given serious effort to shadowing and 'polishing up' any of the Phase 4 or 5 graded reading passages. After writing them all out - which seems to work best for me - and inoculating myself with the Intermediate vocab, the primary focus will definitively shift to shadowing, (as there will be nothing left for me to write, alas).

HSK 5 serious attempt by end-of-August. I love the benchmarking aspect of these exams: HSK 5 in 4 months flat based 99% upon Mandarin Blueprint. I think it's possible. Might have to up my game somehow as of yet unknown: we'll see. Totally open to suggestions.

Thank you again and in advance for all the gems of your program I have yet to discover.