As planned, I took my department’s proficiency test in German at the end of this semester. I placed into C1 which is “an Advanced (or “Proficient User”) language level, as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)”.
This is on the strength of 20 minutes of Duolingo a day and nothing else because I don’t have the time. Recently, I started reading in German but only did 4 reading sessions so far because it’s a busy time in the semester.
Of course, this is my sixth language, and it does get easier with every new one. However, this is an answer to everybody who claims that Duolingo doesn’t work and that you can’t become fluent in a new language in middle age.
My goal is to become completely fluent in German in the next two years. All it takes is consistent effort. If I got to C1 in 20 months, it’s definitely doable.
After I become completely fluent in German, I’m thinking of doing something completely out there, like Japanese.
Clarissa's Blog 
Congratulations! I learned how to play pipe organ this semester (this is not my first instrument so I already knew how to read music). I took a class and it was a lot of fun. I am not great, but can now play 3- and 4-part harmonies on two different keyboards and a pedalboard. It is amazing what consistent practice can do for you. I will continue in the Fall as lessons also give me access to the instrument to practice. I am considering learning how to improvise music. It always seemed like something unreachable to me but now I’m wondering if it is just another skill that can be learned with practice, like the technical writing I have to do for work. Bonus of this activity is that music is one of the very few things I can currently deeply concentrate on. I used to read a lot for fun, but for some reason it became very difficult for me to focus on reading. I can, however, focus on playing. I am half hoping it will translate itself to the rest of the things I need to/would like to do.
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You might write a post on how to *effectively* use Duolingo. The average “I’ve been using Duolingo for five years and I don’t know anything” person seems to answer a lot of fill in the blank questions and never uses the chatbot.
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It seems the chatbot is a paid feature and maybe only available for certain languages. I’ve never seen it, in any case.
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https://x.com/i/status/2048943096788914619
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Well done! Getting to C1 in 20 months is impressive. Now, Ad majora !
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