I'm finding this course the hardest thing I have studied. I understand what I read and I understand the grammar in the lessons. But my mind seems to move so slowly. What makes sense in theory, refuses to work in practice. I feel like someone watching an ice skater effortlessly glide around the rink. It looks easy. I step on to the ice and fall on my face and all I can do is hang on to the wall at the edge or crawl on hands and knees.
I listen repeatedly and sometimes I understand in the first attempt, sometimes two or three times later, I still don't get all the words. Reading is relatively straightforward. The words wait patiently on the page and I can move at my own speed. Speaking is daunting and I find myself making stupid mistakes, forgetting things I know perfectly well. Writing is painful and frustrating as I feel this area at least should be less challenging. The simplest description becomes wooden and repetitive.
I've left my comfort zone far behind, in this attempt to speak more than holiday French.