Getting called Fluent (Russian)
I wanted to share for motivational purposes. Ill make this concise but you can ask questions.
Ive reached the point where people have started saying I'm fluent in Russian. I frequently have 20-40minute conversations where I express myself without getting stuck and never misunderstand what the other person is saying.
Do I think I'm fluent? I think I'm kinda close, but there are so many words I don't know, and so many things I could never accurately describe.
I don't worry when talking to natives at all if I'm going to understand or know the correct word. The words just flow and listening feels effortless.
I can essentially always express myself, understand others, and ask specific questions when having conversation.
How'd I get here?
Months 0 to 14, I did about 400 hours of listening.
Months 14 - 17, I did about 40 min listening and 40 min reviewing and creating Anki cards. I read anki cards aloud.
Months 17 - 20, 40 min listening 40 min anki. I started meeting with tutors and trying to speak russian on ometv. Honestly, the anki cards helped a ton, but you have to speak to build your fluidity and to expose what you dont know how to say.
Months 20 - 24 (now), 70 min listening, 45 min anki. I started trying to speak with my mother-in-law consistently, maybe 20 min a day.
I have about 700 hours of just listening. I estimate about 250 hours creating + reviewing Anki cards. 150 hours of conversation.
The speaking progress happens extremely slow. I have probably 150 hours of conversation, but I am ALWAYS talking to myself, trying to describe things. If I can't, I make Anki cards.
I started talking with people at month 17, and by month 24, I feel very fluid and easy when talking.
Edit: My wife speaks russian, so I will ask her for help occasionally, but we've had maybe 1 hour of total conversation in Russian. She came here very young so shes much more comfortable in English.