[Boatanchors] Relearning Code

[Glen Zook via Boatanchors]

Having taught classes in learning the International Morse code for over 55-years, I do have some methods that have proved extremely successful.
First of all, definitely do NOT "count" the dits and dahs!
Think of the International Morse code as a foreign language with around 50-words total (each letter, number, etc., consider to be a "word" in the language).  Visualizing the code as a foreign language helps, at least in my experience, with getting one into the mindset to actually learn the code.
Use the Farnsworth, etc., method where each letter is sent at a speed between 15 wpm and 20 wpm.  The spacing between the letters sets the total speed.  Sending the letters, this fast, forces one to actually "listen" to the "sound" of each letter and NOT to count the dits and dahs.
I definitely do NOT use the E, I, S, H, 5 and T, M, O, 0 method of learning the code.  That method definitely encourages "counting" the dits and dahs.  Instead, I start with the letter "A", then the letter "B", then "C", and so forth.  After the letters are learned, then the numbers.  Next, the punctuation marks, and, finally, the pro-signs.  Again, since the more complex letters are introduced, basically, from "the start", one is again forced to actually listen to the "sound" of the letter and not to "count" the dits and dahs.
Send a new letter a number of times to learn the sequence.  Then, go back and send, in a random manner, all the letters learned so far to reinforce retaining those letters in the subconscious mind.  Of course, early on, there are just a handful of letters which increases in number as the alphabet is learned.
After a suitable number of letters have been learned to create simple sentences, I start including such in the material presented for practice.  However, I still use random strings of letters to reinforce retention.
It has been my experience that most students learn the code in about 6-weeks of twice a week formal sessions (for about 90-minutes) and practice at home.  Some students learn the code in 4-weeks, or less, and some take up to around 6-weeks to learn the code.  Learning sessions should not exceed around 10-minutes to 15-minutes at a time.  In my formal classes, I send code for around 10-minutes and then take a 5-minute break.  It should be the same at home. Glen, K9STH 
 Website: http://k9sth.net
      From: David C. Hallam <dhallam at knology.net>
 To: "boatanchors at mailman.qth.net" <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net> 
 Sent: Saturday, August 15, 2015 7:37 AM
 Subject: [Boatanchors] Relearning Code
   
I have not used Morse code in about 45 years.  I never was really very 
good at it because I learned the wrong way.  I got my speed up just to 
the point where I could just pass the FCC test.    I operated 15M CW for 
awhile in the mid 1960's but that was it.

Has anyone had any experience with Morse Fusion as a method to learn 
(relearn) code.  As I understand it,  it starts out buy reading a novel 
one letter at a time.  You are not supposed to write down anything, but 
learn to turn the letters into words in your head. Then progress into 
hearing the story in code rather than spoken letters again not writing 
down anything.

I would like to use CW again, but don't want to repeat the bad habits of 
trying to count dits and dahs and figure out the letter.