[Elecraft] Idea on improving CW speed

[Michael Bower N4NMR]

In thinking about the various methods of improving CW reading, the following
occurred to me.  Has anybody done this?

In the Koch method (I think that's the right one), you learn a few letters
and then work up.  So you might learn "I" and "e" and then practice them
until you get very good.  Then add a letter and work on three letters.

Here's my thought.

One method is to just listen up on the bands and see what you can hear and
"read" in CW.  But what would happen if you did this with just a few
letters?  Listen up to a QSO but concentrate on hearing just the I's and
e's.  Once you feel like you are getting a lot of them, add a letter or two.

Over time, would this be a valid method of listening and improving one's
speed?

Michael N4NMR