Introduction
fuzzy-funicular sends structured Spanish writing practice to your inbox on a steady schedule. Each lesson targets one grammar pattern (ser + cognates, pronominal verbs, preterite vs imperfect, and more) and follows the same eight-part drill sequence every time — so you always know what to study, and you are producing Spanish in full sentences instead of only reading rules.
Repository: github.com/r0cstar09/fuzzy-funicular
Why this helps you learn Spanish
Most apps optimize for recognition. These lessons optimize for production — writing real sentences under light time pressure:
- Daily output. English prompts, Spanish answers. Active recall, not passive review.
- One pattern per lesson. Repeat a single structure until it feels automatic.
- English traps first. Each lesson names what English speakers get wrong, then the Spanish logic to use instead.
- Automatic spacing. Lessons arrive on a schedule you control (daily, every other day, etc.).
- Answers at the end. Drills run without the key visible so you can self-check honestly.
If you have studied Spanish before but still freeze when writing, the flow is: pattern → examples → short writes → contrast → personal sentences → common errors → answer key.
What each exercise section trains
| Section | What you practice | What gets better |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive shift | English trap vs Spanish logic, formula, examples | Choosing structures by meaning, not word-for-word translation |
| Controlled recombination | English prompts → Spanish with the target pattern | Speed producing the pattern in new contexts |
| Pattern mutation | Transform given Spanish sentences | Flexibility — you own the pattern, not one frozen template |
| Contrastive discrimination | Pick the best option between near-miss pairs | Fine distinctions (preterite vs imperfect, reflexive vs not, etc.) |
| Guided personal writing | Short prompts about your life | Transfer to things you actually say |
| Reverse conceptual expression | Explain the concept from Spanish cues | Deeper understanding of why a form fits |
| Common errors | Typical mistakes and corrections | Catch habits before they stick |
| Answer key | Full solutions | Honest self-correction without a tutor for every line |
How the project is structured
The repo keeps content, delivery code, and scheduling separate so lessons and automation can change independently.
fuzzy-funicular/
├── lessons/lesson-N/
│ ├── *.pdf # source PDFs (reference)
│ ├── lesson.json # schema-driven lesson (email source of truth)
│ └── lesson.md # human-readable mirror
├── scripts/send_daily_lesson.py
├── .github/workflows/send-daily-lesson.yml
├── requirements.txt
└── README.mdlessons/— 63 folders withlesson.jsontoday (lessons 1–64; lesson 11 still being normalized). PDFs stay for editing; JSON drives rendering.scripts/send_daily_lesson.py— Discovers lessons, validates schema, selects by date/cadence, renders Markdown → HTML, sends via SMTP. Supports--validate-alland--dry-run..github/workflows/— Cron + manual dispatch. Validates every lesson before send. Cadence via env vars; credentials in GitHub Secrets only.
What the emails look like
Each message uses a styled HTML template: gray outer shell, white card, blue gradient header (“Spanish Writing Trainer”, lesson title, pattern ID), then numbered sections with blue left borders. Cropped previews below (800×450) show the header and opening framing — not the full scroll-length email.
Lesson 1 — cognates and ser frames (A1–A2)
Lesson 25 — pronominal verbs (A2–B1)
Lesson 40 — preterite vs imperfect (A2–B1)
How delivery works
On each run, GitHub Actions installs dependencies, runs --validate-all, then sends the lesson chosen by date and cadence (or a manual lesson number). Rendering turns JSON into Markdown, then into the HTML template above.
The pipeline exists so practice does not depend on willpower: the lesson arrives, you write for twenty to forty minutes, then you check the key.
Outcomes
- Consistent writing habit through scheduled email delivery
- 63 structured lessons from foundational frames through intermediate grammar
- Repeatable drill design with a clear start, middle, and self-check
- Configurable pacing (start date, starting lesson, every-N-days cadence)
Stack
Python 3.11 · JSON lesson schema · Markdown → HTML · GitHub Actions · iCloud SMTP
Full source: github.com/r0cstar09/fuzzy-funicular