Здравствуйте!
I've been learning Russian on and off for about 4 years now and I mean months at a time of inactivity. I know simple phrases, have an active vocabulary of about 200 words (more if we count words I know if somebody else says them first) and know basic grammar.
I can follow basic conversations in Russian, mostly written. I can read Cyrillic, write in Cyrillic and have begun intuitively inferring where the stress of a word might be. If I had to put it simply - I wouldn't starve if I was plonked down smack bang in the middle of an Oblast
My ex-girlfriend, who was a native Russian speaker, used to correct me but told me my accent was very heavy - something I wish to correct (at least I can roll my r's). However, as is the case with most native speakers of most languages, she could not explain why something is what it is, she only knew that it was. I have since lost access to a native speaker 24/7 but I would be amenable to paying a tutor once a week.
The issue I'm finding is that I'm no longer a complete beginner but I'm not hitting intermediate, so I'm unsure how to progress from this bizarre, premature plateau.
Right now, my schedule consists of 1h practice daily, with a mix of textbooks, stories, Pimsleur and cartoons. I've never really followed a structured plan; I've learnt what I know pretty much passively with great help from my ex-girlfriend, through context and video games but I don't think:
"Мир ополчился против нас, но мы не остановимся! Мы - будущее человечества! Сражайтесь за весь угнетенный класс, товарищи!"
или
"Восточный фронт раздавлен, добьём же Габсбургов! Пуля - дура, штык - молодец"
Is much help in daily life.
However, I'm unsure if I should prioritise vocabulary first and foremost whilst learning whatever grammar I can alongside it. Should I tighten my schedule? Should I focus on speaking more than reading at this point and throw myself into as many native interactions as possible?
Where would you counsel I go from here?
Благодарю.