She never really gave a definition of "understanding". Personally, I see "understanding" as exactly the way she described her method of learning. When I learned f=ma I did it the same way she did, but I would've called it "understanding".
In fact, "rote memorization" is the opposite of how I'd describe her method of learning. She says she learns language by using it in many different situations and learning the situations when it's usable and when it's not to be used. That sounds exactly like a search for intuitive understanding to me.
Rote memorization is more like using flash cards or scanning over a list of words and memorizing their definitions.
Contrast this with her method. She's playing with the subject matter.
I find that playing with a subject is the best way to understand it and to be able to apply it.
In fact, "rote memorization" is the opposite of how I'd describe her method of learning. She says she learns language by using it in many different situations and learning the situations when it's usable and when it's not to be used. That sounds exactly like a search for intuitive understanding to me.
Rote memorization is more like using flash cards or scanning over a list of words and memorizing their definitions.
Contrast this with her method. She's playing with the subject matter.
I find that playing with a subject is the best way to understand it and to be able to apply it.