Different people learn at different rates, and much of it has to do with how often you are flying, and what the conditions are like when you do fly.
As for the question regarding flap use, the use of 20 degrees flap (two notches as some of you put it) leads to better stability in crosswind or turbulent conditions, but I teach 30 degrees (3 notches) and 65 knots over the fence as the normal. Using less flap leads to a reduced nose down tendancy, and therefore makes flaring easier, but has the disadvantage of a longer float (contrary to what you have written), and therefore an increase in the length of runway used.
Some tips for landing: fly a stable approach, learn to recognise when you are high or low, fast or slow, and know how to correct it before it gets too far out from the normal profile. Ask your instructor to demonstrate these if you are unsure, sometimes a redomonstration can work wonders. Use attitudes to help attain airspeeds (which also keeps your eyes outside more), and trim to keep the aircraft at those attitudes. Use an aiming point on the runway, as you round out work your eyes further down the runway so you avoid 'ground rush'. as you flare, look ahead and keep straight using rudder.
Hope this helps.
Kermie
