Have you recently decided to start learning a new language? Perhaps have you decided to dust off a rusty one that you’ve been neglecting for a while?
Keep reading because chances are you might run into some common obstacles and I want to make sure you’ll overcome them so that you can stick to your language learning resolutions this year.
Picture this scenario: on January 1 you step on the scales in your bathroom and notice you’ve put on some holiday weight and decide that now’s a good time to join a gym. There’s a membership discount for people who sign up this month and you decide to take advantage of it. The first week you start going to the gym five times, then about three or four times the next week, then the following week a little less and only when you have some free time. By February you’re feeling a little burnt out and frustrated because you haven’t seen any major results, so you feel less motivated to keep going and eventually you give up and stop going.
How did this happen?
First of all, there’s a strong chance that you were just acting on impulse and by feeling, which is quite normal. You stepped on the scales and felt bad about your weight. So, the first solution that came to mind was to get some more exercise and there happened to be a deal that you didn’t want to miss. Perhaps you didn’t think this through and make a plan or set a goal. Maybe you only set an arbitrary goal of going five times a week, which unfortunately meant that going once, twice, or even three times meant that you would fail to reach your minimum of five times. So little by little you felt guilty about failing to reach the minimum, and then thinking of going to the gym just reminded you of that failure, so you went even less, and by going less, there were fewer results. So with little to no results or changes after a month, it was very easy to completely give up and stop going altogether.
How can you fix this?
When making a decision to lose weight or to start getting exercise, it helps to set a specific goal that can be measured and with a specific deadline so that progress can be assessed over time. There also need to be follow-up questions about how much weight you want to lose and by when? It’s important to link the overall results to an even bigger goal. Finish this thought: By losing 10 pounds, I will be able to… (fit into this pair of jeans or wear that new dress to my friend’s wedding next month, etc.) Also, visualize yourself doing that action and imagine how it will feel knowing that you reached that goal. I’m pretty sure that it even feels a little good right now just picturing yourself being able to do that. That visualization is really key to the goal-setting process because whether or not you feel like going to the gym, you can remind yourself of that nice feeling you’ll get knowing that you’re getting closer to your goal with each visit to the gym. Going to the gym is a means, not an end. So even if you go just one time at first, you’re still getting closer to your goal compared to not going at all.
How does this relate to language learning?
I’m glad you asked because there is a lot in common with going to the gym and learning a language. Though your brain isn’t technically a muscle, it needs still exercise and a regular workout routine in order to see some results. When most people decide to start learning a new language, they don’t really know how to get started, and they might bite off more than they can chew and then get burnt out. So, similar to the decision to start going to the gym five times a week right off the bat, there is a chance that you might overcommit without realizing it by setting a goal such as studying for one hour every day fives times a week in the first month. Just like it will be frustrating if you skip a day at the gym, it will also feel frustrating if you only study for a half hour instead of an hour. This overcommitment can set you up for failure and when you start something new, it’s better to start small at first and then work your way up. So, instead try to commit to 20 minutes a day three times a week. This way skipping days is not a problem and if you have less than a half hour, that’s perfectly fine at first. Once you get this small habit in place it will become easier to keep it going and to even expand on it.
Schedule it
One of my business mentors, Chris Ducker, likes to remind people that “If it doesn’t get scheduled, it doesn’t get done.” And this applies very well to language learning as well. If you only wait to work on something important when you have free time, it’s never going to happen and you’ll get frustrated if it doesn’t happen. If it’s a priority to you, then make it a priority on your schedule and block off some time when you know that you’ll be alert, refreshed, and able to concentrate for about a half hour. It’s also better to schedule this earlier in the day instead of waiting until later on after work or when the kids go to bed because chances are you’ll be more tired and less alert. One language learner I know has a great analogy comparing your energy level to your cell phone battery because both function better at full capacity.
Stay accountable
In the past few years, I’ve gotten more and more involved in community-based language-learning groups. For almost two years now I’ve been running the 30-Day Speaking Challenge, which has given me fantastic opportunities to observe the benefits of accountability and motivation. To me, this means that you tell other people what your goals are, you inform them little by little as you accomplish them and track them, and they give you a high-five for sticking to your goals. Your own motivation will likely fluctuate over time and that is completely normal, so it’s really important to be surrounded by like-minded people who can support, encourage, inspire, and push you onward to bigger goals. The 30-Day Speaking Challenge participants are some of the most inspiring and passionate language learners I have met and it’s an extremely supportive and nurturing community. Everyone has positive feedback and praise for each other, which effectively contributes to making the language learning process something that you want to keep doing and feel good about doing.
Have fun
Sometimes when I ask adult students about what it was like to learn a foreign language as a kid in school, one thing they almost always mention is how boring it was. The book wasn’t interesting, the teacher didn’t know how to teach, the students felt obligated to learn, they weren’t motivated to participate, so basically, nobody wanted to be there. Unfortunately, this mental image about language learning gets stuck for a lot of people. It’s time though to hit the refresh button. A lot has changed in language learning in the past 20 years and as an adult and as an independent learner, you have much more control over creating a stimulating learning environment that works the way you want it and that adapts to your needs, learning style, and availability. It’s very important to do something that you find enjoyable. If you don’t enjoy it, chances are that you’re going to give up easily or avoid it, but if it’s something that you look forward to and anticipate, then the experience will be even more rewarding.
Track and share your progress
This can be similar to staying accountable, but the main idea is to find ways to publish your progress and to share it with fellow learners and native speakers. A few ways to do this are to take pictures of your notebooks for Instagram, make a 1-minute recording of yourself speaking in your target language on Instagram or in your story if you don’t want your recording to stick around forever, upload a video to a YouTube channel, upload a recording to SoundCloud, submit writing samples on Italki in the community notes section for feedback and corrections, start a blog, join a Facebook group, participate in language forums, etc. Part of the goal of learning a language is to meet new people and to be able to talk with them, so chances are you’re not alone in your language studies and more experienced learners can follow your progress online and help point you in the right direction. Native speakers and online teachers can give you feedback on pronunciation, grammar, word choice, and style. Don’t just keep your learning process all to yourself, share it, be social, and you’ll find many advantages and benefits to doing this.
Set S.M.A.R.T goals
If you haven’t heard of S.M.A.R.T goals, then have a listen to this interview I had on the All Ears English podcast to talk about them and I also mentioned a really helpful book that is great for goal-setting.
What recommendations can you add to these tips for sticking with your language learning resolutions?
Let me know in a comment below and help share these tips with your language learning friends. Also, don’t forget to join the next edition of the 30-Day Speaking Challenge, we start on the first of each month, it’s free to join, and it’s an excellent way to create a habit of speaking for a few minutes every day no matter your target language or level.