Overcoming Discouragement: Strategies for Continuous Language Learning
Understanding Your Motivation
Embarking on the journey of learning a new language can be exhilarating and fascinating, but it's not without its challenges. One of the most common obstacles is discouragement.
Identifying Why You Are Learning
When you're learning a new language, understanding your reasons for doing so can help you stay motivated. It might be because you want to communicate more effectively with people who speak that language, or simply because you're curious about different cultures and ways of expression. Perhaps you're fascinated by a song or a movie, or you desire to travel to a foreign country and enjoy the local culture without barriers. Whatever your reason, it's crucial to remind yourself of it whenever you feel discouraged.
Engaging with Cultural Media
Watching Movies and Television
One effective way to maintain your motivation is by immersing yourself in the language through media. Watching movies or television shows with subtitles can be a great method. If you can find content in the language you're learning, even with subtitles, it can be an excellent tool to enhance your understanding and vocabulary. A personal anecdote comes to mind from my time in Eritrea, where a theater showed mostly American movies with subtitles in Arabic and French. Though I could only handle one foreign language at a time, this experience greatly helped me learn French.
The subtitles are not just a tool for understanding; they serve as a visual aid to reinforce your learning. By making a habit of watching movies or television shows, you can ensure that you're consistently engaged with the language, even without expending much additional effort.
Utilizing Audio Resources
Pimsleur and Car Listening
Another approach is to take advantage of audio resources, like Pimsleur. This language learning program allows you to immerse yourself in the language by actively listening and repeating phrases out loud. I often use Pimsleur while driving, which makes it a convenient and effective way to continue my language practice without requiring much time or effort from me.
The key with audio resources is consistency. By using these tools regularly, you can reinforce your learning and build your confidence in the language over time.
Reading and Media Consumption
Another strategy is to read or watch content related to topics you are interested in. Even if you don't understand everything, the enjoyment and engagement you get from the material can keep you motivated. In high school, I learned more French by gulping through a Dumas novel when the 2-page-a-night assignment was too cumbersome. It allowed me to enjoy the story and understand the language better than a strictly controlled method would have.
The best part is, you don't have to stick to a rigid comprehension method. By starting with more relaxed reading or watching, you can enhance your language skills without feeling overwhelmed. When you're ready, you can gradually return to more focused learning methods to prepare for class or further study.
Conclusion
Learning a new language is a journey filled with ups and downs. However, with the right strategies, you can overcome discouragement and continue to progress. Whether it's immersing yourself in cultural media, using audio resources, or consuming content in an engaging manner, there are many tools at your disposal to keep you motivated and engaged. So, don't let discouragement get the better of you. Keep learning, keep exploring, and keep enjoying the enriching experience of language learning.
Additional Tips
1. Constant exposure: Keep your exposure to the language regular and varied to stay motivated and engaged.
2. Set small goals: Break your language learning journey into smaller, achievable goals to maintain a sense of progress and accomplishment.
3. Find a study partner: Sometimes, learning with a partner can provide additional motivation and accountability.