Keeping yourself Motivated

From Learn Any Language

Many who study languages (or whatever subject it may be), experience ups and downs when it comes to motivation. One of the keys to learning a language however, is to always keep at it, to do something every day (no matter how small it may be). This will be an inspirational page where everyone can add their ideas for keeping that crucial motivation up.

[edit] Why do you study your language?

There are many reasons for which people choose to study languages.

• Out of sheer interest in the language, let's call it passion.
• From necessity; you live in the country of your target language.
• For something job and/or education related.
• Other.

When you lack any kind of motivation to continue with your language, go back a couple of steps and think about the why?. Is it because you really love your language? Let's hope so. If you love it, think about what makes you love it, why you got interested in it to begin with, and think about what your goal is.

Motivation can easily get somewhat diminished when we experience no improvement. In the beginning, you learn a lot of new things all the time and progress can be fast. After some time though, it may seem like you are trodding on the same spot for months. Is your goal to speak with people? Then do so, only practise makes perfect, and no one expects you to be perfect at the beginning. Is your goal to read books? Then read and read and read. In these stages, progress may be less evident, but all of a sudden you will come to the realisation, "I couldn't do this two months ago!". The key is to always keep at it. Don't give up just because you didn't reach fluency in two years.

Remember that the fun is in the learning.

[edit] Some tips and ideas

• Discipline. After all, it does come down to this. Not everyone is naturally self-disciplined, not everyone can spend five hours every day studying. However, it is something that can be built up. You can become self-disciplined. Set up goals to study X minutes/hours a day and don't get over-enthusiastic at first if you are a true slacker. As you get used to your daily routine, start increasing it. Soon you will hopefully not be able to skip your learning session without feeling bad and that alone can be your motivation. Create your own language conscience. It may sound crude, but for some it works.
• Variation is essential to most people, and you need to do different things to cover the different aspects of your language. Unless you follow a language course to the point and use nothing else, try working with the following:
  • Read stories or articles. Think about what kind of language you want to read. Modern journalism from newspapers? Modern literature? Old literature? Don't go for a 300 page book at once, read things that you feel that you will actually be able to complete. However, if you are certain about a 300 page book, then go ahead.
  • Write essays. But do make sure someone corrects them as well! This is a great way to write thought through things, to force yourself to look up sentence constructions, to really think. It is, of course, easier if you have someone who gives you a subject and a deadline.
  • Listen to songs. Get a hold of as much music as you can in your target language and listen through it all. You must find some songs you really like. When you really like what you are listening to, you are more likely to pay attention to it.
  • Listen to the radio when you are doing other things. Cleaning the apartment on a Sunday? Why not also listen to some Turkish radio while doing it?
  • Movies. When motivation is really low, most can still manage to watch a movie in the target language, or why not any movie but with subtitles in your target language?
  • Translations. To translate, and have someone check your translation, is a great way of seeing how well you really understand your language and its different aspects.
  • Learn vocabulary. Use a flashcard software or make your own flashcards, use word lists, make vocabulary mind maps. If you have an artistic touch, why not use this to make vocabulary acquisition more interesting? Draw graffiti in your target language or whatever pleases you.
  • Peruse grammar books. Some of us just love it, and there's no shame in admitting it. Do indulge in those grammar books.
  • Try some new method. There's plenty of them around. Listening-Reading Method for example. Just browse this Wikia some!

When one thinks about it, there's so many different things to do with a language that it's a wonder one can still get bored with it. But if one does, then what?

[edit] Other solutions

When it is really that bad, then perhaps a small break is in order. Are you only studying one language? Then perhaps looking at another one could be fun. Let's say that you study Spanish, why not take a look at something different like Croatian? Some experience that their previous language was more fun and easier and that can be enough to get you back on track. And yet again, if you have just had an overload of Spanish, then some relaxation with Croatian will keep you on track (study wise) while letting you breathe some.

Another really good thing to do is to surf language learning blogs and the HTLAL learning logs. Reading about other people's motivation and progress is a good way to get your own back!