So many people truly, genuinely want to learn a foreign language, but somehow never get around to it. For some, the stumbling block is the misconception that “serious” language learning requires an expensive, time-consuming course. Others just don’t know where to start. If you’ve been thinking of learning a foreign language “some day,” here are some ways to break through the procrastination habit and get started today.
Consider Why You’re Procrastinating
Reason #1: Confusion
Are you confused about what to learn first or concerned about misteaching yourself and doing permanent damage to your vocabulary or accent? If so, presuming neither a classroom-based course or private tutor are in the budget right now, find a good self-study course and use that as your jumping off point.
Look for a professionally designed course with above-average reviews, but don’t waste time searching for “the perfect course” that will teach you everything you need to know and do so flawlessly.
Your first course is just the beginning. No course or textbook can teach you everything, much less teach you everything perfectly, but the good ones can get you started, which is all you need at this point. For common languages, Pimsleur (for “immersion” style) and the Teach Yourself courses (for more structured study) are both good.
Reason #2: Boredom
Are you expected to learn this language for school, work, or another reason that has nothing to do with what you really want to do with your time? In that case, focus on what ultimate goal you’ll be able to reach once you pass your language exam.
Take a few minutes to write down what’s in it for you if you meet your language learning goals. It might be opportunities like applying for better jobs, getting a raise, meeting your degree requirements and graduating on time, understanding your favorite songs in the language, translating your great-grandmother’s recipe book, or just talking with the native speakers around you. Put your list of rewards where you’ll see it every day.
Ease in
Learning a language can seem like an overwhelming task if you really think about everything you need to learn. Hundreds, maybe thousands of words! Dozens of grammar rules! Exceptions galore! The names of all the past prime ministers’ pets in alphabetical order!
If thinking about all that drains your motivation, stop thinking about it. Just take one small step toward involving the language in your daily routine. Today. Buy some music in your target language and put it on while you’re doing something else. Better yet, pick up an audio course and listen whenever you have a little time.
Sign up for a word-a-day email or similar service. Keep some light reading material with you (in your purse, your car, etc.) that you can skim when you have a few spare minutes. If you’re just starting to learn the language, a pocket phrasebook is ideal for this.
These first steps should be things you can easily manage on a daily basis, even when on busier days. Daily involvement with the language is essential for keeping up your momentum.
Set Modest Goals
Baby steps, that is. Instead of intimidating yourself with far-off major goals, break things down into tasks that you’re 100% certain you can do.
Conventional language-teacher wisdom says the average learner can learn about seven words a day. Think you can learn five? Or maybe just three? While this may sound like a slow rate, it’s still faster than learning nothing until you’re “ready” to start learning 10 words a day.
For grammar and other features of the language, check the recommended period of time for working through your chosen course book. If you’re not sure, ask a language teacher at a local college or private language school. Give yourself twice that much time so you can work at a relaxed, no-stress pace.
Find a Partner
There’s nothing like another person holding you accountable to keep you on track. Post a notice at the library, college or other place of learning, the grocery store or online at craigslist.org looking for a local partner to practice your target language with. With luck, you may get a whole group together.
If you’re studying a less common language (Urdu, anyone? Aramaic, maybe?), you may want to pair up with someone studying any language at all so you can at least encourage each other.
An online language exchange partner is another option. Check out sites like livemocha.com or italki.com to find a native speaker of your target language to pair up with.
Fit Words in Edgewise
A big part of what keeps us procrastinating is the feeling that we don’t have time to study. By making use of little scraps of free time throughout the day, you might be surprised how much you can learn.
Keep some study material by your bed so you can review before you turn out the lights and again before you get up. Tie study to tasks you already do every day. Mentally compose a dialogue in your target language while you’re taking a shower or making the bed.
Review a grammar topic in your car before you start home from work. The trick with this is to keep your study material accessible. It you have to dig it out of a drawer or turn on the computer to get to it, it’s easy to forget about it. Check out the post on How to Learn Foreign Language Vocabulary When You Have No Time to Study fore more time management tips.
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