How to stay motivated and keep learning a language
A couple of weeks before the holidays, I was flooded with SOS messages. Most came from prospective immigrants who had realized French was their only way to reach the score they needed. They had thrown themselves into learning a language they’d never planned to study and were running into all sorts of difficulties. ⠀
I have a motivating story about this! ⠀
The French language happened in my life just as suddenly. I dreamed of enrolling in a foreign language. — I was enrolled in the French department. I thought, “Well, ok... It’s strange, who needs him anyway.” And I began to look forward to learning new things, not understanding, like many of my current students, what awaited me. ⠀
They took care of us thoroughly, raising us to be perfectionists with no room for error. The groups are small, attention is focused on you - practically an individual. There was never enough time to master the entire volume. Sometimes I couldn’t pass the assignment the first, second, or third time. I often gave up. But as soon as the pace slowed down, the threat of expulsion immediately began to loom. ⠀
We didn’t see any foreigners in the first year of study - they rarely come to Arkhangelsk. There was no one to practice “real” speech with. And then in the second year a live Frenchman came to our lesson! I’m on the first desk, I ask him a question and... he doesn’t understand me. And this is after a year of such intensive preparation. Shame! ⠀
Of course, I was upset. But then I realized that, apparently, we need to change the approach. Place more emphasis on practice. ⠀
And I began to cling to every opportunity to communicate with the French. I looked for them on the then paid Internet in ICQ or a mail agent. It was a strange practice, but it happened! True, it was very scary to start a conversation every time - what if it was a fiasco again? In the 5th year, a whole delegation came to us. We taught them to drink vodka - this somehow dulled my fear and slightly lowered the language barrier. ⠀
It's difficult for everyone! But by overcoming fears and the experience of unsuccessful attempts, you educate yourself. It is you who decide whether to move on or give up everything. And it is easier to accept it when there is an important goal. For example, not dropping out of university or moving to your dream country. ⠀
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