What's it really like to learn a language ?
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
I'm writing this post, not as a language teacher, but as a learner, since I've been learning a new language for the past couple of years.
It's work
There are no two ways about it. Learning a language takes time, effort, and commitment.
BUT
It's satisfying
The proof is literally in the pudding. You know when you know, because you're using the language! And you know when it works, when people understand you and respond, which is so much fun and so satisfying! So there's no room for doubt (although my students try their utmost best to slot some in! ;-) )
It's practical
The more things I learn, the more scope I have when talking. I'm a fiction writer, so the first things I learned to say, were 'writer', 'writing', 'novel', and 'to write', so I could talk about what I love. And that is fun!
It's cyclical
And not the steep climb most people imagine. You don't just learn one language point and move on to the next one. Everything is useful at all times when talking. Regular revisions help me check what is solid and what needs consolidating, which means the pressure of knowing everything perfectly at once does not feature in the process.
It evolves with you
Languages are communication tools, which we adapt to our lives and our needs. Those change with us. The learning process evolves as well, as we get more organised, trained and confident. Neither my students nor myself dreamed of making friends in a new language, but we did! And one of my students, who didn't use to read, has become an avid reader in French, recommending me novels from time to time! You don't know where the process will take you and that's exciting.
It's fun, if you let it be fun
Yes, there are grammar rules to learn, rote learning is mechanical, and there are quirks in every language. But there's so much fun to be had, as long as you see the new language as a way to gain access to more communication, more information, more interests, more scope, more life, more people, more!
Sometimes, I feel tired and I don't want to learn a new group of verbs. But very quickly, I remind myself of the joy I feel in not only seeing my own progress, week after week, but of the fact that my life would have been entirely different without languages, and would have been the poorer for it.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch.
