We’ve all been there. List of verbs and endless tasks, going blank when you want to speak the language, facing moments when you think about giving up everything. In this post I will share 7 tips to stop procrastinating when learning a language.
Tip #1
Remind yourself daily your goal
Having a reason is key when learning a new language. It can be important because we need it to get a new job, moved countries, want to visit the country or communicate with people who speak the language. We may do it for leisure or enjoyment. One piece of advice is to visualize yourself speaking the language or remind yourself why you started just before entering the class or when you are about to study. This will make you change your mindset and see the situation in a more positive and pleasant way.
Stick a “post-it” note in your notebook, on the cover of your textbook or on your computer visualizing where and who you will see when you manage to speak the language.
Ask yourself: Why do I want to learn and speak the language?
Tip #2
Make a weekly schedule with your goals
It is essential to create a weekly study plan and establish schedules that adapt to your life. With this planning your brain will feel much more motivated. Taking small steps is proven to improve motivation and stop procrastination. With more order and with your weekly goal in mind, it will be easier to visualize yourself learning that long list of vocabulary.
Ask yourself: am I using the right study method?
Tip #3
Use a habit tracker
It is equally important to keep track of whether I am meeting those objectives. Discipline is trained. To do this we can use resources such as the famous “habit trackers”.
What is a “habit tracker”?
A habit tracker is a very simple tool to measure whether or not you fulfilled a habit. It is a system or method that consists of recording the fulfillment of your habits through a calendar. Basically it is marking with a mark, or a cross, or a bullet, the objective that you have set for yourself.
You can find notebooks designed for this, for example, this one.
Or create your own. You only need the dates and some boxes where you can mark if you have met your daily goal.
Tip #4
Find people to practice the language with.
Links make it easier for us to learn a language in every way. It could be through a classmate who feels just as motivated as you and wants to practice the language or perhaps you look for a group of native people from that country to practice and exchange experiences.
A language is something practical that requires socialization to be able to acquire it easily and practically.
It can be intimidating at first, but very comforting when you overcome the barrier and lose the fear of making mistakes.
Our students meet once a month to speak Spanish and English. It is a very rewarding experience. You can ask us for more information about this event here.
Tip #5
Stay motivated with a reward
Once you keep track of your habits, it’s always good to have a reward system to motivate you.
For me, a reward would be a nice book written in the language you are learning, planning a trip to the country where the language is spoken or giving yourself a treat from the country: some typical chocolates, some cheese, a sweet or even a new notebook (to continue taking notes in class or write your essays).
Tip #6
Create the ideal study space
Maybe, you will think that is not such and important fact but feeling that we are in a tidy space, without noise, with the correct temperature, influences the way we learn.
That’s why I recommend that you find a corner of your house where you can relax. If you don’t have one, you can go to public spaces like the library where the study environment is a sure guarantee of motivation.
Tip #7
Use resources that you like and you find entertaining
I already mentioned it in this post.
We have to incorporate different resources to continue practicing the language outside of class.
Reading is a great way to continue improving and increasing our vocabulary. Read aloud to improve pronunciation. You can listen to podcasts, news and even watch videos on YouTube on topics that interest you. Use mobile applications that make the learning experience more fun (Duolingo, Babbel, Memerise). Watching television series is also a good idea if you already have a good level. Platforms like Netflix, Disney+ or HBO in Spain are a good source of international series and documentaries with which you can add a little more of the language to your life.
Have you tried any of these tips? Do you find it difficult to stay motivated when learning a language? I read you in the comments.
Start your journey to fluency and motivation today by booking a free online class here.
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¡Hasta luego!
María
