Learning plans are highly personal and customizable. They reflect the preferences, differences, and capacities of the people who use them. While there are certainly “proven” methods for better vocabulary retention and improved memory function, certain strategies are simply bound to work better for some individuals and not for others. In any case, the human tendency to “create boxes for ourselves and then reward ourselves for staying in them” (the way I usually express this phenomenon) is overarching and can leave us feeling at a loss, demotivated, and out-of-bounds when we don’t follow our own learning plan or get off our schedule. Here are a few ways to combat that:
· Stop Bullying Yourself
You heard me… if you wouldn’t want someone to berate you at work for not being quite up to par, then stop doing it to yourself. Negative self-talk affects your learning process and prolongs feelings of demotivation. Don’t overthink skipping a day, losing track of time, or falling asleep on your book. Stop blaming yourself on such a deep level for not being able to keep a constant schedule of the same old exercises. Some days we just don’t sleep enough, get bogged down with work, or are distracted with more important matters.
· Take Demotivation as a Sign
Your burnout may be signaling you to make a healthy change in your routine. If you always use the same methods and means of learning a language, consider changing something up. If you always use the same playlist, create or discover a new one. Find a new podcast, take a day off the books and watch a movie in your target language, or meet up with a native speaker. Anything which interests you and jolts you out of a possible learning rut will remind you why you’re learning and restart your motivation.
· Engage and Learn through Criticism
One of the most useful (and somewhat painful) things I ever did was get out of my secluded learning cave and engage with native speakers who were willing to correct me. Harshness or rigidity can be something we encounter (especially as we cross cultural lines) but in my experience, it is well-intended. Reframing how we think about constructive critiques and appreciating them as an investment in us will take us all so much further than hiding in our shells! Offering to do a “language exchange” with someone will benefit both participants and will take the edge off one-sided corrections. Find someone who understands your goals and believes in you, and they’ll help you succeed!
Especially in consideration of the last point, it is good to remember that there is no such thing as the perfect learner. The most positive thing you’ll do for yourself is learn how to honestly gauge your process, open your mind to good critiques, and allow yourself the space to adapt. Learning is supposed to bring new experiences and positive outcomes to your life, not subtract from it or burden you.
Take care and keep learning!
Copyright Lauri Speaks℗, 2023