Motivating yourself to learn - How about a new year’s resolution?
It is never too late to learn something new, especially a new language. Languages are an imperative skill in today’s globalised world and knowing a foreign language can make or break your chances of getting that dream job you desire! This article lays out some tips for you to get yourself motivated and learn a new language in the new year.
Set clear and realistic goals
Goal setting is the most important element when planning to do any sort of activity. Planning to learn a new language is no different. Let us take English as an example. If you are a beginner or have limited knowledge of the language, and you wish to know more and get better at it through attending classes, be realistic. Do not expect to be writing and speaking fluent English in a couple of months (unless you absorb knowledge like a sponge; in that case good for you!).
The reason why you are seeking to learn a new language makes a difference in your motivation level as well. Apart from academic goals (mentioned above), there are also long-term goals which you need to keep in mind. Asking yourself questions like ‘how is a new language going to help me?’ or ‘what do I wish to achieve?’ will keep you motivated for a lengthy period of time if you believe that what you are doing will be of benefit to you in the future.
Take it slow and stick to it!
The best way to motivate yourself is to plan out and know your learning process in advance. A well laid out plan will lower the chances of you getting overwhelmed and abandoning the whole idea.
By breaking down complex chapters and exercises into smaller and simpler pieces, you will be pacing yourself. This will facilitate your learning as taking it one step at a time will boost your confidence knowing that you are slowly learning a new language!
Another motivating technique is routine. Set a specific time in your day during which you do nothing but study and learn. If you do this on a consistent basis it becomes part of your daily routine and after a while, it becomes difficult to let go. Habitual activities are a positive if they contribute to your personal development.
Get excited and do the research
Starting a new project is always exciting, especially if that project will take you away from home shores. For instance, if you are seeking to learn English in Malta, do the research and get to know the place you will be settling in. By getting to know the culture, environment and way of life of your future destination you can prepare yourself better for your studies.
It also helps if you do some research and get yourself excited about what you are going to learn. The English language is a multi-layer language that can be very fun to read, write and speak. By looking into the language, even the very basics, you will be better prepared to start the learning process and know what to expect!