Learning another language can be a difficult process sometimes so it helps to have some methods to stay motivated. Below I discuss a few ways that you can keep yourself motivated while learning your target language.
1) Daily/Weekly/Monthly goals. Tracking your goals is best done by keeping some sort of journal, but even if you simply take a look back at your notes you'll be able to track your progress. How many words have you learned since you started your studies? How many words can you write in your target language?
2) Reward yourself. For every accomplishment, big or small, it helps to have some sort of way to reward yourself for your progress. Maybe it's chocolate, coffee, a night out or whatever, don't forget that you need to get away from your studies every now and then to give your brain a break. That's what rewards are for!
3) Simply start and start simply. Sometimes the simple thought of studying can be a burden but by simply starting and keeping it simple you'll be able to inch closer to your goals.
4) Think of how you'll feel if you don't do it. It's when you really don't want to do anything that you have to remind yourself of your goals, and that goes together with how you'll feel if you don't work towards them. Even if you do just a bit at a time, you'll feel much better if you at least do something rather than nothing. Doing nothing doesn't move you any closer to your language goals but by simply doing one little thing you'll be further ahead already.
5) Discuss what you've learned. Talk about what you've learned with a friend or classmate. Doing so not only reminds you of what you've learned, but may help uncover some trouble spots, either for you or your friend.
6) Stay off of social media. There's no bigger power drain than jumping on social media sites "just to check in." If you don't have to (and you rarely have to) then don't. Not only will you free your mind from all of the "noise", you'll give your eyes and brain an opportunity to look away from the computer screen.
7) Take a walk and do a review. If you're tempted to check your email one last time, go for a walk instead. While walking, take a look around you and see how much you can identify in your target language. Can you name all the colours? Animals? People? Can you ask for directions? By getting some exercise you'll get the blood flowing again and energize you for the next study session.
1) Daily/Weekly/Monthly goals. Tracking your goals is best done by keeping some sort of journal, but even if you simply take a look back at your notes you'll be able to track your progress. How many words have you learned since you started your studies? How many words can you write in your target language?
2) Reward yourself. For every accomplishment, big or small, it helps to have some sort of way to reward yourself for your progress. Maybe it's chocolate, coffee, a night out or whatever, don't forget that you need to get away from your studies every now and then to give your brain a break. That's what rewards are for!
3) Simply start and start simply. Sometimes the simple thought of studying can be a burden but by simply starting and keeping it simple you'll be able to inch closer to your goals.
4) Think of how you'll feel if you don't do it. It's when you really don't want to do anything that you have to remind yourself of your goals, and that goes together with how you'll feel if you don't work towards them. Even if you do just a bit at a time, you'll feel much better if you at least do something rather than nothing. Doing nothing doesn't move you any closer to your language goals but by simply doing one little thing you'll be further ahead already.
5) Discuss what you've learned. Talk about what you've learned with a friend or classmate. Doing so not only reminds you of what you've learned, but may help uncover some trouble spots, either for you or your friend.
6) Stay off of social media. There's no bigger power drain than jumping on social media sites "just to check in." If you don't have to (and you rarely have to) then don't. Not only will you free your mind from all of the "noise", you'll give your eyes and brain an opportunity to look away from the computer screen.
7) Take a walk and do a review. If you're tempted to check your email one last time, go for a walk instead. While walking, take a look around you and see how much you can identify in your target language. Can you name all the colours? Animals? People? Can you ask for directions? By getting some exercise you'll get the blood flowing again and energize you for the next study session.
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