Learning a language should NOT be a chore.
Bear with me, even if learning languages does not float your boat. What is written here can apply to any topic.
However, certain approaches to learning, are sometimes not particularly inspiring, or not adapted to a particular audience.
We are all different. We all have our strengths and preferences.
One person may be more attracted to spoken and listening. Others might be satisfied with a more classical grammar-based approach.
Either is fine, so long as it is suited to you.
The 4 Skills
To make progress and to spare yourself from becoming saturated, overwhelmed and potentially demotivated, it is important to stimulate your brain with a mixture of the 4 skills:
- Reading
- Writing
- Listening
- Speaking
To this, I would add that taking time away from the learning process, can help give your brain time to digest and assimilate everything that you have thrown at it, so far.
If you’re living in a different country, leaving for a short break can be a catalyst to renewed motivation and a leap forward when you come back to that country. Your mind can be refreshed and a few pennies may just start to drop.
The Launchpad
It is frequent to experience overwhelm or to reach a plateau. I would bet that we’ve all been there before, regardless of the topic.
This is perfectly normal in the learning process.
This stage should be considered as a moment for gathering your thoughts, your wits. A time to let the dust settle or let the knowledge sink in.
Take time to do completely different activities: Go for a walk. Do some gardening, a bit of weeding. Listen to music. Go hammer a few nails in a piece of wood.
By varying your learning journey (see 4 skills above), this plateau can be turned into a launchpad. A stepping-stone to the next level.
Give yourself a break. Give your brain a break, and above all, give it some variety on your learning journey!
Food for thought!
Check out this blogpost on ‘Your Brain And Your Ability To Focus‘
We’d love to hear your comments on what you do to avoid overwhelm and/or demotivation.
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