This is What Learning Two Languages Has Taught Me...

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Let’s talk about it.

Language learning isn’t for everyone.

But who knows, maybe you’ll benefit from the lessons that I’ve learned.

It doesn’t have to be specifically languages, but the methods I’ve implemented over the last few months are definitely applicable to other areas of learning.

I was never a great learner at school.

I never had the best learning methods.

Never did that well in exams.

But when I look back, I must have done something right, I guess.

I think about the position I’m in. Again, it's all about gratitude.

So for now, while I’m not having to do any exams for work (thank God), I figured because of my love for cultures and traveling, I have to get fixated on learning French and Arabic, regardless of how slow my progression is.

Last year, I was too on and off, never really serious.

I’d understand a few words here and there from songs but it became something I couldn’t deny.

The benefits of learning exceeded the drawbacks by a mile.

So I had to go in with a plan.

And for anything you wish to learn, these are essentially the factors you need to consider.

1. Clear Goals, Clear Vision.

I needed to understand my motivations for learning and what I wanted to achieve.

As I embarked on my language learning journey, I quickly realized that it was not just about mastering vocabulary or grammar but also about personal growth with my own development.

Identifying the ‘why’ is always important.

If the answer is not convincing enough, it’s something you’ll struggle to stick with.

It’s different at school or work when you’re essentially forced to pass a class or reach the next stage of qualifications.

For me, learning a language is personal.

No one’s going to tell me to sit down after 9 hours of work.

No one’s here to instill the words into me.

It’s all about sticking to my vision and putting the work in with small achievable goals.

Think about it with content creation or any concept.

You might have genuine interests and motivations, but that will only carry you so far.

2. Create a Structured Study Schedule.

Different methods work for different people.

After countless hours of experimenting, I’ve realised that writing down new words and implementing them into sentences helped me to remember them.

These would be added into a flashcard app (Anki), where I would look to recall them once a day for a week then once every few days after becoming familiar.

You might be a visual learner, or you might benefit from constant repetition.

The most boring method is the flashcard app, whereas I enjoy writing notes or watching a TV series.

The best plan of action will be a mix so you can learn anything within a short period of time.

It’s all about best utilising your time to efficiently retain whatever you’re learning and ensure it sticks.

A combination of different methods will provide you with the best results.

I’m always identifying and refining, but my schedule now is one where I have set methods so I’m consistently immersing myself in both languages.

3. Develop Systems and Frameworks.

Who said you can’t watch Anime or The Office in French?

I use tools like spaced repetition for vocabulary retention and immersive methods like watching shows or conversing with native speakers.

These systems not only streamlined my learning but also made it enjoyable, allowing me to track my progress effectively.

Gamifying and simplifying the experience of learning helps to avoid burnout and boredom.

When I had to revise for work exams, I couldn’t watch TV shows on it as it was finance-related modules, but turning it into a fun experience helped to break down pages and pages of content where it became easier to understand difficult concepts.

And the frameworks? Simple methods like the Pomodoro Technique, which I advocate a lot to break a 2h session down into this:

• 25 minutes of flashcards

• 5-minute snack break

• 30 minutes of writing from a course

• 10-minute stretch break

• 25-minute podcast breaking down prepositions or a grammar concept

• 5-minute break

• 20 minutes reading

When it all becomes overwhelming, having a system keeps you coming back to learn effectively and avoid the excuses of “I’ll do it tomorrow.”

4. Daily Practice = 1% Better Every Day.

Consistency is key in language learning.

Or any learning for that matter.

My aim has been to practice for at least 30-60 minutes every day, focusing on listening, writing, or reading skills.

Speaking is something I’m still working on.

You can’t tell me you don’t have time when you’re scrolling through TikTok.

Tailor your algorithm to your language.

Regular practice helps to reinforce what you’ve learned.

People sleep on the short burst sessions but I’ve truly experienced burnout and resented studying by trying to cram or do hours and hours.

Working smart means working with your energy to do small amounts daily, but with intention to ensure you’re actually improving daily.

1% is always better than nothing.

5. Cultural Integration.

Exploring the culture associated with the language enhances motivation and understanding.

Watch movies, listen to music, or read books in the target language.

Consume and consume.

Part of my love for both languages comes from traveling to numerous countries within the last year that primarily speak those two languages.

Engaging with cultural content helps you grasp the language's nuances, something that cannot always be taught with courses or YouTube videos.

While it can be difficult for some, I try my best to travel to the countries that speak French and Arabic, where I’ll try to put my ego aside and put myself out there despite it being embarrassing.

It’s always the effort that speaks volumes to natives.

6. Small Progress, Long-Term Results.

Most importantly, maintaining a positive mindset will be crucial.

I’ve had many doubts based on failed attempts to nail pronunciation or remember certain conjugated words.

After constant work, I’ve learned to celebrate small victories and view mistakes as valuable lessons rather than setbacks.

This shift in perspective has helped to fuel my passion for language learning.

You might beat yourself up because something won’t go in, but learning anything is a process where some things will naturally stick, whereas other things need more reviewing or refining.

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The bottom line

This isn’t one of those overnight successes.

No shortcuts.

I work daily to build up my knowledge and understanding.

The methods I used for language learning are a culmination of methods I’ve been using my whole life for university and work.

Of course not all of them are effective, so it’s taught me to adapt and pick up new techniques and ways of thinking.

And that’s all part of my daily creative win.

But we aim to get 1% better each day.

Your challenge for this week: You’re bound to learn something new daily, even if you don’t intend to. Ask yourself:

• What method best helps me to retain information?

• Is there something I can refine to help things stick better?

• If I have the intention to learn something, is my ‘why strong enough and have I set clear goals?

For me I’ve spent countless hours studying and I still struggle to hold a simple conversation.

It’s a tedious process.

It will be confusing.

But think about the benefits.

How it rewires your brain to adapt to new learnings and pick up new information faster.

It’s something future you will look back on with pride.

If you need some help with this or want to discuss it further, feel free to reach out on Instagram @liftlangleon.

Till next time, peace.

LiftLangLeon