🌿 A Reminder to Language Learners (and Myself)

Doing What Works for You

Learning a language is a long journey where we may encounter discouraging moments from time to time. I hope these reminders can help you stay consistent in your language learning journey.

🎯 Routines, Plans and Goals

• Your language learning routine is yours

• You don't need to use that app just because that polyglot uses it

• Achieving fluency doesn’t have to be your only goal

• You don't need to study 3 hours a day because someone said it’s the fastest way to become fluent

• You can change or postpone your goals if they aren’t working for you

• Using planners and tracking apps can keep you on track but what’s most important is the effectiveness of your studies

• You don’t need to be a polyglot

📚 Resources

• You don't need to learn 15 cards daily on Anki to increase your vocabulary

• Spaced repetition systems aren’t the only way to learn a language

• You don't need to buy another textbook

• You can move on to other resources

• Free resources are just as good as paid resources

• It’s okay to dabble in resources

• Listening to music in your target language can be useful in learning new words and phrases

• Comprehensible input has its benefits but the best type of resource is the one you’ll actually use

💡 Skills and Abilities

• You don't need to speak from day one

• You don't need to wait until you've mastered everything to start speaking

• It’s okay to forget words

• Don’t worry if you don’t have perfect pronunciation

• If you don’t want to read in your target language, that’s okay

• Don’t be afraid to talk to native speakers

• Not all of your language skills will be at the same levels

• It’s okay to make grammar mistakes

• Language tests don’t tell you everything about your language abilities

• Native media isn’t so scary

• Dreaming in another language is fun but it doesn’t always mean you’ve reached fluency

🧠 Mindset

• If language learning is just a hobby, enjoy it

• Know your limits—sometimes its better to do a little bit than push yourself too hard

• Step out of your comfort zones and challenge yourself from time to time

• Now may not be the right time to learn that language

• You can always return to a language and relearn it at a later date

• There’s nothing wrong with dabbling in multiple languages

Are there any reminders you’d like to share with other language learners?

📢 A shoutout to other language-learning newsletters

Reading about other language learners keeps me consistent when I start to feel discouraged.

Here are a few you should check out if you haven’t yet.

1. I heard from Lou

2. The Language Ladder

3. Everybody Talks

4. Speaking in Tongues

5. Language Travel Adoptee

6. Jovana Studies

7. The Polyglot Besties Club

8. The Slash / 斜槓 by Rae's Tea

9. yoffe languages💙

10. ゆらき’s Icelandic Notebook

If you’ve been thinking about documenting your language learning journey, this is your sign to make a blog or newsletter.

You can read about why I created a language learning newsletter here.

✉️ Why I Started a Language Learning Newsletter on Substack & Why You Should Too

Thank you for being here