The Language Learning Secret Nobody Tells You
People often write to me asking how I manage to learn foreign languages ‘so easily.’ They use the word 'easily' simply because they don’t see the hours of dedication I have put into the endeavour behind the scenes. They want to know the short cut to fluency, but the truth is, as any foreign language learner knows, there are no short cuts.
TRUST ME, THEY DON'T EXIST. I LOOKED
I also wasn’t born with some language learning gene that makes me pick up languages easily. I’m not born different to everyone else and if you are saying that you are just no good at languages because you don't have the mythical language gene then that is just cope and you cannot admit you're just a lazy fuck who won't dedicate themselves to a hard task. And...you just don't want it enough.
IS THIS YOU?
You see if there was one indicator I have witnessed in myself and in others over the years in regards to who succeeds at learning a foreign language, it all comes down to one main thing. It isn’t what techniques you use. It isn’t the teacher you have. It isn’t your innate ability. It is your reason for wanting to study the language. The bigger the reason you have for learning, the more likely you will be succeed. Simple.
ARE YOU WILLING TO FIGHT FOR SWAHILI?
When I started to study Russian at 17 I knew exactly why I was doing it. I wanted to learn Russian so that I could travel the entirety of the former USSR meeting the people of the various regions. I wanted to escape the UK and have a life of wild post-Soviet adventures. I wanted to date a mysterious Slavic beauty like I had seen in Bond films. I wanted to understand the huge experiment that was Communism, and listen to people's stories of those times in suburban kitchens located deep in snowy semi-abandoned cities. I wanted to ride in Ladas. All that meant I had extremely strong reasons to keep slogging away and studying even when I thought it was too difficult. Because of this huge vivid dream I had about exploring the former USSR I ended up learning Russian to the level I desired.
HOW I IMAGINED MY LIFE WITH RUSSIAN
On my journey to learning Russian I have met others who also wanted to learn the language. I have met them in on-line language exchanges or in the language schools I attended, the cheap university canteens. Most of those that I kept in touch with made very little progress and eventually quit. Why? Because their reason why wasn’t strong enough. They wanted to study in order impress someone or just as a fun hobby. Or because their parents wanted them to.
I HAD TO LOVE SHIT HOLES TO MASTER RUSSIAN
Years later in my mid-40s I decided I wanted to learn Spanish so that I could travel throughout Latin America. I wanted to visit Cuba, Venezuela and learn about their history. I wanted to traverse the Darien Gap and talk to the migrants. I also wanted to be able to travel to Spain with my girl friend and imagined us both speaking Spanish with locals in little tapas bars. Because I had all these strong and vivid reasons I ended up learning Spanish to the level I wanted.
'VAMOS A COMER TAPAS'
After a trip to Vietnam a short while ago I decided to learn the language. My motivation was that I was a bit bored between trips and thought it would help pass a few hours a day. I had no particular interest in Vietnamese culture. After three online lessons with a teacher I quit. My reason was too vague and weak.
VIETNAMESE DRIP WASN'T ENOUGH TO KEEP ME MOTIVATED
The bigger your reason to study the more chance you have of learning the language and getting through the inevitable difficult and low-motivation moments. So it is imperative that you really think clearly about what your reason is because it is a vital factor in your ultimate success or failure.
I WROTE IT IN ENGLISH FOR YOU LAZY BUGGERS OUT THERE
For example who is more likely to master a foreign language: the guy learning Chinese because he thinks it would impress his friends or the guy learning Chinese because he met the girl of his dreams who is Chinese and wants to move there to be with her?
'NI HAO MA?'
Why do Finns or Lithuanians speak such good English? Because English is easy? No. Because they have the strong reason which is knowing if they don’t then they cannot travel or work abroad because nobody speaks their languages outside of their countries.
VISAGINAS. LEARN ENGLISH OR DIE HERE
Therefore I really want you to focus on exactly why you want to learn the language. This journey to fluency is going to be a massive, massive part of your life so dedicate time every day to thinking about your real motivations. Envisage the future. Picture it clearly. What will your life be like if you learn your chosen foreign language? How will it be different than now? Who will your friendship circle be? What new music will it enable you to listen to and enjoy? What relationships might you have? What crazy adventures and memories could you create if you dedicate yourself? How will your life be a hundred times better?
LEARN UZBEK AND THIS COULD BE YOU TRAVELLING TO SOKH
The bigger your imagination and excitement about those things the more likely you’ll turn up to your next class and knuckle down when times are tough and you feel you want to quit, because believe me, you will want to quit!
If your reason why is big enough you will find the how to achieve it! Good luck!
THIS ARTICLE I WROTE JUST SAVED YOU WASTING YEARS OF YOUR LIFE STUDYING A LANGUAGE THE WRONG WAY. THINK HOW MUCH MONEY I JUST SAVED YOU! THOUSANDS! SO SPEND SOME OF THAT MONEY YOU JUST SAVED ON MY EBOOK.