This is what you’re doing wrong in your language studies
So many language learners are looking to influencers on the internet to help them fix their language learning problems these days. The internet is FULL of people telling you what you should do to learn languages and what you should avoid.
And often times, this back and forth makes us feel confused, frustrated, and overwhelmed.
“You should focus on immersion from the very beginning”
“Only listen to content that’s slightly above your current level.”
“Start speaking from day one”
“Don’t speak until your at least intermediate level.”
“Set clear and S.M.A.R.T. goals.”
“Don’t set goals, just focus on habits.”
And so much more!
If you’re anything like my students (and myself, years ago), you might have copied a few schedules that other language learners have created to learn the language you want to take on.
You buy the same resources, apply the same strategies, and schedule your studies for the exact same amount of time.
And you end of feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, stressed, and tired.
You decide to study more, to make progress FAST. Or you start to procrastinate.
And ultimately, you end up burning out, feeling disappointed with yourself, and making little to know progress.
But here’s the real reason why you’re struggling to make progress.
→ It’s not the resources you’re using
→ It’s not the strategies, either.
→ It’s not even the amount of time you are (or are not) studying.
It’s your mindset.
Mindset is KEY to making progress and learning languages
There’s a BIG difference between saying “I can’t learn languages” and “I struggle to learn languages”
When you can’t do something, it means you are incapable of that, and there’s almost nothing YOU can do to change your skill or ability.
On the other hand, when you struggle with something, you recognize your skill or ability level, and you get to choose to take action, to get better, and improve, or to do nothing.
The only way you’re going to make progress in your language studies, improve your skills, and start using the languages you’re learning is if you shift the thoughts you have about yourself and your ability.
I used to see my lack of progress in my language studies as a personal failing, like there was something wrong with me. And because it seemed so easy for everyone else, I thought that I’d never be able to reach my goals and use the languages I was learning.
So I quit. Several times.
It wasn’t until I focused on mindset first, and set strong foundations for my entire language learning routine that things shifted for me.
And this is what I help other language learners to do in their own language studies.
Because when you shift your mindset about yourself and your ability to learn languages, you free yourself from the weight of all of those unrealistic expectations you’ve placed on yourself.
You break away from the expectations that other people have placed on you, too.
When you look at your language studies with the lens of “I struggle, but I know I can do this”, you are able to create a routine that ACTUALLY works for you, your needs, and your current lifestyle.
You simplify your process for learning languages, because you realize you don’t need to do #allofthethings. And you stop chasing those “shiny” resources that you probably don’t need, and the “study hacks” that just don’t work for you.
And most importantly, you begin to study consistently, feel good about your process AND progress, and you get the results you want.
How to reset your mindset and maximize your progress
In order to reset your mindset around learning languages, you need to address the fact that you’re expectations for yourself might be unrealistic, and you’re unfairly comparing yourself to other language learners.
You can start by acknowledging and assessing your current circumstances without judgement. Then, decide where you want to be in your language studies, and what actions will get you there. And as I always say, it can be as simply as one strategy for 5-10 minutes.
Don’t make it complicated.
Here are some of the questions I ask my students (and that you can ask and answer for yourself):
- Where are you right now in your language studies?
- How does being in this current situation make you feel?
- What thoughts am I having about my current situation?
- Why am I experiencing this in my language studies?
- How do I normally react when I feel this way?
- What action will help you reverse those thoughts you have about yourself and your current situation?
- What action will help you to reverse the feelings you’re having about your current progress?
- What action will help you to reverse the results your getting or not getting?
They key is starting from mindset, and then proving to yourself that those beliefs are true with ACTION.
It’s really that simple!
Are you ready to make progress in your language studies?
If you want to learn more about my process for resetting your mindset and creating language learning routines that work for you, grab a copy of my free guide! In this guide, I share the exact same strategies I teach my students, to jump-start my language studies and start making real progress in their language studies, so they can start using the languages they’re learning
You can get your very own copy of this guide here, so make sure download it NOW!
Don’t wait!
(also follow me on Tiktok and Instagram for even more amazing content like this)