Category Archives: Motivation
Play the Rules, Break the Rules, Make the Rules
Going the Distance
Apparently the last post was pretty popular. I was blown away by the activity on the blog, so I’m resolving to write this article as well in response.
I wrote last time about AJATT, and what I think is the real secret of the 10,000 sentences/hours. The purpose of the structure is that the structure lasts [...]
Also posted in Language, Learning 14 Comments
Life After 10,000
Life after 10,000 sentences and hours on the AJATT method.
I’ve been wanting to write this one for a while. Truth be told, I’ve been wanting to write it for over a year now, ever since I finished. I’ve wanted to write it before I even started the blog. There’s a couple of reasons why I [...]
Also posted in Language, Learning 23 Comments
Facepalm! Turning down Opportunities Because You’re Not Good Enough
I’ve seen it so many times.
“I’m not going to study abroad because I’m not good at English yet.”
“I’m not going to make a presentation in (language) because people will laugh at me.”
“I’m not going to try for that translating job because I don’t feel close enough to a native yet.”
I’ve got bad news for you. You [...]
Posted in Motivation 15 Comments
“Fluent” (Part 2 of 2)
So, about “fluent.” The other reason why “fluent” is a very unhelpful word is because it doesn’t guarantee your language will help you when it counts. Especially if you’re just trying to have a normal conversation, you can quickly have issues. Depending on your circumstances, this can be a huge problem. I have a personal [...]
Also posted in Language 50 Comments
Getting Personal with your Learning
So I need to thank my coworker Casey for this one. Casey came in to my office to talk about a pretty specific instance of a possible use of the SRS, but it generalizes pretty well.
At our work, like at most places where teachers teach, there are student evaluations of the teacher’s performance at the [...]
Also posted in Language, Language Learning Techniques, SRS 14 Comments
Go Ahead, You Can’t Break it
You can’t break your language. I promise.
Seriously. If you’re sitting around wondering “I wonder if doing X will help my language studies,” then I highly encourage you to try it.
There are very few things that I can honestly say won’t work. Here they are:
You won’t learn literacy through romaji
You won’t learn to listen and speak [...]
Also posted in Language Learning Techniques 32 Comments
Not for the Faint of Heart
Seriously. Don’t do this if you’re not ready for it. But when you are ready for it, give it a shot.
I’m seriously in need of some German learning material. I got a lot of Japanese stuff, but now I need to redo my environment so that I can be well-adapted to learning the German language. [...]
Also posted in Extensive Reading, Language Learning Techniques, Learning German 9 Comments
25 Lifestyle Choices for Learning Languages
A little while ago, I wrote about my belief that it may be a better idea to cover the idea of language learning as a lifestyle choice. As a lifestyle choice, the greater the degree of contact per unit of time, the faster you will learn the language.
These are just some of the things I [...]
Also posted in Fun Stuff, Language Learning Techniques, Learning, Learning German 49 Comments
Do People who Speak Multiple Languages Succeed in Life?
Do they, now?
Not directly. But I think the thing that causes one tends to be the same thing that causes another. Here’s what I think.
People who plod along in life and people who don’t actually do the same thing day in and day out. Read that again, it’s worth it. The same thing. Basically a [...]
Also posted in Fun Stuff 30 Comments
Ask Ryan: Going Monolingual and Trusting Yourself