How to Find the Motivation to Learn a language

You decided to learn a new language. You know it's going to take time and you knew it's going to take a lot of work and study to get it done, but still, you are determined to do it. You just haven't gotten around to the actual learning part. Then at some point, it happened; you lost your motivation to learn a language. You still want to do it, you just can't seem to find a good reason to get started. Now the moment is gone and you're wondering how to get it back. Here are a few tricks you can try.

Go back to the basics

Be it while playing sports or learning, there are times when players and students lose sight of what got them started in the first place. Try to go back to that time and place when you had the drive and determination that you're lacking now. You don't need a time machine to do this, just think back to that time when knew exactly what you were trying to achieve. Make a list of all the reasons that were driving you forward. Think back to the way you use to feel about your goals. Apply all that information to the present.

Improve your effective listening skills

There are three types of effective listening skills: attentive listening, responsive listening, and active listening. The first asks you to get rid of all distractions, so as to fully concentrate on the speaker. The second has to do with concentration and you get to achieve this through note-taking, for example. The third is all about listening and repeating. When you apply these skills to language learning, you become virtually unstoppable. Your enhanced focus will trigger your adrenaline and your curiosity and you then become so absorbed in your listening task, you likely won't be needing any more of that extra motivation to keep you going.

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Make a list

Make lists. Any lists, to-do lists, top 10 lists. Write up the pros and cons of learning of language. Write it all down and keep it somewhere within the reach. Read it every time you feel that motivation slipping away.

Take a trip to your local bookstore

Go wander around the language and reference books section. Once you're there, pick up a book and skim through it. This will not only give you a good idea of what to expect but more importantly, it will remind you of how easy it is to learn a language. Pick up a picture book too. Language learning can be easy, fun, and pretty memorable. It turns out you don't need that much motivation to get it done.

Take baby steps

Maybe the real reason why you lost motivation is that sometimes, learning something can feel a bit overwhelming and you're not sure where to start. Start small, with one word a day or a 5-minute lesson. Make this a daily habit. Everyone learns at their own pace and slow and steady wins the race.