motivation Archives - Page 2 of 4

16Oct

16 Oct 2018

Short Term Goals Should be Rewarded, Even if You Don’t Succeed at First

I did not become fluent in five days in Prague. However, I improved tremendously. I am comfortable in Czech. I read, I listen and understand. I can take part in a conversation but stumble here and there. I will post a video of an interview next we...

11Oct

11 Oct 2018

Learning Czech and Accumulating 100 Words a Day

Motivation

I studied Czech a few years ago so my statistics at LingQ for that language are not current. However, the statistics from my recent Polish challenge illustrate the fact that we can learn or add to our “known words” total well over 100 words a day. In fact in the case of Polish (since I know other Slavic languages) it is over 300 words a day. You can learn 100 words a day, if you are willing [...]

21Aug

21 Aug 2018

Language Goals and Frustrations

Learning Languages, Motivation

I had lunch earlier this week with a college professor who is head of the Asian language department in a large university here in Vancouver. He told me that a majority of students who enroll in Asian languages quit after the first year. I was surprised to hear that. Then I did some research and […]

03Jul

3 Jul 2018

Why Learn Another Language?

Motivation

There are many reasons we might decide to try to learn another language. We might need the language for study or work purposes, to communicate with family or friends or to connect with the culture of the country where the language is spoken. I must admit, I am motivated initially just by the possibility of accessing a new culture, with all that that can bring me in terms of learning about [...]

19Jun

19 Jun 2018

What Is The Hardest Language To Learn?

Q&A

What is the hardest language to learn? It’s a question I’m asked often. Here I reveal the answer from my experience and give advice and tips on how to get the most out of your language learning, even if that language is a tough one.

05Jun

5 Jun 2018

Learning a Language Means Making Mistakes

Learning Techniques

Making mistakes in language learning is not only necessary, it is a good sign. If you are not making mistakes you are not trying hard enough to use the language.

23Apr

23 Apr 2018

Learning a Language is Like Falling in Love

Motivation

I have been asked to redo the recording for this podcast that I did over two years ago. Here it is again. This evening I have to give a short talk in Japanese to about 30 members of the Japan-Canada Chamber of Commerce. I am a Director of this Cha...

10Apr

10 Apr 2018

Effective Independent Lifelong Learning

Learning Techniques, Online Learning

Independent learning is the most important issue in education today, and in many ways the most elusive or difficult issue to deal with. More than class size, teacher accreditation, or the latest innovations in teaching methodology, developing independent learning habits, in other words, self-learning, in students, and teachers, should be the main preoccupation of educators, […]

27Mar

27 Mar 2018

A Language Learner’s Manifesto

Motivation

Have you been studying a language for a while? Are you still afraid to speak ? Follow the Language Learner’s Manifesto and become confident and FLUENT in your chosen language.

22Aug

22 Aug 2017

How to Learn Any Language: 7 Tips for Staying on Task

Motivation

We live in the golden age of language learning. The Internet brings us an unprecedented cornucopia of language learning resources, tools, communities, exchange websites and more. We can buy audiobooks, ebooks, access online newspapers and magazines in the language of our choice. We can follow these resources on our iPhones and iPads, and have them […]

I speak 20 languages