When we start learning or improving a second -or third! – language, we are full of energy and feel excited by the idea of being able to communicate better so we: buy a new and fancy notebook, enjoy the smell of a brand-new book, and are ready to immerse ourselves in the adventure of language learning. Unfortunately, after a few weeks – or days! – all that excitement vanishes and we feel that if we don’t move abroad, we are not likely to improve.
That is NOT true! With commitment and effort you can build study habits to reach your goals, but how?
1. SET MEASURABLE GOALS
Expecting to move from intermediate level to advanced level within a month does not seem to be quite an achievable goal. But spending 20 minutes a day doing something- let’s say read, write, speak or listen – in the language, you are learning might be much more achievable.
This study habit will definitely help you reach your goal more quickly than if you want to reach a whole level within a couple of months.
2. MAKE IT ENJOYABLE
You should not suffer: effort and commitment do not necessarily mean pushing yourself to do things you do not like or enjoy. If you are into sports, find material related to it, there are plenty of free options online: articles, videos, songs, and speaking clubs. I am sure you will enjoy reading articles or listening to podcasts related to your areas of interest much more than uninteresting English or Spanish books. Make a study habit interesting and you will encourage yourself to do it every day.
3. SHARE YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS
Sharing what you are doing is powerful: if you have read an article, talk about it with someone who might be interested in it. If you have listened to a podcast, discuss it with a family member, colleague or anyone likely to appreciate it. If you have written an email or report you need to send out at work, do share it with a colleague of yours who might be able to give you some feedback or learn from you.
When you realise that what you are doing has an impact on others, it will definitely motivate you to keep on doing it. You can even inspire other people to follow your steps. Share this study habit of yours and it might be contagious!
4. WRITE THINGS DOWN
Keeping track of what you do can be extremely helpful. If you spend, let’s say, 20 minutes per day in contact with the language, by the end of the month you will notice how much faster you read now and the number of words that sound more familiar to you right now.
You can write down the title of the article you have read, a few new words or expressions, and the part you liked the most. Options are endless. By the end of the month, you will see everything you have done and you will notice that you have become more curious and read or listened to things you would not have imagined before.
This study habit will encourage you to do more and more!
An interesting read related to HABITS and how important they are in our lives is Atomic Habits – written by James Clear Atomic.
I highly recommend it if you are interested in learning more about how we can build habits and the changes they can make in our lives.
You can read it in English or Spanish!
Would you add any other tip? Which study habits do you have?
If you are ready to start a new study habit and need a professional LET’S TALK. Daiana will help you get organised and build study habits that will help you reach your goals!
