Surviving the ups and downs

It is not like learning the world’s capitals by heart in your geography class. Learning and using a foreign language is often extremely frustrating due to the lack of consistency in our own performance. It is not that we maintain now and forever a certain level, once we have passed the respective standardized tests.

The use of foreign languages – and even our native language – is full of up- and downswings all the way through. We forget words we have repeatedly used before, we commit basic grammar mistakes, we become blocked, we stammer and stutter. In our native language, we normally do not pay attention to fluctuations in our language use. Whether we observe increases in mistakes and reduced fluency or not. We seldom doubt our native language abilities. We attribute the former to stress, tiredness, being ill or even being in love. We don’t start questioning whether we will be ever able to speak proper English (or what our native language may be) in the future.

Somehow, speaking a foreign language we don’t consider all the above and tend to self-sabotage, fill ourselves with self-limiting beliefs and doubt.

However, as in sports, art or any other human endeavor, there are always ups and downs.

So, whenever you feel uneasy about being on a rollercoaster language-wise, try the following:

1)      During “highs”: celebrate your successes, but keep in mind that hard times are inevitably ahead. “Vaccinate” yourself for future failures;

2)      During “lows”: keep a gallery of idols (sportsmen, entrepreneurs, musicians, public figures) and study their biographies, learning about  how they overcame obstacles;

3)      Take a step back and focus on more basic measurable topics.


Check out our book “The GO Method” on Amazon.