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Cultivating
patience
During
the last years, I held quite a few seminars on “secrets” polyglots apply to
learning multiple languages. Even if they do not say this, I can see by their
facial expressions that many remain disappointed because they expected more “unusual”
strategies than I give.
Cultivating
patience is one of them. It sounds so commonplace and simple. In reality, few
language students succeed in mastering it.
Why
cultivate patience?
Reaching
levels in a foreign language close to a native speaker necessitates a long
period of sustained effort, in which, often even for years, there are no great
successes in the beginning. Because of their impatience, many language learners
interrupt their learning process, or they adopt strategies that yield them
short-term success (memorizing phrases and entire dialogues) that undermine long-term
mastery (speaking spontaneously and flexibly).
Why
is it so difficult to develop patience?
· The
current zeitgeist is geared toward rapid satisfaction of our needs and wants
(fast food, Tinder),
· We
feel pressured by others,
· We
want to impress others quickly,
· We
have no realistic idea about how long it takes to learn a new language thoroughly
- also because of all the misinformation out on the internet.
What
helps me to remain patient?
· I
disconnect my language learning, as much as possible, from the approval and
impression of others. The more language learning is something I do for myself,
the less pressure I feel.
· I
read about successful people (from all areas of life) and about how patience
was a key factor to their success.
If
you are designing your garden, you need to be aware of the fact that different plants
grow at different speeds. There is no sense in pulling at little trees, trying
to fasten their growth. Languages are like trees. Even in the best conditions,
they have an in-built time schedule for their growth. What can you do?
· Plan
for short-term successes, too (flowers), and acknowledge them,
· Start
another ambitious project at the same time (even a second or third language, as
I did). This way, the time pressure is diluted. If I become impatient with one
language, I take a break from it and redirect my attention to another. The more
languages I started to learn, the more patient I became with each one of them.
(to
be continued)
The GO Method
“I have been living in
Germany for years. I have gone through all the levels and sustained the
necessary exams. Nonetheless, I still make too many mistakes as to get a
serious employment in my profession.”
It is easy to start a foreign language. It takes only
practice and living abroad to get fluent. To learn the last (!) 5% and to speak
without mistakes, however, you will need completely different approach.
The GO Method helps you get rid of your chronic grammar and pronunciation
mistakes by applying psychology and principles of quality management.
We offer corrective courses for some languages, as well a
general system for improving your use of any language. We support companies in
improving the language proficiency of key employees.
Gerhard J. Ohrband
Has helped more than 1200 students advance their studies and
professional career by obtaining excellent German and Spanish skills.
Psychologist and language teacher, from Hamburg /Germany
(*1979). Married, one son. MA in psychology from the University of Hamburg.
More than 15 years of experience as a university lecturer in psychology as well
as a consultant for UNICEF, Terre des Hommes, IOM, the EU and private
companies. Speaks 21 languages.
Contact
If you want to save time in learning a foreign language
without a teacher, please check out my book “The GO Method” on Amazon.
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