Imagine living in a country where the language you speak falls on deaf ears and learning a new language seems impossible. Many of us have never been put in that situation and most likely will not be faced with the challenge of learning a foreign language to survive. For some immigrants learning a new language is a predetermining factor for employment, residency, education, family security and well being, and daily survival in a new country.
When you look at language learning from the perspective of an immigrant the task seems not so impossible after all. Learning a new language is very difficult and for some of us impossible, simply because it takes personal commitment, it expends our personal resources of time, energy, will power, dedication, motivation and at some point requires financial support for the further development of language learning skills. It’s easy to say learning a language is impossible or difficult but realistically the individual language learner (you, me, we, us) is the most difficult obstacle to learning a new language.
The unfamiliar and seemingly intimidating foreign language that you so desperately want to learn is waiting for you, waiting for you to get past your issues of self-doubt and fear of learning something new. In fact, advances in technology have provided access to live chat, online interactive learning, self-paced language learning classes, free online courses and web conferencing tools that make the challenge of learning a foreign language more enjoyable and accessible.
What is your motivation?
Learning a language is much like dieting, exercising, eating healthy, New Year’s resolutions and all the other self-improvement challenges that are important to us. Our motivation isn’t just that we want to do it, or that we want to be a better person, student, or employee. Motivation requires far more resources for success. Our motivation is found in willpower, our heart (the strong desire to achieve), the satisfaction the activity brings, the support we have from our friends and family, and an external need (for dieting that would be, not being able to fit into my clothes, not being healthy, being uncomfortable and the unattractive feeling of being overweight). Language learning will be far more successful and sustainable when the resources and support components are identified. For success, identify what your motivation is, the resources required, the level of commitment you are willing to give and the support components that need to be established.
How important is it to learn a new language?
The level of importance depends on your personal perspective. Let’s consider the importance of language from the perspective of others. Quotes from popular political figures and other authors tend to motivate and deliver a greater depth of understanding when considering different perspectives.
- Ludwig Wittgenstein – “The limits of my language meant the limits of my world.”
- Judith Martin – “Parents should conduct their arguments in quiet, respectful tones, but in a foreign language. You’d be surprised what an inducement that is to the education of children.” My personal favorite!
- J Michael Straczynski – “The quality of our thoughts is bordered on all sides by our facility with language.”
- Nelson Mandela – “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language that goes to his heart.”
- Winston Churchill – “Two nations divided by a common language.”
The internet provides the opportunity to access multitudes of language learning resources and facilitates connections with languages and people across the world. If support from a kindred spirit is what you’re looking for, join social networking groups, language learning groups and forums that provide support, language practice and builds friendships and relationships.
Change your perspective; it may help you find your motivation.
