It’s like going to the gym!
Did you know that learning a language is like going to the gym and working out?
When we work out regularly we feel in good form. In the beginning we have lots of aches and pains; things are difficult. But if we continue, day after day we begin to feel stronger, more confident and it all becomes easier and more enjoyable. We start to see the results we wanted and we become more motivated to continue.
However, we must be careful not to become obsessive about working out and assume that doing more and more is better; that working out is an all or nothing mission. This is when we are more likely to stop doing anything because we don’t effectively have the possibility to dedicate so much time to it. By moderating our activity we have a better chance of persisting and reaching our objectives.
What happens when we do stop for a period – a week ,which becomes a month, which becomes a year or two or three? We gradually go back to the level of fitness, or unfitness, we originally had and all that hard work goes to waste.
When or if, we decide to start working out again everything once more becomes hard, and it takes a lot of time and a huge effort on our part to get back to our previous form.
Language learning is exactly the same. With regular practice – even just a little but continuous – we gradually get stronger in our production; our vocabulary expands, we become more fluent and more accurate, more confident and it all becomes easier and more enjoyable.
However, the moment we stop for a period – a week, which becomes a month, which becomes a year or two or three – we lose that confidence, we forget how to say things, we forget the new vocabulary and the grammar rules we learnt and we gradually go back to the level we were.
Learning a language is an ongoing process. Step by step, bit by bit – you achieve proficiency. Don’t assume that studying more all at once is better; that studying is an all or nothing mission. It is counter-productive to do intensive courses or intensive periods of study once a year and then do nothing for the rest of the time. By moderating your activity – doing a little but often – you have a better chance of persisting and getting the results you desire.
