Parrot Time Magazine

The Thinking of Speaking
Issue #27 May / June 2017
Extras
The Learning Mindset

The Learning Mindset

by Kendal Knetemann
May / June 2017 |  asd

Language learning does not happen overnight. Many wish they could sprinkle some pixie dust or wave a magic wand and voilà you know a new language. That is not how it happens, although there are a few language maniacs out there who can feel self-assured and speak a new language in a few months. Those folks have the proper mindset and character to become poised in a week or a few months speaking a new language. But for most of us, it takes months or even years to feel confident speaking and using a new language.

The good news is that there are many worthy free resources out there which can help you in your language journey such as http://lingohut.com/ and http://www.gamesforlanguage.com/. The tools and resources are critical in your learning a language, but your mindset and commitment are the keys to becoming confident and having full, satisfying conversations.

Who can we find who knows us so incredibly well, so deeply, that they can handle the responsibility to providing us with constant, tailored, the perfect motivation that speaks directly to our goals and experience? YOU. You're the only person. You know yourself better than anyone else. Your job as a self-motivator is to provide the mindset and confidence needed to learn a new language. We tend to experience a deeper buy-in when the motivation is tailored to us - to our specific journey. You already know your favorite excuses and deepest desires.

It's funny when some people start a new skill they want to be perfect right away if they do not achieve perfection within days they quit. Did you learn to walk in days? Did you learn their native language in days? Did you learn all about math equations in one class? The answer is no.

Learning a new language, just like any other new skill, takes time and practice. You're got to experience successes and failures before you can achieve mastery.

You can do anything you set your mind to doing. It's all in your mindset. You can learn a new language, move to a new country, find a new job, go back to school or just be a better you. You control your journey in life, don't let others dictate what you can and can't do.


There are two types of adults when it comes to learning a new skill the can-do and can't-do. I believe that a negative attitude can stem from a collision of confused, fear of failing and a poor mindset. Positive learners have a firm grasp on their priorities and take steps to align their time, actions and mindset accordingly.

Setting goals and getting clear on why you want to pursue a new language is mission critical. Goals help set the tone, calibrate our motivational compass and give us something to focus on when developing a new skill. When we imagine ourselves as the personification of our goals, inspirations seeps in, and we're even more ready to learn.

When we take on language learning, we fear failure. I need you to know that you're going to have days you fail at remembering a word or saying a new word. It's just going to happen! As soon as you acknowledge that mistakes are inevitable, they lose their crippling power. Don't let a fear of an imperfect journey keep you from taking tremendous strides toward learning a new language. Work towards progress, not perfection, this can be your saving grace.

Commitment is the final piece of the puzzle. Commitment encompasses all four important components; your determination, plan, follow through, and consistency.

I want to start with consistency; it is the key to learning anything especially a language. Your determination is your fuel on this journey. Your project is your map. Stay the course and keep working at it every day. It will feel like hard work at first, it gets easier and more intuitive with time.

In other words, regardless of the venture, new pursuits are always uncomfortable, and then one day the uncomfortable becomes slightly more comfortable. Suddenly the clouds part and the new language feels like an old friend. Hunting your memory bank for words and phrases in your new language require less effort and less planning, and your mind shows less resistance. You have reached the sweet spot – the holy grail of your new skill. You got this!!

Kendal Knetemann is the founder of LingoHut where free language lessons, activities and articles on making language learning uncomplicated. Communication is our thing!!!  Like us on our Facebook page.

The Learning Mindset
Writer: Kendal Knetemann
Images:
Petey: Child (title); Sign

All images are Copyright - CC BY-SA (Creative Commons Share Alike) by their respective owners, except for Petey, which is Public Domain (PD) or unless otherwise noted.

Looking for learning materials?
Scriveremo Publishing, has lots of fun books and resource to help you learn a language. Click the link below to see our selection of books, availlable for over 30 langauges!
Beginner's Estonian Word Searches - Volume 1



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