Abundance
Insight into Language Learning
Here is a love letter to why it’s awesome to learn a language and how I go about it.
First, understand that language is a tool: you use it to do things. So, what do you want to do with the language you’re trying to learn?
For me, I want to order coffee and breakfast at Sidamo Cafe in Amharic. That’s my first goal. And I’m starting with something specific and small. Of course I want to be “the guy,” but it’s too soon. I won’t be at that superstar level for a while, and that’s ok.
So, I have my goal. My first tool, I need some basic comprehension of the language. I am now going to suspend all self-critique. I’m starting something new, literally. Consider how deep language sinks in with yourself and others and realize that you are approaching something totally new. People weep and love in the language you’re learning as a hobby, so do recognize that it will take a little while to grasp such a complex thing.
With my goal set and compassion at the ready, I set myself to starting the slow burn. For at least 20 minutes everyday, I’m going to learn vocab, focusing on the most common used words (community decks on Memrise are fabulous for this), and I’m going to let myself get familiar with the basics. In the meantime, while this slow burn goes, I’m going to check out music or movies or whatever in this language and just get familiar with how it sounds when applied in real life.
After I have that basic level set, I’m going to get serious (but still without self-critique), I get myself a workbook and/or tutor to help me dial in the large amount of language I’ve been drinking in for the past while.
This opens the phase of appreciation. It’s now about applying what I’ve learned to goals and ordinary situations.
Life is rich, and learning languages has confirmed this in abundance.
More soon,
Trevor