25 Things We All Do When Learning a New Language

Do you like learning a new language? If you’ve already tried to learn a new foreign language, you might have gone through different phases. From utterly excited to anxious you’ll be able to speak with someone without making too many mistakes… We tried to make a list of all the things we do (and the feelings we have) when learning a new language. Do you recognize yourself?

Things We Do When Learning a New Language

When you hear a new language, you…

1. 1. Think that this new language sounds beautiful and fun to learn

   2. Decide to learn this language even though your schedule is already full

   3. Read about the complicated alphabet / weird grammar rules / silent letters and realize that it will be very difficult

   4. Think about cancelling your new project but are too stubborn to quit

   5. Buy (too) many books about this new and promising language

   6. Are way too excited to learn basic words and sentences like “hello” and “how are you”

   7. Refuse to learn any kind of grammar just yet, because it’s scary

   8. Are confident enough to watch a movie in your target language but realize very quickly that you’ll need the subtitles

   9. Don’t give up and buy more books

      

   10. Look for fun videos (in the target language) to watch on Youtube

   11. Feel overwhelmed with everything you still have to learn

   12. Take a break from your studies

   13. Forget most of what you’ve just learned

   14. Hear someone speak in the language you used to study

   15. Feel nostalgic

   16. Decide to learn it again by downloading a language app

   17. Struggle with the pronunciation

   18. Struggle with the grammar and all the exceptions

   19. Try to find native people with whom you could have a conversation and work on your skills

   20. Decide to go all the way by taking some online language courses

   21. See real progress, week after week

   22. Go on vacation abroad just to show off your language skills

   23. Hear someone speak in another language you don’t know (yet)

   24. Think that this new language sounds very nice and fun to learn

   25. Decide to learn this language (thanks to New Year resolutions) even though your schedule is already full

   

   Does it sound familiar? Do you know any polyglot who always feels the need to learn a brand new and exciting language even though he’s already learning multiple dialects? To be honest, we totally understand this urge. Learning a new language is exciting. Languages are beautiful, complex and so rich in culture… The more, the merrier, don’t you think?