Love, Joy, and Languages

In this episode, I simply read a letter I wrote to beginner me. She was so excited to start her language journey, but she was also very lost. She had no idea what was ahead of her, but she jumped in head-first with a lot of motivation...and fear. I've made a lot of mistakes in my language learning journey, and it's hard not to look back and wish I'd done things differently. It would be too easy to focus on the past, realizing that if I knew then what I know now, everything would have been easier. Instead of going down that path of "what ifs," I decided to write this letter to myself. Honestly, it was a very healing process. Writing out my doubts, understanding where they came from, and encouraging myself to just keep going allowed me to accept and move forward from my history of mistakes. I decided to turn this letter into an episode to share with you because I think we all need to give ourselves a bit more grace...a bit more compassion. I hope this letter speaks to you in a way that reminds you of how far you've come since your beginnings. I hope it reminds you to go easy on yourself, find joy in your journey, and celebrate all your accomplishments along the way. If you struggle to let go of a challenging past, and you find yourself thinking often about where you "could be" if only you'd started earlier, studied harder, put yourself out there, or whatever, then I encourage you to write a letter to yourself. Let beginner you know how far they're going to go and how proud you are of them. Because you know you can do it, and you deserve to tell yourself so. Music in this episode is "Metaphor" by Jason Shaw on audionautix.com

In this episode, I talk about the sunk costs of language learning -- all those resources (time, money, energy, etc) that we've put into our languages but that can't be recovered. I discuss the sunk cost fallacy, which is the idea that one should continue on the set path – the original plan – because of what’s already been invested. I think as language learners, we’re often stuck in a sunk cost fallacy mindset, continuing on the exact same path we paved because of everything we’ve already invested, not because we want to continue investing in it. Today I give three specific examples of how I've been caught in the sunk cost fallacy in my language life, how it affected my language progress and mental health, and what happened when I decided to stop focusing on what I'd already invested in these language activities and choices. This topic is something that affects so many of us, and I don't have particular tips or tricks for avoiding the sunk cost fallacy, but it's something that's been on my mind lately, so I wanted to share my thoughts here. The key take-away today is this: your language journey is your own, and no matter what you’ve done in the past, no matter how much time or money or emotions you’ve put into your journey, where you go from here on this day in this moment is best paved from what you want and need now on this day in this moment, not from what your past looked like. So pave a path from where you are right now that includes only the things you want that serve you and help you progress toward your biggest goals for your life.

In this second episode of "Good Advice Gone Wrong," a segment in which I highlight some really good language learning advice that can also go wrong, I talk about doing what you love but in your target language. I've heard this recommendation so many times in my years as a language learner, and I can't deny that it's a good, potentially fun way to gain immersion-like input. When I tried this with Italian, however, it was a big flop. I couldn't understand as much as I wanted to or thought I should, and the activities I enjoy -- the activities that relax me -- became stressful. As an early language learner, though, I felt like I was failing when this piece of good advice didn't work for me. There are countless methods for learning a language, and I believe that all of them are good, but they aren't all good for everyone. Instead of just giving language learning advice, this recurring segment focuses on reasons specific pieces of good advice may not work for everyone. Doing activities you love but in your target language is good advice, and in this episode I explore some of the reasons it can be useful for listening input and gaining vocabulary. Just because it's good advice, however, doesn't mean it's good for everyone, so I also discuss reasons why this method may not be for you...and that's okay. I also brainstorm some ideas for how we can mold this advice and shape it into something that does work for us, if desired, and I hope to inspire you to discover your own creative, personalized language learning journey. If you like this episode, you can check out Good Advice Gone Wrong from Season 1 here, where I talk about watching kids' TV in your target language. Where to find me: Love, Joy, and Languages Blog All podcast episodes can be found here. Instagram: @love.joyandlanguages Twitter: @LoveJoy_Lang

In this episode, I share an incredibly insightful chat with Jamie, the language coach behind Multilingual Mastery. We recently sat down together for a wonderful conversation touching on a wide range of language learning topics. Jamie shares how she got into language coaching after realizing that she’d been approaching her own language learning all wrong. She had followed all the standard advice, used all the typical resources, and even lived in the country where her language was spoken. After everything, however, she still didn’t feel fluent. Instead of throwing in the towel, she decided to start talking about language learning on her blog, and today she shares a lot of what she discovered about language apps, language advice, and language learners through her experience researching about learning languages, and how that led her to start Multilingual Mastery. In this conversation, Jamie and I talk about language advice, expectations, standards, and buzz words you hear in the language learning community that can easily lead to burn-out, stagnation, and anxiety. We talk about what sustainable language learning can look like, why the word “fluent” really gets under our skin, and how we can each take control of our own unique language journeys. Jamie shares an overview of her Multilingual Mastery Method and how she helps her clients discover a sustainable and flexible language plan for themselves, tailored to their particular goals and desires. I had a wonderful time chatting with Jamie. She definitely gave me a lot to think about when it comes to how I view my own language journey, and I hope you get something out of our conversation, as well. Where to find Jamie online: Multulingual Mastery website Multilingual Mastery on YouTube Multilingual Mastery on Facebook Multilingual Mastery on Instagram & TikTok: @multilingualmastery Multilingual Mastery on Twitter: @multilingualmas

In this episode, I talk about limited resources in language learning. No matter what language you're learning, resources directly related to learning or acquiring the language are limited (even if it seems overwhelmingly the opposite). No matter our life situation, we all have limited time, money, energy, motivation, and so on. The interesting thing about these resources, however, is that when we're low on one, we can usually work around that limitation. Podcasts, YouTube, and public libraries are just a few examples of things language learners can use when low on money. If we're low on time, we can double up on tasks by listening to a podcast or audiobook in our target language while cleaning house. Even if we're low on energy, we can listen to calming music in our new language while taking a hot bath. Language learners are very creative, and finding ways to work with limited resources is our specialty. But there's still one resource I don't think we consider often enough, and I believe it's the most limited resource for each of us. And this resource (which I won't spoil in the description here) is one that can't be navigated around. It can't be outsourced in any way. Think you've figured out what it is? Listen in to see if you agree and to hear my thoughts on what we can do to preserve our most precious, limited resource while also getting the most out of it.

"You're been studying Spanish for five years?! Are you fluent yet?" "You lived in Poland for two years? You must be fluent now." "You study languages? Sp how many languages do you speak fluently?" "Your kids have gone to the German school for a year now. They must be totally fluent!" We've heard them all. And, while we all have a general idea of what the words fluent and fluency mean, there comes a point in our language journeys when we realize it isn't so cut and dry. There is no definitive point when we reach fluency, yet we notice that we are speaking the language. We are communicating. So why don't I feel fluent? When will I get there? In this episode I share a bit of my language learning history when fluency was my only real goal and what happened when I realized it wasn't a goal at all. I take the Webster's dictionary definitions of fluency and fluent and break them down to get very specific about what fluency is not when it comes to speaking other languages. I give my thoughts on how the word fluency could be viewed and used in a more practical way that doesn't seem like such a far away destination. If this is your first time hearing this word discussed, you may be surprised to find yourself challenging your own definition, thoughts, and ideals about fluency. Below are links to more podcast episodes, YouTube videos, and online articles produced by others in the language learning community that give thought-provoking messages regarding fluency. Podcast Episodes: S1E7: The Fluency Trap by Emily Richarson of The Langauge Confidence Project What Is Fluency, What Is Mastery...And How Do You Get There? by Kerstin Cable & Lindsay Williams of The Fluent Show How to become fluent? by Heather Koziol of The Future is Bilingual Am I Even Making Progress? Episode 22 of Love, Joy, and Languages, referenced in this episode YouTube Videos: What Is Fluency? by Lindsay Williams of Lindsay Does Languages Learning a Language is NOT getting fluent! How to learn a language without the stress by Jamie of Multilingual Mastery What does fluency in a foreign language mean? by Olly Richards When are you fluent in a language? (Polyglot opinion) by Lindie Botes Online Articles: What do we mean by language fluency? from International Center for Language Studies What Is Fluency In A Language? from Lingualift What Does "Fluent" Really Mean? by Ramsay Lewis on Leonardo English Dear Duolingo: How do I become fluent in a new language? by Cindy Blanco on Duolingo Blog

In this episode, I talk about my experience testing out a new language, Korean. The thing is, Korean is something I've wanted to learn for over 20 years, but I have two other languages that definitely take priority, so taking on a third language is probably not very reasonable. So I had to ask myself, "Am I thinking about this because I'm afraid of (continuing) to miss out?" "Am I afraid that I've already missed my chance, and I won't get another one?" These are very reasonable questions, especially considering the FOMO I talked about last week in Episode 23. So this week, I take my own advice for combatting fear of missing out in language learning, and I apply it to this process of taking on another language. By testing it out for 7 days, a bounded amount of time, I was able to objectively assess what my journey with Korean can reasonably look like and what resources to keep at my disposal. Instead of jumping in on an emotional whim (which I've been known to do in the past), I feel like walking myself through this process of testing a new language (or resource or method) with bounds and a plan helped me make a logical decision about my language life, and I don't have to question if I'm missing something or doing too much. I know exactly what I'm getting myself in to, and this confidence makes all the difference.

In this episode, I share my personal experience with fear of missing out (FOMO) in language learning, as well as tips for recognizing and overcoming it. From using every resource from beginning to end, skipping nothing, doing every exercise (whether I wanted to or not; whether it was useful or not) to hoarding resources and joining all the language challenges, FOMO really disrupted my progress forward because it kept me spinning my wheels on most of the same material or topics, always afraid that I was missing specific vocabulary or grammar if I didn't do it all. I quickly burned out and started believing that I just couldn't learn languages. Once I finally understood that FOMO was an extension of my perfectionism (which won't be the case for everyone who experiences it), I could start seeing the signs that fear of missing out was crerping into my language life, and I learned how to stop it in its tracks. It's an ongoing battle, though. I don't know that I'll ever experience a language journey not threatened by FOMO, but I can certainly give myself the grace to accept it, work against it, and admit when I've given in to its tempting ways. Listen in to this part of my journey, struggling with fear of missing out in language learning, and feel free to reach out and share your own struggles with it, as well. Talking is healing. Sharing is healing. Community is healing.

In this episode, I talk about those times when we wonder if we're even making progress in our languages, even as early as the beginner level. We all know we're learning new things, acquiring new vocabulary, and figuriung out grammar structures. Yet, so often it can feel like all of our hard work isn't paying off. Maybe we feel like what we've learned is just basic stuff and not very valuable or useful. Perhaps we only see how much we don't know and what all there is left to learn, so what we have learned just doesn't seem like much. No matter the case, these thoughts can lead to discouragement, demotivation, and a skewed perspective of how our language journeys are really going. Today I share an experience that happened to me recently that allowed me to truly see, without a doubt, that I have made tremendous progress in Italian over the last 5 years. It hasn't always felt like that, though. When I'm in the thick of it -- when I'm focused on studying and acquiring and trying and making mistakes -- it doesn't feel like I'm making any progress at all. We aren't always provided with spontaneous opporunities to prove all the advancements we've made, however, so what can we do? There are so many great ideas out there in the language community for measuring our language growth, but I would add that being mindful of what we're doing and how we're doing is the key to getting the most out of every curated progress point. What does it mean to be mindful of what and how we're doing in our language journeys? Listen in to find out! Links - Other resources for getting ideas on how to realize and measure your language progress and growth: Blogs & Articles: How to Record Your Language Learning Progress by Lindsay Williams of Lindsay Does Languages Language Learning Progress: 9 Ways to See How Far You've Come by Meredith Kreisa on FluentU Keeping Track of Your Learning by Lindie Botes The Ultimate Language Learning Guide Part III: Commitment -- Drops by Shannon Kennedy, published in Languagedrops Podcasts & Videos: Signs That You're Making Progress with Language Learning by Grace of Guresu Don't Let the Intermediate Plateau Scare You by Emily Richardson of The Language Confidence Project 5 Steps for Creating Your Language Habit by Kerstin Cable of The Fluent Show Tracking Your Language Learning Progress by Lindie Botes

Welcome back to Season 2! In this episode, I review my summer break with the kids at home and talk about how we interacted with the languages we're learning, Italian and German. If you haven't already listened to Episode 19, give it a listen here because that's where I set my priorities for the summer. Those priorities were critical for going back and reviewing everything we did (and didn't do). I hope this episode gives you some ideas for how to interact with your languages, whether you have kids or not. But most of all, I want to emphasize the importance of reviewing your language progress, tasks, and study time with respect to your goals and priorities. I want to exhibit the power of letting go of all-or-nothing thinking and unrealistic expectations, giving yourself grace to be flexible in what transpires along your journey, and keeping long-term language dreams without sacrificing short-term wins and language advancement. I'm so excited to be back with you this season!