Love, Joy, and Languages

In this episode, I share a recent experience I had when I decided to organize and consolidate two years' worth of Italian notes. I have notes scattered throughout various notebooks, online documents, and miscellaneous sheets of paper. Though I love organization, I had never figured out how to organize my notes as I took them, and going back afterwards felt like a waste of time -- time that I could be spending learning something new instead. But, as I went through old notebooks, I found lengthy notes and examples of something I recently discovered I struggle with. Weeks ago I started looking for material covering Italian prepositions, and I ended up going back to a program I already had. Yet, as I consolidated notebooks, I found that I had already studied prepositions from this exact same module of this exact same program a year and a half ago! The problem was, I "learned it" and left it. I didn't put my new knowledge into good practice, and I never went back to review. I just kept charging forward always trying to intake more, more, more. For at least two years now, I haven't felt confident about my level of spoken Italian. I know I'm making great progress, but because I still make many mistakes, and because parts of the grammar (like what preposition to use when) isn't completely clear, I feel like I'm still at a beginner level. Going back and seeing several things that I once thought important enough to study but failed to solidify into my spoken language was a big signal as to why I feel so apprehensive about my level. I reached out to my very experienced, language-loving tutor, Kenny (www.somethingpolyglot.com -- check him out, especially if you're learning one of the 5 languages he teaches), and he shed some light on my speaking level (which he says is higher than I thought), why I'm no longer at a beginner phase, and what I can iron out to keep working toward upper-intermediate. Looking at the Common European Framework of Reference for Language (CEFR) Assessment Grid, I am confident that Kenny was right about my level. So my unsureness was two-fold. First, I really didn't understand the difference between beginner/A-level and intermediate/B-level. More specifically, I had always glorified the intermediate level, thinking all grammar would be clear, and mistakes would be nearly non-existent. Second, I have experienced Impostor Syndrome, and deep down I believe that I'm not really speaking comprehensible Italian. Somehow I'm faking it just good enough to fool my (very experienced) tutor and native-speaking friends. Addressing these two sources of my language doubt, combined with accepting that reviewing notes is essential to a good study routine and is not a waste of time, I have felt much more focused and determined in my Italian journey. I know what grammar things need my attention, and I know I have the materials to review and work on them without spending more money or time searching for the perfect resource. Even though my language journey isn't centered around my level, knowing that I'm further along than I thought gives me the confidence I need to keep speaking and pushing forward. Without that confidence, it's too easy to believe the doubt, the lies, and the shame or guilt that can so easily creep in.

In this first 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 watching kids' TV 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 anything, and no matter how hard I tried to make it work, it just wasn't for me. As an early language learner, though, I felt like I was failing when this piece of good advice didn't work for me. Was I really learning the language if I couldn't even understand a kids' show? 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. Watching kids' TV 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 explore 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.

In this episode, I talk about my discovery of "good enough" language learning and how it led me to identify, accept, and appreciate the entire process of language learning in all its intricate moments. By focusing on communication as the goal of language, we're better equipped to settle on a good enough way of expressing ourselves in our target languages according to each situation, our current level, and our mental energy. Finding contentment -- being good enough now -- at each level along our language journeys is beneficial to making progress toward the next level, and it becomes a less stressful, more enjoyable process. Sometimes, setting "good enough" goals is the key to making progress toward bigger goals. If you're like me, and you often set goals that don't reasonably take into account your actual time, motivation, and energy level, then thinking about what's good enough may help you focus better and move forward without worrying about the bigger, long-term goals. Thinking about what's good enough for you at each level of language acquisition, in each situation of using your target language, and for your desires of your language journey is an excellent way to reduce language overwhelm, focus on growth, and find contentment and pride in yourself as a language learner. 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 talk about times when language learning becomes overwhelming. Whether there doesn't seem to be enough time for focused language study, there are too many (or not enough) resources to choose from, or our expectations aren't reasonable for our unique lives, language learning can feel overwhelming. It doesn't matter if you're a beginner in your first language or advanced in your fifth. Language learning can be overwhelming. When overwhelm doesn't pass on its own, how can we deal with it? What can we do to reduce the pressure of overwhelm and get back to focusing on growth and progress? In this episode, I discuss my top three tips for getting past overwhelm (whether stemming from time, resources, or expectations), and taking steps forward instead. I talk about these tips with respect to language learning, but they can easily be applied to other aspects of our lives to reduce overwhelm on the whole. Listen in to start thinking about how you could use these tips in your language life or to start brainstorming your own unique methods for dealing with overwhelm. Where to find me: Love, Joy, and Languages Blog Instagram: @love.joyandlanguages X (Twitter): @LoveJoy_Lang All episodes of the show can be found at www.lovejoyandlanguagespodcast.com.

In this episode, I get the pleasure of chatting with Marjolein Benschop of The Language Community to talk about being a multi-passionate person and language learner. Marjolein is a Dutch Polyglot, Language Coach and MSc in Psychology of Social Relations from the Goldsmiths University, London. Marjolein has worked in various countries (the Netherlands, Spain, England and Peru), teaching and helping students learn more effectively. She has given workshops on how to learn languages while managing one’s expectations, and co-founded an online environment for language learners called The Language Community. Having managed to learn 8 languages to a conversational or even near-native level, she has discovered several key factors to staying motivated and reaching your language goals. In this interview, Marjolein gives us a glimpse of her experiences, struggles, and perceptions as a multi-passionate language learner. She also shares so much insightful wisdom regarding limiting beliefs and how to shift our mindset to allow for progress and growth, making room for fulfilling all the passions we have in our lives. We discuss how passion can be discovered in any number of life situations to create a more enjoyable experience and how gathering community can build inspiration for accomplishing the things you want. Multi-passionate resources mentioned in this episode: How to Be Everything: A Guide for Those Who (Still) Don't Know What They Want to Be When They Grow Up, by Emilie Wapnick I Want to Do All the Things: Finding Balance as a Polymath, Multipotentialite & Renaissance Soul, by Arcadia Page Podcast Français Authentique, by Johan Tekfak Where to find Marjolein: Instagram: @marjolein.polyglotinsights Instagram: @the.languagecommunity Podcast: Polyglot Insights Podcast The Language Community: https://www.thelanguagecommunity.mn.co Where to find me: Love, Joy, and Languages Blog Instagram: @love.joyandlanguages X (Twitter): @LoveJoy_Lang All episodes of the show can be found at www.lovejoyandlanguagespodcast.com.

In this episode, I talk about avoidance in language learning, something I really struggle with. From avoiding speaking to ignoring the book we want to read but can't seem to get started, avoidance can be a serious conflict in our lives as language learners. To make things even harder, there are numerous reasons why we avoid particular activities, and those reasons vary from person to person, activity to activity. I avoid speaking because I don't want to be judged for my mistakes. I avoid reading because I don't like the vulnerability of feeling inept or not good enough. I avoid other things for reasons I can't quite pinpoint. No matter the case, there are several language learning or language related things I really want to do, but this avoidance is holding me back. In this episode, I start digging into these activities and my superficial excuses for not facing them. I also introduce the Face the Avoidance challenge I've created so you can join me in facing the language activities we've been avoiding. This is a completely free challenge taking place in the online language community (via #FaceTheAvoidance on Instagram and Twitter) 9 & 10 April 2022. Listen in for more details on my vision for this challenge, how I will be encouraging and cheering you on every step of the way, and what we can do through this challenge to start facing the avoidance and continuing to create a sustainable, guilt-free language learning plan for ourselves. Where to find me: Love, Joy, and Languages Blog Instagram: @love.joyandlanguages X (Twitter): @LoveJoy_Lang All episodes of the show can be found at www.lovejoyandlanguagespodcast.com.

In this episode, I talk about all-or-nothing thinking and how this perfectionist tendency has shown up in so many areas of my life, including language learning. From cleaning house (or not) to working out (or not), an all-or-nothing mentality is at the core of when and how I do these things and whether or not I do them at all. I discuss why this way of thinking prevents me from getting things done and can lead to negative self-talk and a defeated mindset. I talk about small changes I've made in how I approach simple chores or activities I enjoy, which have begun to change how I think about those things, less restricted by the all-or-nothing thinking. Bringing this exposure to flexibility in accomplishing everyday tasks has made it easier for me to work in this way as a language learner. No longer believing that study time must be a solid hour studying vocab and grammar with a textbook, for example, has better postured me to study more throughout the day and consider all the things I'm actually doing with my languages that didn't feel like "studying" in the past. As a busy mother, expat, and student during the pandemic, it hasn't been easy to find time for the language learning things I want to do. But learning to identify and work against this ingrained pull toward all-or-nothing has made so much difference in how I learn languages (and accomplish other things), as well as in how I now see and celebrate my language progress along the way. Where to find me: Love, Joy, and Languages Blog Instagram: @love.joyandlanguages X (Twitter): @LoveJoy_Lang All episodes of the show can be found at www.lovejoyandlanguagespodcast.com.

In this episode, I talk about my history as a perfectionist, which goes back to early childhood. I explore some of the ways perfectionism has shown up in my language learning experiences and how it led to language learning behaviors that slowed down my progress. Some of these perfectionist tendencies -- like procrastination and avoidance or all-or-nothing thinking -- led to a very rigid way of learning, which felt restrictive and frustrating. But the restrictive tendencies were symptoms of my perfectionism, and once I decided to face that root cause of my restrictive tendencies, I started making real, sustainable progress. Here, I bring a couple of my top tips for combatting perfectionist tendencies in language learning so you can start brainstorming new ideas for how to work around your own prohibitive tendencies. Get to know me as a perfectionist language learner in the final piece to my introduction story in Love, Joy, and Languages.

In this episode, I talk about my history as the parent of my little language learners who have learned the community languages where we've lived. Parenting is hard, and adding a new immersion experience in the mix can get really muddy. I made so, so many mistakes trying to support my kids on their journeys -- from forcing my own expectations onto my kids to letting guilt and shame determine my reactions. Many of the things we've struggled with are common things non-native families go through, and I want to share our story in order to connect with others like us and also show that no one is alone. We build this supportive parenting community together, and transparency is the first step to true connections and building each other up. Get to know me as a parent of little language learners this second episode of Love, Joy, and Languages.

In this episode, I detail my history as a language learner, from classroom learning in high school to immersion in adulthood. I've made so many mistakes as a language learner, not just in using the wrong word or verb conjugation, but also in how I've tried learning languages. Many of the things I've struggled with are common things language learners do, and I want to share my story in order to connect with others like me and also show that no one is alone. We all have our own particular journey, and talking about what's worked or not worked really helps build community together. Get to know me as a language learner on this breakout episode of Love, Joy, and Languages.