It’s the perfect time isn’t?

Quarantine has got us locked down and isolated. Can’t go to class, can’t have lessons.

When we sign up for a language course we are sending a signal that says we are serious about learning, we have intentions and plans and that is why we attend class and have a qualified professional, guide us through and motivate us to learn.

But here is another perspective. What if that classroom experience is actually just a reason, or an excuse to say the teacher sucked, the class was terrible, the material wasn’t at our level. Too demanding, unrealistic expectations, boring., besides I was here to socialize and make friends.

You get the idea.

In actuality those conditions provide us the leverage to bail out and quit without being accountable. Accountability goes out the window and flies down twenty stories and smashes itself into oblivion. But now… now it’s just you.

Language Fluency

Acquiring language fluency is tough, nobody will deny that. But the first step to getting there is defining for yourself what that fluency looks like:

• Do you want a C2 Proficiency certification?
• Do you want to sound like a native?
• Want to be concise when you speak through using a range of vocabulary and grammar?
• Want to speak without hesitation and pause and understand what is being said back to you, while responding appropriately?

I’m sure you can think of a few more. But once you define it, here’s some advise:

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, THE TOUGH GET GOING!

That is damn right, because now it’s time to get to work and settle in. A lot of it doesn’t require a teacher, it requires your persistence, perseverance, determination, discipline and say it with me ‘consistency’!

Here are a few areas to focus on:

• Practice giving presentations until you can do it without ‘freaking out’ but instead ‘calm, and composed’
• Practice having effective small talk so that you can network and connect with people in a social or professional setting
• Practice being an active listener, which means show interest and ask questions(a post on this)
• Practice writing emails and using advanced structures that you are uncomfortable using

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, THE TOUGH GET GOING! That’s right. All these things require your attention and you can research and get started. When you’re ready,, a teaching professional can offer mentorship and guidance to get you across the finish line.

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