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What motivation techniques do you use? | ||
Tags: Motivation | Learning Technique/Method | ||
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 Language Learning Forum : Learning Techniques, Methods & Strategies |  | |
| frenkeld Diglot Senior Member United States Joined 6935 days ago 2042 posts - 2719 votes  Speaks: Russian*, English Studies: German | Message 25 of 36 27 June 2010 at 8:46pm | IP Logged | ||
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I looked over this thread again, and it appears that no one had mentioned that the textbook/course one uses may greatly affect one's motivation.
I was reminded of that last night, when I ran into a 1942 vintage textbook "Corso d'Italiano" by Young and Cantarella. Its old-fashioned style - with each chapter having a grammar section, a text for reading, a wordlist, and the English to Italian translation exercises - looked so appetizing that I had to suppress a sudden surge of craving for that language. On the other hand, Assimil Italian with Ease that I tried a few years ago was a complete turn-off for me. I think the right course can be a great motivator in itself, while a course that is not congenial may use up a lot of your mental reserves while you are forcing yourself to persevere with it. One can make up for it by reading and listening to authentic sources as soon as possible, but having the right course makes the overall job easier. Edited by frenkeld on 28 June 2010 at 7:56pm 5 persons have voted this message useful | |||
| marmite Triglot Newbie Portugal Joined 5205 days ago 35 posts - 57 votes Speaks: Portuguese*, English, French | Message 26 of 36 05 December 2010 at 9:59pm | IP Logged | ||
I really liked your tips! Being able to find and read Literary works in a target language is a big motivation for me. I also liked the milestone idea. I had also never thought about using different colours, I should do that! Thank you SO much for your tips! Of course, I also really liked Teango's ideas, thank you for sharing! As for me, I don't. I have the biggest issue staying motivated when I self-study languages. That said, I find that wanting to read a book in the target language is one of my best reasons to go and study it. It helps a lot. 1 person has voted this message useful | |||
| Teango Triglot Winner TAC 2010 & 2012 Senior Member United States teango.wordpress.comRegistered users can see my Skype Name Joined 5548 days ago 2210 posts - 3734 votes Speaks: English*, German, Russian Studies: Hawaiian, French, Toki Pona | Message 27 of 36 06 December 2010 at 3:44am | IP Logged | ||
Snap! I bought a whole load of Moleskine notebooks in different colours, with a different colour for each language (lighter shade for beginner, and darker shade for advanced). I find associating a colour with each language strangely helps me "get into the zone" when switching between languages and minimise language interference. And on a simpler note, I love the little rainbow library it makes when you put them all together on the bookshelf. :) @marmite Thanks! I'd be thrilled to hear if any of the tips came in useful for you. Edited by Teango on 06 December 2010 at 3:53am 1 person has voted this message useful | |||
| marmite Triglot Newbie Portugal Joined 5205 days ago 35 posts - 57 votes Speaks: Portuguese*, English, French | Message 28 of 36 06 December 2010 at 2:43pm | IP Logged | ||
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Will do!
Also, I just remembered I haven't mentioned my personal motivation method(s). I'm a big procrastinator (for example, right now I'm telling myself that since I didn't have class, it's okay if I don't do anything until later because I'd still be getting home by now, rather than telling myself "I didn't have class, let's get all this work done). One of the things that helps me is dividing up the task into several smaller ones, like several of you mentioned. Then whenever I do a certain number of smaller tasks, or after X minutes, I'll take a break and give myself a reward -- like a cup of coffee, checking my e-mail, etc. After I achieve a bigger task, like turning in a paper or finishing X study modules, I'll give myself a bigger reward (a book, a packet of chips, a trip downtown). It doesn't have to be big or expensive, just something fun that doesn't fit into the smaller 10 mins. breaks. 1 person has voted this message useful | |||
| Oasis88 Senior Member Australia Joined 5697 days ago 160 posts - 187 votes Speaks: English* Studies: Spanish, Italian | Message 29 of 36 06 December 2010 at 3:39pm | IP Logged | ||
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I record all my hours spent on my major tasks/goals in a spreadsheet so I can see how
much time I (used to) waste. Seeing the numbers add up is motivating; breaking the chain, recording a zero, and seeing a red block in my spreadsheet is demotivating. Edited by Oasis88 on 06 December 2010 at 3:42pm 1 person has voted this message useful | |||
| slymie Tetraglot Groupie China Joined 5220 days ago 81 posts - 154 votes Speaks: English, Macedonian Studies: French, Mandarin, Greek Studies: Shanghainese, Uyghur, Russian | Message 30 of 36 06 December 2010 at 8:26pm | IP Logged | ||
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I think looking back at where you were when you first started helps keep you motivated. Reading that first chapter from TYS Beginners xxxxxx and laughing at the little things that confused you which are so obvious now. Also as others mentioned watching a bit of a movie or show in your target language and finding out how much more you can understand now than the fist time you heard the language.
1 person has voted this message useful | |||
| comeauch Triglot Newbie Canada Joined 5201 days ago 8 posts - 11 votes Speaks: French*, English, German Studies: Dutch, Japanese | Message 31 of 36 16 January 2011 at 2:24am | IP Logged | ||
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Great topic! I personally tend to spend more time thinking about my target languages and finding resources than actually studying them. Although this might not be the most productive way to learn, somehow I think it doesn't really matter (that is, unless you have a very specific goal in mind!) What is the most important to me is the long-term. It depends on our personality, but I really wouldn't feel comfortable keeping a logbook, marking red Xs and things like that. It sure gives a great positive feeling once say, a year is completed, but I feel that this stills run on negative emotions (I GOT to read a bit, because I must get this daily X!)
Sometimes I feel like reading a foreign language book for a whole afternoon, sometimes I get busy with an other part of my life too. But I try never to force myself to work on something following the argument that I have to, I think this would end up making the process a chore. I know myself and I know that whenever something enters the "chore" category, I will find a new hobby and this new hobby will take most of my motivation. Part of it could also be knowing when to stop. Instead of thinking "Okay, let's finish this chapter" I prefer to stop while I'm enjoying it, so that later, I really do want to continue it. 1 person has voted this message useful | |||
| The Real CZ Senior Member United States Joined 5641 days ago 1069 posts - 1495 votes Speaks: English* Studies: Japanese, Korean | Message 32 of 36 16 January 2011 at 5:10am | IP Logged | ||
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This is my motivation for Korean. If I study Korean everyday, then Kim Tae Hee is happy and all is good.
This is my motivation for Japanese. If I study Japanese everyday, then Horikita Maki is happy and all is good. But in all seriousness, understanding TV shows and movies without having to wait on subs is my motivation. 1 person has voted this message useful |
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